Me and You and a Dog Named Blu

We had Jacob take a couple of quick pictures of us to commemorate our anniversary last night. I had intended to have the pictures taken after I'd gotten ready for our night out, but alas, our children abandoned us before I managed to get ready. Teenagers. Anyway, as Jake was flying out the door, I snagged him to take a picture of us 'as is'. Now check this out... See that big, giant mass of black fur? That's Randey's dog, Blu. Why Randey lets him jump on him like that, I'll never know. Notice my eyes are shut...that's the precursor to my "you'd better get your butt down" speech I give Blu whenever he makes the mistake of jumping up anywhere near my personal space. lol I love that dog, but he's a bit of a lunatic. If you're ever at my house, whatever you do, DON'T try to pet him. Don't even act like you want to. Blu-boy isn't what you'd call "a people dog". But he's a pretty darn good guard dog, which comes in handy upon occasion. I just wish he'd quit trying to dance with my husband when we're trying to get a picture taken!
This next picture is one we managed to get without Blu. Notice my dog, Sydney, there on the lower right. He's much more better behaved than Blu-boy. (And those who know Sydney are rolling their eyes at that comment. lol). It's hard to believe that twenty years have passed since Randey and I got married. There's sure been some hard times over the years...but it makes where we are today just that much sweeter. I can honestly say that snagging him was the best thing I've ever done for me. lol People who know us are always telling me how lucky I am to have a husband as good to me as Randey is. And you know what? They're right! All things considered, I think I just may keep him, after all. :)

Home From Florida...

We're home from Florida and I AM EXHAUSTED!! You know you've had a good time when you have to come home just to catch up on your rest. lol We shopped our brains out - I bought 3 sundresses, some jewelry, a few things for my daughter's wedding, a little this, a little that. I think it's safe to say I got some fun shopping in. And didn't find one single pair of shoes that I just couldn't live without. Can you believe it? It wasn't from lack of trying, though, that's for sure.
Today is mine and Randey's 20th anniversary (and people thought it wouldn't last. LOL). We're going out to dinner and a movie, just as soon as I get off this computer and go get ready. Just wanted to take a minute to say hello (I've done 2 whole posts this week - hate to stop now and ruin my streak. ha!).
I've got more pictures from our trip, but I'll save them for another day. For today, I'll leave you with a picture of my oldest son from his last deployment. Nick is the 5th one from the left (the really handsome and hero-y looking one, don't-cha-know). That gray haired fella that's second from the left? Some of you might remember him from the Reagan days. His name is Ollie North. Randey pointed him out to our 18 year old, Kaleb, who had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. Funny how fame differs from one generation to another, isn't it? Okay - I'd better go dig out my make-up and try to make myself presentable for our evening out (this may take some time. ha!).

McGuire's in P'Cola

Dinner last night at McGuire's was every bit as wonderful as I expected it to be. They have the best food I've ever eaten in my life - bar none. I'm talking FANTABULOUS! I consider it a personal victory that I didn't dive into my plate and inhale the entire giant peppercorn steak within the first 3 seconds of it sitting in front of me. lol By the way, for those of you who mentioned you've visited McGuire's in times past, it might shock you to know how their prices have risen! When Randey and I first found McGuire's back in 1997, I think a Peppercorn steak was something like $18.99. Now, it's up to $29.99!!! Yowza! I'm so cheap, I almost had a stroke. But...we soldiered on, ordered our food and paid the price. And man, was it worth it!! (You'll never hear me saying that about a thirty dollar steak anywhere else. lol) Of course, the Senate Bean Soup is still 18 cents a bowl. I guess that's something.
Here's me on the left and my sister Sherri on the right, standing outside McGuire's after we ate. And here's everyone else. That's Randey, my niece Megen, my son Kaleb, my son Jacob, my niece-in-law Tiffany, my nephew Joseph and my brother-in-law, Ken.

Today, my sister and I, along with Megen and Tiffany, are off to Destin for a little shopping. Heaven knows I need some power shopping - I've got to work that steak off! lol

Florida!

My oldest son said I had to blog something - anything - so here I go. I'm in Florida, it's 7:00 in the morning and I'm getting ready to start my day. My sister and I are going to Pensacola this morning, then on to Foley, Alabama (to the outlet stores) this afternoon. We plan on finishing up the day with the family and a few friends at McGuire's Irish Pub - my very favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. It's sounding like a pretty good day to me. Just wish it wasn't thundering outside. Good ol' sunny Florida. It rains here more than anywhere else on the planet, I think. lol Anyway, I've got lots more pictures that I will post for you Nick, just as soon as I get some time to get it that done. In the meantime, here's a picture of me and your delightful, wonderful and totally charming oldest daughter - she's the BEST part of this trip for us!