My Very Own Channel Blocker

It's pretty difficult to watch the smut and trash that is known as "Real Housewives of New Jersey" with this:

Cardboard Boat Regatta

Since I handle communications and marketing for the Girl Scouts I get to take lots of pictures of events to be used in our publications. This past Saturday we held a cardboard boat regatta at Lake DeGray. If you're not familiar with the regatta, girls create and decorate a boat out of cardboard and duct tape. The event was a success with over 100 girls participating. There were a lot of dads there coaching their daughters in boat engineering and cheering them on in the race. Dads are the best! It was so cute watching them get all worked up! Of course the girls were all precious! They all did an amazing job and really got into having themes for their boats and teams. Here are a few pictures I took:

This team was called "Fairy-Licious". What's funny about it is these girls' big brothers (age 12ish and were all boy) came up with the name.

These girls dressed up as puppies.

How cute is this???!!!

Team Kingsford tipped over and although the water was shallow, the girls had life jackets on and there were two lifeguards on duty, the dad was in the water before the girls went all the way in. He put them both back in the boat and they were on their way.

You can tell what's about to happen here...

Again, note the dad. :)

After the girls raced the brothers and little sisters got to race their boats.

These poor boys were doomed from the beginning.

Waaaaaaaaait for it......

By far, the best picture I've ever taken.

These girls got first place for the best decorated boat.

I would like to thank my parents for puppy-sitting Mamie while I was at the lake. I figured she would have more fun playing with Brodie, Mom and Dad's Airedale than at home alone. Not only did Mamie have a great time but she was exhausted. Poor thing passed out in the front seat before we pulled out of the driveway.

By the way, the bag in the floor is what I packed for Mamie to go to my parents' house. When I handed the bag to Dad he responded with, "And did you write strict instructions as well?"

Fetch and Relieve

Sorry, I cannot figure how to rotate the video so that it isn't on its side.

More Excitement in Northwest AR

I was in Fayetteville today and on my way back I witnessed a high-speed chase on I-540. Not only did I witness it but the guy who was running from the cops almost hit me!! I was in the right lane and he was in the left being chased by a state trooper. I realized what was going on (I could see a line of other state troopers not too far behind) and started to slow down to scoot over on the shoulder when the guy swerved into my lane.

Well now they cannot find the guy! See the news link below:
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-mountainburg-manhunt,0,964988.story

I'm still trying to figure out how they lost him!!! There were several troopers on his tail. Mom says I should have wrecked him since I was in a rental.

That would have made an interesting blog post!!

Adventures on I-40

The past several days I've been on the road for work. On Wednesday I went to Jonesboro. Uneventful trip. Yesterday I went to Fort Smith which was a touch more exciting. My alarm went off at 5:15 a.m. so needless to say, I got coffee before I left Benton. I also ordered water since it was a long trip. Two drinks on a three hour drive don't make a right.

Since I make this trip pretty often I have pre-determined bathroom stops at clean gas stations. However, my bladder couldn't make it so I was forced to stop at a gas station at an exit and city I've never noticed before. The second I saw the gas station I could hear banjos in the background. The first sign was the unpaved parking lot and the gas station sign with bullet holes through it. True story. When I walked through the door it got better. There were three people standing around; one was a female checker and the other two were men just hanging out. There were 32 teeth total in the gas station and about 26 were mine (I had all of my wisdom teeth cut out and a few permanent teeth removed before I got braces.) I was waiting for one of them to brake their stare and say, "You got a pretty mouth."

I know at this point you think I'm exaggerating but trust me, I'm not. Although I wish I was. If you have ever been to parts of North Arkansas you know that I'm telling the truth. Anyways...

I went into the bathroom to find this sign:

I bet you, like me at the time, are wondering, "Does that include toilet paper?" That question was answered for me when I walked in the stall to see wads and wads of used toilet paper in the trash can. I easily could have thrown up but that would have involved getting up close and personal with the toilet; not an option. After I used the restroom I couldn't wait to wash my hands. As luck would have it the faucet didn't work. Being a germaphobe it was pretty difficult for me not to go into a full panic attack but I prevailed seeing as labored breathing would've only allowed me to inhale more germs.

I was relieved to be back on the road until I saw blue lights. When the state trooper got to the window I said in my most sweet, southern and flirty voice, "I wasn't speeding was I, officer?" "No ma'am," he said. "I need to check the temporary tags on your vehicle." I explained it was a rental since I was traveling for work. Once he checked the tags and determined I wasn't a dangerous criminal on the run he sent me on my way without a ticket.

Soooooooooo...................................

Basically my deodorant was shot before 9 a.m.

It sure feels good to be at home. Mamie thinks so too.

Admitting is the First Step

Before I discuss my addiction I will share what happened this weekend. Most importantly it was my father-in-law's birthday on Saturday! We celebrated on Sunday in Hot Springs at their house and had a great time.

My dear friend Meredith dropped by to meet Mamie and brought along a bag O'treats.
Mamie now thinks of her as Santa Claus.

Also, Beau got a new truck. Actually it isn't brand new but pretty close.

I rearranged the hutch for the billionth time. Don't you love the pigs??? I'll have moved them off and back on again by next weekend.

So now it's time to talk about an addiction that has been brewing for quite some time but I've just now realized it. I am obsessed with bird decor.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Exhibit A:

This vase and sticks are from my wedding and I've used them in the dining room corner for a while. They've needed some flair so I picked these feathers up on sale for less than a dollar at Hobby Lobby. Normally feathers run anywhere from $3 up so I've been waiting until some went on sale. I'm going to add seasonal fillers to the bottom of the vase. I bought some fall pine cones and leaves but Meredith said people won't talk about me if I wait to put them in after Labor Day :)

I got these plastic cereal bowls from Target. They'll be perfect for chili.

This came from Julie's, a boutique in Malvern. I used a gift certificate I got as a wedding gift. I'm going to put little pumpkins on it in a few weeks.

This silver dish was $3 at a thrift store.

And then there's these prints......

This wreath was my inspiration for the robin's egg blue table in our living room.

And last, I bought this wreath from Michael's on clearance for something like $7 which made my day since they easily sale for $40 and up. I'm not sure it's safe to be outside so I may move it but then again, it was cheap so I really won't lose much if it gets weathered.

MDA Lock Up

I'm getting "locked up" in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please help me reach my goal of $2,000!! You can donate online by visiting the below link.

https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/164343/Participant/kthornton/Default.aspx

She's Clearly Having a Difficult Time Adjusting to Life Away from the Shelter

Shouldn't she still be acknowledging the fact that we saved her life? You know, a little less "Please get off of my couch so I can stretch my paws. Oh, be a peach and fetch me a treat while your up." Good grief!

Lately I've been looking for pictures of painted dining tables because I'm looking to update ours. I found a few ideas I like. I'm really into the different colored chairs.

Weekend and Happy Birthday to Daddy-o

First off, today is my dad's birthday! Happy Birthday and love you Dad!! Mom's was Saturday, Dad's today, my little brother's tomorrow and father-in-law on Saturday. Yeah, I know.

Next, Mamie Eisenhower got spayed on Thursday. She did really well and the vet's assistant said she was one of the sweetest patients they've ever had. I was a proud mommy. According to the vet, our girl is a heeler, beagle mix; a heagle if you will.

Here is a picture of our little patient. The light must have been too bright. What a diva.

We finally hung some pictures in the living room. You know how money is supposed to be the number one cause of fights for married couples? Not us. Give us nails and a hammer and we'll give you fight night, at least until the picture goes up.

I have a thing for old English fox hunt pictures. It's a recent development. I got these pictures a while back and love them even more because the dogs resemble Mamie.

And speaking of Mamie, allow me to bore you with more pictures of her. Can you tell I'm in love??

She loves playing with Beau. Note the ears pinned back. They go back when she gets feisty.

Like this picture:

Can't you tell by the look in her eyes that she just wants to be wrong?

For Mom's birthday we had dinner at my sister's house. Bless Mendi's heart for hosting because they just moved in this house and are in the middle of renovations.

We did not mind and had a great time with the boys.

Carson "helped" make "Me-Mel" (what they call Mom) birthday brownies.







And here are a few more pictures of the Mamester just because I haven't uploaded enough.

Yes, our dog watches t.v.

Happy Monday!!!