Teecie's Daughter, Chrissy, and her kids, Elizabeth and Jasimine

Plants and Birds (and one great meal!)

Oh, and dinner, too. I made the most fabulous chicken enchiladas! Mmmmmm.

You can hardly see the little hummingbird there on the feeder.
I was in a totally Zen state (Mike's all - uhm - sorry to bother you - that sounds intense) trying to be very still and very quiet to photograph a hummingbird at the feeder. Click on the above to enlarge it and see the little hummingbird.
Here's one little guy. See his eyes reflecting the flash?

It came a toad-strangler yesterday. Somebody needs to clean their gutters! I was stuck outside until I braved the shower in front of the front door.
I guess Bill solved the problem of what to plant over Rat's burial site. A composter. Yay!
Empty fire pit and the wood we had delivered. Bill made this nice neat stack for me. Thanks Bill!

New Zinnias. I had to euthanize the old pansies. God bless 'em. They did well for me while they lived.....
My Impatiens are growing very well. All the green stuff in between is re-growth from last year. Alright!!! I love a free plant.....
Bill and I planted all these babies just this past weekend (yes, we sacrificed even more pansies...) The theme here is purple and yellow. We'll see how they grow.
The Begonias under the tree are growing very well!
These are new. Bill went to great pains to arrange these to look like flames. He had a great time planting. It was a new experience for him. He is on the road right now and asks about the "babies" whenever he calls.

My Peeps (My Work People....)

Albert
Sandy
Tim
Doug
Judy
Stuart
Debbie

Bonnie
Randy S.
Robert
John
Randy B.

Shannon
Sarah
Cheryl
Andre
Sue

Eek! I'm a year older!

I had a great birthday! Bill and Mike and I played Scrabble in the morning while we waited for Samantha to show up. I was losing bad, until I was able to play "JINX" on the triple word! I didn't look back after that... Samantha came and I opened my gifts. I've been wanting a sprinkler since we've been in a drought and I can't give my flowers enough water. I got a sprinkler. I also got a beautiful green necklace and earrings. And some lovely smelling vanilla lotion (whenever Sam smells vanilla, she says "that smells like Mom"). They got me a gift certificate for a pedicure! I've never had a pedicure before, but Kathryn is always telling me how wonderful they are. Bill got me a digital picture frame, which is the coolest thing ever! You put a memory card of any kind in it, and it displays pictures off the card. He also got me a food processor. I don't have one, and I've been wanting to make pesto, which requires a food processor. He went overboard, really. Teecie gave me a really pretty pink plant, which looks great with my other little indoor plants.



They then cooked breakfast (my favorite meal), and ate. We did a few repairs on Sam's car, then we all played Pictionary. Bill and I beat Sam and Mike which in unheard of! Those two together have never lost before. Sam had to be at work at 5:00 so she left just as Kat was showing up. Bill took me to the movies to see "Pirates of the Caribbean 3", and while we were gone Mike and Kat made yummy pizza for us for dinner. I've never had a pineapple and ham pizza, but Kat made one and surprisingly I loved it! By the time all that was done it was around 10 and we went to bed.

Overall, a really great birthday. Thanks!!

The "Feasters" (Crest High School Drama Dept. version of the Oscars)

Mike and Kat ready to go to the awards ceremony.

Me and Bill Mrs. Feaster, the drama teacher officiated.
First, there were participation awards for everyone. Then Mrs. Feaster handed out her "Director's Choice" awards. John Ledford won his for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Stacy Moore - Biggest "Diva" award
Amanda Carstner - for her dedication

Sarah Rutzen for trying so hard to get it right every time.

Matt Bryan - Diversity. He's played a black man, an elderly man, a gay paraplegic, and more!
Matt Faircloth for his steady dedication.
Val Boeke - For breaking out of her comedic roles and doing so well dramatically.
Jordan Piercy - Breakout actor. This is his first year in drama, but already has made quite an impression (so did his speech, they had to push him off the stage....)
After the director's choice awards, we all went in the cafeteria and ate. There was shrimp, chicken, a very tasty macaroni salad, meatballs, potatoes, cake.... All nicely done. Then it was back for the peer voted awards.

First up was Michael Bass (YAAY!!) - Best Male Vocalist

Alicia Miller - Best Female Vocalist
Jordan Piercy - Best Supporting Actor
Amanda Carstner - Best Supporting Actress
Michael Bass - Best Actor (YAY!!!!)
Stacy Moore - Best Actress

After those awards were given out, Mrs. Feaster recognized each of the seniors with a plaque and certificate and a pin. It was very emotional. Mrs. Feaster said nice things about each one of them. Next, the students presented Mrs. Feaster with ceiling tiles, painted to "advertise" each play of the past 4 years. It was very sweet, and Mrs. Feaster was touched. She wept and everyone then took pictures and chatted and the event was over.