Summer 2016 so far

So Summer 2016 is shaping up to be a great one!  I've been home to see the people I love most in the world, been on vacation, hit a good estate sale and even managed to do a little inexpensive summer decorating...ok the décor is very minimal because I can't seem to locate my summer décor box in my storage area. 

I wrote about my wonderful trip home in the last post so let's move on to family vacation to celebrate Josi!  As readers of my blog you know already how much I love these kiddos and how proud they make me every day but also that my folks and I try very hard to build great memories for them and us every chance we get.  So when Rachel graduated we did a DC trip along with Virginia Beach and Josi decided that she wanted a Florida beach trip for hers.  Momma found a great condo for us to rent, we managed to squeeze in a quick stop in MS to see my Uncle Steve and a car trip from hell.  No seriously what is a family car trip without a little fighting and a trip to a dr or two?  Daddy had a sinus infection before I got to AR and he shared with Momma who in turn decide to share with me.  I didn't get sick until we were on the road which was miserable for everyone.   I was a real PITB and yelled at Rachel which I guess always makes for a fun trip but after a stop at the mediquick we kissed and made up.  Ok maybe not kissed because I didn't want to share my germs any more than I already had.  John and Kelton joined us the next day so there were 7 of us in this condo but we had plenty of room.  We ended up taking Rachel to the dr as well because she had an ear infection so we were a lively bunch.  I stayed sick and the meds did little to help me and in some cases made things worse....oh well I still enjoyed my time with everyone.  The kids and John stayed a few extra days in FL while my folks and I headed to Asheville to get me back home.  

And when we got to my house, Clarice was so happy to see me that she forgot to be mad about me being gone for so long.  She is still loving her porch time and I can hardly get her to come back in at dark.

While Momma and Daddy were here we saw 4 bears!  There was a mommy bear that was tagged so not the one I saw the first time, anyway she had her twin cubs with her and she sent them up a tree when she spotted us.  She watched us for a minute then called them down.....they did it without any fussing or back talk just got down and fell into line with her walking away.  It was amazing to see how they minded her right away and I had to giggle because at the pool in FL we heard a grandmother exclaim "When did we start negotiating with 7 year olds"  after dealing with her grandson and putting on sunscreen.  Anyway, we saw another bear the next day crossing the road so two different sightings with 4 bears in two days.....awesome!  And I squealed like a little girl both times.  I never even thought to grab my phone to take pictures so sorry you'll just have to take my word that we saw 4 bears.

Finally my cheap summer décor:

Easter markdown at JoAnne's for less than $1.  It's a soft blue which reminded me of the Ball Jars and it included the small fairy lights on the lid so all I added is a cardboard tag and fabric around the lid and turned the chick face backwards where you can't see it.    I just love it sitting on my cabinet on the front porch for the season.

 Then I ran across these wonderful pinwheels at WalMart for 97 cents each and they are just great! 

Just a simple touch of summer

Ok got to close it up for now because I've got a million and one errands that I must get done today.  Do something today that makes you smile 'cause life is too short to not smile and laugh every chance you get!