Summer Road Trip: Cape Girardeau

There is something going us with JAG and I...we actually made it somewhere on time (in yesterday's post) and I actually wrote out thank you notes from our trip and mailed them within a week...that is a big thing for me! I am terrible at writing thank you notes.

Back to our trip:

On Sunday morning we work-up and had condo church with JAGdad, MamaB, and JAG's Aunt Suzi and Uncle Stan. Their two daughter were with us also - of course I have no pictures!!! I spaced, sorry. Everyone fully enjoyed being in the word while gathered in the living room of our condo. Afterwards I think some swimming took place by the girls and Shelby while Bekah napped and I got in some much needed study of Ruth. We are using a retreat kit from Group Publishing for our Women's retreat this year and Ruth is the focus, so I am reading up...getting all the knowledge I can to be prepared.

That afternoon we loaded up the van and headed back on the road for four hours. The scenery was just as lovely, but this time it was farms - tons and tons are farmland.

I have to admit, this city girl said "Look honey it's wheat!" To which JAG corrected me by saying that the fields were full of corn. I of course rebuttled with "No, I have blogger friends in Kansas and that is wheat I've seen it...oh wait...umm...that is corn! I told you it was corn, but you just didn't believe me." This typical of our discussions - he is pretty much always right and I try my best to find something that he is wrong about. 

JAG: 2 million     Dana: 0

We made it into Cape about 7pm to find that GrandmaB had spent her afternoon/evening preparing a lovely dinner for us. It made my heart melt to see she brought out her good plates and glasses. She made us a special dip with our sandwiches and even brought out her special serving pieces. I had to take a few deep breathes because as soon as I walked into her retirement village apartment I was flooded with emotions and memories of my Meme and how much Meme loved to have us over to eat. GrandmaB even had a plate of fresh sliced tomatoes - it was home.

GrandmaB's apartment is covered with pictures of all her grandkids (JAG has 3 bothers and four cousins) and great grandkids. She is one proud grandmother. I was so excited to find and snap of picture of this one (you saw it yesterday) that was hanging proudly on her fridge.

JAG is the oldest of all the grandchildren so there were a few extra of him. Look at his cuteness sitting in that 1970's lawn chair - my parents had these too.

Pretty soon it was late and way past GrandmaB's bedtime so she showed us to our room there in her building - it was nice, just like staying in a hotel. Shorty after we got unloaded there was a knock on our door and I just knew we were making too much noise for our neighbors. When I went to answer it I was surprised to find GrandmaB there - she was just making sure we found the room and that we made it and there were no problems.

Early the next morning (right at 7 am) there was another knock on the door which I was more prepared for since we had made arrangement to have breakfast with GrandmaB in the dinning room. There she was in her good red outfit full of spirit and ready for the day.

She was ready to show us off! We got the opportunity to meet her girlfriends. I loved seeing how proud she was of the girls.

After breakfast we jumped in the van for a tour of Cape Girardeau. GrandmaB has lived there for a very long time and raised her children there as well, so she was a pro tour guide plus she has the gift for talking so we got all the details.

We went by the house where she lived with JAG's grandfather.

not the best picture, but as you can tell someone was living there

Bekah wasn't too excited by the history of her family - someday she will be.

I had to laugh because our next stop was down by the river. GrandmaB had to take us to see the "palace of sin" they are building in Cape. 

Palace of Sin = Casino

Then she took us through neighborhoods of house that you could purchase if you made it big during your visit of the sin palace. 

Next stop, the river. Which I believe is the Mississippi (so much for my geography). Little did I know we were a stones throw (or a major doggy paddle) away from Illinois. 

What? Doesn't everyone teach their daughter to drive at 9 months?

After the river we were hungry and wanted to take GrandmaB to lunch. We were planning on someplace nice as our treat, but she insisted on McDonald's because she has a major hankering for an apple pie - that is a woman after my heart! We couldn't refuse apple pies!

After lunch I learned that JAG's family history rand deep in Cape. We got to see this home which is on the historic register. I believe that JAG's great great grandfather owned it or maybe a great great great...not really sure, but it was so neat!

I fell in love with the old home is Cape Girardeau - look at the iron work and the front door that matches the swing - I love it!

Since we were so close the Illinois we decided to drive over the bridge so Shelby could add another state to her list. After that is was off to a park where JAG had so many fond memories of playing on this black train.

If you remember I have really been into my family history, doing geneology research and finding old pictures. GrandmaB was thrilled when we told her we wanted to take her the cemetery so she could give us more history. 

It was very neat to see that Bekah has a family member that was part of the Daughters of the American Colonists.On my side she and Shelby have linage in the Daughters of the Confederacy - since my great great grandfather died during his service in the Civil War.

We wore GrandmaB out so it was back to her place for more pictures. I love old pictures especially of people I know!

JAGdad being held by his father - he was 8 weeks old

JAG always said he looks just like his grandfather, but man this picture gave me chills...their profiles match so much. He looks a bit like JAG's brother Tim, too.

Look at this one...this is the day that GrandmaB went to St. Louis to pick out her wedding dress. I love her hat!

And boy did she have a big wedding

We spent the afternoon hearing stories and taking more pictures then it was off it Saint Charles to see JAG's Aunt and Uncle. 

I love all of these:

Looking at the two of them together I think I see some similarity. I am almost positive she will be a spitfire like her great grandmother. GrandmaB kept saying "you just leave her here with me and I'll take good care of her." 

Blended Families

As I drove into work this morning I listened to Paula Dean’s autobiography, It Ain't All About The Cookin'. I was listening to her advice on blending families, she didn’t have the easiest time blending hers when she married Michael, but she survived. Hearing her stories made me think about my soon to be blended family and our struggles.

I have to say I really didn’t think that this would be as difficult as it is, but JAG’s children are so spoiled. You see they ruled the roost for the past 9 plus years. His youngest son, Moby, is mean, rude, and does not play well with others. His breathe stinks and his body odor is even worse some days. He has no care for your personal space and he loves to breathe right in your face. Also did I mention he was spoiled?

Yes I am talking about a dog. I am also talking about two dogs I love and adore. You see JAG and I have no issues blending our human family, but there have been so hiccups blending our canine/rodent family.

I bring to the mix one 8 month old 60 pound boxer puppy, Duke, and a year old hamster, Jackson (or Jack or Jack-Jack or crazy hamster).

JAG brings a 9+ (not sure) miniature schnauzer, Gus, and one 7+ (again not sure) miniature schnauzer who is an Alpha – with a capital A- male, Moby.

Let me say right now my children (including the human) are no dream, remember this post just last week? Duke is a handful and a half – especially since he ate an entire bag of rolls last night. And that Jack is trouble too. Little info on him – he is picky about food. He dumps and entire bowl of food out and picks through it until he finds the pieces he likes best. Also you can not sit anything by his cage because he will pull it in and tear it up. He has no fear. He has been known to roll over a cat while in his big plastic ball. So, my children have just as much attitude as JAGs – especially the human one.

I never imagined the excitement and trauma the four of them would bring to this relationship.

First – Duke and Moby in regards to personal space. You see Beau learned pretty quickly before he passed away (not by the hands of Moby) that Moby could care less about anyone else’s personal space, but you better not dare get into his. He is serious about this – don’t step on him, breathe on him, lick him or smell him. Duke can’t seem to understand this and goes back time and time again to say “hello.”

Next – Moby and Jack – Jack stays at JAG’s house, in his office because there is not place at my home to put him where Duke can’t reach and still give Jack the view he prefers. He is the office because Moby lets out the loudest highest pitched bark every time he seems him. It’s like he is screaming “RODENT!”

Duke and Gus – Gus is laid back, mainly because Moby has beat the poo out of him for the seven plus years they have been together, but the one thing that irritates him most is Duck standing over him. Duke hovers over him constantly as if to say “yes, I am taller than you.”

That is them together…individually they are all crazy. I am going to single out just one because it never fails he does his weird stuff when his father is gone. I so hate to put this out in public and defame JAG’s son, but I feel it need to be said…

This picture was taken to prove his crime to his father and now the world.

Moby is a murderer.

It is awful and I know the PETA people are probably going crazy right now, but that is his bread (or so I am told). And he is proud of it therefore he prefers to be called “Killer” and shakes his tail in excitement every time I say it. Normally it is birds, as seen in the picture above. This past weekend it was a squirrel who decided to bite back. Don’t worry Moby is fine. The squirrel I hate to say did not make out as well as Moby. No reason to cringe I was freaking out too bad to snap a picture of the scene.

So my family is blending with JAG’s and it is interesting, a little scary (especially for Jack) and can be pretty traumatic at times, but I think we will make it as long as Moby keeps his killing to when his father is at home.

Just so you know...I love love love Moby. Love the sinner not the sin, right? 

Happiness Project: Big Screen and Girly Movies!

This week I am house and dog sitting at JAG’s. This is usually the week where something goes wrong-a dog gets sick, a dog eats a bird or something in the house breaks to the point of a repair call. It is inevitable that something stressful happens when it is me alone with one child and three dog children.

Well, JAG’s solution to my stressful week – put the large (but not large enough for the living room) TV in the bedroom with a DVD (he calls “dove du”) player. This way I can go to sleep each night watching on of my favorite girly movies.

Without giving you the drama that has already occurred and it’s on Tuesday, I will say that this DVD player and extra large (42”)- my largest is a 26” in my living room- TV has been a stress relieving life saver!

I have enough girly movies – that JAG cannot stand – to last me for the rest of the week!  In the picture you can see some of my favorites. I would have Steel Magnolia’s in the mix, but Shelby has hid it somewhere. She calls it her movie because she believes she has staring role in it. She has never seen it all the way through so she doesn’t know that Shelby dies. Yes, I named my daughter after a girly movie- don’t watch tear jerker’s while you are a pregnant.

What is your favorite stress relieving girly movie?

Also, join in the Happiness Project fun at Leigh’s

Do You Know What Today is?

Warning…this post may be too lovely dovey for some people.

Do you?

It is JAG’s Birthday! WoooHooo! The love of my life is 33 today! 33 will be awesome! I just know it! Why you ask…because I love you (JAG…not you, but I do love you to, but this is JAG’s blog).

I have been sitting here the last couple of days trying to rack my brain to come up with 33 reason why I love you…you know I have to get cheesier then the birthday card! So lets see…man…this is hard 33 is BIG. You’re getting old…you are officially older then me (for a couple of months).

Just had an idea…yeap right as I type this. Let me tell you and the world-you know I have readers, right?-the 33 reasons why I have decided to spend the rest of my life with you. That sounds like more fun.

So without further a due here are the 33 reason why I want to spend forever- and a day (gotta cheese it up) with you!

1. Patience: you have a ton of it!
2. You won’t let me use “I am fine” when you know I am not.
3. The pure fact that people want you to sing, beg you to be in choir while people plead for me to take up lip syncing.
4. I don’t have to vacuum before you come over.
5. You have a knack for communicating with Shelby and have even taught me a few things.
6. Even when I am grumpy, you still like me.
7. You will sit through bad TV with me.
8. You never make fun of me, even when I look like a clown
9. You never say, “Are you going to tell that story AGAIN?”
10. You always seem to know when things aren’t going great.
11. You don’t get upset when I fall asleep during one of your favorite movies.
12. You know my colors.
13. So many people love you-that is the sign of a good guy.
14. Your love gives me the feeling that the best is still ahead.
15. I love your smile…I really do.
16. You laugh when I use the wrong words or spell something completely wrong.
17. You will pick up a soldier’s tab at a restaurant and not ever stay for him to have a chance to thank you because you say you didn’t do it for a thank you.
18. You love food. Really love food and love trying new food.
19. You spend hours with me just shopping…and you like it.
20. You will find an Iphone App for anything I need; unfortunately…I don’t have an iphone.
21. You bring out the best in me.
22. You gave me two wonderful step-dogs!
23. You roll your eyes (in a nice way) when I can’t count in my head – you learned recently I get this from my mother.
24. You will tell me that my cooking is good even when I ask you 5 times during one meal.
25. You never get mad at me…even when I drive you up the wall.
26. You push me to do things that I enjoy, like writing this blog.
27. ‘coz you are amazing, dazzling and extra nice.
28. You send texts that just say “You are Awesome” or “You Rock”
29. You’re someone I can be goofy with.
30. Yogurt.
31. You really love being called JAG.
32. I can ask you a dumb question without feeling dumb.
33. Whenever I need it most you are there with you all-purpose hugs.

These are also the 33 reason why I love you.

This is how JAG feels about this post and that I insisted on putting 33 candles on this cake!

I hope you have an AWESOME Birthday! I will forgive your employer for making you go out of town on your birthday…well maybe.

Just FYI…we celebrated JAG’s birthday before he left. I even made him a yellow cake from scratch (pat on the back)…the icing was from a jar or can or whatever you call it.

That is Queen Amidala in Shelby's Mouth

Yes, I know my camera sucks inside

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow up?

What do you Want to Be?

I had a friend in elementary school who would belt that out. No, wait, maybe junior high-he loved school house rock.

I hear it over and over in my head lately. No, I am not crazy-at least not yet. I am struggling to find my grown-up job. If you haven’t heard, I dropped out of nursing. I know-and that’s all I have to say about that. My nine to five gets more annoying by the day. There is no purpose. I am not helping anyone or at least helping the way I would like to-making a difference, making an impact on the world. I won’t get into my job, but I will say you don’t like what I do and each time you go to your mailbox you more that likely let out a little curse about my job. Don’t worry, I feel the same way.

Anyway, what is my purpose? What was I put here to do beside be a wife and a mother because I believe I am meant to have a job?

Sometimes I think it is helping new believers. Then I stop and weigh my qualifications and think “may not be ready for that yet.” I want to make sure I know everything I need to know before I start telling people things – this is important stuff, you know?

Is it writing? I have two books in the works (meaning they are in my head) and I also have this blog. Then I stop and think “ummm…English is something you might want to master before you start picking out the picture for your inner sleeve-I think that’s what it is called-need to know more big words, too.

Is it one of my original passions – photography? I recently dusted off the camera my awesome father so nicely gave me – and hope he never wants back- to take some pictures of Shelby (reason for pic above). I think I am lucky to have such a wonderful daughter who will allow me to take pictures of her over and over. Is this a hobby or a possible career…not sure yet.

What I am sure of is that I will not be sitting at this desk ten years from now. I can’t I need more. I need to make a mark somewhere. I want to help people. Anyone wanna give me first gig?

My New Love!

Let me tell you a little bit about my new love. Ah it is a beautiful thing!

It’s Google Analytics. Have you heard of it? If you blog you better go check it out.

It is a website that monitors my traffic. JAG would always say, “oh I had five people look at my blog today” and this would make me jealous because he blogs on another service. I in no way was going away from Blogger, so I did my research and found Good Analytics.

It’s awesome because it tells me that you are reading me and some of you actually like me (heehee). There are many different reports that should what is read most and stuff like that. I can even see where someone is reading me from, there is a lovely map like this:

I will only show this one because I know exactly who that is that is visiting me.

So, I am probably five years behind like I normally am with technology, but I want to tell you my new love and say

Thank You So Much For Reading My Blog!

Please stay tuned…exciting things are happening in my life and if you asking any of my friends this is the only place where you will know what is going on. Seriously, my closest friends find out about things here before I tell them. I am also (when I get 10 minutes) going to start a blog about my weight loss journey. I have the domain…just got to get up the nerve to post my start weight. 

I Wish I New More about Eleanor

The rhyming just happened…I like it.

The other day I was searching for weight loss quotes and found this one.

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission

And this one

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

What do they have in common?

hey are written by the wonderful Eleanor Roosevelt.

I hate to admit that the most I know of her is her character in Annie and her quotes. Oh, she was a wise woman…I so just want to spend hours reading about her (I wish I had that kind of time).

I really hope that none of my readers come along and burst my bubble about her.

Do you know her quotes? Have you read them?

I feel sometimes like my blog does not provide any information for anyone other then me (and JAG), so today let me give you a lesson in the BEST Eleanor Roosevelt quotes.

These are my favorite:

Friendship with ones self is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.

In all our contacts it is probably the sense of being really needed and wanted which gives us the greatest satisfaction and creates the most lasting bond.

Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.


The giving of love is an education in itself.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'


You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.

Don’t you just love it? Those are just a few…she was a woman after my own heart and the major gift of gab!

PS…yes I am on the weight loss kick…I have posted some awesome Video Blogs on a website, but I am not sure I want to share them with you yet…I know…rude huh?

You and Me and Five Bucks

You see, Lainie, this is all we need…

a couple of smokes, a cup of coffee…

and a little bit of conversation.

You and me and five bucks

That has to be my favorite scene in that movie. I have watched it so many times due to the fact it is one of my mother’s favorites (she likes the music and the girl who sleeps with everyone.)

In the time JAG and I have been together we have been many places and done many things, but I find that we are best over a cup coffee. We have the best conversations, the best rapport, the best time…just us and coffee.

That is where it all began, in a Starbucks he had a regular black coffee. As I had my typical Non-Fat White Chocolate Mocha no whip I said a little pray that that would be my last first date.

Now I can almost drink coffee black, I was actually able to put down the sweet n’ low last night, but that is a whole other blog topic.

The reason why I am writing this is because I have found another reason to fall even harder for this man…great conversation. Mind challenging, but not overwhelming conversation is the best and that is what I get from him.

Just in case you didn’t know I am a Democrat thru and thru. Even though JAG believes otherwise (he can keep thinking it all he wants) I bleed blue. I think it was just something that was born into me and I have yet to find anyone you can change my mind (he tries). This brings new like to our conversations.(I know…I have read that sentence 3 times and have no idea what I was trying to say, but I don’t want to delete it) It is a joy sometime to disagree, to be able to show him the other side of the coin on issues. To be truthful, he gets passionate about topics that I know nothing about and I end it with “You believe what you believe and I will believe what is right.” I love it. I love that he is so patient with me and doesn’t try to make me feel stupid even when my blonde roots show.

I have longed for a relationship like this one. I remember a couple of years ago listening to my friend Kay describe her relationship with her husband. She said they sit on the back porch and talk…that is all they needed. No fancy restaurants, no movies, no sitter…just him and her. Being that my love language is quality time this was so appealing to me.

I am lucky

I am happy

I am thankful that was given this opportunity

I am grateful that all it takes is a cup of coffee

I am hopeful that it will always be this way.

Milk Glass

If you know me you know I love all things vintage. I love things that remind me of my grandmothers.

Lately I have been in love with Milk Glass. I have very few pieces, but want more. I am sure a have an aunt that could hook me up since she has tons.

Here are some pieces that I have fallen in love with.

What do you love this week?

Things I LOVE This Week!

WARNING: This post is overfull with pictures.

In no particular order here are the things I have enjoyed and have been my “loves” for this week.

Granola & Yogurt for Breakfast

I have gotten on a granola kick and hope to make my own soon! I Love strawberry yogurt with granola and have had it for breakfast all week.

Chick-fil-a’s Chargrilled Chicken and Fruit Salad

Yumm! I found this a couple of months ago while lunching with JAG. I had it again this week. I love this salad. Check out the nutritional data here.

My BIG black sun glasses

I love these. JAG doesn’t, but oh well. I got these at Target!

Stairs in our New Office Building

Even though I still get out of breath, I love having these stairs to get in some exercise.

View from My Office Window

Two walls of my office are windows. I love it. I have yet to turn on the fluorescent overheard lights. I love the natural light in this room and the view is great!

Stickers on My Minivan

Yeap, I have reached official soccer mom status. I found these a few weeks ago. Don’t you love them?

Holding Hands

With JAG of course. I could sit for hours holding his hand.

.

Cherry Coke Zero

I cannot put into words my love for Coke Zero products especially Cherry Coke Zero!

My Flip Flops

They are not super adorable, but they are so comfortable. I paid $8 for them at Target and I think Lacy paid a lot more for her name brand ones that look almost just the same. I could wear these everyday. You can buy them here. .

Shelby & Beau Sleeping

I love checking on Shelby and seeing her sharing a twin bed with our 50 pound lab mix. He even has in own pillow.

My Playlist

Stumbled across this playlist awhile back and I listen to it everyday. I love all the songs! You too can listen to it here.

Blog Comments from People I Don’t Know

I get really excited when I receive comments from friends, but I get ubber (probably not spelled correctly) excited when I get comments from strangers. WooooHoooo!

Shawni’s Talent Blog

I know I know Shawni Shawni Shawni, but you have to read this entry especially if you have children! LOVE it! Please read it here.

Stephanie Nielson’s Blog

I spent time this week starting from the very beginning and reading through Stephanie’s blog. I love seeing all her pictures and reading her store. I also love this girl’s style about everything. She also has the best shoes! Go check her out here.

To Do Lists

And the fact that I can move it from one day to the other!