September?!

It's been almost a month since my last post (again). I'm not too busy to update; just that there isn't much to update!

Since my last post we've celebrated Labor Day and the opening weekend of Dove Season. Pug & Tyler came in that weekend to hunt, but they didn't have much luck. I shot one of Brad's shotguns and I hate to say it but I'm a terrible shot. I would say that I need more practice, but that would involve me shooting that huge gun again and I'm not sure my shoulder could handle it. Ha!

Heather, a sweet friend of mine had her second baby on 9/8. His name is Hayes Stephen Foster and he looks so much like his older sister's baby pictures (in my opinion!).

My laptop & iPod have been "in the shop" for a total of 5 weeks. Two weeks the first time; two the second and then 6 days this time. I think they finally have it figured out, but I should know for sure. Since the laptop has been "sickly" and Snoopy, Brad's plane has been "sickly", Brad and I have finally gotten to spend a little time together. We've gone shopping, shooting, watching movies and making smores- which is really nice, but I know it'll be a little different once the plane is back in the hangar and bow season opens in a few weeks. Not to mention football season is in full swing!

We actually watched Saints v 49ers last night. I was pulling for the Saints for two reasons {and one of them is not because they won the Super Bowl last year}. Reason #1 is because I really like Drew Brees and reason #2 is because Anthony Dixon plays for the 49ers and I do not like him. Dixon comes from Mississippi State where Brad and all of his family keep season tickets. I don't really care for Dixon, but he's the best thing that has come out of MSU in a while so he's trying to be a big deal with the 49ers. Anywho, my Saints won! Brad wasn't happy about that, but was glad that Dixon scored his first NFL TD.

Next up on our agenda is this weekend. I'll start with Friday first. Courtney and I have tickets to see Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan in Tupelo. Her birthday is 9/27 and she was basically begging me to take her for her birthday. To be honest, I hope I get my laptop back in time because I'm going to have to look both of them up to see what they sing. I'm not a huge music fan, but Courtney knows everything about everyone and knows every song they sing. Chloe is starting to do the same! Saturday morning, Brad and I will make our way to the Iuka Air Show {it's really a fly-in since they're aren't any aerobatics going on}. We went last year and it was pretty fun. Chloe's 5th birthday party is also Saturday. We're going skating this year! After the party, Brad and I will probably make our way to Starkville, unless of course, I can convince him to go without me. I'd hate for him to miss kick-off {plus I would hate to have to listen to those gosh-awful cowbells for 3 hours-- those things are legal now!!}. Sunday will probably be spent recuperating! Ha!

Check back soon! I'm going to start my Hinkle House Tour. Don't get too excited. I'll probably only do one room a week, but that's better than nothing :)

Let's Try Again

It has been almost a month since my last post and I have no excuse! I've been busy and preoccupied, but still... this is supposed to serve as a place to keep my memories and I've been slacking. I thought about playing catch-up, but that tends to get a little boring. I'll try to hit the high notes with this entry.

Since we last met, I made my first trip to Tunica! Brad and I along with our friend Chad went to see Rodney Carrington (not my favorite comedian, but...) It was amazing to drive down a deserted road and all of a sudden have these big buildings basically in the middle of a field! Rodney was at Gold Strike which is next door to the Horseshoe and the Roadhouse. We first went to GS and ate (OMGoodness at the food) then to the show. It was nice because the rooms are huge and everyone has a good seat. Afterwards we mosied through the Horseshoe and into Roadhouse. They have a mechanical bull and a dart board and a few pool tables. A guy's dream place! We ended up staying really late so it was a long, sleepy drive back!

I've been walking/jogging at the park for a couple of months now. It's so hot, but if I can handle the hot then I'll breeze through the cooler temps in the fall and maybe even the winter.

We've gone out with a few friends this month (Chad, Kenny, Jesse...). We walked through the Tupelo Flea Market one afternoon and I ran into a friend of mine from college. I haven't seen her since we graduated so it was nice running into her. We celebrated my parents' 29th anniversary and their birthdays. I went furniture shopping at the Tupelo Furniture Market {the first time I've gone and not bought anything-- truthfully, they had already sold what I wanted}. Prixie {my car} has had to go into the shop and I've had computer/virus trouble. Our high school has had two home football games already. Lost the first and won the last. Brad had "ground school" for his commercial pilot's license and passed the written part! I've cleaned my house top to bottom {baseboards, blinds, etc...} and watched The Last Song.

Next up is a few more birthdays, a certain little girl is turning 5 {insert tear!} and who knows what all else! HA!

First stop:

I heard this is the tallest building in MS {I need to google that...}

Loved the colors...

Chad and Whiskey {this was on Chad's "bucket list" along with seeing Rodney}

Brad & Whiskey

So they didn't care to pose with the mechanical bull but getting Brad to pose with me was almost impossible!!

I'll try to do better about posting in the future! We have friends coming in this next weekend for the opening of dove season plus it's Labor Day! I might be making a trip to Arkansas to train and of course I'll be documenting Chloe's party!

Part Uno?

Tuesday, July 13- Brad's mom was admitted into the Tupelo hospital with stomach issues so Brad and I went to visit after work. We stayed a bit to keep her company then left to have a semi-date night too {after all, we were in Tupelo!}. We finally decided on Newk's {an Oxford favorite}, but got there 15 minutes before they closed :( so off to Chili's we went. I hate my mother-in-law was in the hospital, but it was nice to get out of town during the week. {We're super boring these days...}

Wednesday, July 14- I had a "business dinner" at Hagy's Catfish Hotel. Have I told you how much I love that place? YUM. Then I got back in town {Hagy's is in Shiloh} just in time to meet Brad and a few friends at Mike's {sort of a sports bar/restaurant} that has dart competitions on Wednesday nights. We stayed a bit, but after being in a skirt and heels for over 12 hours I was ready to be HOME.

Thursday, July 15- Hello Hair Appt day! I love this day especially since I treated myself to a gloss.

Friday, July 16- we went out to eat with two other couples (the Garvins and the future Wilbanks'). We ate at Chapman's and it was good as usual.

Saturday, the 17th- Mom and Mama Lynn picked me up and off we went to Tupelo for a little shopping. Thanks to this HEAT, Brad has lost more weight and he needs jeans! I got him a couple of jeans/pants and I ended up with several shirts and a pair of capri pants {I never have luck shopping so I was just speechless}. Mom and I also found Chloe the cutest backpack and lunchbox :) Later that afternoon, Brad and I met up with Kenny and Mary Beth at Pizza Grocery.

Sunday, the 18th- Levi surprised us by coming in for a few days. I also had a birthday party for one of my cousin's little girls (Ally Grace). She loved the Dora things we got her. We ended Sunday by grilling steak and chicken kabobs for Curt, Lori, Levi, and Kenny.

Monday-Wednesday, the 19-21st- Mother had 3 appts at the Shea Clinic in Memphis about her ear/hearing. I went with her Tuesday and it was SUPER EARLY that day. We did a tiny bit of shopping and headed home. Also that week, her church had Vacation Bible School. I didn't help Monday, but Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I helped her count money and keep up with how many kids and workers were there. Talk about "entertaining"...

Friday, July 23- Pug came in. He got in later so Brad started grilling hot dogs and brats while I was at VBS.

Saturday was spent doing odd and ends. I cleaned while Brad was hauling off scrap metal and Pug was being lazy on the couch. Too bad I couldn't talk him into helping me clean!! We ended Saturday at Brian and Wendy Kelly's house (and their three kids, Grace, Brady and Baylor). They had us plus Pug, Curtis and Deonne (with Lane and Rylan) and a few others over for grilled food.

Sunday, July 25th was Chad's birthday (our friend and insurance agent). I went to church with my mom for the Family Day {the end of VBS} and then rushed home to get ready and head to the lake with Brad, Chad, and a couple other friends. Brad, Mary Beth and Chad did a little tubing, but mostly we just floated around and talked. It was SO hot.

Wednesday, July 28th, Brad and I had a "date" that night. We decided to go back to town to eat at Mi Toro. He suggested watching a movie afterwards, but it was 9pm and the next showtimes were at 10!!

Thursday, we went to the movies! We watched Knight & Day with Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. It was a cute, funny movie. We also gorged ourselves on popcorn and coke! {Sidenote: the nacho cheese is actually good on the popcorn}.

Friday, the 30th, we went to Geisha {Brad loves sushi...} then back home. Yep, three "dates" in three days... you'll see why in a bit...

Saturday, mom had a hair appt in Booneville {just south of my house} so she picked me up on her way through and we made a quick stop at a drugstore in Booneville that has a gift shop inside. I bought one thing, but didn't find what I was looking for :( then another quick trip to Wendy's {ours in Corinth closed forever ago} so that was nice then off to the hair appt. Afterwards, we went grocery shopping. Later that afternoon, Brad and I met Jenessa and Jim at Jim's place and rode in her Jeep {w/o the top} to Pickwick to eat at Pickwick Pizza Company {we had never been before}. After what seemed like forever {over an hour} we got our pizza. It was good, but not worth the drive or wait in my opinion. They had two large decks with a live band so that helped, but doubt we go back anytime soon. The ride back was a little cool, but it was good!

Sunday-- AUGUST 1!! Can you believe it's August, already?? Brad and I went to church then home to eat and change... then... I went... flying with Brad!! This was my 3rd trip since April 2008. I'm doing the best I can, ok?? We flew from Kossuth {the airport} to Walnut {mom and dad's} then over town {past Curt and Lori's} then down to our house then back to the airport. I was actually doing ok, BUT it was 85+ degrees inside the plane and I had an empty stomach {too nervous to eat before the ride} so I had him land. Not to worry, he picked Chad up when he dropped me off and they flew to Starkville to meet Brad's parents and sister and eat at Mugshots.

Monday, August 2- I started walking/jogging 4 miles {up until Monday I was doing 3}. It's so stinking hot outside, but I NEED to be out there. I did another 4 yesterday, too! :)

That catches you up for now! Are you still with me? This month will be busy too!! My parents' anniversary is 8/15; mom's birthday is 8/20; dad's birthday is 8/21; the furniture mkt is 8/20-22; the jewelry show is 8/21-22; Brad will be in Birmingham 8/27-29 and I think I'll be going to Jackson, MS sometime for training....

I'll try to post pictures soon- just some random ones from flying- I haven't been taking that many lately!

Coming Soon...

Coming soon: catching up on things like:

Hospital visits
Doctor's visits
Business meals
Laptop/iPod troubles
Eating with friends
Shopping with mom and Mama Lynn
Levi in town
Birthday party
Grilling with friends
Vacation Bible School with mom
Memphis with mom
Training at work
Pug in town
More grilling
Working
More eating with friends
VBS Family Day
Boating at Pickwick with friends
Date nights
Knight & Day
More shopping with mom
More eating with friends (in Pickwick :))
FLYING WITH BRAD
Walking at the park
Bachelorette talk
Big Brother talk

It Came and It Went

I think Saturday and Sunday went by too quickly! Mainly because I didn't get much accomplished, but I had a very good weekend!

Friday after work, mother, Courtney, Chloe, and Savannah picked me up at my house and we went to Tupelo. Courtney needed a few things from Hobby Lobby so we made a trip out of it. First was Hobby Lobby then mother and I dropped off the other three at Kohl's while we ran to Sam's. Then we hit up Dollar Tree for some snacks and picked them back up at Ross. Chloe was beyond ready to be home so we headed back. After I got home, I tried to do some house cleaning, but Brad needed to be in bed early so I didn't get much accomplished. Plus, it was already after 9 so who's in the mood to clean house on a Friday night at 9:30?

Saturday, I got up at 4 {Brad can NOT wake himself up so I have to do it for him OR listen to his alarm go off and off and off and off}. I got up about 7 and did some laundry and finished up most of the cleaning. Brad was already gone for the day {flying}. I met mom, Courtney and Chloe in town and we went to a benefit. Chloe's dance team danced {see this post}. Then we all went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. I got home and fixed some spinach dip {Jenessa's favorite} then waited on her to get there. We were watching New Moon! After she left, Brad got home {around 8} and I threw an edible meal together. Early to bed, early to rise...

Sunday, 4:00am again! Brad had to fly out of Corinth before 6:30am to be in Tupelo with his instructor at 7. They flew and went over all of Brad's planning until about 10. Then Brad spent from 10-12 going over everything again. He flew to Hamilton about 12:30 to meet with his check-ride guy. I'll skip the other boring details and tell you....... he PASSED. He is now an Instrument Rated Private Pilot!! {he can fly in the clouds and read instruments}. He's one step closer to becoming a commercial pilot. The poor guy didn't get home until after 9 last night. He was warn out! I knew he would pass, but he was so nervous. Now, we can put away all of those approach charts and declutter the living room and kitchen again!!! I went to church Sunday morning, then come home and watched a movie. Then I met Jenessa and Pam at the theater to watch Eclipse. Afterwards, I went grocery shopping then back home to watch more movies. Nice!

Today is just another Manic Monday, but we're approaching closing time so that helps! :)

P.S. I watched New Moon, Eclipse, He's Just Not that in to You, and 27 Dresses this weekend. I also watched Big Brother. That was nice!!

Chloe Dancing

Saturday, Chloe and her dance team performed at a benefit. In Chloe's age group, there were only two girls to show {her and another girl}. They danced to Alvin and the Chipmunks and had a good time.

Later, mom, Courtney, and I went to Wal-Mart and we all broke off and went our separate ways. Chloe {still wearing her dance outfit} decided she would go with me. Normally she is pretty bashful, but Saturday she was standing in the buggy while doing her dance moves and singing. So not like her, but so funny! Mom said the outfit must have given her the extra oomph to do those things. We were walking around having a good time {both of us getting looks for acting goofy} and she said "Aunt Cassie, I wish you could be in our family." I told her I am in her family and she said "nuh-uh, we're Wilbanks and you're not. I've got Brian Wilbanks and Courtney Wilbanks and Chloe Wilbanks, and you're just Aunt Cassie". I almost cried from laughing at her. She was SO serious about it. Then she said "see, you're not in my family". Out of the mouths of babes...

Shopping & a Tutorial

Happy belated Independence Day!!

Last week was pretty much boring! { I sort of like them that way} The only thing I really did {besides work} was clean house. Does that count? Ok, I also did a little shopping. Nothing major, but I did end up with a new top {that can be used in Summer & Fall!} and a few things for the house. I got a small faux potted Boston fern, a monogrammed lamp and a nice big piece of tin/iron for my bedroom!

Friday after work, Brad got started on my "honey-do" list. I had seven things {at the time} to hang and he finished all of that! That pile started forming about a year ago so I was thrilled to finally have it done. Or so I thought... Saturday I ran into Kirkland's {I was sick and shopping is always helpful} and found the piece I had been eyeing on their website. I didn't buy it then because it was a little more than I wanted to spend. I thought about it all Saturday afternoon and night and then again on Sunday. After church, Brad and I went to Kirkland's so I could get it! :) Yay for me except for the fact that it's still sitting in my bedroom floor waiting to be hung. Hopefully, it will get hung tonight. It was supposed to be done last night, but our hot water valve on our washing machine busted {water leak!} so he spent last night repairing that.

Saturday we had a cook-out at Brian & Wendy's house. We had burgers, grilled corn, potatoes, dips, etc and for dessert?? Homemade Oreo ice cream! Y-U-M!

Sunday after church, shopping and nap time, I went to my aunt and uncle's house for another cookout. I met up with Brad at a friend's house just in time to watch the fireworks. Here's where the "tutorial" part of the title comes into play...

Firework shot, take 1:

Firework shot, take 2

Firework shot, take 3

So, obviously, I am not the one to be giving tutorials on taking pictures of fireworks. I can't believe it! I missed some really pretty fireworks! :(

Monday, the bank was closed and Brad was off too. I spent my day piddling around the house and Brad spent most of his day flying! It was so nice not to have to go to work yesterday!

Tomorrow is Brad's last doctor's appointment in Columbus {hopefully}! Sunday, I think some friends and I are going to try to watch Eclipse!