I haven't been able to get my thoughts together enough to post the past couple weeks but, I'm going to give it a whirl.

Hopefully this past week, was the busiest week I'll have this summer and if not, I hope that whatever it is that causes the busy-ness, will just be FUN!  I must say though, this past week has been a lot of fun. 

Our son graduated on Thursday and his graduation party was Sunday.  Both were great! 

I woke up Sunday morning to find the electricity was out!  We don't even have water with no electricity.  That would have made for a very interesting day.  It was back on by 6:30 AM, so my worry was for nothing.

There was a huge turnout on Sunday.  We served 70 hamburgers, 40 hotdogs, I lost count of how many pounds of potatoe salad I dished up, along with several other dishes and not a single piece of cake was left.  AND thank heavens, the rain held off.  It was a bit alarming a couple of times.  The wind picked up and the sky looked as though it could open up and pour at any given moment.  We only got a few sprinkles!  I was so grateful :)

Our neighbor who is a photographer showed up with his camera and took what felt like hundreds of pictures.  Most of them were candid shots but, we did several family photos!!  It's rare that all of our children are in the same place at the same time, so I was very happy that he did that for us.  I can't wait to see the finished products! 

Between the home improvement projects, the ceremony, preparing food, keeping our 3 yr. old granddaughter for the weekend and then the party....I was pooped yesterday and had a self imposed day of rest!  It was almost ruined by the cable being out. haha.  Reading would have involved more effort that I was willing to give.  I was saved at around 1 PM, so there was a lot of HGTV and Food Network on my bedroom television yesterday. 

My youngest daughter has returned to Florida, safe and sound.  I feel like I barely got to visit with her while she was here but, she was able to spend more time with her friends than usual since I was tied up with other things.  So that was good for her.  

I think my life will return to normal now...whew!  I can just sit back and enjoy my clean windows :)

All things considered, I had quite a lovely weekend.  Saturday was spent at the airfield with all of my kiddos, except one.  My daughter who lives in Florida obviously can't attend all family gatherings or airfield gatherings as it were but, having the others there was a treat for myself and my husband. 

My three oldest girls showed up with gifts in hand for me!  I received a beautiful white orchid, that I'm praying I will be able to keep alive...(anyone with experience in caring for orchids please feel free to pass on any tips you have to share)  then another lovely plant for my deck and a gift basket with all sorts of bath & body goodies, candles and chocolate!!  (My youngest daughter sent a gift certificate for a massage that I've already put to good use!)   Both our grandbabies were there as well.  Our grandson is such a hoot!  Somebody in the stands asked me something about hub's airplane that I didn't know the answer to, K spoke up and said, "Me and Papaw know about airplanes, Mimi's a girl, she knows about other stuff though"  Then I think he was afraid he had offended me and said, "Mimi, you make good cake"

My son greeted me yesterday morning with roses and a gift cert. to the movies and a very touching hand written card.  Keep in mind he's 18!  That makes it all the more special.

Hubby bought me clothes, knowing what a clothes horse I am.  Naturally the size was wrong but, that's OK.  It's the thought that counts :)  I will now have a huge credit at my fave clothing store!!  He pays full price, I wait until everything goes on sale or clearance!

We attended two cookouts and I ate things I normally wouldn't eat...yuck and yum, all at the same time. 

We spent time with my Mother, My Grandmother, my husband's Mother and Aunt.  We missed his Step Mother but left a gift and card, so I hope she'll forgive us. 

Besides visiting, eating and playing hostess to hub's fans at the airfield, I slept and slept and then slept some more!!!

I should be good to go!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and the week ahead is good to you :)

As most of you have heard or read by now, Paris Hilton has petitioned Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to "pardon her for her honest mistakes"  PULEEZE!  Honest mistakes?  How can you mistakenly drive drunk?  How can you mistakenly drive while your license are suspended?  We all know she knew they were suspended!  The mere fact that she's blaming someone else makes her all the more guilty in my book.  Stand up and take responsibility for your actions woman!

Drunk drivers kill!  As far as I'm concerned, she should be convicted of attempted murder!

According to the petition, she should be pardoned because she provides the world with "beauty and excitement to our otherwise mundane lives."
(just a sec while I puke) and her contribution to the world of film.  Surely I'm not the only one who finds this all laughable, ridiculous and completely insane!  PH has never done anything for me other than make me cringe!

For them to site other celebs who, in their words, walk free after having been arrested for DUI is also ridiculous.  The one that really burns my rear is Brandy. 

"Brandy's California Highway accident, although no proof of DUI was evidenced in her accident, resulting in the death of a young wife and mother in California, yet Brandy walks free as of today, never doing any time and A WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED most likely due to her reckless driving!"   ; I think that statement alone should make this petition null and void!  Making such huge assumptions is asinine! (admittedly I know nothing about the Brandy incident)

"Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic, and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the Judge handling her case in court yesterday. She is distraught and understandably afraid. "

Yes, everyone makes mistakes but, most of us learn from our mistakes and if and when we don't and we are caught, we pay for them.  Jail isn't supposed to be fun.  I think it might just do Paris Hilton some good to be distraught and afraid!  Maybe then she will truly be sincere and full of regret!

Below is the petition in full:

To:
The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Paris Whitney Hilton is an American celebrity and socialite. She is an heiress to a share of the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as to the real estate fortune of her father Richard Hilton. She provides hope for young people all over the U.S. and the world. She provides beauty and excitement to (most of) our otherwise mundane lives.

Hilton is notable for her leading roles on the FOX reality series The Simple Life and in the remake of the Vincent Price horror classic "House of Wax". In addition to her work as an actress, she has achieved some recognition as a model, celebrity spokesperson, singer, and writer.

As most of America now knows, Ms. Hilton was just charged in a Los Angeles court with DUI and sentenced to 45 days in Century Regional Detention Facility in California beginning on or before June 5, 2007.

We, the American public who support Paris, are shocked, dismayed and appalled by how Paris has been the person to be used as an example that Drunk Driving is wrong. We do not support drunk driving or DUI charges. Paris should have been sober. But she shouldn't go to jail, either.

As depicted on Friday night's episode "Nancy Grace" on Headline News (May 4, 2007), countless celebrities have been "slapped on the wrist" for similar incidents recently. Nick Nolte, Mel Gibson, Tracy Morgan, Wynonna Judd, to name a few, were arrested and never did a day in jail after their initial arrests for drunk driving /DUI /DWI charges. Rappers Busta Rhymes and Eve still walk free after both being arrested for the same charges as Ms. Hilton just this past week. Brandy's California Highway accident, although no proof of DUI was evidenced in her accident, resulting in the death of a young wife and mother in California, yet Brandy walks free as of today, never doing any time and A WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED most likely due to her reckless driving!

Yet, Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure, or kill anyone or anything, and yet she must do jail time.

This petition is to ask Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon Paris Hilton for her mistake. Please allow her to her return to her career and life. Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic, and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the Judge handling her case in court yesterday.She is distraught and understandably afraid.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to save our Paris from ending up at the Century Regional Detention Facility! Please sign to tell The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the State of California, to think about the welfare of this young woman who has made a mortal error and deserves a second chance like so many others in our great nation have been served with after a mistake they have made . If the late Former President Gerald Ford could find it in his heart to pardon the late Former President Richard Nixon after his mistake(s), we undeniably support Paris Hilton being pardoned for her honest mistake as well, and we hope and expect The Governor will understand and grant this unusual but important request in good faith to Ms. Paris Whitney Hilton

Source: ipetitions.com

I called her to thank her and she apologized for getting me the same thing 3 yrs in a row!  WHAT?  No way!  I can't think of anything I appreciate more!  It's like heaven :)

Her birthday is next Tuesday.  I better get hoppin!

Heaven, I'm in heaven!

Tomorrow at 3:30! Mmmmm :D