Busy Birthday Girl

 Savannah checking out her presents...she had an incredible birthday week.  Spirit week at school had them wearing neon t-shirts (proceeds going to Africa) on Friday.
Cookie Cake

No picture please Daddy!
Mani/Pedi with the peeps:  Sav, Katie G, and Katie C
Amy and Holly

Savannah had a great birthday week!  It was spirit week at school so they all had fun dressing up.  First up was Tuesday at her Aunt Julie's house for a party for Aunt Julie (DH's sister), who was also celebrating her birthday on October 8th. Savannah got some great gifts also from family.

Wednesday was the big day for Savannah. 17!  I can't believe it!  I carried two California Pizza kitchen Hawaiaan pizzas and red velvet cake to Savannah and her girlfriends for lunch at school.  She was all smiles.

She was also excited because her chorus class sang Happy Birthday to her at school too.  After school we went to Ulta cosmetics store for a little shopping.  She is crazy for make-up!  But thank heavens she has a light hand with it.  Followed by dinner at Olive Garden, Wednesday night Bible class, and back home for cookie cake.

Friday after school, she and 4 of her closest friend went to get manicure/pedicures before the big Friday night football game.  (Undefeated!!)

And Thursday we are off to birthday party some more with the other side of the family in Florida!

Savannah had an AWESOME (her words) week!  She is a joy and such a blessing to us!

My Baby is 17 Today!

Happy Birthday Savannah!!!

Hoping to Go One Day to...

1. Egypt & Petra

2. Greece & surrounding islands

3. Prague

4. Spain

5. Provence, France

6. Jerusalem & the Bible lands

7. Budapest

8. Vienna

9. Marrakesh & Casablanca, Morocco

10. Norway, Sweden & Iceland

Next Weekend In Nashville

May I Have Another 'Mary Russell' Please?

I have started reading a book I have had for probably a year.  

Touchstone by Laurie King.  She is an excellent writer and I absolutely love her 'Mary Russell' series which started with The Beekeeper's Apprentice.  

This is a stand alone novel and is a little heavier and deeper than her other two series. But I am a die hard fan of her writing so I am bound to enjoy this one too.

But, please could you write another 'Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes' story please Ms. King?

Powerful Reading

I just finished the book our book group is reading this month,  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.  I am in awe by what these women go through in Afghanistan and Pakistan!  I had read Hosseini's The Kite Runner a few years ago and thought it was powerful.  

It's the story of two women who learn to survive with insurmountable odds.

My friend Charlotte had told me that it was one of her favorites that she had read and that she had enjoyed this one even more than Kite Runner, so I was intrigued.  And she was right! 

I think being a woman, I sympathized with them more.  We should all be thankful of the rights and freedoms we have in our homes, communities and country. Dogs were probably treated better than some of these women.  The strength in these women made them beautiful and made me ashamed of so many of the privileges that we take for granted here.

Next Thursday is book group and I know we will have a great discussion.  Laila, Miriam, Tariq, Jalil and Rasheed are names that I will not forget for a long time and the stories they bring to mind.

Happy Birthday Dear Elaine!

Happy Birthday Elaine!

I'm sorry you and Phil are sick! 

Ya'll are too sweet to be sick!

I wish we were back on the boat heading to 

Monhegan Island!  Great adventures!!