Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

 On the way South, we thought we might check out a locally famous eatery featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  Jessica has an app that showcased the restaurants featured from the show, and we selected Tom's BBQ in Memphis to try.  I was hoping for more of a "diner" and less of a "dive", but alas it wasn't.  Toms, run by Adam, was a hole in the wall in a run down part of Memphis.  We hit it about closing time, and had to step around someone mopping up the floors.  The employees were friendly and helpful and we ordered the rib tips, which are their specialty.  I am not particular about BBQ.  If it is tender, and a bit tastie, it is great by me.  The men in the group gave it two thumbs up, so overall, it was a success.  The owner sent us a complimentary plate of pulled pork and bologna, which we were too full to eat, but it was a nice gesture.  As we left, Adam insisted that we come behind the counter for a picture with him.  The experience was unique and fun.  I can now say that I have been to a "triple D" restaurant.  And that is worth a lot!

I'm Back (Reluctantly!)

In case you have missed me, I will let you know that I went South!  12 days ago my brother in law, Mike, had surgery to remove a part of his colon.  Randy and I went to be with my sister during the surgery.  Debbie and Mike live in Joplin, which is about 300 miles south of where I live.  The great news is that the pathology report came back with positive results, so no follow up treatment will be needed.
The day following the surgery, Jessica and Scott met us in Springfield and we headed south to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  After a few road adventures, which I will blog about in the future, we arrived at the beach house we rented with my sister in law and brother in law (from California).  Josh and Amanda, Maddison and Mason flew down too.  All in all there were 10 of us in this house RIGHT ON THE BEACH!  We spent 7 lovely days swimming, playing on the beach, shopping, eating, playing games, napping (I am not afraid to admit that I LOVED my afternoon naps) and having family bonding time. 
My new ambition in life is to be a beach bum (notice the photo above, which was taken at LuLu's Restaurant).  How do I manage this goal?  I have no idea, but I am thinking on it.
I will be blogging about and adding photos of the trip soon, but I wanted to post something so my tiny cluster of readers will know what I have been up to.  All in all we traveled just shy of 2500 miles, spent 4 nights in a hotel, one at my sisters, and 7 days in the beach house. 
On a little side note, when we got home we had a porch full of dead flowers, a yard full of debris from our mad puppy (she shredded my door mat, tore up our fairly new landscaping, and somehow ate our American flag, which must have blow down in a storm).  But other than that, it was great getting home.  I will blog more soon!

Up in the Trees!

We got some much needed help last weekend from Amanda on our little project.  As you can see, it took 3 to handle this part of the project.  Josh took the most daring job and spent much of the afternoon on top of the trusses.  Amanda worked from the scaffolding, and Randy (reluctantly) manned the ladder.  What was my job?  I was the official, drink getter, tool hander, kid checker upper and photographer.  We are thinking about actually hiring someone to install the metal roof.  My heart can't take much more seeing the ones I love do this kind of work!  It is somewhat cooler here today (high in the lower 90's is all), so Randy and I are going to stay close to the ground and work on installing part of the railings.  Did I mention that I will be glad when this project is completed?

Shelter Me, Part 2

Maddison and Mason have been sooooooooooooo much help on our little project!  It is amazing what they have done with hammers and nails!  More photos to come.

Shelter Me!

Well, I have finally decided to blog about our little summer project.  You know the one that will take about a weekend, two at the most?  Oh, and the one that will cost barely anything?  I see, you have had those kinds of projects at your house too!
For a couple of years now, we have been wanting to put up a little deck, gazebo type structure in our back yard.  We have a lovely tree lined back yard that is hotter than the blue flames of a fire in the afternoon and early evening.  Our back deck/BBQ area has no shade and gets the full afternoon sun.  So, we decided, why not take to the corner of the yard and "tuck" a structure in the trees that could act as a picnic/campfire area.  We put this off from last year because we took 3 major trips and didn't want to spend the money on this project.

Sometime in late May (when the temperature was a tolerable 80 or so), we cleared some limbs, borrowed a post hole digger and began what we thought would be a quick, cheap project.  Well, several thousand dollars and months later, we are making progress.  The main obstacle in our way seems to be the 4 + weeks of near, or over 100 degree days we have had.  After taking several weeks off, waiting for the heat to break, we resumed our job last weekend.  Of course we had stopped at the worse possible point, having half of the rafters done.  And, did I mention that the temperature topped 100 all weekend?

As you can see, our construction team is comprised (mostly) or our son, Josh and a few pieces of Randy's prized farm equipment.  There have been some "guest" laborers (which will be shown in a future blog), some daring heights and some awkward moments.  We have changed a few things, added some features and mostly can't wait until it is finished.  There have even been several "what the heck were we thinking" conversations.  But, all in all, I think (hope) it will be something the family will use and appreciate in the years to come. 
Since my computer is downloading as the speed of a snail 500, I will have to continue this post at a later time. . . Stay tuned!

July, the Birthday Month!

There are lots of birthdays in the month of July. . .  I know, you know, since I have been blogging about them for awhile!  First my great niece, Rylee (turned 7), and then my brother in law (57?), and my daughter, Jessica and then my grandson, Mason and my nephew, Tristan. . . I hope I didn't forget anyone!  The top picture shows Jessica and Mason and their ice cream cake.  The bottom picture is of Maddison and her friend, Macy at our cousin Gail's 50th birthday celebration.  We don't have any birthdays in August (my Grandmothers was, as was my mother-in-laws).  However, in August we celebrate lots of anniversary's.  My sister and brother in laws (August 2nd) Randy and my anniversary (33rd) and Jessica and Scott's (3rd) happens on August 14th, which was also my inlaws anniversary.  We are going to keep celebrating on into the fall!  

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Watch out world, Mason is turning 5 today!  He is an active, friendly, chatty, sweet little boy.  He loves superheroes, following his sister around, roughousing with his dad and swimming.  Oh, and I forgot to mention, he is crazy about playing on the I-Pad (or other electronic apparatuses).  Happy Birthday Mason.  I love you!

Also a shout out to my nephew, Tristan, who turns 23 today.  As a kid, he loved dinosaurs, dirt moving equipment and home cooked meals at my house.  I rarely see him, and miss him a great deal.  He is living his dream of being a "worker man" on heavy equipment.  I hope someday we can reconnect and see him a little more.  Happy Birthday, Tristan!