Estes Park, CO

When we were driving into town there were Elk crossing the road. The police had cars stopped.

Our Cabin complete with firepit for s'mores

Casey was thrilled when we learned that Estes Park was the setting for Aspen, CO from Dumb & Dumber

Sweetest little boy with his football. Awwwww

Praline Truffle from the ice cream shop

Jonathan & Sapphira's wedding

Casey and I traveled to Estes Park, CO last week for his brother Jonathan's wedding. I had never met Jonathan or his wife Sapphira. Casey had only met her once and briefly. I also got to meet his sister Joy, brother-in-law Danny, niece Beckah and nephew Luke. Oh, and his 90 year old grandpa!

We had a wonderful trip! Everything was beautiful. 

This is Danny grilling burgers for the rehearsal dinner.

Here is Kristin decorating the tables. We used wildflowers from the mountain and tulle.

Casey and Luke! 

This is what we put on the tables. It turned out really pretty. I promise. Bad lighting.

Pearce family at the wedding.

The wedding. Note the ring bearer. Sapphira's two year old son Graham tossed that pillow on the ground and plopped down on it for a front row seat. 

Centerpieces at the rehearsal

The photographers had a wall for funny photos

The bride arm wrestling her grandpa!

County Fair

The Northeast Arkansas District Fair is this week. The fairgrounds are being moved to Farrville so it is the last year here in the middle of town. I went with my parents and sister on Monday night. I was exhausted as I had just gotten back from Colorado the day before. We met up with my aunt & uncle, their daughters and grandchildren. We had a blast! My dad bought corndogs, tickets & carnival games for the kids. He loved it! My sister and I can easily tell our children will be Spoiled at grandma & grandpa's.

Dad & Justice on the Ferris Wheel

Grey and Justice with dad at a carnival game.

Grey fishing! They both got a toy sword as a prize.

Me, Ila Beth & Hannah at the David Nail concert!

Book update

I last posted about the books I was reading over the summer. Today is the first day of Autumn :)
I am still working on The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death. It has become my go-to book. I read it before I fall asleep. It's non-fiction, so it's not like there's a story line to keep up with.

I am also working on New York: the Novel by Edward Rutherford. It's just the kind of book I like to read - historical fiction. I've discovered there are two types of books I prefer. Thrillers like Dan Brown, David Baldacci or John Grisham; and historical fiction like anything by Beverly Swerling.

In addition I am listening to the audio book of My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira. It is about about midwife in Albany during the Civil War. I checked this book out from the library a few weeks ago and didn't finish it, so I got the audio book yesterday. I don't know why, but I've always had an interest in ancient midwifery. I like to read about medical practices before modern medicine. Kinda gory.

Reading

I've been in summer reading mode lately and finished two books over the 4th.

One was The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier. I started it on audiobook and got to the second to last disc when it messed up. So, I got the book from the library and finished it. It was good, but best in audio form because there were lots of french words that I cannot pronounce.

The other was, not surprising, a David Baldacci thriller. He's one of my favorite authors. Hell's Corner. I had been working on this one for a while so I was very glad to finish. It was good too. Fifth in the Camel Club series.

I "read" another of Baldacci's books via audiobook. I've found these to be a great way to keep my sanity on my drive from Jonesboro to St Louis. Makes the time go much faster. This one was titled First Family, but was not part of the Camel Club series.

I've also done a little non-fiction reading. The Great Mortality is about the Black Death, the plague that wiped out 1/3 of the population of Europe in the 1300's. I haven't finished it yet. Who knows if I ever will.

And last night I picked up a few things at the library including The Making of a Royal Romance. Obviously about Will & Kate.

If it's just a collection of everything I heard on the news leading up to April 29, I'll take it out and pop in the other: Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff.

happiness

"for me, there is no other way to happiness in this life, but to spend it loving you."

Best. Letter. Ever.

I found this on a blog I got sucked into today at work. Shame. http://kendilea.blogspot.com/2009/09/bestletterever.html

This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to Americancompany Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. It was PCMagazine's 2007 editors' choice for best webmail-award-winning letter.

I feel like I've written this letter so many times before.

Dear Mr. Thatcher:

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up anddown the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionaryFlexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize howcrucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words:

'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you kidding me? What I mean is, does any part ofyour tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling,laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anythingmentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James?

FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense tosay something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I hae chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bull. And that's a promise I will keep.
Always. . .
Best,
Wendi Aarons