We got up early, again, to make the hour drive to Jamestown Settlement.  The drive was very pretty.

We saw nearly two centuries of our nations’ history - from the founding of America’s first permanent English settlement in 1607 to the decisive Revolutionary War victory in 1781 and implementation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Our first stop was the Powhatan Indian village.

Then we walked to the pier to see the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery - re-creations of three ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607.  We only boarded the Susan Constant because it was so hot on the ship - especially below deck!

Next we walked to James Fort.  Wattle-and-daub structures topped with thatched roofs depict dwelling and a church, guardhouse, storehouse and governor’s house during the period 1610 - 1614.  We watched a demo of a matlock rifle and saw all of the tobacco drying that was used as money. 

Most of the structures had armour vests hanging on the wall and many had gun racks over the door.

The governor’ house had many ornately carved items.

And the governor’s house had this beautiful fireplace.

I flew home early the next morning.  I missed my house, family and animals…. but I had a WONDERFUL time with my Great Husband.  Thank you, husband

Today we went to a gun show in Norfolk.  Great Husband enjoyed the show but after the first few vendor tables, I thought it all looked the same.  He wants to sell at gun shows, so he did a lot of observing.  After the gun show, we went to eat and then came back to the motel for a long nap….. that “getting old” syndrome!

Updated…

We also went to Verizon to update our phones.  Mine was not working properly and our contract was up, so we got newer phones for a decent discount.

The reason for our indoor activities was Hanna.  It was suppose to hit early Saturday morning but it was only a bit of wind and some rain.  Not the hurricane that we expected.  By Sunday, the sky was clear and blue, again.

Dear Great Husband,

It has been the most wonderful EIGHT years in my life.  We have had a few rough spots, but I think that makes all of the good so much sweeter!  We have grown together and separately.  We are raising some of the best kids in America - thanks to you for not allowing me to make mommy’s boys of them.  We have bought a great home and have done so much to improve it - and have so much more to plan to make it even better.  We are on a great adventure together!  I am really looking forward to all of the years that we still have.   Thank you for loving me and being such a hard worker and dedicated husband and father…..

Family at Painted Desert - Oct 2003

Fourth of July Parade with Larry - 2004

Phoenix Renaissance Festival with me - March 2005

 Your 50th birthday with the King - March 2006

But this one is my fav :-)  posted with lots and lots of love!

Your mother’s 85th birthday - Aug 2007

Your oldest son’s high school graduation - May 2008

Yes - Yes, you are funny and FUN to be with!

 And now to the mushy, sappy stuff because that is me

The greatest gifts are those that cost us least: Price varies inversely with true worth. Life itself’s a free gift of the earth Born of ecstatic joy in plant and beast. What more exquisite present than a bower Of wild roses in adolescent bloom? Yet all that vivid color and perfume Exist to serve the interests of the flower. Love is such a gift. One trusts its treasure, Free as the strange bright outbursts of a bird, Equally uncanny and absurd, Comes not from sweat or sacrifice, but pleasure. I’m grateful for the gift you bought. But do Remember that the greatest gift is you. by Nicholas Gordon

Life with you has been like a ride on a roller coaster with all of the thrills and fun.  I do not want life to be like a merry-go-round with you…… just to round and round and round.

 Thank you, great husband, friend and lover for always being there for me and loving me just the way I am and sometimes in spite of just the way I am!  I am living over the Rainbow, my fairytale come true because of you!

I have several updates…..

First, the duck laid the 4th egg today.  I am pretty sure that it is the grey duck.  We are not leaving them in the duck house.  They seem to be pullet eggs, smaller eggs laid in the first laying.  She is not trying to sit on it at all… in fact, she is pushing it out to the edges of their house.

Second, some of you asked me to let you know how the FlyPredators are doing…. They are FANTASTIC!  The horses are not as bothered by the flies.  And in the house, I am only finding about 10 flies at night - instead of hundreds.  They are well worth the 18.45 (delivered) a month.

And third - Great Husband is in Cheyenne, WY at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, with Rascal Flatts.  He sent these pics that he took with his camera for me to enjoy.  Cowgirls. Indians and up close and personal with Rascal Flatts.  Wish I could be there with him!  Maybe next year we can make it a family vacation. 

And….

I got to see my younger daughter, Jessica, yesterday.  She came and got Leavi so that he could stay with her for a week or so.  It is very quiet here with only Luke!  Leavi will be missed.  I nearly cried when they left yesterday.  That is a very kind and warm little boy….. but also very very busy all the time!

Great Husband is one of the 11 semi-trucks that is hauling Rascal Flatts equipment.  They were recently in Sarnia, ON at Bayfest.  Here is a video of what the trucks look like and the lead driver’s interview.

Great Husband and many of the other drivers spent 5 days in Nashville so that his trailer could be “wrapped” with the bands tour logo - Bob That Head.  Husband says that when he driving on the freeways, people will drive up to the trailer, match his speed and take pictures of the trailer. 

I hope that all mothers have a GREAT, lazy, loving and relaxing day today! 

Here is what Great Husband wished for me across the miles (he won’t be home until next week) - Tulips, Daisies, Iris and, my favorite - Lilies!

He sent some to his mom, too -

I have a song in my brain that won’t go away - not that I mind that it is playing over and over - so here it is

This is dedicated to my husband - my lover, my best friend and the soul in my heart

the song

You’re in my heart, you’re in my soul
You’ll be my breath should i grow old
You are my lover, you’re my best friend
You’re in my soul
~~~~~~

Three years ago this morning, my parents and brother were happily awaiting the arrival of my other brother.  It was the birthday of the arriving brother.  My dad and my brothers went fishing and then went to the house for dinner.  My dad choked on an artichoke and died.  Who would have guessed that such a happy day would turn so tragic.  I will never forget the phone call that I received that night.  I have loved and lived through many men in my life but only two stand out - my dad and my great husband.  For all of my life, my dad was my very best friend and loved me no matter unconditionally.  Even though I miss him every day, I am very fortunate to have found my great husband and BFF. 

He was born January 5, 1921 to parents who had few years before immigrated to the States from Denmark.  He grew up on a small farm in a community of loggers in Enumclaw, WA with three brothers.  In 1939 he joined the army and was sent to Italy.  After his return he married my mother in 1950 and I was born in December of 1953 and my brother in May of 1956.  He drove for Greyhound busline for 15 yrs.  In 1960, our family moved from Olympia, WA to Sacramento, CA.  It took him a long time to find a decent paying job and we ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches!  He finally got with the local Teamsters and was able to buy a home.  Soon after, my younger brother was born in 1966.  In the spring of my senior year of high school, the truck that he was loading rolled away from the dock while he was on the connecting plate in a forklift.  He had 2 broken vertebrae and was unable to work for over a year while wearing a back brace.  He ws very happy to get back to driving trucks again after that.  He retired in the early 80’s and he and my mom moved to Clearlake, CA where he spent as much time as could fishing on the pier or out in his boat.  Then the Alzhiemer’s set in and he had to give up the boat time because he had such a hard time remembering where his dock was.  Over the years the Alzhiemers and being diabetic got worse - he couldn’t remember he was diabetic and that caused many problems.  I do not know if he really remembered who I was.  He acted as though he did and I wanted very much to believe that he knew who I was.  The last time that I saw him was the summer before he died.  I told him that I loved him and that he was a great dad.   Even though it embarrased the hell out of him, I am very glad that I took the time to do it - never knowing that it would be the last time that I would be able to tell him.

Even though I miss him terribly, I love him enough to know that his time on this world was not quality time anymore.  I am glad that he is in a better place and I know that he will always be with me.  The father-daughter relationship I had with him makes me a better person and he will live on forever in me and in my children.

This in the pic that he always carried of me in his wallet

He used to sing “Swinging on A Star” to me all the time when I was a young child.  His favorite sing was Bing Crosby and it was one of his hit songs.  This song is for you, Dad -

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
Kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
He’s just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
And by the way, if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule

Or would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a pig

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
His shoes are a terrible disgrace
He has no manners when he eats his food
He’s fat and lazy and extremely rude
But if you don’t care a feather or a fig
You may grow up to be a pig

Or would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a fish

A fish won’t do anything, but swim in a brook
He can’t write his name or read a book
To fool the people is his only thought
And though he’s slippery, he still gets caught
But then if that sort of life is what you wish
You may grow up to be a fish
A new kind of jumped-up slippery fish

And all the monkeys aren’t in the zoo
Every day you meet quite a few
So you see it’s all up to you
You can be better than you are
You could be swingin’ on a star

 My great husband is 52 years old today.  He is alone, sitting at a truck stop on the outskirts of Las Vegas.  Last year, I flew his good friend, Dawn, from Montana.  He was so surprised!  Then we all went to the AZ RenFest in Phoenix.  He is away from his family about 85% of the time, yet he is still an active husband and father.  Seven and a half years ago I met him on the internet.  He took on a wife (lucky lucky me!), my 4 kids, dogs, cats and later 2 horses.  He was a single guy with lots of time just for himself!  We are most fortunate that this man was born 52 years ago!  We all appreciate all that he has given us.  I am a very lucky person to count him as my best friend!

Husband has started a web site for his business.  It is called LOBOGUNZ.  He is still working on the “shopping cart” but the rest of it is done.  Stop by if you are in need of ammo or collector firearms.