"C H I C K" flicks....

Two days, two movies...two home runs!!! Jean and I "hit the ground running" with one of our favorite activities: MOVIES!!! We went to "The Women" yesterday, and "Nights in Rodanthe" today---both were fantastic!!! These are both definitely "chick flicks"---not a single guy in the theater for "The Women!" It was like a big party...the whole place erupted in laughter many, many times! "Nights in Rodanthe" is a wonderful love story..always makes for a good movie!!

Oh yes, it's F A L L....

All I can say this morning is brrrrrrrrr! Fall "officially" arrived today and BOOM---it's cold outside!! After enjoying days in the 90's last week, we have seen a serious "dip" into the 50's! That is just rude of Mother Nature!! :0( So, one my very favorite things about fall is burning this Yankee Candle---"Harvest" scent...it's just makes your house smell so good!!! I'm not a big fan of scented candles that smell like food (pumpkin pie, for example). But, this candle is just the perfect combination of spice smells---mmmm, love it!
But, I'm not putting my shorts and flip-flops away quite yet because I'm going to Phoenix this Thursday for two fun-filled weeks with my sister! I know I can count on lots of warm, sunny days (and movies, and lunch out, and shopping, and dinner out) there! :0)

Good-by to summer...

We are enjoying a spectacular "Indian Summer"....hot days and cool nights, it's perfect! But there are more and more signs that autumn is here! You all know that I "love" summer, and I would be OK with fall---if the next season could just be spring!! :0)

We had a beautiful harvest moon (from our deck) last night...

The leaves in our yard are changing...

The sun is setting sooooo much earlier (I took this picture on the UI golf course last night)...Like I said, If spring could just be coming next, all would be right with my world! :0)

Football Saturday...

We're hoping to keep our "winning streak" alive today when the Vandals play Western Michigan! (Can you consider winning 1 game a "winning streak?") It is a gorgeous day here...80 degrees, sunny and no wind...I wish our game was played outside, but we're in the "dome!" I always regret having to play inside on beautiful days like this, but when the cold winds blow in November there is "no place like dome!!" :0)

G O L F....

Golf is one sport that has always seemed "beyond my grasp!" I know it takes LOTS of practice, but I was soooo bad that even practicing, in hopes of improving, was no fun!! Finally, this summer, I think I got past the "not so fun" part and I actually enjoyed myself! I'm still not very good, (well, really not good at all) but the best part is---I'm enjoying it!! I think my "transformation" can be attributed to this guy... Our son--the "golf pro"--gave me some lessons while we were in Michigan this summer, and ordered some new "lighter" clubs for me. Good news...it's working!!!
This fun golf themed paper is from "Scrappin' Sports," one of the many fun new sports papers at Paper Pals.

Yearbook Yourself...

OK, this proves I have wayyyyy too much time on my hands. On Cathy Zielske's blog she has a site "Yearbook Yourself," and I just had to try it!! I must admit, it is pretty fun!!! Go check it out! :0)

A busy day...

When I "retired" from teaching kindergarten (actually I just quit when our first grandchild was born...needed more time to "play!") I imagined my days having all kinds of "down time"---not much going on! Wow, was I wrong!! It seems like every day if filled to the brim with "something"...now, I'm wondering how I ever found time to work! :0) But, the very best part is that every day I am the "boss of my own time" and it is wonderful! I recommend it!! :0)

Jim had a "golf outing" on Tuesday and Wednesday so I went along to spend a couple days with "K" and "A". It was fun to take "K" to pre-school and meet her teacher, and "J" and I volunteered at "A's" school for lunch duty---always a great time!

Tonight I am teaching a mini-book album class at Paper Pals, WE ARE FAMILY...

I've been doing a little scrapbooking...

Always something "FUN" to do...it can't get much better than this! Happy Thursday!!

The Amber Waves of Grain....

Another sign, this morning, that summer is fading and fall is quickly approaching...the "amber waves of grain" behind our house disappeared as they began harvesting the wheat this morning. It seems like such a short time between when we see the shadow of "green" across the fields as the new grain sprouts in the spring and when the combines begin their harvesting! A VERY short summer is all I have to say! :0)

A Special Day for "K"...

Today was a BIG day for "K"...here she is, her very first day of preschool! (It seems like only last week we were holding her in our arms for the very first time!) Her Mommy said she was a little shy about the whole "school" thing this morning---even though she has been telling us for several months that she is a "big dirl now and was ready for preshool (her words!)!" Just wish I could have been with them to share this day!

Labor Day...

"Labor" day was a very relaxing one for us---no labor here!! :0) We enjoyed a fun, stress-free weekend at the lake with J, J, A and K. It was great!! The only bittersweet part, it felt like we were saying "good-by" to summer...the mornings were cool and the foliage is changing to the beautiful fall colors! The "up" side was that the weather warmed every day...perfect for reading on the deck, a game of croquet, a paddle boat ride and a little "bird chasing!" I'm not sure what the seagulls were up to--there must have been some fish right below the surface--they were swooping all around us and "K" had lots of fun running after them. :0)