She was outside, tied up, and she barked.
She hardly ever barks when outside. She just patiently waits for me to come get her, unhook her, and take her inside.
So I went out.
And I heard them.
The annoying, loud, little firecrackers.
We both hate the 4th of July.

She’s right under my desk now.

I drove down to Kansas City today JUST TO VISIT The Curious Sofa!

I purchased a hodge-podge of stuff and such, but I love everything I got. Especially this necklace…

The owner of the store, Deb Dusenberry, has not one but TWO blogs! One is about Curious Sofa, her store, and the other is about retailing and being a shop owner. I loved her post today called "Why Art Matters". She echoes some of the reason’s why America Creates is so interested in helping Artists "get their stuff out there".

Love this quote!

One day I finally admitted my frustration to a close friend saying that
I was 43 years old and I finally know what I want to do with my life and
I haven’t a dime to do it.

“Well that’s how artists are”, she said. “They are always creating so
they do not have time to think about that other stuff”.

The Great Staff sent me to a Wonderful Antique Store just up the road. Looked to me like this building was once a HUGE furniture store with wonderful themed "rooms" and nooks and crannies. Now, it is full of the most wonderful antiques, new items, and just plain stuff I have ever seen. It is very clean, not junky at all, and the staff there was nicer than nice.

And the receipt from Curious Sofa says this at the bottom…."Thank you for supporting this locally owned small business."

Nebraska National Guard soldiers return from Iraq
BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

LINCOLN – The final convoy for 250 Nebraska National Guard soldiers rolled up O Street Sunday morning to reunite them with parents, spouses, children, family and friends.

Those at home, who had waited an extra three months for this moment, gave their loved ones an ectatic welcome at Haymarket Park’s home plate.

The soldiers had served in Iraq for 15 months, longer than any other Nebraska unit. Their planned return in March was extended as part of President Bush’s troop surge.

Counting more than six months of training, the combat soldiers of the First Squadron, 167th Cavalry and 134th Infrantry Detachment, Long Rang Surveillance were away from their Nebraska homes for 21 months.

Gov. David Heineman headed the dignitaries on hand to honor them.

The Nebraskans boarded six buses at 2 a.m. Sunday at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin for the final trip home. They arrived at Haymarket Park just before 10:30 a.m.

They returned without two key members of the unit. Staff Sgt. Jeff Hansen, 31, of Cairo, Neb., and Sgt. Germaine Debro, 33, died last year while on missions.

There are no words.
Welcome Home, Kevin.

Remember that Carpenter’s Song? I loved it!

Navy Seal got his father a Power Washer for Father’s Day. Looks like his Father got the better end of the deal!
Actually, TheBoy is going out tonight, and washed the Jeep….and then washed the other vehicles ON HIS OWN. He’s a great kid.

Saw TheGirl this afternoon at a Bridal Shower.

We have a pet bunny in our backyard. Scout and the bunny get along pretty well…the bunny lets Scout chase her and Scout never catches the bunny, so all is good. Yesterday, I found our bunny in this tub on our back patio…probably missing her friend. (Scout is at Camp in Okoboji with Grandma Florida!).

I set some veggies out for the bunny….but she hasn’t taken any of them.

And, the best news of all….TheSoldier is coming home on Sunday!!!!!

A pile of clean laundry….I love the boxers!

A new kitchen tool that works JUST like I want…..

It’s an OXO Spatter Screen! Keeps the bacon grease IN the pan and goes in the dishwasher. Heaven!

Snapped this one when I happened to be walking by the sliding glass door with all that folded laundry! Look how cool the sun tea looks…..still part water and part tea.

And my first Netflix return, on its way back to the store…soon to be replaced with a new one! I’ve ordered a SLEW of 70′s tv shows, including the Dick Cavit Show, and some old movies from the 60′s. Doris Day and Lucy and old musicals. Gotta love summer.

We also heard today that Sgt. Smith is BOOTS ON THE GROUND on US SOIL! Not yet back in Nebraska, but here nonetheless. We love our favorite soldier and can’t wait to see him! As Emily says….Three More Sleeps!