Love notes

Look what I found on the refrigerator this morning. Just more proof that I have the absolute BEST husband in the world.  :)

 

 

 

Paramore

To say that Paramore is Delanie's all-time favorite band is the understatement of the year.  She absolutely loves them! 

She called yesterday and was beside herself because their current tour is bringing them to Minnesota! :)

As it turns out, they are in concert Thanksgiving week at the Saint Paul River Centre.  After no less than twelve calls, we FINALLY ended up with tickets last night!! 

During the whole process, Delanie was nervous as a cat.  First we had to make sure her dad would allow us to switch holidays so she could be in Minnesota for Thanksgiving (thanks again Kevin!).  Then she had to find the pre-sale password.  Then she had to be on the phone with me the entire time just to make sure it was a done deal. 

Bless her heart, she was holding her breath the whole time.  :) 

It all worked out in the end and we are officially going to see Paramore!  After we got the confirmation, she was squealing so hard she almost broke my ear drum.  She said, "Mom....I have to call you back because I just cannot contain myself!"

It's going to be a long time before this sweet girl comes down from Cloud 9.  :)

Bear spray?

I know I've said this 1000 times but I hate when Jim travels for work.  No really,
I hate it! 

Every creak and pop of the house is magnified.  Of course, my mind hears each sound as a potentially life-threatening intruder.  Seriously......where the hell did that paranoia come from? 

It is absolutely no consolation whatsoever that we have a monitored alarm system with motion sensors and a guard dog (haha!).  I know.......it's completely unreasonable but completely true. 

A few weeks ago, knowing he had a business trip coming up, Jim decided that
bear spray would be the perfect solution.  (I know what you're thinking....... I didn't know they made bear spray either.)  My sweet husband made a trip to Cabela's to bring home what he describes as "pepper spray on meth".  It sat right on the nightstand during Jim's recent trip.  :)

On the bright side, there are some perks of Jim's travels.  It's always interesting to see which college sweatshirt he brings back.  Check out the latest and greatest....

No, both of them are not for me.  That can only mean one thing.......my collection obsession is contagious.  Jim has caught the fever!! :)

There are strict rules for this collection.  First, the sweatshirt must come from the college bookstore.  I realize that this requires a special often out-of-the-way trip but it has to be done.  Second, the sweatshirt must be embroidered.  Got it?! :)

OK, moving on....  Butler University is home of the Bulldogs.  When Jim (and Dave!) went to the bookstore, the college mascot was doing a meet and greet.  This has to be the biggest bulldog I have ever seen. 

To be honest, the sweatshirt is a bonus.  The actual gift here is the fact that - no matter where his travels take him - Jim always carves out time to find the university bookstore.  See why he's the best husband ever?! :)

Texas vs. Minnesota

It's always so interesting to me to see the differences between Texas and Minnesota.  While we love it up here, there are definitely some things we miss about the South....

• Family (duh!)
• Chik-fil-a
• Men in cowboy hats (ok, that's just me.......thankfully this does nothing for Jim)
• Tinted windows (three weeks after our move, the sheriff pulled me over because my windows were too dark;  it was either remove the tent or pay the fine)
• Tex Mex
• Hobby Lobby
• Doughnut shops (if you want doughnuts up here, you have to drive to the grocery store)
• Snow cone stands  (that used to be a weekly trip for me and the kids during the Summer)

Then what's so great about Minnesota, you ask?? 

SNOW!! :)

 

The "weeds" in my back yard

Eating outside

 

Traffic signs (the arrows on this one actually light up and blink when there is oncoming traffic)

Hydrangeas - one of my favorites (second only to tulips);  these beauties are growing on the side of our home

The view from my back door

 

The colors of Fall

 

Gardening

 

Wildlife

 

Even more interesting is the different pronunciations of words, phrases, etc.  Don't get me wrong, I can whip out a "y'all" with the best of them! :)  I even get a few chuckles when a "bless your heart" comes out. 

Here are some Minnasota-isms.....

• Bye bye now - this is the sign off for phone calls
• Megazine - this is not a typo;  this is how Minnesotans pronounce "magazine"
• Ya know?
• Minnesooooota - pronouced like MinneSNOWta
• Yep! - in the South this would be a "you're welcome"

It's surprising how contagious they are.  You would be shocked at the number of times I hear a "don't cha know" or "eh?" out of Jim!!  Needless to say, we are blending right in up here......and loving every minute of it.  :)

Pinterest maniac

Am I the only Pinterest maniac in the world??  I've become addicted! 

Charlene and I started a monthly Pinterest challenge not too long ago.  The challenge is to find inspiration on Pinterest and create your own version at least once a month. 

Here's my project for June 2013.  Jim and I spent an entire weekend working on it.  Of course the project required a few trips to Home Depot (no surprise there!).  I am completely serious when I tell you that the Home Depot employees know Jim by name. 

Jim bought a brand spanking new circular saw and sander; both were put to good use.  To be honest, he did most of the work cutting and sanding each piece.  The only thing I had to do was paint the wood and attach the pictures.  I'm so happy with the way they turned out! :)

While my creative juices were flowing, I finished my July 2013 challenge.  Now if I can just figure out where to hang it!

See the scrapbook supplies at the top of the picture?  That's my next project!  Becky Higgins has a new line of scrapbooking supplies called Project Life.  I bought the entire line so I could scrapbook Garrett's senior year.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Band Parade

Delanie is having the time of her life playing the tenors for the Maple Grove Senior High Marching Band!  She's the only girl in the drumline and has the biggest set of drums.  This kid rocks!! :)

 

Last weekend, the parade was in an adorable small town about an hour south of us called Waconia.  It was the perfect day for a parade!  I couldn't believe how many people lined the streets to watch the bands play.  About fifteen bands from all over Minnesota came to compete. 

 

The band stopped right in front of us and I started weeping when Delanie played her solo!  It was so moving to watch her do something that is so up her alley!  I could not have been more proud of her.  :)

 

Isn't she the cutest thing ever?

 

Check out the video (that's Jim yelling his congrats at the end! :) ....

 

http://youtu.be/d7MTb60SWis

 

 

Time to celebrate!

Garrett's graduation was definitely a reason to celebrate!  Almost the whole Suggs clan gathered at Bill and Bea's house for the festivities.  Tracey made awesome posters that greeted everyone as they arrived.  Since the party was in the backyard by the pool, Charlene had a blowhorn ready by the front door just in case we couldn't hear the knocking. 

 

Pulled pork sandwiches (thanks Bea!), chips and cupcakes (thanks Tracey!) kept us all stuffed to the gills.

 

It was a great time to grab an updated family photo.  We really missed Mom at the party.  It was such a joyous occasion but her absence weighed heavy on all of us. 

 

 

The Gates clan with their sweet puppy Chloe.

 

All the great-grandkids were present and accounted for!  Ashley brought baby Eli (below with Jim), Allie and Cheese (AKA Colby).  Preston and Amy brought Maddox (giving me kisses below), Zoey and Keegan.  I can't believe how big those kiddos have gotten. 

 

I also got to spend time with my bestie, too.  Michael just left for Iraq so I'm glad we were in town to get her mind off her worries.  Hopefully she can come for a visit soon!

 

 

Overall, it was a great day!  Fun in the pool with lots of sunshine, great friends and family.  What more could you ask for?!

Graduation

I still can't believe I have a child old enough to be a high school graduate.  What can I say......my heart is about to burst!! :)