Red, White, Blue & HOT!

What a great Memorial Day weekend...

Family, great food, a little boating, a little fishing...





And alot of work! And it is HOT outside!

The cottage shed arrived...and she is officially under construction.



















I can't wait to see what she will be when she grows up ;p!

When we recover (financially and physically) from this first phase...we will build a deck floor and overhang. Can't wait...will keep my friends Susan's Metamorphasis Monday updated ;p You should go visit...great ideas from talented souls! Click here...



As we have been blessed this Memorial Day weekend, I can't close without honoring those who gave their life for my freedom.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

These martyrs of patriotism gave their lives for an idea. ~Schuyler Colfax

These heroes are dead. They died for liberty - they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars - they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead. ~Robert G. Ingersoll




To all generations of soldiers and their families, the fallen and the living...

On behalf of my family, all generations...and future generations...I thank you...and God bless.

Today Was It

Today was the day...

The last time we would all sit in our offices at the same time, the last time we would all have lunch together (as a staff), the last time we would all make a hospital visit, the last time we would all play a joke on the easy target (not mentioning names...Dan Aykroyd).

The last time she (not mentioning names...Mrs. Almost Pink Hair) would walk out the door and I would be sitting at the desk.

The last time he would say...one hour and I will have you the outline.

The last time the youngster would come ask me for a phone number.

Tomorrow, I will go back, finish the most urgent tasks...close the computer down...for the last time.

And yes, I have cried...

And yes, there have been moments that I have been tempted to say...I was kidding...

And yes, there is a feeling of loss in my heart.

I am losing...
the privilege of being with "them" every day
the excitement of the next event
the blessing to see strangers come to know Christ
the feeling that I belong

And...I didn't tell them. But, somehow, I think they each know; and I don't think any of us would want to have that conversation. That's how special "we" are..."we" just know...

They are gaining her...a beautiful soul, ready to lead them to the next level.

She is gaining...them...the events...the blessings...and the remarkable feeling of belonging.

I am gaining...time.

Time for what?
To be his wife
To be their mother
To be her lolli
To be their daughter
To be their sister
To be their aunt
To be their friend
To be their neighbor
To be...

And what an exciting thought...to be what?

An artist...with a little encouragement, a little prayer...and a few customers ;p

A photographer...a really exciting adventure...needing a little encouragement, a little prayer...and a few customers ;p

So here we go...

To them...I have no words what you mean to me...what you have taught me...and I thank you for never acting scared when I started a sentence with, "We should try..."

To them...I'm still down the block...

To them...don't forget me...

I'll never forget you.

This Could Not Be Babysitting

No, babysitting is not what I would call it...I would call it Lolli Heaven!

We got to keep Lil Miss M while Mommy and Daddy went on a date...



We played peek-a-boo...



And those eyes still make my heart skip a beat...



Bathtime is the best...



And a little tv before storytime...



It was perfect...to have the time to snuggle, love, comfort her...I have no words...



Can't wait till the next time!

For The Graduating Class

I am going to do my best to write this post without sadness.


Dear Senior Class (classes/we love seniors in many locations ;p),

This is the end of your high school career.

You might be thinking:

a) I thought it would never end
b) I don't know where the time went
c) I can't wait to begin college / career
d) I don't know what I am going to do now
e) I intend to enjoy my summer...it's the last freedom I will ever know

This is your first time to graduate, to be consumed with joy, fear, hope and/or sadness. There are some days that you may feel all of these things at once.

It's a journey, there is no map - because you are like an explorer. This is your journey, it's never been walked before, it will never be walked again.

I get a little sad every year at graduation time. I'm excited for you, but sad for me. I know that as your new journey begins, my journey with you will change. In some cases, my journey with you will end.

And that is why I am posting...

I hope that you and I will both work hard to keep in touch. I know there will be many new and exciting friends and relationships that will develop for you very quickly. And, that my friend, is a wonderful thing.

But every now and then, when you are about to shut down your computer for the night, I hope that you will just give me a little hey...guess what happened to me today.

There is rarely a sweeter message, or one that brings a great smile on my face - when I get one of those little "heys"....

You will always be in my heart, in my prayers...and know that you have blessed me. I know that God has great plans for you.

Good luck...will always be waiting for your "hey".

Mrs. Spies

Dream On!

Life is so good...

If you are one of my younger friends...I encourage you to just keep learning, keep challenging yourself and keep dreaming.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Speaking of dreaming...

I've actually JUMPED, I have a website: dimplesanddreams.com

Would you visit? I'd love to know what you think.

Just a reminder...you're never too young or too old to dream.

Dream on!

JUMP

Remember when your parents would stand in the pool and urge you to jump?

JUMP...we'll catch you...

JUMP...don't be afraid...

JUMP...trust us...

And you did.

Then, you climb up the ladder of the diving board.

You hear...JUMP...you can swim.

I'm so there right now.

I'm standing right at the edge of the diving board, wanting so badly to take the leap.

To have the courage...and faith...in myself and my work...JUMP!

So, I have.

I'm returning to my roots, the "gifts" that I have tucked politely in the back of the drawer...ignoring them for so long.

I'm calling "it" DIMPLES AND DREAMS

And, it is:




So here I go, I've jumped off the board, I'm in the air...and about to get wet.

From experience, I know I'll go under, I'll hold my breath, and hope to return to the "air" quickly.

I have faith in my dreams, in my work...but there is that same fear when I was standing at the side of the pool.

JUMP...

I'm hanging in the air...I've jumped.

Go check "it" out on Facebook (Dimples & Dreams).

Working on the courage to push the button for a fancy site...

JUMP...

I've done it...about to hit the water head first...

(prayers appreciated)

Now I Have A Plan

Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned I was in the mood for some demolition, construction or redesign?

Remember I said I didn't have a plan?

Now, I do...

received our permit...



ordered...



the vision is in...

to replace...



finished product:

10 x 14 air conditioned workspace (we do the installation)
10 x 14 covered patio (we build)
stone walkway (we don't want to, but we're gonna, hard work!)
an eat-in counter (we do it)
an outdoor kitchen (small, but functional)

stay tuned...

construction zone ahead ;p, and now the girl has a plan! uh - oh

No Doz

Do you ever have trouble sleeping (or in this case NOT)...your mind just keeps thinking about all the things you've done, you need to do...or that you might not possibly ever get to? Like now (for me) ;p

My husband and I love to attend as many of the students' events as we possibly can make, family is certainly a priority...and every now and then we squeeze in a little fishing...

Ladies and gentlemen, a photo recap of our last 30 days (less than / in no particular order)...and I've left out a few - plus work...

Her first Easter...



Her first Tiger softball game...



Her first sleepover at Lolli and Pops...



Jentry's engagement photos and wedding planning...



Busy painting for Mother's Day...



Beautiful family photo shoot...



Opening of skate park...



Cleaning up after the storm...



Fishing with Jonah...



Fun with a senior photo shoot...




Ride 'em Cowboy rodeo...



Prom...



Senior Night...



Band, Staff Appreciation, FFA banquets and my Junk In The Trunk Party...



Seems like I would be tired enough to sleep after this...but I'm dreaming out loud right now. And, I don't want to miss a minute of any of this good stuff.

I simply love my life...

It's Time

Remember when you learned to write a story?

We all learned there are three primary events within a good story:

#1 Beginning
#2 Middle
#3 End

I've got a story...stay with me...

I'm "beginning" my story with what others might call the "end". But you know Mrs. Rose Colored Glasses here...I see this as (another) beginning...

My job: Church Secretary (I work with "young" folks, they call us Administrative Assistants now)

Sunday, the (yes, he is one of "the" young folks) pastor announced I am leaving my sweet job at the end of the month. Actually, I believe he had a freudian slip, he said I would be there until Labor Day (NOT), I am actually leaving Memorial Day...(good try, though Nathan). ;p

Now, these "young" folks are awesome! Have you heard the phrase "out of the box" thinking? Well - my friends don't even have a "box". They are each innovative, hard working thinkers and doers. They make each day a fun adventure...and most often with incredible results...very fun, every day, every moment serving Him.

The hardest part of all, was saying it out loud to them. I'm stopping - not going any farther, cause I will get the alligator tears rolling again (yes, Allison, me too).

So...when I said it out loud...it was a relief (like the Empire State Building lifted gently). I knew I had made the right decision for me, for my family...but the thought of "abandoning" them and/or God - was just too hard to take.

I have to tell you...God has given me a peace I cannot describe...the struggle was always inside of me - not with Him. I am fully confident He will provide another service for me. And I have such a peace that there will be someone "delivered" to that chair & desk that will exceed any talent I may have. This "job" has so much to give back...it is very rewarding - and warm & fuzzy (sometimes).

You might be thinking, then why Mrs. Rose Colored Glasses are you leaving Shangri la?

Here's the definite middle of the story...I'm missing life.

The life of my granddaughter, children, the life of our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews...and even life as being his wife. And no matter how warm and fuzzy, satisfying and outside the box feelings this job delivers...I am missing time that can never be replaced.

Time for what? So many of the details are personal, but if you know us, you know our schedule is mind boggling...just in the next few months, I will be spending an entire week with my granddaughter, a week of vacation with my husband, helping a precious niece plan an incredible wedding, attend a business conference as his wife, seeing a niece graduate college, 3 other high school graduations (many kids involved here), state track and field meets...there's more. But I think you may have the picture. And friends, these are just a few of the personal things we are doing, not adding in the daily responsibilities we share here in our sweet community...

And it's just time...

Now that "end" that some are predicting...you can say NOT (and you better say it out loud / real loud)! I'm not leaving you as a friend, a confidant, a neighbor, a cheerleader...I'm just going to allow some other lucky person to sit at that desk. It's going to be someone else's turn to enjoy a journey they could never imagine. Get ready to be blessed...whether you are the giver or receiver - 'cause it's coming!

Now...what to do with that extra time on my hands...I'm waiting for suggestions...

Junk In My Trunk

A few weeks ago I invited a few friends over.

I asked them to bring...




We all brought things we would like to sell, and we all bought things others had. And let me tell you...there was great stuff! If it fit in your trunk...you could bring it. And there were choices galore...new purses, new clothing (Chicos), jewelry, oval three tiered antique table, party sized drink decanter...like a very eclectic indoor estate sale.

After we shared ice cold mint-limeade (I'll post the recipe below, good stuff), italian creme cake, warm chocolate chip cookies...ok, I'll stop. There was fresh fruit to be figure friendly, unfortunately I think we added fresh strawberries and grapes on top of our non-figure friendly delights ;p. (Yes, we girls did just want to have fun!)

And then the real giggles started, a fresh take on a white elephant exchange (involved something like truth or dare ;p). I will tell you, I took many other photos - but if you have ever seen a pic of someone laughing so hard they look contorted and not so attractive...enough said. So girls, I will protect you the best I can.









We are definitely doing this party again...we may have just started an excuse to get together (frequently)...and come home with more junk than we left with!

....and the recipe I promised...

MINT-LIMEADE

2 liters of chilled diet Sprite
6 large limes squeezed - allow some of the slices to float in the container
1/3 cup mint leaves

Easy, simple, deliciously refreshing (and pretty, too)!