Recent Happenings

Nothing too life-shattering or glamorous happening at the Youree house of late--and we're happy about that!

Acorns are still falling like leaves, or as I say drowning my yard. It is a never-ending battle to pick them up; heck, we're even bribing the neighbor kids with money and sugar so they'll help. How about we play a game? Whoever can count all the acorns in the pic, gets a prize: Two, all-inclusive nights at the Youree acorn farm!

Aside from our domestic duties, we're also getting into the party spirit with the holidays around the corner. Last weekend, I hosted a Pure Heart International party. It's a great organization who ships jewelry right to your door. This hand-made loot is crafted by at-risk women in Thailand. All the proceeds from the sales goes directly back to this organization to help provide income and housing for women coming out of prostitution and poverty.

This weekend is full with a holiday party, lunch with a special niece, Christmas shopping, service project with our small group, church event, and a birthday party to boot. Whew, I'm tired just typing it. The Sunday afternoon nap will be soooooo enjoyable. :-)

Next week, we are traveling to Oklahoma and Arkansas. I'm so looking forward to it. We will spend Thanksgiving with Bryan's side, and then see my mom and hopefully my brother and niece on Friday.

Family Photos

After dad passed away, we had a private viewing for the family. We all gathered at my mom's house later. These pics are from that night.

Vegetation

If you've known me for any amount of time, you know I love plants. Each year, I purchase new plants to add to the plants I already have. It's a strategy. If I buy only a handful a year, Bryan won't realize they are taking over the house and yard.

Yesterday, I experienced fall in full force. When coming out my backdoor, I saw leaves raining to the ground. Ah, it was beautiful. I love plants, even when they're molting.

Here are some pics of our garden; it's near the end of its cycle (although we have a tomato plant that's exploded with fruit). The marigold pictured was planted in the spring. It is the largest marigold plant I have ever seen in my life. Notice the other flowers in the background compared to the one in the forefront. So huge!

You can also check out the before and after of my new flower garden. Let's just say the sweet potato vines did well. The latter pic was taken after the plants were cut back at least ten times--no lie.

Now, time to buy more winter pansies. . . .

Fall on Wabash

While Halloween is not quite upon us, we have our fall decor out, ready for the weekend. Hopefully, we'll get to the nursery before all the pumpkins are gone so we can carve one! Other than that, we're all set.

Most of you probably care less about fall at the Yourees; this post is for my sister. She likes to know how we decorate! :-) Enjoy!

"Hello Emily, I'm George."

As part of our anniversary week celebrations, we stayed one night at the Rough Creek Lodge. Truthfully, it was a bit less glamorous than that. Bryan had a physicians' retreat to attend. It just so happened to be on our anniversary week. So we made the most of it! The Lodge and area was breath-taking and so very wonderfully quiet.

The biggest surprise of the weekend, besides the incredibly comfortable, California-king-sized bed, was meeting former president George W. Bush. We knew a couple of days in advance, he was going to be a keynote speaker; but had no idea we'd get to meet him and strike a pose! Now, no matter your political leanings, you have to admit, meeting a former president of the United States is VERY COOL.

Tom Daschle was also a speaker the next day. Alas, his session was too early and I've already mentioned how I felt about the bed . . . so I didn't make it to the session. But, my sweet husband got him to autograph a book for me. Thanks, Bryan!

Here's the view from our room . . .

Derek Webb, What Happened?

One of the things I miss about Nashville is the opportunity to see/hear good live music almost any night of the week. In DFW such opportunities occur, but are few and far between. Thus, you can understand my excitement to hear Derek Webb in concert last night.

My "love affair" with Derek began in high school when I discovered Caedmon's Call. Forty Acres sustained me through college. And even in the infamous break-up of CC, I stilled supported Derek, while maintaining my CC loyalties. Solo release after solo release, I have enjoyed Derek's music and lyrics more and more.

And then the concert.

He was promoting his new project--the Stockholm Syndrome. I confess, I have not purchased it, mainly because I wanted to hear it live first--get an unadulterated first taste of the music. Sadly, all I could hear of this techno-driven new work was the bass. Now, don't get me wrong, I applaud and champion musicians to grow in artistry and expression; but when I cannot hear the music, not to mention the lyrics . . . .

Derek, I'm disappointed.

However, the 20 minute set he did of familiar, acoustical pieces was well worth the $12 I paid. So, it wasn't all a wash--just confusing.

We left after the second set. And we weren't alone. The group of five walking out in front of us were saying, "Um, do you know what that was? Anybody else confused? Did we really just see Derek Webb?"

Please, Derek, don't make me break-up with you.

Perils in Homeownership

While the recent days have been full of fun and treats, "real life" has peeped its head into our celebratory world. Let me explain.

On the way home from the airport on the 11th, we noticed some funny business with the car. The next day we, er, Bryan toted the car to the dealership. Thankfully the tab wasn't too devastating; annoying, but not devastating.

Cue cable collapse. Of course, Charter DVR isn't a necessity for life . . . but when you are on a staycation, one does have dreams of vegging on the couch catching up on missed shows. Alas, the cable repairman had to make an appearance at the house.

And then the refrigerator . . . the ice machine and water dispenser decided to dispense on the floor instead of its proper location. Thus, the appliance repairman made a visit too. That project is still out of commission until a part makes its way to Texas. You know it's bad when you hear phrases like: "I've never seen anything like this." "This type of part goes on a car. Why is it in your fridge?" "Uh-oh, I think that broke." Ahem.

And the apex of "instances" occurred last night when I was tidying up for dinner guests. As I dusted in our formal living room, I noticed two . . . then three . . . then five wasps in the window sill. Since we had a wasp infestation last fall thanks to a motherly wasp who fancies our chimney as a perfect nesting area, I quickly killed the pests and searched diligently for just-hatched vermin. Bryan, at my request, started our gas fireplace to kill any remaining wasps. Just as he closed the flue, we heard a crash; the nest fell to the bottom of the fireplace. Thirty wasps or so swarmed into our living room.

I screamed.

Bryan began fly-swatting as never before seen. I quickly snatched the wasp spray, only to stand in the hall yelling, "There's one. Ooohh, by the door. On the ceiling . . . [scream] on the couch . . . " Once the initial impact was ore, Bryan asked for our hand-held vac, along with its super long drapery attachment. Making all ghost-busters proud, I carried in the vac into the infested area for my husband to bravely catch and kill every wasp . . . we thought. At dinner, a couple hours after the fiasco, one lone wasp nosedived into my HAIR at the dinner table. Imagine, just imagine. Thankfully, my husband again saved me. And just to be doubly sure, we're running a fire again tonight. Adios, wasps!