With the Band

Saturday night, Brad and I ventured north to Denton to hear the band my brother is playing in, Kimbrell, in their first gig. We clearly were at the top end of the age group there listening, but we had a great time. I wish I had better recording equipment! Drew is on the far right in this very dark video footage I took. Please pardon the guy in front of me who obviously had spent more time on his hair than I had on mine. You can see the light reflecting off of the white bass guitar, and with the occasional camera flash, you can see he's wearing a blue shirt. Lead vocals are Ryan, lead guitar is Hunter, and Matt is on drums.

Good times in Denton.

Dinner for 6 & Bowling

Friday night, we met up with our Bible Fellowship class for dinner for 6 & bowling. Before the entire class met for bowling at Main Event, we met as smaller groups for dinner. Here's our group, ready for some bowling action!

The Randels, The Gentrys, & The Guesses

Fall into 2009

It's been rather quiet on the homefront this week. Hurricane Ike brought cooler weather, and that cooler weather has reminded me that fall is going to be busy.

Next month we're doing the high school reunion tour. We both have our 10 year class reunions on different weekends (thankfully, I guess?), so that should be entertaining at the very least. My friends who've gone to their 10 years have said they were glad they went, so I am looking forward to it. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Then in November, we'll be going to New Orleans for Amanda's wedding! The week after the wedding starts the family/holiday travel. And then that will be that for 2008. Where did the year go?

The Starlight Ball

Last night Brad and I joined others from our church in attending the Starlight Ball to benefit the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center. The Center exists to minister to young pregnant women, helping them to make an informed decision to honor the life of their unborn baby. Many women come to know Christ through this organization. It was an absolute joy to participate in this event. There was dinner and dancing, and the event was emceed by Jody Dean of the 98.7 KLUV morning show (I KLUV my oldies, so that was really cool to me!) The entertainment for the evening was Christian comedian Ken Davis.

Here some fun pics, most courtesy of Ashley because my camera is on strike. Or broken.

Look! It's my long lost husband! I'm so thankful he's home!


We went with the Smiths.


Ladies mingling before dinner is served.


Leigh and I at dinner!

Home Sweet Home

BWG has been out of town on business for almost two weeks. It's been a challenging few days, but I feel like I've done a million things while he was gone to pass the time more quickly. I have missed him and can't wait to pick him up at the airport this evening!


It is no secret to anyone that knows me that I'm a big chicken and can't stand to stay by myself. I hear every noise in the house like I never have before. I had made up my mind to be a big girl and stay alone the whole time, but I quickly persuaded myself otherwise. By 10:15 the first night, I chickened out and called Alisia. Almost every night she came and stayed in my guest room. If that's not a wonderful friend, then I don't know what one looks like. And it was so much fun to see her almost everyday! Thank you, girl! I owe you big time!

Saturday after the Ladies' Brunch, I went home and visited my parents. That also means I saw my grandparents (since they live right across the pasture), and for lunch on Sunday, one set of aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. I can't tell you how much I love Sunday lunch at my grandparents.

Of course, I have had little Penny Lane with me the entire time. Taking care of a puppy alone is some hard work! I think ours might be what is considered a "strong-willed" dog. Also, I can't be certain, but I think she thinks her name is "NO" or "STOP IT". I see obedience training in her future. But she has been a great little companion, especially when she is tired and will lay in my lap. (This occurs only about 5 minutes a day, but it is really cute nonetheless.)

Drew drove down Monday to babysit me while the installer put in my window stuff, and then we went to dinner. Thanks Drewdy! So many others have called and checked on me, and I have appreciated it so much. I am blessed with a great group of friends and family and friends that are like family. Love that!

Other than working, I've been busy shopping, meeting up for dinner or sewing, shopping (Amanda, I have my bridesmaid shoes!), doing church stuff, and shopping.

But my honey comes home today! Yay!

Before & After

Back in May, I ordered window treatments and a window seat cushion for our dining area. All of it was finally installed this week. It definitely made over that part of the house, and I'm so pleased with how they turned out!

So bring your good times, and your laughter too.

We're gonna celebrate and party with you.

The Women's Ministry at our church put on a Ladies' Brunch this morning, and the theme was celebrate! The idea was to celebrate all the events in our lives, to pull out the china on a "normal" day, and live life to the fullest.

All of the tables were decorated by different ladies in our church with different celebration themes, and I got to help out and decorate one of them. Some of the themes were holidays, like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, and some were life events like First Birthday, 50th Wedding Anniversary, and Menopause. That one was pretty funny. Mine was just a good excuse to throw a party--a pink garden party!


I used my Spode Tower Pink dishes on the table. They are my absolute favorites. My formal china is pretty, but these plates make me happy just looking at them.

For my table dressing, my friend Leigh sewed me up a wide table runner to go with my pink garden theme. Thank you Leigh! We layered another pink table runner over it, which happened to have been made for my wedding cake table. I ♥ my pink table runner. When I had it made, I expected that I would get to use it for all sorts of events, and I have. It's also been broken out for baby girl showers and another fun brunch.



I had several people come by and ask me if I made the cupcakes. Wouldn't that have been a disaster if I had!? No, I definitely bought them at Central Market. They are my go-to bakery. My centerpiece came from there as well.

Here are some of my lovely friends who were assigned to my table!

A Sweet Lady we just met today, Alisia, and Bethany
Leigh, me, and Kylene

And we had a big door prize winner at our table. Kylene won a free ticket to the Ladies' Retreat in the spring!