Mr. Tennis and Me!

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary!
I shared this photo on FB -- wow --
we sure looked young, didn't we!

We were married in 1977 -- yep -- 37 years ago!

I loved my dress -- if I remember correctly, it was all of $115! :)

We moved to Philadelphia immediately after
our wedding so Mr. Tennis could
attend law school at Villanova!
Villanova has one of the most
beautiful campuses ever!
So, while he took a high-speed train out
to lovely Villanova, I took a graffiti-marked up el-train
through some rather rough parts of Philadelphia
to work!

What an experience!
We had a fun time out there and big cities like that make
it possible to get around
without a vehicle!
The stories I could tell!!! 

We've been very lucky to have such
a wonderful life together and
three terrific children and now
get to enjoy having a daughter-in-law and
three beautiful grandchildren!
We've been blessed beyond measure.

And here we are with a more current photo
of me and Mr. Tennis from last fall!

Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Maddy just finished up two weeks of a theatre camp program 

at our local community playhouse!

The students spent 10 days from 9 am to 4 pm

every day working on their

songs and dances and honing their acting skills!

And then, they put on a 

fabulous performance 

for friends and family.

Maddy in back -- 7 of Diamonds

The performance was so much fun!

Maddy was a flower and a lobster and a playing card

and did a lot of background performing.

She was so animated and had tons of fun!

And she hopes to audition for a December

Junie B. Jones production.

It was a very successful camp and all of the
performers worked hard and did a great job!
 We are beyond thrilled that our community theatre 

provides such wonderful opportunities 

to try something new and stretch some wings!

Connor and Maddy - Fun after the performance!

On Becoming a List Maker

I have finally figured out

 (yes, it takes me a while)

that I can be more effective and accomplish more

if I will just make a list

AND

refer to it throughout the day and
cross things off the list!

I believe my son learned this lesson at an early age

as he used to write lists on his mirror!!

Now, he probably makes his lists on his iPad or tablet!

But, I actually need

a real piece of paper

Guess what the 

first item on my list is each day . . . 

MAKE A LIST!  :)

How about you?

Is there something you do that helps you to be

more organized and accomplish more?

Please share!

What's on your list today?

Now, I can check write a blog post off the list today!
Of course, some projects like "pull weeds" is
on the list every single day! :(

Hope you can check lots off your list today.
I'm off to make a quiche and check that off today's list!

A Grand Time!

Last week Maddy and I had the 

opportunity to spend some time with the 

Grands while Philip and Catherine had a little getaway!

Maddy was actually busy during the day at theatre camp,

so my main helper was gone -- how would I ever manage????
I'm sure the fact that

they have a great little schedule and

their house is super-organized really helped.

Of course, the kids are delightful and sweet -- so 

that makes a big difference too!

Janie is now 4, Walt is 3 and little Harry is 11 months!

Yes, I had my hands full!

We were lucky enough to have fabulous weather

and took some walks and stroller rides

every day!

Mr. Tennis (aka Papa) and Muffy came over one evening with
chicken nuggets and fries (hello fast food!) and
 to play!

I also introduced Janie and Walt to chocolate milk
 and I'm afraid they are hooked! :)

After-nap chocolate milk in his undies on the deck! :)

There was one rather large screw-up on my part!

Harry was napping one morning so Janie, Walt and I went out on the deck

with me pulling the door closed behind us.

Oooops - I hadn't checked and the door locked!

Neurotic me had also locked the door from the garage to 

the house, so we couldn't get in that way either!
Slight freak-out on my part ensued!

Smart parents -- there was a key hidden outside!

We got back in and you can be sure I didn't make that mistake again!

Wonderful littles with fabulous parents!
We love having them in town with us! 

Philip and the kids -- first day at his pediatric office!

The Joy of A Bicycle Ride!

Maddy and I made big plans for bicycle riding all over town 

this summer!

However, the bicycle I inherited from my sweet Mum

needed a tune-up and a new tire and inner tubes!

I finally managed to hoist it into the car and get it in

for service.

Isn't it lovely!!!

And now, it is ready!

Truly, nothing compares to the joy of a bicycle ride, does it!

Hello Monday!

Hello Monday!

Whoa -- it was a very hot and humid weekend, 

but . . . 

good news -- a polar vortex

(remember those from last winter? Brrrr!!)

is headed our way and cooler temps expected!

Maddy finished up a week-long half-day theatre camp

last Friday.  There were 95 kids in the camp and

they all did a fabulous job performing!

She starts a new theatre camp today!

Hope she enjoys it just as much!

Do you see what these photos mean?

Very happy news for me.

I have a guy working on the floor trim!!

Yes, Finally!

The job that started in April 

may actually finish in July!

And, we've been so happy to have the

little kids here in town!

Spent some time at the zoo last weekend!

The heat and extreme humidity gave me a whopper migraine, but

was loads of fun and more to come!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Birthday Fun!

I had a birthday earlier this week!

Yippee!
And no, I'm not telling how old I am 

. . . old enough to love me some Botox!! :)

It has really been a fun week -- am trying to spread the celebrating out!
The day before my birthday, my 

twin sister came to town for lunch so we could 

celebrate together!

It was soooooo nice!

We had a really fun lunch and chat!

On my birthday, I had a total indulgence
and had my hair shampooed and blown out!
Those who know me are quite aware of the battle
I have with my wavy/frizzy locks especially in the summer!
She made it sooooo straight that a friend from Maddy's
school did not recognize me when I picked Maddy up
from theatre camp!

Of course, the best part of my day
was celebrating with my sweet family*!

*Catherine was evidently taking the photos and neglected to get in any - sorry sweetie!
Next time!

Philip and Catherine made a super yummy dinner for us -
I'm not sure where he got his cooking abilities
as it wasn't from me or Mr. Tennis! :)
It was great to spend the evening with everyone
and totally indulge in some yummy cookie cake!
Do you see the special details on the cookie Maddy ordered?
 . . . A little Scottie, my big red jeep, some running shoes and balloons!

Later today I am picking up my bicycle from
a little tune-up!
It was my Mom's bike and I love that I have it!
Really missed her on my birthday
(every day, but even more on that day).
Lots of bicycle-riding with Maddy happening soon!

Hello Monday - July 4 Wrap-Up

Well, hello Monday!

Don't you love a long weekend?

Especially the July 4th weekend!

So much celebrating, so much eating, so many loud noises! :)

We had loads of fun at the club pool 

though it was so windy that day the skydivers had to cancel!

A little bummed as we love that tradition!

Connor joined us for some fun in the sun!

The pool was actually really cold as we had some chilly 

days and nights last week!

While we were enjoying fun in the sun,

Mr. Tennis traveled to his hometown

to visit his sweet Mother for her 88th birthday

and see his brothers!

They did a little golfing! :)

Mr. Tennis with his brothers, Steve, James, Robin

We were so happy to have him home again!

Extremely hot and humid weather returned, so we had a little more pool time on Sunday

with Philip and Catherine and the little kids!

It was so much fun!

Actually -- such a good time that I forgot to get the camera out and sadly didn't get any photos! 

Janie, Walt and Harry dominated the baby pool 

and Maddy was the best pool helper!

Fourth Flashback!

Getting ready for the 4th of July -- 

one of our favorite

holidays -- 

well, except Muffy is not a fan!

Fourth of July, 2011

We will be heading to the pool for fun and games

and a barbecue!

July 4, 2012

No doubt there will be some boomers on our block that evening!

Fourth of July, 2013

Happy 4th of July - 

have fun!