One of my Fave Weekends of the Year

I have always loved Memorial Day weekend. I think because it always falls around my birthday and it always seems to kick-off the summer season (or it had always been a true sign that the end of the school year was in clear view:)
This is why this weekend was so great (and I"m gonna write in bullets bc I am so so ready for bed, but I knew if I didn't jot down my thoughts now, my memories would disappear by time i got around to it):
Friday Night: Seize the Summer, Off the Wall ministries and Poland at a UPCC picnic. LOVE potluck picnics, great to hang with others from church and really really inspirational to dance like crazy to rockin' Christian praise music with the kids. Also really enjoyed hosting two of the gal's from OTW.

Saturday: Stolled around Jakes with the kids, Julia to soccer (more that another time), worked and got stuff done around the house, quick taco dinner and family time at Green Lane Park.Jeff and I planned on watching a movie which ended up being a documentary on financial corruption. Hum, not sure how we so wrongly read the Red Box synopsis on that one. Was informative, but not the cozy movie night we had hoped!


Sunday: Church in the morn, loads of laundry (not fun), family picnic at Derstines. The weather was gorgeous and Mom-Mom had the slip and slide for the cousins (bubbles and all!) It was nice having both sets of parents there--as well as Pop and Karen. Elaine made it special for Jeff and my birthdays as well.

Monday: Up at 5:30am to meet friends at Jakes. I recently met a friend through Julia's preschool, Rachel who is super-great a finding diamonds in the rough... and making them deorative home jewels. I am actually going to be an official DIYer and do something with this: I fell in love bc i know exactly where i want to put it. I HOPE this $10 beauty works out. Hopefully I can report success...
Got this Crate and Barrel piece for $4
This huge set of sturdy Target dishes for a mere $5
Polka Dot pieces for Julia's room (need to go back for a shelf and i'd like to find some other polka dot things)$1.50
These frames (yes, i will ditch the golf pictures) and this bath plaque=total $3
This charming plate holder for $2
Plus, A pampered chef pie server valued at for $2,a beach bag for $1, Cars magazines for nephews, and of course produce.
I LOVE JAKES
So i bought a lot of crap, knowing that I would be going home to meet Jeff for our Garage Crap Removal date.
Saturday night documentaries + garage cleaning= one heck of an exciting couple.
Felt good to clean it out although it took us from 9:30am to around 5pm (of course with a fair share of kid interuptions -although they were very good) and every muscle in my body is now aching. We will be selling the stuff at Elaine and Leon's church and all the money will be donated to Japan relief.
Finally, made one of my faves...Imitation Crab and Veggie Pasta (no, the veggies weren't imiation, they were fresh--from jakes). But i must say I was proud of myself bc it was the second time I used my fresher than fresh HOMEGROWN herbs. This is something I"ve been wanting to do for years...

My up at the crack of dawn self has gotsta get to bed (although i must say, i actually enjoyed getting up early...hummmm)