The Perfect Dress

It's funny how you walk into a store with an image of what you want in your mind...
...but you walk out with something totally different.

I'm not sure that guys have ever done that...perhaps it's a girl thing. 

Brooke spent several days searching online for what could possibly be the perfect Homecoming dress.  Short dresses, long dresses, royal blue dresses, animal print dresses, dresses that are strapless, dresses that flow, dresses that are sleek.  Fifteen websites and three-hundred dresses later - the only way to know which dress is the Perfect Dress is to try them all on.

Being female, we all know you can't shop by yourself - you MUST have the opinions of several different people, especially when shopping for the Perfect Dress.  Also being female, we all know men aren't the best shoppers, but that didn't matter this go around.  At Brooke's request, the men were going with us.  Two girls, two guys - one common mission.

We were off.  The first store lacked a little bit in options, so we didn't spend a lot of time there.  A little unsure of where we should head next, Dad said the words I'm sure Brooke was hoping to hear, "Want to go to Watchamacallit?"  For those with all boys or girls who are not quite at the prom homecoming age, Watchamacallit is a teenage girls dream shop. 

Brooke picked out several dresses and headed to the dressing room.  They were all beautiful, but nothing was screaming, "That's the one".  She tried the last one on, and was still trying to decide when all of a sudden a light shined through the ceiling and on a dress that was hanging on the dressing room door.  This one had to be the right size, because there was no other dress like it in the store.  I grabbed it off the door and Brooke and I begin looking for the tag to check the size.  Surprise, Surprise it was the right size. 

While Brooke was trying the dress the lady helping us with the dresses disappeared, only to come back with the most amazing pair of shoes in hand.  Once again, a light shined through the ceiling this time it was shining on the shoes.  It didn't take long for all of us to realize...

"That's the one - The Perfect Dress"

Mario let us know the dress was found in what he thought was record time - 2 1/2 hours.  And, after we left, I'm pretty sure Mario and Dad felt a strong urge to go do something manly like heading out to some land somewhere to shoot something or belching the alphabet while watching football with the guys. 

Brooke was beautiful in the Perfect dress, standing on the football field, Homecoming Evening.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

On My Way

Headed to a hospital near you...
...this coming Wednesday!

 

It is so hard to believe that clinicals are about to begin.  Hospital orientation is Wednesday and then the week after that I will be on the floor for my rotation.  There really should be a word for the mixed emotions I am feeling.  Maybe someone should give Mr. Webster a call. 

Since clinicals are starting that only means one thing...I am one step closer to RN.  Just four semesters.  Isn't that crazy?  In four semesters I will be a registered nurse, I will be working on my bachelors at UTA, I will get to see my family again, and who knows what else. 

You think I'm kidding about seeing my family again?  Not kidding at all.  Between a full job, and being a full time student with classes in Arlington and clinicals in Ft. Worth, I rarely see my family.  After being on the road 4 hours a day, twice a week, I walk in the house say "Hi" and spend the rest of the evening with a book in my hand.  I use the lessons learned speach quite a bit with the kiddos..."This is why you go to college right after high school." 

Well, I'm thinking I took a long enough break and should be getting back to business.

Until next time...

...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

Time Keeps on Ticking

Another first day of school...
...has come on gone.

Cameron and Corey look pretty happy about the first day of school.  Colby on the other hand, not so much. 

Today was the first day of the last year of Brooke's High School life, the first day of the last year of Colby's Junior High life, and the first day of the last year of Cameron's Elementary School life.  Corey - his milestone year will be next year.

So I spent the day thinking about time and how fast the kiddos grow up.  Was it really eight years ago, when I walked out of Colby's kindergarten class with tears in my eyes?  What about Cameron, could it really be that five years have passed since I asked him, "How was your first day of kindergarten?"  I thought about Corey, and how I can still hold his little hand in mine, but in the blink of an eye he will be standing before me a man.  Then I thought about Brooke, she was a nine year old little girl when I met her.  Now she is a seventeen year old, beautiful young lady about to take on the last year of high school. 

The little boys didn't have a lot to report about their first day back in school.  Cameron said he spent the day getting organized.  Corey was pretty excited about the questions his class got to ask to his teacher.  It was a "Getting to Know You" kind of day for him.  Corey's favorite question for his teacher..."How old are you?" 

The first day back at school went pretty smooth for the kiddos, which is definately a good thing.

Until next time...

...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style. 

Shut-up Nancy!

Turn left here, Make a U-Turn...
...You know that annoying voice that usually puts you in the wrong place.

My morning began on just two hours of sleep due to excessive homework and studying.  I had to be out of the house by 6:30 in order to get to Arlington for my scheduled check-off.  I grabbed breakfast, which was the same thing I had for dinner the night before...a package of Austin brand Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter and ran out of the door.  Perfect...I not only would be there on time, but I was going to have a few moments to go over the check-off one last time.  Wouldn't it be nice if life worked as good while it is happening as it does in our heads? 

Halfway to Granbury, I realize I don't have my watch, an important piece of equipment in the check-off.  In a split second several things run through my mind as I pull to the side of the road and whip my car around...driving all the way home would make me late, I could borrow a classmates watch, but it's scheduled check-offs so there might not be anyone else there, if I am late the instructor could actually count it as a fail, three fails and your out, can't be out of the program, could call Terry who might grab my watch and head my direction with it, (quick glance at the clock and back to the thoughts flying through my head) Terry could already be at work, Terry might be gripey, can't be late, awe heck just call Terry.  Well, I did, he was not gripey, and he met me on the road between the house and Glen Rose with my watch.  Lifesaver!

That turning around did take about 20 minutes of the clock, which was cutting it pretty close, but getting to Arlington on time was still possible.  That was until the flat bed truck in front of me started losing tools off the back of his truck.  So there I was dodging a large combination square at 70 mph, hoping it didn't hit my car and feeling sorry for him when he go to the job site.  I needed to get around him, but it wasn't gonna happen.  For fear of getting hit by a table saw I slowed down to a crawl.  Yes 55 - 60 feels like you're crawling when you have to be somewhere by a certain time.

Now, I know which roads to take, which exits to use, so I didn't need the navigator, but Nancy, the navigator, has that neat little feature that shows your arrival time, and she is always right on the money.  (The kiddos named the voice Nancy, but my husband usually calls her something else)  I reach over, turn Nancy on and she shows my arrival time to be 8:49.  That is 19 minutes late! 

By this time, I am out of the country and in traffic, on the phone with my instructor, and going over the steps of my check-off.  Yes, I was going through the steps out loud, and yes, other drivers were most likely wondering, "What in the heck is wrong with that girl?".

My lack of sleep, hunger, test anxiety, and stress got the best of me.  I could see far enough ahead to know there were no cops, so I decided I could go a little bit faster, ya know just to get through the traffic.  Before I knew it, Nancy is yelling "CAUTION".  She yells that when your speed is 10 miles over the posted limit.  I am a multi-tasker, but even I couldn't keep my eyes on the road, drive a little bit faster than I should, fight traffic, go over my check-off, and turn Nancy's volume off at the same time.  Come on, It just wouldn't be safe if I did all of that. 

So, every few seconds, I hear, "CAUTION".  I slow down just a tad, but speed right back again.  There she is again, "CAUTION"  I repeat the slow down - speed up. "CAUTION", "CAUTION", "CAUTION"  Like I mentioned before, my lack of sleep, hunger, test anxiety, and stress got the best of me, and I holler out, "SHUT UP NANCY!"

She just replied, "CAUTION"

In case you were wondering...I was 15 minutes late, Ms. Todd did let me check-off, and Yep, I passed first attempt.  We'll see how next week goes.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

A Nine Year Celebration

It's hard to believe how fast time passes...
...Our baby boy turned Nine.

Corey woke up to find a "Happy Birthday, Love Dad" note Terry left on the counter before he headed off to work.  Corey thought it was pretty special because when I got home that was the first thing he told me.  And when Cameron said, "I was the first to wish you Happy Birthday," Corey quickly responded, "Nu-uh, Dad was, He left me a note!"

I spent the majority of Corey's birthday running around and getting things together for his birthday party that evening.  A quick run to Stephenville followed by a quick run to Cleburne.  Yep, two different towns - two different directions....some of the joys of living in the sticks. 

We planned on having grilled hot dogs at 7.  Which was way too long for Corey to wait.  His excitement increased throughout the day, while his patience decreased.  He could hardly wait for everyone to get to the house.  Once they got here, he could barely wait for everyone to get finished eating dinner.  I think he ate his hot dog in one bite, and was asking, "Are you done?"  He even cleaned up everyone's plates in hopes of of speeding up the process.  Finally, we were all was finished and it was the moment he had been waiting for...time to open presents.

He got everything he was wanting.  A Dale Jr. beach towel (which he says he is hiding from Dad), a watergun, new swim shorts, an electronic light saber with batteries, Mario Galaxy for Wii, one size fits all - Cash, and a bright green bicycle.  He could barely decide what to do first, shoot someone with watergun, ride his bike, head to the room to play videogames, run outside in the dark to see his light saber glow, or jump in the pool so he could dry off with his new towel.  He did squeeze in a quick, "Will you put this money up, so we can go to the store," and then I'm pretty sure he did everything within ten minutes and then repeated his list.

When he got settled down, he threw his arms around our necks, and said he had a Great Birthday!  Makes your heart happy.  I am very greatful our family was here to help make Corey's birthday Great! 

This birthday marked the last year of the single digits for Corey.  Next year he hits the doubles. Milestones....10, 13, 16...time just keeps on flying by.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style!

1977

I woke up yesterday morning...
...to the beginning of a new year.

Yep that's right, it was my birthday, and my day was full of surprises!  From a beautiful, fresh bouquet of summer flowers to Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss (8 tubes of it) to Blingy, Oversized sunglasses to sweet smelling Sexy Little Things Love Me perfume and lotion (another Victoria's Secret Special), to MORE Beauty Rush lip gloss and makeup...(Love that girl, Vickie and her store)!  A Very Big Thank-You to Dad and Kelly; Mom and Rick; and the fabulous Queens of Quality.  By the way, I am thinking all of that lip gloss will last me approximately 5-6 months.  Although, certain individuals might argue with that statement.  Actually, I think they have placed some bets on how long it will last me.

Terry had to have been a pretty busy fella yesterday afternoon with all of his birthday planning he was doing.  When I got home, I walked up to the house and could smell the sweet aroma of a freshly baked cake, so I knew Terry had been doing some baking after he got off work.  However, I was instructed to go immediately to the room and wait.  A few minutes passed and he told me I could come out. There stood Corey, holding the cake, Terry, Tillman, Brooke, Colby and Cameron.  They all busted out in song...  "Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Ma, Happy Birthday to you."  Terry had definitely been doing some baking.  The kitchen counter was filled with Terry's Famous Burritos, Homemade Rice and Beans and the yummy chocolate cake decorated with colorful marshmallows. 

My birthday was FOR SURE a day of surprises, and I love them all!

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

Waterlogged

From just about sun-up to sun-down...
...the swimming pool was where the boys spent their time.

Seth, my nephew, spent the weekend with us.  We don't get to see him as often as we used to, so it was great getting to spend some time with him.

The boys, well Seth and Corey spent every evening this week with Memaw, Papaw, Aunt Teresa and their cousin Shelby, at Vacation Bible School in Morgan.  Cameron joined them on Thursday and Friday nights, when he got back from camp.  I have been told they had a baby goat, chickens, and all kinds of crafts during VBS.

Since Friday evening was the last night, it lasted a little bit longer than the other nights.  That sure didn't slow the boys down any.  They busted through the front door sometime after 9 that night, all three of them talking at once.  I don't know if they were all just so excited Seth was staying or if it was all the sugar they had been eating; my guess is, it was a little of both.  They eventually settled down enough for Terry and I to rustle them into the bedroom and get the Netflix streaming.  After a few moments of quiteness coming from the bedroom, we felt it was safe to go on to bed. 

I'm not sure what time the boys went to sleep, but they didn't wake up until just a little after 10 the next morning.  I still haven't told them they slept right through Grandaddy and Mi-Mi's visit. 

Seth and Corey woke up with just about the same excitement as they had the night before.  I saw a streak come from the bedroom, right out the back door and straight into the swimming pool.  I finished up the little bit of cleaning I was doing and decided those boys had the right idea.  I joined them for a day-long swim.

The boys would get out just long enough to get a snack, and they went right back to swimming.  We spent the day floating toy boats across the water, sinking plastic army men and then swimming to the bottom to rescue them.  Seth even got to meet the frog that lives in our rock waterfall. 

We finished our evening off with watermelon and ice cream cones.  I think the watermelon was a big hit with Seth, because when Uncle Terry got it out of the fridge, Seth grinned a big ole grin and said, "I'm in a good mood for Watermelon!" 

I had plans of meeting my sister Sunday after church, but Seth ended up hitching a ride with Grandma.  I'm hoping he had as much fun as we did this weekend.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style!