Rambling update...

There has been so much going on lately, it's been difficult to update my blog. Sorry for anyone out there who is keeping up with me. Anyone? Well, Steve and I have been staying close to home doing some local things. One site we visited a couple weeks ago was the Angel Tree. The information on the website states that the tree is 1200 years old. The curators at the site say that is not true. They say the tree is actually only about 300-400 years old.  Still, that is pretty amazing. Think about all this tree has gone through, what she has seen. (I'm calling the tree a "She" because she is the Angel tree. Sounds feminine to me). This tree is massive - it's amazing to me that it has endured Hurricanes and other forces of nature that could have destroyed it.  I'm sure my pictures won't do it justice:

It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  We needed to do something "low key" since we have been enjoying our weekends out with friends. The night before seeing the Angel tree, we went to dinner at an amazing restaurant called 82 Queen in downtown Charleston. Oh my goodness. I had the BEST shrimp and grits that I have ever had in my entire life there.  We had such a great time enjoying the atmosphere, the phenomenal food, and the delicious wine.

From L-R: Earl, Ryan, Steve, Me, Tracy, & Melissa at 82 Queen

Here is a picture of me and Mandi. I totally look like Dolly Parton, but I swear my boobs aren't this big! I just have on an amazing pushup bra and the angle of the camera has something to do with it.

The very next weekend, Steve and I attended the Air Force Ball. We decided to attend because this will be the last one that Steve and I will attend together due to his retirement next spring.  Before the ball we had our friends over for some pre-drinks.

Megan, Jacquelyn, Risa, Me, Mandi, Cari, & Melissa

Steve and I both doing the "Skinny arm"

Me being "Cheesy"

Of course we had to be good hosts by offering many different types of beverages.

Oh, and I guess you can tell that I changed my hair color. I went to a dark auburn on the day of the ball.

I have to tell you though, it's really the simple things in life that give me so much pleasure. My friends and family, a tasty dinner, a nice glass of wine, a beautiful tree, and sweet gestures like this one:

I love bottle caps! But my favorite bottle caps are the cola and root beer flavored ones. One night, my sweet husband handed me a handful of bottle caps. He had gone through an entire box and picked out my two favorite flavors and gave them all to me.  Life is sweet!