Surprise!

Well I had the surprise of my life Saturday evening. A friend came to spend some time with me for the weekend and said she wanted to take me out for my birthday on Saturday night. Sounded good to me and the two of us have a great time doing things together. She came Friday night after work. We spent the evening eating pizza and gabbing about anything and everything. Saturday morning we got up and went shopping! One of our favorite things to do together. She was looking for votives for her church so we made some stops at St. Vinny's and Salvation Army. Luckily she found some at both places. We also made a stop at Hobby Lobby to put together a gift for my daughter's birthday. Barb's birthday was early September but with all the excitment of the wedding and all I never did get a proper gift to her. We found something that between us we could put together for a fairly nice gift. I also spent a little money on more scrapbooking items as I have several projects I want to finish for Christmas gifts . . . hope I get the majority of them done!

We got back to my place around 3:30. Both of us were pooped so we spent some time just relaxing. I finally decided I better take a shower and clean up for the evening. I was going to wear jeans but Marilyn thought we should dress up a little bit. Glad she talked me into that! I was ready to go around 5:45 but she insisted that I watch the end of a football game we were watching and then we had to go to her sister's to deliver something she had forgotten! So off we went. I drove. We were going to Olive Garden for supper. Drove into the parking lot (and it's always full) and got rock star parking right across from the front door. I remarked that there were a number of people waiting, but noticed there was a bench free so thought we could just sit and talk some more before we were seated. She stopped to check in and the gal said follow me. I made another remark about knowing the right people and followed the hostess. Walked around the corner and there was my family!! Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Cameras flashing and people yelling! Was I surprised?? YES! Very much so. My children, Barb and Jim & Mandy came in from Ankeny/West Des Moines, my sister and her husband were there and my neice, her husband and their new baby joined us. It was definitely a surprise, but a wonderful one. My birthday was the 17th but in the middle of the week and everyone was busy the weekend after. I thought maybe someone would come home the following weekend but they told me they were all busy, etc. Actually my children have a life of their own so I was disappointed but definitely understood, but the surprise of having them there was great! Thanks for making the trip guys. It really meant a lot to me.

I need to thank my sister, as I understand it was basically her idea. What a wonderful way to remember you 60th birthday! I haven't had a birthday party since high school, so this one was extra special!! My children got me a new digital camera (of which I love and can't wait for Christmas and all the pictures I can take). Jim set everything up on it so basically all I have to do is point and shoot! My sister and her husband gave me a bottle of wine (just like what we drank in Colorado), a snowman candy dish and another snowman for my collection at Christmas. Thank you so much. I love them both. The wine will get drunk real soon. We sure enjoyed it in Colorado! It's definitely a birthday to remember. Pictures next time!!

Can't write in my blog without wedding pictures (or some pictures of some kind). Since the wedding it the last big event in our lives (baby baptism coming up next) you get wedding pictures. These are some of my favorites. I have no clue what was so funny but Barb, Jim and I are certainly having a great time. I love the one of Barb and I. It's a keeper! The one of Jim & Mandy is one of my favorite snapshots I've seen so far. They look so happy! My sister had a great time and hamming it up with Jim is one of her favorite things to do. The picture of Barbie and Glee is great too. Lots of memories.

Jim & Mandy have got some of their pictures back from the photographer. I'm getting ready to order my prints. I definitely want a couple of larger prints for my livingroom wall. I also want a number of the 4x6 size shots for scrapbooking. Want to make up a number of books for different people. I'm looking forward to that project. I love weddings, and this one was very special.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Obviously I do. Work has been busy. It's end of the year for me. Our fiscal year ends September 30th so there's all kinds of statistical reports due to Des Moines. I've requested an extension on those. I should be able to get everything together by November 16th. Or at least that's the plan. We had an all-agency staffing today. Lots of work goes into those meetings. I also had a CSBG (community services block grant) stats meeting this afternoon. We went over all the stats for the year and plan on some changes in our reporting data. It's good to get together like this, but we had so many priority projects going at once it's a little hectic. The agency is also involved in a day-long workshop entitled "Bridges Out of Poverty," We're doing the registration part of it. Well we also sent out the flyer. We used snail mail as well as emailing a little over 100. That was an experience. I had a terrible time getting them out but finally they all went but 3. Bad addresses, I guess.

Hopefully things will slow down a little in the near future.

My sister and I are traveling to Ankeny for the weekend. Ankeny has a big craft fair this coming weekend. We're doing the 'early-bird' thingy. Barb and her friend Katie are season ticket holders to all ISU football games and there's a game being televised Saturday. When they televise games they start earlier in the day. This one starts at 11:00 or 11:30. Anyway, to make a long story shorter . . . Barbie is getting us early-bird tickets to the craft fair and my sister and I are going to spend our Saturday morning attending that. The early-bird part is a hot breakfast, goodie bags from vendors and the chance to shop early. Hopefully we'll find something we like and want to buy. I'm hoping Mandy can join us later in the morning to shop with us. She told me Sunday she really didn't want to get up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday for a craft fair. She gets up around 5:30 every morning for work. Guess we'll let her sleep in. Hope she can meet us later in the morning.

I'm hungry. Think I'll go find something for my supper. Just wanted to post some more pictures and thank my family for the wonderful birthday party. Thanks guys. I love you.

More wedding pictures!

I just couldn't resist putting more pictures in my blog. They aren't in any specific order (as you can see) but the way I uploaded them. I always try and put them in the body of my blog and that doesn't always work so thought I'd try it this way . . . this time.

Don't Jim and Mandy look happy? They were just coming out of the church on this shot. They had an absolutely beautiful day for their wedding. Next we go to the reception and Barb & Dan. Barbie walked with Jim's college roommate and friend, Dan. They make a great looking couple, don't they? Dan and Sara are the proud parents of a baby girl, Grace Addison, born in July. Dan and Sara live in Des Moines also.

The next picture has absolutely nothing to do with the wedding except that he's the newest member of our family. My neice, Beth, gave birth to this beautiful baby October 1st. His name is Jackson Dean. He was 8 lbs. 2 oz., 20 inches long and according to his Grandma Glee "wonderful!" Jackson was born in Dubuque so I was able to visit Beth & Karsten while they were still here in town. He really is a beautiful baby. What wonderful eyes!!

I'm just all over with these pictures but . . . the next one is two of my old neighbors and oldest friends from Epworth -- Cheri Clancy (Amke) and Doris Bierman. Doris and Amke were able to attend Mandy's wedding shower and we just had to have a picture for old time sake! We really must get together one of these days and hash over old times!!

Back to the wedding. Mandy and her bridesmaids. That's Barb on the far right. They all looked so beautiful in their black dresses.

Last, and certainly not least, the bride & groom at the reception. By this time they were very relaxed and took some great pictures.

The photographer Mandy & Jim had took over 1200 pictures of their wedding. They have them posted on-line and I can't wait to get a hold of some of them to do some scrapbooking. I promised Jackie (Mandy's mom) a book, would like to make one for Jim & Mandy, Barbie and myself. That should keep me busy for a few evenings!

What a rainy weekend. Did you get a lot done at your house? I worked a food giveaway on Saturday morning and came home and took a long nap. I think it lasted until later in the afternoon. I did see our Hawkeyes beat Illinois. That was a surprise! Didn't accomplish much on Saturday. Sunday I got in the spirit of cleaning and got a few things done. It needed it. Being out of town for a couple of weekends in a row doesn't do much for my cleaning!!

I finished a scrapbooking project and spent some time organizing pictures and my room before beginning another project. I love to scrapbook, but sometimes it takes a bit to get me going on a new project. Once I'm started I'm okay.

I should probably get a little more done around here tonight before I call it a night. I just had to add some more pictures. I'm sure more will be coming! It really was a nice wedding and everything turned out so well. And Jackson is a cutie!!

Best go. You all take care. God Bless.

Wedding!

The biggest event of late was Jim & Mandy's wedding. They were married on Saturday, September 22 in Omaha, Nebraska. I've posted some snapshots that Barb or I took at the wedding, rehersal and reception. I'll add more at a later date. They aren't in any specific order but turned out pretty good.

The first one is the bride & groom! They and the wedding party took a boat ride between the wedding service and the reception. As you can see it was an absolutely beautiful day!!
Next we have Barb & Jim taken at the church during the official picture-taking! Don't they look happy! I think Glee took the picture but we're all happy about the event that's going to take place!! My family!! Another shot of Barb & Jim. Barb had a beautiful dress and looked great. Next is Mr. & Mrs. Jim Davis as they left the altar at the church. Got a great picture of Jim, Harry and LInda (Harry's wife) at Spagetti Works in Omaha at the rehersal supper. Mandy had a picture taken with each of her attendants and this is the one of Barb & her. Last, but not least (for this trip down memory lane) is JIm, Harry and I. We clean up pretty good, don't we???




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I had a great time. Jim booked a room for Barb and I at the Holiday Inn at the AmeriStar Casino. My sister and her husband and son came in on Saturday and stayed at the same hotel on Saturday night.

Jim and Mandy had a note on the back of their program for my niece (or Jim's cousin) that read Good luck especially to Jim's cousin Beth who is having a baby boy any minute! What a sweet thing to do on your wedding program. Unfortunately, Beth hasn't had her baby boy yet. She had another doctor's appointment today so we'll see if anything happens in the real near future.

I personally had a great time. More pictures to follow at a later date of the reception. I'm real anxious to see the pictures that the photography took. He took a lot so my checkbook may get clobber real well.

Best look for something for supper and do a little housework. Hope all are well. Have a good week.