Saturday afternoon I watched the movie, Pride and Prejudice. I think my sister recommended this movie to me but I hadn't watched it yet. I REALLY liked this movie. I liked it so much that I dug out the book and started reading it. I don't think I would have read much of the book or even finished it if I hadn't watched the movie first. (I am usually a big fan of the book and not the movie of most books.) The language of the book makes much more sense. Because this book was written originally in the 1700's and in England, the language is very formal. The relationships between the men and the women. The class differences. The whole formality of it. I like very much. The friendships can't be formed until the "lesser" party is introduced formally. O.K. I'll stop now. I'm going to say it again. I like this book and I really like the movie. I recommend it with two thumbs up! :D

It's been one of those weeks that I'm wondering what I am accomplishing this summer. Monday was Dane's birthday and I baked cookies, brownies, and chocolate sheet cake. We had a small get together with my mom and dad; Jean's mom and Dad and DeWayne's mom. Plus Denise's kids and Evan. Not very many and not overwelming for the first "in-law" meeting. Just comfortable!

Only a few more days until the beach. And only a few more days until school starts. And only about 120 days until the wedding. ARGH!!!!! I need another slower moving calendar. :D

I woke up at 5 am this morning thinking about some things for the wedding. I think it's because Evan and I looked at wedding pictures from all over the country last night until after 10. So I played out wedding things in my head!

Only 2 more days until book group. Yay! I miss my friends and our get togethers even though I see them at church. The laughter and the crazy stories are awesome!

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Today is my son, Dane's, Birthday! He is 22 years old. Amazing! Just amazing! He is an amazing young man. I am so thankful that God blessed me with a son. (I am also thankful for my marvelous daughter, Evan. :D) Dane is grown up. He has a job. He has a vehicle of his own. He pays his bills. And most of all, he's going to get married in 123 days! Of course there are people twice his age who have these same characteristics and I wouldn't consider them "Grown up". He takes his responsibilities seriously. I love that about him. Happy Birthday Dane!
We are having a small family get together tonight for his birthday. Just cake and ice cream. Grandmas and new in-laws-to-be. Should be an interesting evening!
Friday when Marsha was here we went shopping for my wedding outfit. I went to Paducah with the idea that I was going to buy a dress. A little black dress. And I was going to look fantastic! Well, we started at Dillard's and I picked up a few things to try on. Marsha had another idea in mind. So I went to the dressing room and they brought me things to try on. I tried on 2 black dresses first. They were ok but not FABULOUS. So Marsha brings me a jacket with a matching camisole underneath and black pants. Not just any pants. These are palazzo pants. Very soft and very flowing. They sort ot look like a long skirt when my legs are together. Well, I ended up with the pants and the jacket. And...I look (in the words of my husband) "HOT." :D I also found shoes that were very comfortable. So we all have our outfits. I also ordered Evan's shoes. We just have to order tuxedos and we're set.
I loved having Marsha and her girls here! We ate at Morello's on Thursday for lunch. We met our cousin Nadine there. We laughed so hard and just little things. It was good to be together.
Thursday evening we went to the Saline County Fair. WooHoo!!! I saw several children from school and they saw me. "Mrs. Whitlock" made an appearance! For awhile Marsha, DeWayne and I just stood in one place and watched the people. Very interesting to say the least. There are quite a few characters in Saline County. Sadly, I know most of them. :D
Only 14 days until the beach. Only 21 days until school starts. I have so many things to get done to start school. I feel like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind: I can't think about that today...I'll think about that tomorrow!

I haven't blogged this week and DeWayne let me know that I was taking too long between blogs. :D So here I go.

More randomness!!!

This morning in my quiet time my praise prompt was God's faithfulness and then in my INDEED devotion book today's entry was also about God's faithfulness. I love it when that happens. I always feel like I am on the right path when that happens. God is faithful. I know through everything that has ever happened to me and my family that God is always right there. He never leaves us or forsakes us. I am so thankful for His faithfulness! Even in our roughest times, He is there! All I can say is Thank You! and that seems so lame sometimes.

Marsha, Madison, and Mallory will be here tonight for a couple of days. I am so very happy they are coming. We have a lot of catching up to do. She's also bringing many wedding ideas. Fun,Fun,Fun!!!

DeWayne's friends, who are really Dane's friends too, have been here a lot this week kayaking. Or really practicing their kayaking moves. There is an art to kayak rolling. Monday I think they were in the water for four hours straight. Good times.

We leave on vacation in 18 days. I am ready for the beach. I've got my books ready that I want to read. Quiet, we are seeking quiet!

Dane got me a pedicure for my birthday from Mirage in Harrisburg. I think I will make my appointment for the Saturday after we get back. Then my toes will be beautiful to start school. I need to make that appointment this week.

Friday when Marsha is here, we are going to go to Paducah to look at dresses for me for the wedding. She and my mom and Evan and the twins. Yay! I hope I can find something that looks FABULOUS!

Book group is next Thursday. I am ready to hang out with my friends. The book we are reading is not that great but I only have to talk about one chapter (chapter #2 is mine). I am also excited because it's my turn to pick the book. I already bought it. It's a very simple fiction by Karen Kingsbury. I will read it first on the beach then move on to the rest of my list. :D

Another week! I looked at my calendar and I go back to work in 30 days. Well, let's just say that again this summer I did not paint. Oh well, there's always next summer! Probably because for the last few weeks all we've talked about here in our house are wedding plans with vacation plans thrown in.

I'm really excited! My sister and her twins are coming Wednesday evening and staying until Saturday morning this coming week. YAY!!! We haven't been together in a long time. I think I will camp in the basement with her so we can stay up late and talk. She's bringing her party planning "hat" and we are going to brain storm about the wedding. She's a great organizer. I might even have to get all my "posse"together with her so we can all plan together.

It's also Saline County Fair week. Jean will be busy with her nieces showing their livestock and I think she might even have to judge some events.

We leave for vacation in 21 days! I am ready for the beach. I am going to have to shut my brain off that week. No school and no wedding! Just relaxation!

I got a new car this week. My husband decided that we needed to trade my Saturn for a Corolla. So I have a brand new (and I mean BRAND NEW) 2010 white Toyota Corolla. I haven't had a new car in a LONG time. It smells so good. And it only had 4 miles on it when we drove it off the lot! It still only has about 175 miles now. It's very cute and fun to drive. He told me it was for my birthday but it really is for us. :D

I'm thanking God for His faithfulness and His goodness today!

Wedding

Everything here in my home right now is consumed with wedding plans. Where and when are taken care of: Little Chapel November 28, 2009. The rest is what we all talk about. Music, attendants, dresses, tuxes, colors, decorations, where for the reception, cake, food, etc.etc.etc.... It just goes on and on. It's all very exciting.
Last week I cooked at Jr. High Camp. We had about 74 campers. They were awesome. I had the best time. Cooking is exhausting work but there is reward! This week is Jr. Camp. They have over 130 campers. Unbelievable! I might have to sneek down there this week and help!
Friday Evan and I went with Jean, my other daughter to be and shopped for wedding dresses. Very fun and very tiring. I can honestly say they did not all start looking alike. Each one had its own selling point and each one had its bad points. Jean did decide on bridesmaids dresses and Evan tried hers on and it's ordered. Yay!!! Jean and Dane chose persimmon for the color to go with black and ivory. Very pretty.
I'm trying desperately to catch up on sleep and laundry! The laundry is all put away but I still feel like I could sleep everyday until noon!
Book group is coming up in a couple of weeks. I need to finish my book and study the chapter I will be talking about. It is a really hard book to read. It's my turn to choose and I'm choosing something EASY and FUN!

It's Official!

Well, it's official...I'm going to be a Mother-In-Law!!! Dane and Jean got engaged last night! Dane wanted to do something very romantic so we helped him pull off the details. They went to Paducah to eat and kill some time while Evan, DeWayne and I went to Cave-in-Rock to set things up. Dane picked out the spot and we took a blanket and some candles and flowers and set it up overlooking the river. He texted us when they got close and we pulled away as they drove up. It was very romantic.

Now for the wedding plans! They want to get married in November (yeah, of this year!). Thanksgiving weekend. So we have our work cut out for us!

I'll probably post many details later!

Birthday Time

Well, my birthday is in just 4 days. I will be 46. I don't really mind being 46 but I look at age so much differently that when I was younger. I can remember thinking my mom was really "OLD"! and she was probably younger that I am now. Oh, well! I ask Evan a lot if I am acting old. Most of the time she tells me no. The only thing that keeps going through my mind is "I am not too far away from 50." Fifty, what am I going to do at 50? We'll see what God's got for me!

Since it's my birthday I have to have my driver's license renewed. I haven't done the picture thing in 8 years because I am such a good driver they sent me a sticker the last time. Needless to say the picture of me on my driver's license is me looking way younger. :D I'm going to the facility at McLeansboro because they are nicer and faster. Sad that I have to drive 30 miles to be treated like a human.

Last night some of my book group friends got together. We had a little cookout. It was fantastic. The weather could not have been any better. We actually sat outside on Jeri Lyn's patio with blankets and jackets. She grilled chicken and vegetable kabobs. Everything was wonderful. I love being with these women. They make me laugh. They make me think. They just make me feel normal! Thank you Lisa G., Kerri G., Terah, Brigette, Jeri Lyn, and Darla. You are my BFF's. :D

Since we were together we made some book group plans for the rest of the year and for next year too. We've all had a rough time with this latest book. It's really deep. I have to lead discussion on chapter 2. I loaned my book to one of the other members so I have to get my book back and finish reading it.

I finished sorting pictures for now and got everything put back in the cabinets. I will get them all out again towards the end of the month maybe. They are better than they were. So that makes me feel like I accomplished something!

Next week I will be at church camp cooking. Sunday through Thursday late. So I probably won't be posting till the end of the next week. I haven't cooked at camp in a few years. I'm pretty excited about going. I love camp. I love just being where there are that many kids seeking Jesus. I know already that I will be exhausted when I get home but I don't care. It's a good tired!

I'm sitting here trying so hard to think of something so amazing that it will blow you all away... I got nothing!