Winding Down

Summer - it's winding down.  

I must have blinked somewhere along the way and the days skipped away without me knowing it.  

Gary got his first tomato from his hanging planter...

It was good!  

Tonight I was excited, because we were going to the cruise-in in Frostburg.  It's an event that happens every year and it's so much fun.  You'd swear you were back in the 50's with the oldies blasting throughout the town and the hot rods and vintage cars crusin' down main street... Honestly, it would remind you of a scene right out of American Graffiti.  

Well, sometimes I feel like I forget what I forgot...  Sharon's blog helps me to feel better about all that stuff... knowing I'm not alone and all..  http://iforgetwhatiforgot.blogspot.com/ If you feel the same way, you may want to pay her a visit.

I FORGOT about the Cruise -In (errrr)  and so did Gary.  

  

Vacation ~ Where are you?  I hope I don't forget to go... 

  

Still some summer left though..  say's this sweet rose.

I have a sinus headache and pressure and Gracie's eyes are a little red.  Is it a good time of year for allergies?  

I hope everyone is enjoying the last days of summer. 

 Cooler temperatures are a little refreshing.

I WON

Rissi is loving Pre K.  I can't believe she's started school already.  Her baby sister should be here by the holidays (early Dec.)...  so we'll have a new angel to spoil while she's busy growing up...  *insert sad face here*

Good news!!!

I won a book in Theresa's blog giveaway!  I very rarely win anything, so you can imagine my surprise to find out I won.

Today I got mail!  (below)  I smudged the addresses out of respect for Theresa and her privacy.

Let me tell you a little about Theresa..  She is a lovely person who has a beautiful family, and a nephew Justin who serves in Afghanistan.  Theresa remembers him in each and every post and lets Justin know that she is praying for him.  

James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

If you think of it, shoot a prayer up for this fine young man who is serving our country.  He is loved and missed by his family.  And you might want to visit
the beautiful heart, Theresa at

http://theycallmeganky.blogspot.com/

Now let me just say I was thrilled to win this book!!  I love reading memoir, and this girls story really tugged at my heartstrings.  I know I'll cry.  A lot.

I was expecting the book...  but what I was not expecting was the pretty gift wrap...  Theresa, you are so sweet!!  I mean it!

I'm finishing up another memoir (Come To The Edge) right now, and I'm a pretty slow reader..  but I'm thinking by the time I go on vacation in a few weeks, I'll be ready to start my new book.  To me, this is just icing on my vacation cake!

And my daughter Lindsey has already put her request in to read this book after I'm finished.  Theresa, you have made mom and daughter very happy! Thank you so much!

~Yesirrreee~

It's official...  A vacation is in the near future.  When I met Gary 10 years ago, he was living in Chesterton, Indiana. 

 I was in awe of this magical place.  It had long bike trails, huge antique shops, one of the biggest libraries I'd ever seen, and ...  

Wait for it...  

Once a year ~ The Wizard of Oz Parade right outside of his front door.  Yes, I came to find out that Chesterton, Indiana was home of a yearly festival from my very favorite childhood movie.  And so...  just about every year we relive this magic and travel out to Indiana.  Click HERE to see what I'm talking about.

Then it's on to Berlin, Ohio... Amish Country.  We always stayed at Donna's Chalet in the woods for some real R&R and some of the best Amish food ever!  There's plenty to do with craft stores, antique stores, Amish markets, etc.  This time we're trying something different.  We are staying HERE. It's in the same area, just a different place. 

I'm pretty excited.  

And now...  some past photo's of Chesterton good times...

We rode our bikes everywhere.
Here we had just rode to an art show downtown and were resting...   

We had breakfast with the Munchkins and look
 who I had my picture taken with...  

When we first met...
 I loved browsing through the antique shops.

We had fun goofing off in the antique markets.
Does this guy scare ya?

Beautiful Lake Michigan.  On a clear day you can see Chicago...

    
Dear Diary,
The bugs are gone.  Mom picked them off and drown them in something called Dawn.  She still checks me every night though.  I'm thinking that Stop-drop-and roll is my middle name.  She says I've become clingy lately.   'Gracie, really...  give me some space.'  BOL.  Yea, Mom..  give me some space.  Gracie.