Curly Locks!

Anna has been wanting curls for quite a while now, and Wednesday night she got them!
I didn't know how long, or how many rollers she would need, because she has very thick and long hair. But we gave it a try, and were very happy with the results. We are planning on doing them again Saturday night. It took less then an hour to do, and they kept, and actually today she still has wavy hair! I think next time I will use a little more hairspray though as she has heavier hair then me.

I remember when I was younger putting curlers in my hair, but since I was doing it myself they weren't done in an orderly manner :-)I remember them going every which way and not making for a real comfortable night sleep! Though, even with it being uncomfortable, I thought it was worth it! So, I tried to have Anna's be all one layer, and hoped that she would be able to have as comfortable night sleep as curlers allow :-)

Before:



After:

The New Look!

On Wednesday I went and got my hair permed! I haven't had my hair permed for over two years, and I think it will be a nice change for awhile. I was pretty excited to be able to wash my hair today, as you can't wash your hair for 48 hrs. after the perm.

Before:

After:

My Grandma's Doll

When I got the doll her legs were peeling and her dress and bonnet needed fixing. She didn't have socks or shoes either, so I found someone that could fix her up. She was also missing one arm. I didn't think about taking before and after pictures, but since she was missing an arm and they replaced that, I have the old arm that I have taken a picture for the 'before and after!'



The Arm :-)




The finished product
The dress and bonnet are the original fabric just done over and added lace. As well as new bloomers, socks and shoes. I love the way she turned out!!!!

Pauline Mother of 4---


What is she doing nursing 6....


....Then 7?

Dad then put all 10 of them with her to nurse--but she didn't take that for too long! :-)

Fluff balls!

Once again we have kittens!!! Pauline had 4 on August 28th. Bella had 6 on the 31st of August.



This was taken about a week ago-they have grown quite a bit since then.





I love the first picture- notice the one kitten in the top left yawning:-) The light had been off and they had all been asleep. I flipped on the light hoping to get that reaction!


Bella is in no hurry to feed them anymore when she comes in. The kittens on the other hand are trying to get a bite to eat immediately!

Better Late then Never!

It has been a while but, about a month ago Mom, Anna, and I got to participate in the annual Swamp Fox parade!! Our church had a truck and some people road while others walked and passed out candy and tracts. It was the first time Anna had been in a parade and she had a great time along with everyone else.
After the parade I helped at our table "What's in a name?" People would come there to find out the meaning of their name. I really enjoyed doing since one of the things I like to do is look through name books!
Here is a glimps of the parade and our table.

SUNDAY MORNING ENCOUNTER WITH
THE SHERIFF!!!!
Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny! I was driving my new car to church as I planned on going to the picnic afterwards. I had only had my car for 2 1/2 weeks, and still just had the "title in transfer" sign in the back window. Mom, Anna, and I had tried to get it registered on Friday, but when we had arrived at the Recorders office, we realized that it was the last day of the month, and the last day of the quarter, which meant that the room was packed!!!! So, we had decided to wait til the following week (this week).
So, on Sunday, Mom, Grant and Anna led the way, and I wasn't to far behind them. When I got to the fourway stop I saw the Sheriff's car to my right- I made sure to come to a complete stop, and that when I took off from there I was going the speed limit. I had driven quite a ways when I looked back and saw a car coming. I couldn't tell if it was him or not, no sirens saying he was pulling me over or anything like that. He even came along side my car then backed off and turned on his lights! I couldn't believe I was getting pulled over! I whipped out my cell phone to call my--All I could think about was that after attempting to register my car I had forgotten to put the old registration back in the car. So, Mom said she would run home to get it. The Officer was still back in his car and had not come to my window yet.
Finally he came-- He said he noticed that I didn't have license plates and wondered if I had just recently bought this car. He then asked for my drivers license and insurance which I had! After what seemed like ages he let me go, saying, "he would take my word on it that I had just bought the car, and to get the plates as soon as possible." He didn't end up needing my registration after all. So, after I left the scene, I called Mom to let her know that she didn't need to get the registration! She had Grant, who was driving, turn around. A few minutes later I get a phone call---We just got a flat tire!...........Needless to say it was a crazy morning!

My New Car!!!

The first car I have ever owned!

1994 Buick

I just bought this car this afternoon!!!

Last night the Dad, Mom, Grant, Anna and I went to look at a couple of cars.
We decided on the Buick-for one they have a good reputation, two it was nice and clean, drove well, everything seemed to work inside, and Dad had checked under the hood at those things and said it was fine.

A Review:
Mom, Anna, and I had looked at this car about a week ago, but with our limited car knowledge we needed Dad to take a look too. So, last night at home after checking it out, and taking it for a test drive, we decided to make an offer. Ryan, the husband of the lady who owned the car, after checking in with someone at the other end of the line told me he couldn't sell it for what I was asking. I was disappointed, but told them to think it over and if they changed their mind to give me a call. Well, this morning my cell phone rang! It was Missy! She said, "my husband said that you called last night with an offer. What was that?" I thought it was pretty funny as I am sure she was the one that he talked to before telling me "no."
So, This afternoon Mom, Anna, and I went to pick it up and hand over the money. I am pretty excited!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!!!!!!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Ashley!!!

Today was Ashley's 10th birthday!!! In honor of her birthday her family took her, along with Anna, to the Play Station. I stopped by for awhile and took Gabrielle and Gracie down the slides! Wish I had taken my camera there! Then later tonight the clan brought an ice cream cake over to our house to celebrate!!! The slide show below consist of pictures taken by me, Ashley, Anna, Gabrielle, and Gracie! I was very pleasantly surprised for how they all turned out :-) Thanks Girls!!!

Kids

This is a family that I get to spend one day a week with! -- Christian, Ashley, Gabrielle, Gracie, and Michaela! Sometimes Anna comes along, and plays with her friends Ashley, and Gabriell, and Christian! And, I get to play with Gracie and Michaela! If I am alone, I get to play with them all! We have fun either playing outside or if it is raining and we are indoors we get to play "Hide the thimble!" I have put a little slideshow together from my last time over at their house. Enjoy!



The crew L-R: Anna, Michaela, Ashley, Gabrielle, Gracie, and Christian

My two little friends, Michaela and Gracie

And my middle sized friend, Gabrielle!

FRIENDS!!!!

Yesterday, my good friend, Laura, and I spent a couple hours together enjoying the beautiful weather at a Cemetery! We have an odd fascination with Cemeteries :-) A couple of years ago we spent the Summer visiting many different ones around our area. One of our goals was to find a grave stone with the name Andria/Andrea, spelled either way. We have looked in about 5 and have not found one, though we have found lots of "Laura's." :-)

So, if anyone happens to find a grave stone with my name on it, maybe you could take a picture and pass it along to me :-)

The view from our picnic spot

Laura brought muffins, peanut butter bars, grapes, and a beverage for both of us.
Thanks Laura!

Laura and me
(I'm still learning on how to take the picture myself)

Independence Day Dance

Last night my family atttend an Independence Day Dance hostted by some of our friends! There were Polkas, Waltzes, Civil War dances , Fold Dances , Squares, Reels, and more. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed visiting with friends. My favorite dance of all was the Rustic Reel. It is very tiring, but a lot of fun! Grant was a great sport as I had him for my partner for most of the dances! Thanks Grant! Everyone was else was pretty much either paired up already or girls were playing the guys parts.



My childhood friend, Mary, dancng the Landler with her husband, David



L: Mary and me, with Molly.
R: Molly and Me resting between dances



These are pictures of the Waltzes. Anna is in the red and white shirt!


This is the Rustic Reel! The best dance of all! Very lively and quick


Not sure what the name of this dance was. I just know that I couldn't get it :-) I was forever messing up:-) Oh well! It was fun anyway!


L: Anna with her friends- Jessica on the left and Andrea on the right.
R: Some of the people that hosted the dance, Katy is holding the microphone and was in charge of the dances.

China

A year ago, July 4th, I was on my way to China! I had wanted to go to China since I was about 11, so this was like a dream come true. My parents and Anna drove me to the Des Moines airport that morning, and my plane was scheduled to leave at 12:15. From Des Moines we flew to Dallas, Texas, and from there to Los Angeles, California to Beijing, China to another Chinese city and finally arrived at our destination, Chengdu, China, 3-4 hours off schedule:-)

For three weeks we taught chinese children and adults conversational english. The kids I taught were actually 3-5 year olds, so basically we were learning colors and songs. Each week I had different students to teach, so there was always something new. I have many stories from China, so if you ever want to hear one just let me know :-)

I loved China and the Chinese people and would love to go back again someday!

These are my students from the first week of class. Kari, in the green dress, Joy, in the navy and white, Susan in the pink shirt, Tina, in the white and pink, Luke was the only boy, and Maggie, playing 'duck, duck, goose.'

Below L: This is one of the places we visited during the weekend. Not sure what the name of the place was, but it was beautful!

Below R: This is the group I was with for three weeks. We had a great time together. Katie, in the middle with the print dress, was our guide and friend in China!

The shirts say "I just want to friends how are you." We had a lot of fun wearing them knowing that is just how the Chinese speak english.

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!!

I took this picture as we were descending to the Des Moines airport!
Almost Home!

I've Been Tagged

8 Things People Might Not Know About Me!
This took a little thinking on my part, and most people who know me probably know these things about me.

1. I was the only girl (daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter) on my mom's side of the family for 12 1/2 years

2. I got stuck in a manure pit when I was 6 or 7 and my Dad had to pull me out

3. When I was younger I disliked getting dirty- I would change if my clothes got dirty, and was always making sure my hands were clean.

4. One of my childhood dreams came true last summer when I was at last able to visit China! I will be posting some pictures I took in China as the one year anniversary approaches.

5. I like to memorize peoples birth dates- though there are occasions when I do forget a birthday :-)

6. I love taking naps! I would love to take a nap everyday if I could. I don't care what time of day it is or whether it is in my bedroom or in the living room.

7. I have only moved once in my lifetime. Though I didn't like it when we first moved to the country I adjusted, and am very happy we made the move!

8. I'm really not an animal lover. That may be a surprise to some, but I'm just not that fond of critters. I enjoy horses, and love to go riding. And I like dogs (and other animal creatures), at a distance. Its not that I am scared of them, it just that I don't like their slobber and animal smell.

Kittens

I am so happy that we are having such beautiful weather! Spring: the smell of fresh cut grass, birds chirping, and new life. This spring one of our cats, Pauline, had kittens. Being the protective mother that she is, she thought it best to hide them. So, it was just the other day, April 14, that Grant discovered where they were. She had, had them under our porch, so Grant dug them out for us. She had 4 this time; three with tails and one bobtail. Three of them, including the bobtail, are dark tiger stripped and one is black and white. After taking some pictures we put them on the deck for Pauline to take back under the porch.

Baby Grace

These are some pictures I took of the baby I get to watch twice a week. Gracie has become such a happy little girl for me--most of the time anyway:-)

Today she decided to take an early nap--doesn't she look peaceful?

Since she had an early nap she woke up a little earlier, and we had fun on the bed for and hour or so. She was very talkative and enjoyed the pennywhistle. I will have to bring it along with me next time.

She is very much wanting to play it here, and is very happy that she has it in her hands:-)

She really wanted to play it --not just hold it :-)