Today we woke at the crack of dawn to carry our possessions; some loved and gently used and hard to part with, others rarely used and glad to have out of the house. We are not well versed in garage selling. Not because we have anything against them, but because we don't have a lot of time to wander from house to house in a random search of treasures. That being said, I find the process a tad bit uncomfortable. Have I priced items too high, are they too worn to sell? I sometimes wonder if I am pricing the sentimental value on some items. Scott said the whole thing makes him feel cheap and tawdry. lol. We didn't get rich today, but I'm thankful that people are hauling off my junk, so I don't have to carry it all to Goodwill.

The nickel has landed...I repeat, the nickel has landed!

New Recipe

This is a really good summer salad recipe. It was really light and fresh.

Romaine & Strawberries with Poppy Seed Dressing

1 head of romaine lettuce torn into pieces

1 quart of strawberries, sliced

1 small red onion, diced

Tossed together in serving bowl.

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 T. red wine vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

1T. poppy seeds

Mix well or shake vigorously in a jar.

Add dressing to greens just before serving and toss well. Delicious!

**Recipe found in Beta Sigma Phi 75th Anniversary Cookbook p. 37

Gone fishin'

Scott and the boys went fishing last night and reeled in several Hybrids. They brought three home to eat this weekend. When did Jacob pass Scott in height? They were even for several months and it looks like Jacob has had a growth spurt to take the lead.

Post Number 200

I happened to notice that this is my 200th blog post. (Thank goodness because it gave me something to write about.) I was surprised when I realized that my first post was in October of 2007--wow, I've been doing this awhile. Thanks for reading my ramblings and leaving your hilarious, sweet, and loving comments. To celebrate/commemorate/compare...you pick a word...I am posting the picture from my very first entry and a current picture. The boys have changed alot in 2 years.

The Boys - Current Picture

The Boys - October 2007

Gabe's String of Bad Luck

We've been back from vacation less than a week, and Gabe has had a tough one. First he backed the four-wheeler into the truck leaving a small but noticable dent, he then fell getting out of the pool and scraped his forehead. His last predicament brought him to me crying, "IDONWANAHAVSURGREEE". Once he settled down, I discovered that he had swallowed a nickel and he was saying "I don't want to have surgery". He wasn't in any pain or having any trouble breathing, swallowing, or drinking, so thanks to advice given by WebMD, we are patiently waiting for the nickel to reappear.

Good news? We've discovered a helpful use for the old newlywed saran wrap on the commode trick. My brother-in-law thinks we should throw 5 pennies in the commode and tell Gabe he made change.

Let Freedom Ring

We went to Grandmom's today to celebrate the 233rd birthday of the United States of America. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of this great nation than shooting fireworks and eating fresh grilled burgers, pie and homemade ice cream (almost).

There isn't a family I've ever met that has more fun with the 4th of July than the Williams. The men of the family typically go out a few days before the celebration and spend hundreds of dollars on explosives. Wasteful? By female standards yes, but husbands don't generally understand spending big bucks on matching shoes and handbags either...the world has a way of balancing things out.

In the eighteen years I've been part of this family, I have sat through swarming mosquitoes, stifling humidity, and relentless rain to watch the display. What started as the Williams boys playing with fire has turned into quite an incredible show. They now have different stations with fireworks being launched simultaneously. Don't get excited guys, you're not Riverfront good yet. However, at the Riverfront display you don't get the occasional misfire into the crowd, nor do you get the opportunity to see your husband, brother, or son duck and roll to safety.

Traditions are different in every family. Our tradition may sound scary or careless to some, but I wouldn't miss it for anything! Happy Fourth of July everyone, may you be burn free!

More Vacation Pictures

Talkeetna, Alaska

Shy, elusive Mt. McKinley shows herself completely on rare occasions. She unveiled parts of herself to us, but never fully. It's said that the mountain is so tall that it creates it's own weather.

The last stop of our trip brought us to Talkeetna, Alaska. Talkeetna is a small Alaskan town rumored to be the basis for the tv show Northern Exposure. Looking past it's tv fame, Talkeetna holds, in my opinion, a much greater notoriety. It's the base camp for hikers attempting to climb Mt. McKinley. As I sat gazing at the mountain in all her splendor I was aware of how many hikers must have sat in my exact place contemplating their trek. Were they ready...had they trained hard enough, did they bring enough food, the right equipment. I could almost feel their nerves and excitement. Four climbers have perished already this year attempting the climb. At first glance an attempt to climb Mt. McKinley seems foolish or irresponsible, but at closer examination I understand the desire to plan, train, and challenge yourself; setting and achieving a personal goal.

Our hotel (the only hotel besides a bed and breakfast) in Talkeetna.