She's back

Well, I haven't had much to say since August, obviously I have been saving it all up to inspire you at once. It's a beautiful fall day, November has come way too fast and we are well on our way to December. December means several things for me. One, I will be 50 on the 7th. 50 is a number that always applied to others, not me. Until this year, I have never truly felt my age. I am however starting to feel like I am no longer the carefree person I once thought I was. This year will not only be a milestone birthday for me but the first anniversary of my brother in laws passing. Tony and I know share a birthday, mine into this life and his into his eternal life. I feel privelaged to share this date with him. Even tho I miss him and would give anything to have him back, I know that he is in a far better place, free of pain and the heartache of this world. I know I will see him again one day and that he will be reunited with Terri and together they will enjoy watching Maverick play. It hasn't been an easy year, an easy end to this decade for me. I have always believed that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger so I would like to believe that I am stronger today than I was a year ago. Things are changing, relationships are ending, friendships are shifting. I watch my mother age and know that my time with her is limited. How do you prepare for these changes? All I know is that we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, none of us are promised a sunrise. I hope to make this coming decade the best one I've had. I hope to make a difference in the lives around me. To better myself physically, spiritually, mentally and socially. This is the beginning of a new day and I am going to take it by the horns and ride like the wind. I'm gonna keep on keepin on and hope that one day, I can look back and be proud of the life I've lead.

New Me

I have decided that the daily picture blog is not for me. Obviously. Why? I just don't have the time nor the desire to entertain on a daily basis. I think that I am much better when I am spontaneous and inspired. Life has thrown some massive curves over the last year, and I think I need to impart wisdom only on an as needed basis. I will try to come back and inform, educate and entertain all of my faithful follwers.
So, until the next time, I will hope that your days stay easy and your prayin knees never get lazy.

Lunch Buddies

Reed and Maverick having lunch in Shelli's office today. I hooked them up with Micky D's! Good boys, good friends!

I scream for Ice Cream!

Ok, so, if you know my niece Angie, you know she's a crazy person. Fun loving, insane, totally outta control nuts. She had to strike a pose to show off her love of ice cream, I guess we're lucky she kept her clothes on! Bahahahahaha!

Lazy Sunday

I'm gonna admit it, I did nothing today. Never got dressed, never put on makeup, never did my hair, never left the house. I got out of bed around 11:00 a.m. I laid back down around 3:00. It was an absolutely fabulously lazy day and I don't regret it! So, all of that to say this, no picture. I'm gonna pull a Kelly! Bahahahahaha!

1/2 a decade

Maverick Zepplin Bruns celebrated his 5th birthday with family and friends today. As usual, we had a swim party. He did shake things up this year and decided to go with a Toy Story theme instead of Cars. Lightning McQueen is probably bummed he wasn't invited to the party! Maverick's actual birthday isn't until the 27th and we will be celebrating that in Disneyland. The only thing missing is Tony, and oh how we miss him. Maverick loved his papa so much and Tony would get the biggest kick out of the things he says and does at this stage in his life. I know he's looking out for us, and I can't wait to see him again!!!

Toy Story 3! Tristan and the gang put on their 3D glasses to enjoy some rootin' tootin' good times with Woody and the Gang! Such a great end to a wonderful triology! If you haven't seen it, go now!!!

Summer Fun

Summer fun at the pool with the campers. This is my life, two future studlys, struttin their stuff. Travis and Evyn, posin' for me, as you can see, they are quite happy to be doing it (not). They are great kids, both have lots of talent and entusiasm for the water. Love to watch the new ways they have of jumping in. It's an art you know. Summer

Summer Fun!

So. we go to Pump It Up and inflatable wonderland and what does Tristan want to do? Drive a car that is too small for him. Talk about usin the jaws of life for extraction!

Back, By Popular Demand!!!

I admit it, I'm a failure. I have not blogged for nearly a month. I let you down, failed to keep my readers engaged. Can you, will you forgive me? Will you continue to sit on the edge of your seat waiting for the next picture, words of wisdom from me? Will you continue to hang on my every word and wait yearn for the next big moment in my life? Yea... I thought so! Bahahahahaha! I'm Baaacccckkkk!

I miss my home, can't wait to go in June!!!!

Baby bought herself a pedometer. Yep, gonna prove to ya'all that I can walk a mile in my shoes!!!!!

My favorite magazine filled with pics of my best friends, beef, pork ang chicken!

Game night with the boy. This kid plays a mean game of Hi Ho Cherry O, he one three times in a row!

My sweet Jennifer's birthday dinner at Papapavlo's. It was AAAAAMMMMAAAZZIIINNNGGGGG! Great company, great food, great time! Jen and Alex are a great couple and love to cook! Jen can definately outcook anyone I know!!!!! Happy Birthday!!

And this is how Maverick gets ready for school! Hangin in his chonies. watchin cartoons and playing on the computer. He also insists that I make him "gooey" eggs and toast for breakfast. Is this kid spoiled or what? Bahahahaha

My sweet little Pre-K class loves to have their Bible story outside when the weather is nice. I love these guys and I'm going to miss them when they to to Kindergarten!!!!

My BFF

Meet my Kleenex box. My new best friend since that bully "allergies" started kickin my butt. My nose is in a constant state of running. No bats in the cave for this sister, nope just a steady drip, drip of liquid. So, you can understand why this little box of disposable tissue has come to mean so very much to me.

Rain, Rain, yada, yada, yada

So, obviously my sister Terri gets her rain gear fashion sense from me. When we got back to work from lunch today it was pouring! She grabbed the only plastic bag in the car and ran for the door, leaving me , her baby sister without cover. Sad, very sad that her own hairdo means more to her than mine. Well...I never!

Happy Mother's Day

My mother, Joyce loves nothing more than to play a few slots in Jackson! Now that she's on a fixed income it's more of a treat than a habit. For mother's day my sisters and I treated her to a day of cha chinging, money to play included. To her excitement she came home 165.00 richer! Watching her enjoy herself was priceless!

unknown origin

Yea, so you can't take my bro in law Rich anywhere! He ordered this for dinner, I could not begin to explain what this is or how he ate it! It was huge, and I'm sure he took a lot of it home! Good times!

Found this little beauty while out on my walk tonight. Had to fight myself to go as I was not feelin the whole walk thing tonight. Glad I went or I would have missed this gorgeous reminder of God's handiwork!

Panda, it's what's for dinner! Call me lazy, but my dooin fix ran over and it was too late to cook dinner. I stopped at my favorite chinese drive thru for a panda bowl! Yuuuummmmmm!

Cousins

Maverick and Reese decided to have a picnic in my office today. Amber brought them McDonalds so they decided to spread out my sweatshirt and have their moment. So cute, love these babies!

Other Uses

Soooo, as you know, my friend Steph made me a rockin' headband to wear on my nightly walks. Knowing how much I love the 80's and it's fashion statements. Polka dots of course are my favorite pattern of all time. My kindred friend Debbie, got a green one just like this. She posted some great pics of her new accessorie being used in various ways. Not one to be left out I had to show my other uses as well. This is one of my faves, the ankle bracelet! I think it's hot and I will willingly model it for any and all of you! We are now known as the "Polka Dot Divas" , a fabulous name for some fabulous girls!!!!

Black Cat

Angie and her strays. She found this tiny little kitten (4 weeks old according to PetSmart) and decided to take it under her wing. Cause, yea, Angie doesn't already have five kids, husband, dog, two dead birds, two turtles and a goldfish. As you can see, "Jacob Black" (she claims the kids named him...right) has to be bottle fed. Evidently this is meeting some need in Angie's psychie that fills the space left by her empty wound (Reese is now 4). Feed on little mama, and let the good times roll!

Let's Get Physical

Yea, that's me, sportin the 80's headband with a fabulous bow! This amazing creation was sent to me by my friend Stephanie from "Our little miss thing". Check her out on www.ourlittlemissthing.com. I had mentioned one day of fb that I was walking and she decided I needed to rep the 80's headband. Of course, it had to have a bow which is totally my style! Love it and love her!

lunch with my beautiful Kel Bel. She is one of the smartest, most beautiful women I know and I feel so privelaged to have been lucky enough to have watched her grow into the amazing person she is today. I don't tell her often enough how much I love her and admire her. Her sense of humor is off the heazy and she can bring light to a room by simply walking in. I am so proud of her and the wonderful life she is building.

Happy Birthday Trynette!

Sorry, no pic but I want to honor my niece Trynette Carpenter. Today is her birthday and she is an amazing person! A cancer survivor who taught me so much about strength during her treatment. She is a strong, talented, confident wife, mother, friend and family member! Love this girl and am so happy she is part of my family!

Farm Day Peeps, bring your preschool age kids on May 19th to MCPS for a great time!!!!!

Wenesday Night With Bodie

Banning Robert Cox, better known as Bo Bo, Bodie, Bubs and Bodizzle, Every other Wednesday night, we bond in the nursery. We dance, sing and play. He is a funny boy who keeps me laughing all the time. I love this kid and am glad I get to spend time with him!

Future Nerd

Future Nerds of America! Maverick decided to channel his inner nerd by donning his 3D glasses from the theater. The smile however is clearly his own. Don't hate the player, hate the game! Bahahahaha!

Sweetness

The sweetness of childhood best friends. Such an innocent state of mind, nothing matters but what is happening at that moment. Carefree, burdenless and sweet. Love these moments!

Not goodbye, but see ya later

My little buddy Robert lives in AZ. He and his grammy are good family friends. I love when Robert comes to visit and I miss him when he is not here. He has an amazing personality and is oh so smart. I'm gonna miss him, but he will be back in July to be in a wedding. Love you bubs!

Temptation

The temptation to taste of my lovely, cheesy, piping hot pizza was too much to take. I had to give in and devour this delectable taste of heaven. No regrets, sometimes you gotta spoil yourself. Today was my day!

Gonna cheat a little here, this was actually from last night. Our friend Robert was here from Arizona. I decided to get his buds together for a little birthday party. We partied him into his fourth year in style. Great time had by all!

Yummm!

ABC gum. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's gum thats Already Been Chewed! Bahahahahah! Gotta love it!

These Peeps Can Cook!

Take a look at the Next Food Network Stars! Seriously, if Jen and Alex would try out for the show, they would win! They cooked dinner tonight for a few of us and it was amazing! I'm not sure what it was called, but it was angel hair pasta, sauce, sauteed eggplant, mushrooms, cheese and turkey sausage wrapped in a puff pastry. Thought I would die from sheer enjoyment. It was a serious party in my mouth!

One side of the freeway was black clouds and the other was the sun breaking thru the clouds. Gotta love ya some spring weather! Come on summer, quit holdin out on me!

Hands on

Reesie McKenna getting her "Shaving Cream" paint on! This is how preschool teachers clean the tables! Bahhaha, no really, it is. Reese is also an artist, its obvious by the drawings on the table. Don't hate, she will be famous one day!

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Bahahahahahaha, Maverick got some new chonies! I told him he had to let me take a pic of his sponge bob booty! Guess he's not shy!

Sin in a basket

Take a good look, a long look. Do you recognize this bread? It is only the best tasting, most amazing, mouth watering, melt on your tongue bread from Texas Roadhouse! I took my staff here today for lunch and we ate probaly five baskets of bread. I probably ate two by myself! So flippin' good!

Blurry image of Maverick wearing my shades, guess we were headed? Chillaberries! Our favorite place!

BoRiNg

How boring is my life that I am reduced to posting self taken pics! Evidently the machine at Starbucks broke down this morning and the person in front of me had to park at the window and wait. I was extemely bored and thought I would entertainMaverick by taking pics of myself. Yea, he wasn't amused either.

Vanity

Do these shades make me look fat? Bahahahha

Mutant Orange

Dude, this was the biggest orange i have ever seen! I wish I had taken the pic before I peeled it! The size of a large grapefruit I swear! I was so excited to bite into this freak of nature and enjoy all it had to offer. I have to say, it was the driest, nastiest tasting piece of fruit I have ever had. What a disappointment! Evidently, size does matter!

My friend Luke. Decided he didn't want his lunch anymore so he played the "sick" card. Did I believe him? Did I trust this sad, puppy dog eyes, sweet, innocent little face. No! I know better! Within minutes of telling him he could go play, he was rebel rousin' with his buddies in the playhouse. Yea, no one snows Miss Rhonda!

Loser Day 2

Sorry no pic. Went to see Date Night and the electricity went off half way through. Yea, wasn't happy!

loser

I'm a loser, busy all day and I didn't take a pic. I did however have a fabulous meal at Shangrila in Lodi. Very yummy. I would suggest it to all of you!

Chillaberries with the Fam! Friday night yogurt with Seth, Aubrey, Carol, Trynette & Rochelle. There were more, but a picture only goes so far. We had a great time, laughed our heads off. Love these peeps.

You warm my heart

Some days are just colder than others. Carmen bought this fabulous little personal heater last year and I have to tell you, it not only warms my feet, butt and body but my heart as well! It works amazingly well and I love it.

Back in the Game

I'm back in the game, remebered to take a pic tonight. I found this adorable ensem for Reese McKenna. Who can resist brown zebra print with hot pink accents? Not moi! It will go fabulously with her pink salt water sandals, that is when the weather gets warm enough for her to wear it!

Call Me Kelly

Call me Kelly (again) I didn't get a pic. Busy day, long story, lots of stress. Oh well, I aint perfect! But I do love me some Kelly and don't mind taking after her!

I'll admit, I'm cheating. This pic was from yesterday, but it's so dang cute I couldn't help but post it. Reesie and her BFF Cannyon in their Easter finery. All purtied up and ready to shine. And shine they did! The two prettiest baby girls ever!!!

Chase Bayley Carpenter turned 9 today. He told me "9 years ago today I was birthed". I convinced him that he swallowed poop when he was born and thats why his voice was so raspy! Bahahaha, I'm such a sick aunt! He had a great day full of Easter eggs and birthday presents.

One of my favorite spring time favorites! Coloring Easter eggs with the kids! They have such a blast choosing colors, dunking eggs, staining their hands! Good times!