HOLY MOLY!!
Something green and sparkly caught my eye as I scrolled up from the last post of yesterday's thread!!!!
Congrats to Ava!! I am so happy for her! Give her a big hug from me!! Did anyone in the family know it was happening that night or did you all think you were just together for the golf dinner? The ring is beautiful and the photo of your hands is so very special ♥
Isn't it refreshing to open the thread to something other than me complaining about the cold or grocery shopping?

It is cold here again but not as bad as it was and I don't have to worry about grocery shopping until next week so you would have been spared that today at least. Even so, it's a heck of a lot nicer to start out with happy news.
I had a good day yesterday myself. No school buses on the road when I went to get my groceries. No swords or axes falling on my toes when I cleaned. Although I did have a close call-- I bumped my hand into one of the swords that the skeleton pirate was holding. It wasn't there the last time I cleaned and when I turned a bit, I didn't realize it was at hand-level. I *finally* got used to seeing the pirate skeleton out of the corner of my eye and how he has a new sword I need to get used to. Hmmmph! (For the newer peeps, my friend collects weapons and skeletons and other oddities. He has a pirate skeleton that sits at the breakfast bar so when I clean the kitchen, I'd see him out of the corner of my eye and wonder who is the house with me. I have accidentally bumped into a sword, knife, or an ax, knocked them off the wall, and had some close calls with my feet. LOL)
All three of the monarch caterpillars are accounted for and were busy munching on the leaves yesterday. My neighbors must think I am bonkers as I stare at the milkweed plants up close and from all angles. Had a good, brisk walk with my friend who caught me up on her end of wedding planning. Her DD (officiant) is flying in next Thursday with her boyfriend and I am so excited to meet him! He is coming to the rehearsal so I can give the Mama Chris stamp of approval. That's what she called me from the beginning, Mama Chris. ♥
Today is some house cleaning and it's finally time to wash the wine glasses. I worked a little more on lesson plans yesterday and hope to finish another 1-2 today. Scrapping would be awesome if I could squeeze that in too. Yardwork... that would also be nice.
What good stuff do you have going on? Whatever it is, make it *great!*







. If I lived closer I surely would!
We still laugh. He went to give it a very vigorous shake and it flew!





at 88 and 90 years old, you would think you would know better!! Anyway it took a toll on MIL, was it worth it??
. I hope that everyone is having a great Thursday and that you all find something to do today that makes you smile!! 
What a night! We're just all so thrilled that Drake proposed to Ava and it was also her birthday! Extra special. Drake wanted to surprise everybody, but with this "crew" that can't happen. There are too many moving parts. He told Adrienne and his mom, but they were going to keep it a surprise for me. In the end, Adrienne couldn't stand it, so she broke down and told me. I had to act surprised. I'm sure, by now, that Drake knows Adrienne doesn't like surprises. Haha. We call her "The Micromanager". Everything went so beautifully, though - it was such a happy get together and even Drake's dad, who has been pretty quiet, opened up and had fun. He's a nice man, but hadn't really gotten into our loud and crazy family. Last night was a real turning point for him. I got to finally sit and talk with Drake's grandpa, Levi. He's almost totally deaf and Uncle Mike wrote everything I said on a tablet, and Levi read it. He also speaks mainly Cherokee, but somehow, we had a wonderful conversation. I just loved getting to sit and visit with him. Ava was just completely over the moon with joy! Thank you ALL for your wonderful, good wishes and of course, I'll tell her and tell her Aunt Chris sends big hugs. Drake gave me a big hug and said "I did it, Little Ceesers (that's his nickname for me) - I told you I was going to marry your granddaughter!"