Happy Mother's Day!

I can't believe I finally got this peony to bloom. I dug it from Mama's yard back in 2003 and finally found the right spot for it. Mama had about 5 of these plants that were planted by her clothes line. She never did a thing to them and they always were so pretty when they bloomed. I wish I knew the story behind them. I'm sure she dug them up from someone's garden. I love having a little piece of someone else's garden in my yard. You can't help but think of that person every time you see that special plant. Thank you, Mama!

Today the boys would be TWO years old

This is the reason that I wanted to go to the beach. My sweet boy's birthday is the day after mine and I just wanted to get away from it all. I just wanted to be where I could think of them and smile or cry. When we woke up this morning, we wanted to walk on the beach one more time before we packed up and left. The boys were the first thing I thought about when I woke up. I shared my plan to write their names in the sand with Dicky & he volunteered his toothbrush for the job. The sand was so cold on our feet when we made the trek down toward the ocean. I wrote Happy Birthday first and we quickly snapped a picture before the waves totally washed it away. Dicky wrote his birthday wishes next and we snapped several more pictures. While I was waiting on him to finish up, the tears started coming... While I know they are in a better place of peace and total happiness, I get selfish & feel sorry for myself and wish they were here with us. At least someday we will all be united with them again.

Spring are you here yet?

After breakfast this morning, Dicky & I did a quick walk through the Botanical Gardens and found a few things blooming. I hope this is a sign that Spring is here! When things are blooming and growing I always feel there is hope. Hope for happiness, strength and peace. Thank you God for giving me Spring!

Abby & Loni on Matter's of Faith ABC 33-40

baby it's hot outside

shuwee - it has been so HOT! i am so dissatisfied and spoiled. always waiting on the weather to warm up or cool off. i didn't think it would ever warm up enough to swim. i was wrong. it was 99o when I got off work today! the pool was so nice this afternoon. i don't think i've ever started a pool season where i didn't have to get used to the water before i went all the way under. Today I just walked in and enjoyed. Bella floated with me for a while on the raft until she got bored with it. Ahhh - summer is here :)

So sad about my flip-flops : (

When I logged on to my blog tonight the background was all distorted and crazy looking! AAAAKKKK! I hated to lose my sandy flip-flops header that I have had so long that I've forgotten where I got it... but I couldn't stand to have a "neck-ed" blog. I really miss my flops though. should have tried re-booting

Thinkin' about my boys

Today Brody and Braden would have been 1 year and 2 months old. I can't believe it's been so long since I saw them. I think of them everyday and wonder what they are doing. Are they still tiny or are they learning to walk? What color is their hair? How much do they look and act alike? What makes them smile and giggle? How do they favor their mom and dad?
I can't help thinking about them. I'm reminded of them everyday when I see other babies. I'm thankful that someday I'll get to see them again and all my questions and emptiness will vanish. Love you to the moon and back boys!!!

Blessed

Happy Day to "Mothers"! Whether you have physically birthed children or helped raise a child, it doesn't matter. We influence and make a difference in the lives of the little ones around us.

I am blessed with two extraordinary children. If I had known that these two would turn out so well, I would have populated the world with more strong Herrens! Vance and Abby are so different, but their values are the same.

Thank you, God, for giving me these two wonderful children. They are my world and I love them so much! Thank you for my grandbabies, Brody and Braden. They are forever in my heart and soul. (When I think of them, that Fannie Flagg book titiled, "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven" always pops in my head and makes me smile.) Thank you, God, for my mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. Their influence has molded me into the person I am today.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed." (That verse always makes me giggle.)

WELCOME TO ARBY'S

My friends and I hate when the Arby's crew yell's at you when you walk in the door - BUT it's worth it for a free sandwich, right??? Click here and print a coupon for a free (with the purchase of a drink) sandwich. Hurry!!! The coupon expires March 9th!

I'm thinking Arby's now, are you?

A favorite Uncle

Jerry Hinton, a favorite uncle of ours died recently. His wife, Eula Mae planned a very unique memorial service to honor Jerry. I will miss him at the anual "Christmas pickin", but I'll mainly miss his dry sense of humor that was like no other!

Here are a few photos from the service at Leeds UMC and then the scattering of his ashes at Lookout Point - Horse Pens 40. Here's a link to other photos of Jerry.

http://
HINTON, JERRY, of Leeds, Alabama was born May 13, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in Irondale, where he was a member of Irondale United Methodist Church and attended Shades Valley High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961. He retired from Boggan Carpet Installation. He had lived in Leeds since 1962 and was a past member of Leeds Lions Club and served as club secretary for 3 years, he was a charter member of Alabama Bluegrass Music Association, and a member of the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. He was a NASCAR and ice hockey fan, a football fan for all of Alabama's schools, but everyone knew that Auburn was his favorite. Mr. Hinton was preceded in death by parents, Thera and Norman Hinton; and his sister, Fay McCoy. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mae Hinton; sister, Norma Jo Bass (Buddy); brothers-in-law, Huston McLendon (Alice) J.L. Herren (Martha). A memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Leeds First United Methodist Church. At sundown we will present his ashes back to the earth and to the Lord from Lookout Point at HorsePens40, where he encouraged so many to appreciate the beauty of God's earth and to enjoy bluegrass music and where he marked trails for visitors to enjoy. He selected this as his final resting place because it was so special to him. On Friday, February 6, 2009 friends are invited to share memories, photos, food, and Bluegrass Music here at our home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Leeds First United Methodist Church or Alabama Bluegrass Music Association. P.O. Box 220 Leeds, Alabama 35094. Kilgroe Funeral Home, Leeds Directing.
Published in The Birmingham News from 2/5/2009 - 2/6/2009

She's 30!

Dear Abby,
30 is not so bad. Really. Happy Birthday!!!
Love,
Mom

georgia

georgia is my mini schnauzer that has been the puppy love of my life for the past 10 years. she was not liked by everyone because she was not the friendliest dog and was so darn "vocal". our georgia died last Wednesday at the ER vet. she had been sick for several months and was just not her self anymore. you could tell she didn't feel good and that something serious was wrong.
i miss her terribly, but i'm so glad we got another puppy to help fill the void of losing two of our puppy dogs this year.
it's strange to be so attached to something that is not human. you feel like an idiot, crying over losing a pet, but they become such a part of the family that the mourning just comes.
i know i'll be just as sad when we lose "white dog" and the new puppy - but hopefully that will be a few years down the road.

Would you believe...

Would you believe... that White Dog had a puppy????

Would you believe.... thatI bought this baby from a lady at Wal-Mart???

Taking names - please help me name her!!!! I wanted Ava, but I was out-voted by the men in the house.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

I've got chu on my mi...hind! I love this man! He has put up with me and my shannagins for 34 years. He is the most patient person I know. Nothing ever shakes him. Nothing comes along that he can't see some blue sky somewhere. I am the luckiest woman in the world to have snagged him so many years ago. Please shoot him an email at richardherren@hotmail.com and let him know that his wife loves him very much. I want his mail box filled up ladies! Thanks!

a simple Christmas

With money being tight for everyone this year, our family has decided not to exchange gifts. It's really given me time to focus more on others that are less fortunate than us. Last night I went shopping with the girls to buy clothes, etc, for Lisa B. Lisa was on the wish tree at HealthSouth and is sponsored by Gateway. I hope she will love the clothes, makeup and jewelry we bought her. She's 15 years old so we really could have used a young chick's perspective! I think we did alright despite our handicap.

I've also been told about this couple that just found out that daddy's cancer is back and it doesn't look too good. My heart melted and I had to send them a little something. They are Christians so there is assurance of eternal life, but they are so young and just starting their family. I want to see them grow old together.

Happy Friday all!

Dang! I still look like Lucy Ricardo!

I've colored it again with a light golden brown and I still get firetruck RED!
Tonight or tomorrow I'm going to add some highlights to the madness to see if that will give me neon orange stripes!

Girls just wanna have fun! Right?

Lucy Ricardo is alive!

Ok, it's not really Lucy, but gosh my hair is RED now! This is what happens when you go shopping for hair color with your gorgeous, naturally red-headed daughter! There is no way to have her color! I will have to color over this, but I just needed to document so I won't forget that I can't be a natural looking red-head! Back to Wal-Mart for me...

Interview tomorrow!

Got a call to interview with Protective Life Corp tomorrow morning at 9:30. I hope it works out that we like each other. I'm so tired of looking. Looking for work has been more than a full time job and so frustrating! As Christa would say - maybe I'll get a Thanksgiving miracle! Whoot whoot!

UPDATE - Interview went well. They are looking to hire someone in January. They will get back with me next week to let me know what the next step will be.

Ab and I went to see Twilight yesterday afternoon. It was good, but didn't seem as intense as the book. I was disappointed in the heavy white make-up that Carlisle and Jasper wore. It was fun though and I'd probably go see it again, just because. The best part was when I had to break for the restroom. I came back and couldn't find where I was sitting before!!! It was hilarious! I couldn't see a thing - only shapes of people staring at me! I knew somewhere Abby was laughing her head off at me! I finally just sat to the side and some nice young man came and escorted me to my correct seat! That just proves that I should be eligible for a senior discount! Gotta love old people - they are so funny.

tomorrow I'm fully severed!

tomorrow will be my final severance payment from DHC. YIKES! i'm still applying for everything, but no luck yet. when i do finally get back to work, i'm going to be really tired! i'm like a baby with my days and nights mixed up! i think i'm driving the hubs crazy with the hours that i'm keeping. i'm not sleeping any during the day, but i seem to be able to stay up really late. i'm saying, really late... even the dogs are begging me to get some normal hours!

the hubs is flying to one of my fav cities today :(. i so wish i could have gone to chicago with him!!! i know it's freezing there, but i just love wandering in and out of the stores. we keep saying that we will go back someday during the spring or fall when the weather is nice. it's just a great city with LOTS to see and do.

i'm excited that Twilight is so close! i don't think i'll be going to the midnight show, but i'll definately be seeing it before the weekend is over. ahhhhh - Edward and Bella.....

i've set up shop on Etsy now. i hope to get the rest of my "bazaar" items posted today. some of my peeps are tired of checking back and only seeing 5 things!

got to take GA back to the vet today... poor pup can't seem to get well. i hope it's not something serious!!! i don't want any more trauma!