Very expensive little gadget...

My car was making a horrific noise... I assumed it was the new tires...when I tried to turn in the second new set... I got the bad news... Not my tires...
After one wrong diagnosis it was found to be the rear differential...what ever that is!!!
$1000.00 estimate...2 week wait to gather enough $$$...another 4 days in the shop...& they sent the little thing home with Les so that I could see the damage...
I am amazed that such a small thing (x4 I'm told) can make so much noise but I'm thankful because it actually cost only (only!!! Haha!!!)$896.00...
AND my car is so quiet now !!!

A wonderful day with my besties!!

June 20 is my sweet cousin Karen's birthday. She has been one of my most favorite persons my whole life!!!
I have always loved spending time together. We have been through a lifetime of "stuff" together. We had some years where we didn't see each other because of living in two different states & just learning how to be adults. But you know I always felt close. We are only a few months apart in age & our Grandma always called me Karen/Susie!!
My best friend ( heart sister) Kim & I had such a great day with Karen! We had lunch from Wilda's (Kim's yummy find!) we spent severAl hours at She's Crafty scrapping & then a movie
(marigold hotel is in the long title!$ it was very good. Then to top the day off we went to dinner at Olive Garden!!!Mmmmmmm
Thanks for having a birthday Karen !!!
Love you!!!

The missing pictures...

So many pictures taken at the wedding. 1000's of them really! With this era of digital cameras you would think that everything would be caught "on camera" but, it seems that there are always those that get away!
I have many that I wish I could have caught & didn't for one reason or another.
One of the biggest regrets is when Rowan did her beautiful freeform dance to Yellow Submarine at the reception...my memory card filled up at the moment I was trying to record it.
I have a new camera that I am still learning how to use. NOT a good idea when your son is getting married to the love of his life...
I am so thankful for those who took so many great pictures during the wedding, before the wedding & after the wedding!
I love photos because it helps me relive the fun things in life. I have looked at everything that I have so far & hope to get even more of the wedding week (aka the Perfect Week!).
SO...if you have some pics of this time would you PLEASE get them to me? I will give you more if you want them too!!!

The Perfect Week!

It was a perfect week! We (Les & I & Kim & Les)left home on Easter Sunday after church & drove as far as Barstow CA. Dave & Jennifer had gotten rooms there for us and I was so glad! We got there very late and got up fairly early to continue on to Bullhead City AZ (after a great breakfast). We arrived there at about 11:30am & was met by the owners of the house we had rented! After lots of excitement over the pool, spa & house we unpacked & began to settle in! Swimming was on top of the list! We were so happy to see Matt & Janet.It was Janet's Birthday & we were invited to have dinner at her parents house! They really did it up big with egghunt,easter baskets & turtle races! A great night! Mike, Melissa & kids got to the house the next morning and the whole day was spent at the pool!!! Yayyyy pool! Wednesday was a windy & blustery day and target shooting was the plan for the day! Jennifer stayed home with the little boys and the rest of us went to blow up a few targets! Everyone got a turn & had a great time! Matt had planned exploding watermelons & old helium tanks! It was only marred by a bit of rain & alot of wind! Oh & I was able to hit 4 bottles in a row! The kids have decided to get their dad a bullet proof vest for fathers day! Thursday we took a trip to the Ghost town of Oatman to solve the mystery of the missing ghosts! We met the famous burros as they were heading out of town & when we arrived there it was to discover that there was no power so most of the shops were closed cause they couldn't use their computers!!! We found one lone burro left on the streets & Matt bought some food somewhere. He showed the kids how to feed them with an open hand. After the power came back on & they had rounded up more burro's we did some shopping, Rowan & Lydia got bitten by a burro & we watched a gunfight. Then it was time to head back to Bullhead. Matt & Les drove to Las Vegas to pick up the tuxedos. Everyone else spent more time in the pool!!! Friday was the rehersal & dinner. We prepped for it all day. No swimming cause the kids needed rest from sunblock & clorine! We left for the church at 4 & got ready for the dinner, had the rehersal & had an early night! Janet & the hairdresser arrived at 9 & the prep for the wedding got underway!!! What an amazing day! We had family & friends come from everywhere! Janet was the most beautiful bride & Matt so handsome in his tux. Every one looked great in their wedding clothes! The church & ceremony were especially beautiful. I loved hearing Matt & Janet share their vows! The Reception hall was decorated in pink & green and looked so fun! Many fun things to do, lots of candy to eat It was perfect! Dancing, Dinner & lots of pics!!! What could be better? The next day Dennis (Janet's Dad) hosted a bbq for all who were still in town! We enjoyed the time to connect with all of the out of town relatives. The cousin factor was very strong!!! We arrived home Monday night sad that the perfect week was over. Except for our memories & thousands of pictures!

more pics to follow

Our old friend

Spike has been an important part of our family for 18 years and this weekend we have had to say good-bye to him....I remember the day that we brought him home from the Grandparents house (along with his sister Tinkerbell) Spike was Matt's kitten and Tinkerbell was Melissa's. They were adorable kitties. Tinkerbell was cross-eyed with beautiful long hair. Spike was short haired & large! When people saw him, they were amazed at how muscular he was, how large his feet were! He was always wandering around the yard looking for birds to catch or cats that didn't belong in his yard. His ears were a testament to his fighting days. I don't think he lost many fights in his youth.
I looked up the average life span of a cat on google today and it seems (through a very complicated method) that Spike was 78 years old which is unheard of for a cat that has lived outside a good part of his life.
It's hard to lose a friend who has been so loyal and giving. He gave us love and entertainment for every day of his life. It was very hard to call Matt to tell him that Spike was gone. I have not turned the light out of his bedroom yet.
Good Bye Old Friend.

Oops!

Here is picture missing from last post!!!

A happy face!

So many people I know are having a tough time right now. So on this gloomy Monday morning. Here is something to help us all have a little smile! I found this guy at Rite Aid & just knew he needed to come home with me & what his hair needed to look like!!! I love how he looks! Hope he makes you smile!
Now he needs a cute name...suggestions???