Shannon and Jeremy's wedding was beautiful... a wonderful celebration of their love and commitment!  I've been sick since then, but wanted to throw together a quick collage to post.  I left all of the professional wedding photography to the professional photographer, but wanted to capture some of the details and candid shots that I thought he might not capture.  It was a beautiful evening and the beginning of a beautiful life together as Mr. and Mrs. Hatley!  Congratulations Jeremy and Shannon!

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoyed spending the weekend with Mom!
We shopped around the square in McKinney,
ate lunch at a cute place called Spoons,
then spent the night at her house and went
to a movie the next morning.

Danny and Kevin both gave me beautiful,
sentimental Mother's Day cards, and Danny
came down from Denton to cook shrimp
tacos for dinner and rented a movie for us
to watch together.

Where did Winter go???

The pear trees all over town are in bloom, our flowering quince is pink all over, our pansies are wondering what happened to winter, our dandelions are flourishing (of course!) We really wanted at least one snow/ice day home from work and a few more fires in the fireplace, but it looks like Spring has sprung, ready or not.

Heart Scans

We made a quick trip to OKC for both of us to have heart scans (Andrew's was a follow-up) and also to spend some time with Mike and Margo.

Papa C

Papa C has had another seizure. Dr. Downs said the MRI of his brain on Wednesday showed some small strokes and that could be causing the seizures. His medication will be adjusted. He also needs foot support for both feet, which he may be able to get at the VA hospital. He has been having trouble walking, possibly because of some nerve damage, if I understand correctly.

What's New Now?

The holiday busy season is over, the decorations are in the attic, and it's time to take stock and reorganize for the new year. This is when, if I had unlimited funds, I would go to the Container Store and fill up with stuff - yes, I do know how to have a GOOD time!!! I've made a small effort by cleaning out a closet or two and my desk drawers... again, wild & crazy good times. I spent the day with Papa C yesterday, and the three of us had lunch at the Tea Room in Mabank - I even splurged on their chicken salad, which is worth every minute I'll now have to repent on my elliptical trainer. Made a big pot of pasta fagiole for Murr C & Papa C and one for home. Looking forward to watching some football this weekend - it's Tebow time, although it will probably be Brady time when the game's over. Jackie and I have somehow managed to find time in our schedules to get together today - looking forward to it! Watched an old movie last night, on Kevin and Rachel's recommendation - Rear Window, with Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart. It's worth watching even if only to admire the clothes that Grace Kelly wears, and the camera lens that the main character (a photographer) wields! I finally finished the digital scrapbook that I made of our trip to France in 2004 - yes, it only took me 7 years to do! It finally bubbled up to the top of the To Do list! Now I am eagerly awaiting its arrival from Snapfish. Gong Gong, Pop Pop and I are going to Austin next weekend - Kevin and Pop Pop are going to a UT basketball game! Andrew is staying very, very busy with his hobby/business, and I am so happy for him that after so many years of being a great, hands-on Dad - going to countless soccer games and motorcycle events, that he now finally has the time to spend with his beloved tools and garage! We are going to Oklahoma City to visit Mike & Margo the next weekend. Now, it's time to put on my workout clothes and try to work off that chicken salad!

What's New?

The Rangers will be World Champions! (crossing fingers)

Andrew and I had a wonderful time in San Francisco and Mill Valley! Andrew agreed he needed a restful, relaxing vacation..... so he pedaled a rented bike across the Golden Gate Bridge (not everyone's idea of R&R). We did lots of sightseeing in San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Sausalito. Andrew was surprised at how much it resembled Colorado, where we love to vacation, especially north of San Francisco, with pine trees and lots of hills! No surfing and bikinis, but lots of beautiful scenery and amazing things to do.

It's finally getting cooler here! Happy Dance! Love it, love it...

Murr C is headed to a high school reunion this weekend with her lifelong best friend.

Shannon and I are working on her wedding "Save the Dates" on Sunday.... fun!!!

Gong Gong and Pop Pop are headed back from Carlsbad, California where they found a rental condo for next July!

Danny is working hard at UNT and his job!

Kevin was nominated by the Austin Advertising Federation as Best Media Buyer at the Austin Ad Fed's Big Wigs Award Show!

I just realized that I have started using exclamation marks at the end of all my sentences, a habit I've acquired since working at Bradbury Lane, I think...

Lately...

Murr C went on a "road trip" with her three cousins last week, and had a FUN time! Andrew, Missy and I each stayed with Papa C and Cyril the cat while she was on her trip... pics above AND below.

Gong Gong and Pop Pop are back home from California, just in time for lower temps here! We are so glad they're home, and enjoyed meeting them at Agave Azul for lunch.... Pop Pop's new favorite restaurant.

Stephanie and I made a Homecoming garter for her date, Aaron. Thanks, Stephanie, for inviting me; it was a lot of fun!

Shannon, Missy and I met for lunch and to talk wedding plans!

Danny and Danielle started back at UNT, and even have a class together this semester.

Kevin and Rachel are enjoying Austin life!

In between all of that fun was a lot of normal, mundane stuff like settling with the insurance company, roofing company, gutter company, HVAC company, and on and on. BUT, we are blessed to have a home, unlike so many who have lost theirs in the Bastrop and East TX wildfires.

Murr C's painting
supplies, in the
early morning light

Murr C and Papa C's chairs

Andrew and I,
Ted and Pam
enjoyed seeing
Emily at the
Kessler Theater!

Weekend in Austin

Spent a fun weekend, seeing Kevin and Rachel's new apartment on Ladybird Lake! The view from their balcony of the Austin downtown skyline is amazing, and their "back yard" goes right down to the water, with paddleboarders and people in kayaks and canoes. Had Tex-Mex with Kevin and Rachel at Guerro's on South Congress, explored the SoCo area, then went to B.D. Riley's Irish Pub on Sixth Street to hear an amazing blues guitarist named Alan Haynes. We were walking around on Sixth St. at 1am! The next morning, Andrew and I headed downtown for some photo ops and a bit of window shopping, then met Danny and Danielle (who had just arrived, for the beginning of their vacation in Austin), and Kevin and Rachel at Hut's Hamburgers on Sixth St. A very fun weekend!

What's New

Quickly, before I head off to work, here's a bullet list of what's new:

Gong Gong and Pop Pop returned from a 5-day stay in San Diego
Murr C and Papa C hosted Kelley and friends, Mike & Missy over July 4th weekend
Andrew and I visited Mike and Margo over July 4th weekend
Kevin and Rachel are moving in a couple of weeks, just south of downtown Austin
Danny will be 21 in just a few weeks!
Danny has a second part-time job, at Paulio's
Danielle is enjoying her job at Frilly's in Denton
Andrew is staying very busy with his hobby/side business
Andrew & I saw Horrible Bosses last night at Studio Movie Grill
I'm reading Redeeming Love and Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Danny made homemade chicken and dumplings, from scratch
Off to work at Bradbury Lane...

Saying Goodbye to Papa's Tree

The night after Father's Day, winds from a strong storm knocked down Papa's pear tree in the front yard. We awoke the next morning to discover the 14-year-old, majestic tree severed near the base, and leaning against the tall front window. The four of us planted the tree together when Kevin was 10 and Danny 7, in memory of Papa. We will miss walking out the front door, looking up at that beautiful tree, and remembering -- especially during the Spring when the blossoms were so beautiful...

Congratulations, Dallas Mavericks!!!

This poster has been hanging in our garage since Kevin gave it to Andrew for Father's Day when Kevin was 8 years old! Yes, that's a drawing of Jason Kidd, who also played for the Mavs in 1995!

Kevin & Rachel on Lake Travis

This would have been REALLY fun had Kevin not cracked a couple of ribs taking a hard fall. My adventurous family and their injuries!

I've never planted hollyhocks before...
I think I like them! Also added hanging
baskets in the back to cover up the lovely
box that Verizon installed. Crossing my
fingers I can keep everything growing!

Cooking an early 21st birthday dinner
and cupcakes for Danielle tonight! She
will be 21 on Saturday.

Mom is home!

Mom was released from the hospital late this morning after tests showed no lung damage or pacemaker problems. The doctor is assuming that she had some kind of muscle spasm (like she had in her neck several years ago) that caused the painful inhalations. She is feeling better and slept most of the day. Pop Pop says that although he likes to "play dumb" when it comes to doing laundry, he will do his best for a few days. I'll be going over every day to help out, too. Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. It was quite a day yesterday, but much better today!

Status 8am Wednesday

A very nice night nurse talked me into going home at midnight last night, assuring me they would take good care of Mom. Dad got some sleep last night, and then was back at the hospital at 7am. Mom feels better but did take pain meds through the night. She is hoping to be released today so she can recuperate at home.

Gong Gong's Status Tuesday night

Gong Gong was moved to the regular hospital part of Medical Center Plano at around 6:30pm because she is having a lot of pain when she inhales, and although the xray does not show a collapsed lung, there is something going on out of the ordinary. I'll be going back and will post again next time there is any change. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!