This summer, I am planning a road trip.
I plan to stop and visit friends in these states:

Indiana
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
South Carolina
Georgia
Alabama

After suffering through a long, harsh winter
One that isn't even over yet
I'm not so sure I'll bother to return to Iowa

I've determined the only good thing about this weather is:
1) A white Christmas
2) No school because of snow days

Yesterday I went to the doctor
She told me I have strep throat
I've been on drugs ever since

And I thought to myself
If I lived where it was warm
And where I could get fresh air without freezing my lungs
I bet I wouldn't be so sick

So after a nice stormy day, I hoped for the day off today
But to no avail, so I now have 2 days taken from my road trip
I really might not come back.

Today my dear Anacheza was put to sleep.
She fought an illness for several weeks,
and it finally overpowered her little body.
I didn't have her long.
But she was sweet...
And will be greatly missed.
Goodbye, Cheza.

Sometimes I don't know what to share on here for fear of revealing more than I should.
So this time, I will play it safe and show you my most recent work on my house.
My downstairs bathroom...

Before: A bathroom that I was embarrassed to show anyone, let alone allow them to use!

The girl who lived here before me left me with these two holes in my wall from a towel rack.
It was an adventure filling them in!

But once I got some advice, it wasn't so hard.
I enjoy this kind of work so much.

Here is the finished product.
No more holes.
No, the sweet picture from Karin is not covering them, it is between them!
Surfin' USA blue...as in my guest room.
What can I say, it's a great color!

So much prettier than before, if I do say so myself!

And the cute hand towel my mom found me...a perfect match!

And, so as to carry the theme of the house, yellow accents (rug and candle).
It isn't perfect, I know, but I'm happy with it. :)
Stop by and see it if you are in the area!

I have been completely spoiled and laughed so much already this weekend.
And it is not technically my birthday for 5 more minutes.
February 10th...I don't care so much about my bday,
but I'll take any excuse to get the people I love most in the world together.

Tonight my niece and I carried on with a tradition that I have become familiar with.
Watching "13 Going on 30" the last night in my 20's.

Here's how the conversation went:
Me: "We are going to do this 80's style..."
Her: "Oh no, what does THAT mean??"
Me: "You just wait and see, you'll love this..."
Her: "You're crazy."

Perhaps I am...but we had fun nonetheless...side ponytails and tight roll pants.
I told her she has to remember this for her 30th bday...she informed me that that is in 19 years and that I will be 49 then. I love my niece.

Friday night fun.
All of my friends who are around the area got together and we took up a good chunk of a Mexican restaurant...
Good conversation...good company.
Yeah, Brina informed the waiters that it was my bday...so I got the hat and they sang.

These three ladies are a constant in my life.
We have been together since our freshman year of high school.
I'm glad they were here for the big 3-0.

Where it really began.
I have known Kev since 2nd grade.
She and I have known Jer since '92.
It's been an interesting ride.
I'm blessed with friends who stick together through it all.

After Mexican, we went bowling.
I don't think any of us have gone for at least 3 years.
It was a HILARIOUS night.
Here is "Name Dropper", er, Jer at work on the phone,
while Micah tries to figure out the computer.

Is that a second bowling ball under her shirt?
Or is she just 8 months pregnant?

Micah is forever our entertainment when it comes to bowling.
He leaves many dents in the alley when he bowls.
(Picture a rainbow throw at its best)
Most frames he fouls out.
However, last night, he discovered he could avoid the foul by stepping on the gutter.

These two are just too cute.
My buddy Frosty and his girl. :)

Like I said, we laughed...a lot.
These three favorite boys of mine have been good to me throughout the years.

It was late.
We were all fading.
It was a sweet night.
The best possible 30th bday party I could have asked for.

Thanks, my friends...
for everything throughout the last many years.

A view from my front door.
There is a snowman in the photo built two days ago (slightly left of the tree).
It is just about my height...and being buried by the snow and snowdrifts. :)

Not a good day for little cars.

I can't even see my stairs anymore.

A view from my patio out back.

At least 10 inches of snow have fallen.
With more on the way, plus crazy wind.
THIS is a good reason to cancel school.

For Mrs. E ... I look forward to laughing again with you one day when I finally get Home.

I just got the news today
He said you slipped away quietly
A little over two weeks ago

I wish I would have sent that note
Three weeks ago with news and pictures
So you knew I still thought of you every day

Your battle was courageous
And though it was my job to care for you
It never felt like a job, but rather a gift

Though I longed to encourage you to Him
You showed me a life already tapped into His strength
On a level that is beyond human understanding

Though you were physically unable to care for yourself
You laughed and lived life to the full
Caring for others until your dying day

I will always remember all the laughter we shared
The road trips we took to see your grand babies
And the conversations we had

You introduced me cracklin' cornbread
And loved to spoil me as much as you could
As we enjoyed the simple things in life

You refused to give in before your time
Instead you pushed through
And never cried for yourself

You have laid before me an example
Of how to live life to the full
And how to love deeply those around me

Those 48 hours a week spent with you
Were always draining, but so chalk full of blessing
You made it easy to love you

I am going to miss you
But I know you are dancing again with Him
As your laughter continues on into eternity