Monday, August 25, 2008

First Day of School

Today was back to school day for my three youngest at home. Here are the very two youngest and how they decided to present themselves. We have had 8 kiddos go through the system here where we live and these final 3 are in the 6th, 9th, and 11th grade now. Five down, three to go!
If any more Johnsons go to these schools, it'll have to be grandkids from now on!

Digital Scrap Credits for my photos from Choubinette

Friday, August 22, 2008

Fresh Ink!

~~I DID IT~~
Wow, what an experience and I LOVE how it turned out!

No, I haven't lost my mind, I'm just enjoying life and this was a well thought out event and not just a moment :) This "artwork" was done to celebrate my 50th birthday, although early. It represents my fifth grandchild who will be born this year in Scotland, hence the 5 flowers. The blooms are thistles, which are the National Flower of Scotland. They happen to also be my favorite color. The vine is shaped into the letter "S", which is the first letter of my name and Scotland too!
I did a lot of research picking out just the right artist to do this and the whole concept of what I actually wanted and why. I don't regret it and am quite proud of how it turned out. It is on my right outside ankle and even DH says it turned out great. (He is not into tattoos at all.)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Life is a Journey

CLICK US FOR A VERY BIG VIEW!
Our ride Sunday was certainly that! We drove to Dallas and visited Rick Fairless' Strokers Bike Shop and Ice House. What a crowd and so many cool bikes to look at too. We borrowed our "ride" from a good friend and DH has a craving for another one himself. He had one years ago and this trip had him drooling over a few bikes that he'd love to have, but these darn things just cost do much. Someday he may get his dream bike, but for now it's fun to get out and feel the breeze in your face and bugs in yer teeth. ;o)
Oh, the bike is from American Iron Horse and is LOUD!
And just one more thing...if you scroll down 3 posts below this I talked about my urge to get a tattoo. Well I have a consult set up the day after tomorrow to have an artist sketch out what I have in my head. I am so excited! It will be my first and hopefully I won't faint, haha.
...to be continued...

Sunday, August 17, 2008

What did you pay at the pump last?


Curiosity has the best of me. I jumped for joy when I thought $3.44 was a great price. Then I drove down a couple of blocks and it was $3.41.....then I called my daughter and she said she saw it a few miles away for $3.39.9 per gallon!!! Wow! I'm so scared how the prices are plummeting because I don't trust it. I am convinced that we are simply being teased for the time being and someday really soon, we'll wake up and it will be close to $5. a gallon like they predicted last summer. What do you think? What are you paying currently at your pump? Please comment if you can, cuz I'm very interested in what you think too. Look here and see how low it is down south of us, (as low as $3.24 per) wowza!
Texas Gas Prices
Thanks!
-me

Friday, August 8, 2008

Fire Belly Update



Here is where you can find out more about these creatures: CLICK!
It is also about two inches long, which is fairly small. I could never seem to get an underbelly photo, so I found one on a google image search instead that looked the closest. No idea if "it" is a male or female. Only way to really tell is if it started making a low barking sound during mating season according to what we've read. So far, no barking from this fella or gal, haha.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Pet Count

Odd topic I know. But before I go into that, just wanted to let those of you who read my blog know what my family has been up to lately. Actually enjoying summer! We've taken 2 trips to the coast and have been to several new movies out and even explored our little neck of the woods like we never have before. Funny how little I even knew about the DFW area and all of the beautiful areas and things there are to do without traveling that far. DH has been recovering from rotator cuff repair surgery and off from work for a few weeks. Physical Therapy is in progress and he is progressing very well the doc says. It was hard making him rest from day one because that is the kind of person he is.
I was out back today putting some things in our upstairs barn storage and started wondering if we'd all gone crazy. Our "pet count" is now up to seven. We have 4 doxies, 1 min pin, 1 rabbit and as of yesterday....1 fire belly toad. Before that, we had about a dozen hermit crabs that we brought back from Galveston. Bad decision. They are not land hermit crabs and they all died :( So to make up for my daughter's terrible loss, we went and checked into land hermit crabs and ended up bringing home a fire belly toad instead. Go figger?!? They say that these can have a life span of 10-15 years if properly cared for. Imagine that? It looks sort of like a moist colorful tree frog, but it's actually a toad found in China. Vivid green and black specks on top and bright red underbelly. It sure loves to snap up crickets! I'll post pics of it later if we can get it to be still long enough.
Anyhow, I hope everyone is having a great summer and is all ready for their kiddos to go back to school soon, cuz I know we are! It starts on the 25th of August for us. I am so anxious to go back to Scotland in the Fall and meet our new granddaughter that is expected in early November!!!
Oh, another thing. Don't laugh now! I turn 50 this year. That is not funny. We will have our 5th grandchild born this year. That is not funny either. But in honor of both events, I plan on getting inked. No kidding! I wanted to do a thistle one near my ankle because of the significance of it as far as it being the National flower of Scotland. Also in mind was maybe 5 flowers representing the 5th grandchild. Then the alternative tat would be the Celtic symbol for motherhood which pretty much says it all I thought. Perhaps I'll design one with all of these things combined. I've been playing around with it, doing sketches and looking online for ideas and inspiration. If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!
Later!
-greenie