Howdy friends!

Lawsy mercy, has it been hot here in the good ol' Midwest! Yesterday we broke a record high set way back ( don't recall an exact year), today will likely break another record (this one from further back in 1874!), and they're calling for triple digit temps through the weekend, with no rainfall in sight. Our little patch of heaven (aka, our smallish, last minute garden) is crying. Actually, it's doing quite well for it being so dry because we are watering like crazy. Some nearby towns have called for voluntary water conservation, but nothing so far here.

Yesterday, the husband and I finalized plans to Atlanta, Georgia for a huge family reunion (on his side). We just have to find a way for our daughter and her son to get there, and we'll be set! This has put a frightening image in my head, however, of...well, me! Is this the motivation I've been looking for to finally stop eating like I'm hypoglycemic and need to eat 24/7? Or if I eat 24/7, it just has to be lots of fruits and veggies, with some lean meats, low fat dairy and complex carbs for good measure? See?? I know how to do it, it's just getting up off my fat bottom and get movin'!! Cheer me on, would ya? Lately I've been feeling like 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. I know the heat plays a part, but still!

On another note, please please please send your prayers up for the people and land in Colorado. We have several family members and friends that live in the state, altho9ugh none (as of yet) have been directly affected. And as one of our favorite places to visit, we are saddened by the loss of such beauty in nature. I have been diligently praying our almighty God to send down rain, to calm the winds, to protect the firefighters and to allow people to reach safety...a lot to ask, but this is God we're talking about!

The Hubster is playing at the coffee shop tonight, so I'm trying to get Bean down for a nap this afternoon. She's against it, but maybe she'll do quiet time. Other than that, we have no solid weekend plans (other than the usual laundry). We were contemplating a trip up north, but I think because of the heat, we've put that on hold.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a wonderful couple of days, and stay cool!!

New Talent

Hello friends! After reading the title, you might think I'm going to tell you about a talent I've discovered I have.

Au contraire!!

I'm speaking of a fantastic bluegrass group that Patrick and I had the pleasure of seeing this weekend. The Gateway Ramblers.

A coffee shop run by some friends, PBC Photography and Creative Cafe, had their first Friday Night Spotlight on Friday. It's an intimate music program made specifically for local talent. My husband's band, Flat Earth Society, is actually playing there at the end of this month! To say I am excited is an understatement!

So we went to check it out and it was fabulous! Our friends weren't kidding - we should've gotten there earlier to snag a comfy chair! It was a great turn-out for the first night. (Please excuse the blurry pictures to follow...iPhones are okay for close-up shots, but horrific for anything further away).

The Gateway Ramblers

The band consists of 3 guys around Patrick and my ages. They claimed it was their first gig as a trio, but I'm not sure I believe that. Not only was their music magnificent, but their voices melted together like buttah.

Meet Will Miskall. He is (uhh, obviously) the stand-up bass player. He also sings {sigh} high tenor. And to prove my previous point about their voices: it took me maybe 3 songs to actually figure out which of the guys was singing which part. Amazing! On a sidenote, Will's wife (and I apologize, I can't remember her name for the life of me) was there with their newborn baby. His wife is sweet as can be and their baby girl is just a doll!

Second (in no particular order) is Ben Smith. He is definitely in my top five best amateur gutarists. He also sang, and although I didn't get to talk to him during the break, he seemed to be the crack-up of the group :) Great with the crowd, and a really local guy, living in the same town as they were performing.

Last but definitely not least, Mr. Troy Brenningmeyer playing the "weird slide Dobro guitar" (thank you John Denver). He sang some as well, mostly harmony. Patrick and I also got to speak with him during the break, first to warn him that we might have to kidnap him until he plays for some of Patrick's songs, and second to have a gander at their sound system. Troy was such a champ for humoring us by sharing how they had things hooked up. He's also a really local boy.

These guys were just so down to earth and a great start for Friday Night Spotlight. The entire thing was a great success, and I'm looking forward to going again! If you're in the area, come check it out. It's a great evening out (or a great way to start your evening out, if you're younger and less tired than me). ;) Also visit PBC's website to view more upcoming events, find their hours, rent out their event room on the upper level, or schedule them for a photo shoot!

Hey Jude

Hello friends!

Today I'd like to take the time to remember someone very near and dear to my heart. It's a little odd, because I never had the honor to meet this woman, but I feel like I know her through all the stories I've heard and pictures I've seen.

Judith McCarthy Truax

This lovely woman is the mother of my husband, Patrick. She was born on today's date in 1942. She went to be with our Savior on March 24, 2001. Too early. Too early for her husband, my father-in-law Terry. Too early for her children. Too early for her grandchildren, and now great-granchild. Perfect in God's timing, but for us left here without her? Not so much.

Jude and Terry...an *awesome* picture :)

Jude lived a full life in the time she was here. Although she left behind some heartbroken family, she also left wonderful memories. I never had the privilege of meeting her. Her family tells stories of her with such love, like it was yesterday.

On an adventure. Sorry for the far away picture.

Jude and Terry raised the fine man that is my husband. I wish I could have met her. Happy birthday, Jude. We love you.