Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

1. MACY'S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS, 2. WATERMELON EATER, 3. First Class, 4. Happy Birthday America!, 5. 4th of July in Washington, DC, 6. wearing the colors on the 4th (les pensées texanes #9), 7. VET DAY PARADE KIDS, 8. Happy 4th of July, 9. The Shining City on the Hill, 10. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY ..... LET'S CELEBRATE!, 11. Happy Fourth of July, 12. Sailor's Salute 2, 13. even uncle sam needs a little help sometimes..., 14. Red White & Blue, 15. I'd hate to be the guy who has to clean this up, 16. American Pride, 17. ready for the parade (4th of july tour 02), 18. Independence Day Celebration in Iraq, 19. Statue of Liberty 2009, 20. Americana puppy

I was wondering what everyone has planned for the 4th? I'm going over to my brother's for a cookout.

Anyone have a parade planned? How about a concert in the park? Attending the Boston Pops 4th celebration in on my bucket list. Have you got plans to camp out this weekend. How about going to the lake?

Whatever you do, have fun, be safe and remember to give thanks for the freedom we enjoy in this nation.

all these people are stoked.....

...cause it's Debby's last day of chemo! You go girl! You've made it through to the other side!

Sash-shay over to Bush Babe's to join the par-tay!

We're Having A Party!

Yesterday was my one and only daughter's birthday. It goes without saying that she is very special to me. When she was small she was stuck to me like glue. I didn't go anywhere that she didn't follow. Now she's married and expecting her first child. I hope her relationships with her offspring will contain the same blessings that mine have had for me.

In a little while she and her husband will arrive here for her birthday dinner. (Hubby took her out to her favorite restaurant last night) My parents and her youngest brother will be here to celebrate also. Her oldest brothers live out of town and sadly they aren't able to be here.

She has grown up to be a beautiful, poised, kind, thoughtful, loving young woman. She teaches students with learning difficulties. She loves to entertain and is a fantastic hostess. She is very organized (a talent she didn't learn from me) and keeps a neat and clean home. She likes to cook. She plans to stay at home after her baby is born and to help with the finances she has been learning how to be a super coupon frugal saver person... and there is a lot to learn to do it well. And believe you me, she does everything well. I am so proud to be her mother.

At school she doesn't have a classroom of her own, rather she goes to the classes her students are in and helps them there. Some of the students in the classrooms she visits made birthday cards for her. I don't have any art of my own to share but I thought I would show you some of theirs. Their names have been erased for the obvious reason.

You'll also notice that most of her students know that she is for Auburn University, thus the War Eagle.


Here is a picture of Rachel when she was about 4 with her youngest brother.

And here they are a couple of years ago when she was in college. She didn't have a boyfriend at the time, so her brother was her escort to a sorority ball.

Happy Birthday Rachel and WAR EAGLE too!

Tea Party

The bluebird of happiness fluttered to a stop outside my window this morning to hum a sweet song reminding me that today I'm invited to a tea party at Muse Swings.

I must rush to get ready. First my bath...


Eeeek! No photos yet, please! Let me slip into my party frock. Which shall I wear?

How about this one?
I'm bringing some decorations.

I hope it is okay, I invited two of my closest mates. They've been dieing to meet you.

Faerie cakes anyone? I'll be gobsmacked, but don't they look scrumptious.

Ready for a cuppa? Help yourself.

Fancy a bit of a sing-a-long? Tea for Two, anyone?

All photos courtesy of Flickr

It's been a gala event! Thanks for inviting me Muse.

It's been a lovely ride!