Alaska or Bust:

 Alaska or Bust… Apparently We’re Still in Texas! 😂

I may have found one of the most entertaining gifts I’ve ever given Sam—and the best part is, he’s the entertainment!

Sam absolutely loves Alaska. He loves traveling there, talks about going back, and every so often starts talking like we should just pack everything up and move north. Meanwhile, we are still firmly planted in Texas. So naturally, his book needed the title “Alaska or Bust: Still in Texas.” I couldn’t have written a more accurate title if I tried.

This personalized book was created through a fun website where I answered what felt like a small interrogation about Sam—I wrote about his personality, his habits, his adventures, the funny things he does, and all those little details that make him Sam. Then I placed the order and waited about five weeks for his life story—slightly embellished for entertainment purposes—to arrive in book form.

And let me tell you, he has laughed and laughed! Every few pages I hear another chuckle because the stories hit a little too close to home. Apparently, reading about your own shenanigans is much funnier than having your wife point them out in real life. 😂

The book is completely centered around Sam, which makes it such a fun keepsake. Seeing his name on the cover, his personality worked into the story, and familiar pieces of his life turned into humor made it even better than I expected.

I’m already thinking this would make a great Christmas gift for that person who is impossible to shop for—especially the one who already has everything. Give them a book about themselves!  They can officially prove that they are a "Character." 😂

If anyone is interested in the website I used, feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to share it.

As for Sam, he may not be living in Alaska yet…but at least he’s made it there in print.

And judging by how much he’s laughed at this book, I’d say this gift was a success.

Shug.....

Living in the Moment

Early Yesterday morning, the girls (Trista and Shanda) and I, went into town early...We got there about 9:30.  First stop was "Hobby Lobby"..(yes, I seem to go there a whole lot) ...We have Tori's wedding coming up in November, so stopping at HL is a regular stop since we are doing much of the wedding ourselves...

We also stopped at "Home Goods" and I was so happy to find a new cup to add to my collection.  

Our third stop was "Longhorn Steakhouse!"

Mylee Jo joined us at this point and we enjoyed a very nice lunch together...  There was only one issue. The restaurant ran out of baked potatoes and this was at 11:45 in the morning.  🤷‍♀️

______________

 Do you see what I see?  Y'all... rain came out of nowhere yesterday evening!  Much needed rain for our area.  I was so busy Thanking God for this refreshing rain, that I almost forgot where we had planned to go next....  

Sam and I went into town to grab a bite to eat and while enjoying our meal, the sky opened up and down fell the most beautiful raindrops.  We ended up having to stay in the restaurant about 20 minutes after we finished our meal to keep from getting drenched.  We certainly would have not thought we would have needed an umbrella when we first went in.  Coming out though... IT WAS POURING RAIN!! ☔️💧⛈️. 

When I looked back to review my day last evening, I found that it was day of  Living in the moment for me.... and it was good...  

Great Big Hugs to each of you..

Shug....

It's Saturday...Smile

 Good morning!!  

* It's Saturday

* You're Awake

* Coffee exists

* And Monday is still two days away..

You Ought to do this.....↓↓↓

A smile doesn't mean that everything in life is perfect. It simply says, "I'm going to enjoy the good that finds me today."

Smile at the sunshine...smile at the rain.  Smile at the person who waves at you from their car even though you have absolutely no idea who they are..

I am hoping that we all have a Saturday filled with simple moments and plenty of reasons to smile...😁

Shug,....

Orange, Brown, and Gold

 Last evening, Sam and I decided to take a little ride out to the farm.  Our mission?  ALLIGATOR SPOTTING.🐊

Apparently, this is what passes for evening entertainment around here.  

We drove around, looked across the water, stared into all the places where we had seen the gator in the past.....and NOTHING.  I think he or she purposely hides from us when it hears the truck headed down the small incline to the lake.  

While the gator was a no-show, something else caught my eye....FALL COLORS!!! 🍂  There were touches of orange and brown and little gold showing up among all the greenery.  For half a second, I thought, Well, look at that! Maybe fall is trying to sneak into Texas a bit early...   Of course, the air conditioning was on full blast in the truck, so at the time the heat wasn't a factor in my thoughts..

THEN... the biggest grasshopper I've ever seen flew onto the windshield and my mind came back to reality that it is AUGUST...the hottest month of the year.  🔥🔥

It's not FALL..  The leaves aren't changing, they are surrendering.  They have simply had enough and I think they are basically saying..."We gave it our best but enough is enough."

So, no alligator sighting this time, and definitely no cool autumn breeze.  Just Sam and me, a little country ride through the fields, some heat-stressed leaves and triple digit Texas temps.. 

Happy Friday...

Shug...