Butterflies

I think this week is going to go too fast for me!  Ashley arrived Thursday night and we have been on the go ever since!  Friday she and I went with the Newcomers group and toured the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  We even got to go around the speedway (80 mph) in a van.  It was really cool!  I'm not into racing these days but I grew up going to races, camping in the infield and knowing a little bit about racing.  My dad and uncle used to drag races and I can remember going to those dirt tracks on Friday nights to watch them.  We had lunch at the Speedway Club which was really nice.  What a great view of the track while we were eating!!

View from window next to our table while eating lunch.

Stands  - doesn't it look like there are people in the stands?  That's the way they planned it.

Ashley in the Winners Circle!

Ashley and I

Later on Friday, Marianne came over after she got off work and spent the night.  Sonny and I took our guests to the best places in Sherrills Ford!  First we went to Drum's for dinner .... catfish and shrimp!!  And after dinner, we had a few beers at Horsefeathers before returning home. 

Saturday we picked up Mom (who was excited to see her granddaughter!).  Ashley, Mom and I had our pictures made and then came home and changed into our swim suits.  Sonny had the boat ready and we went out for a ride.  The rest of the family joined us later - Marianne's husband and boys and Angela.  We came back to the house and Sonny grilled chicken and veggies for us.  It was a great family time.  Just always wishing ALL our family could be here - my brother and his family and my son and his family!  I miss them so much!

On Sunday, our plans got changed a little bit!   We had planned on taking the boat over to the Rusty Rudder in the afternoon.  There was a couple of guys playing from 4-8 that will be on our Alabama cruise and who have also been on Ashley's Rock Boat cruises in the past.  BUT, Sonny got a call from a friend of his who lives in our neighborhood who was on the lake and needing a tow back home.  His prop had hit something and broke.  It turned out that he was way on the other side of the lake from our house.  We left our dock at 1:00 pm and it was about 2:30 when we finally found them.  By the time we hooked up the two boats and towed him back, it was 6:30 pm!!  Luckily, Ashley and I decided to ride along with Sonny on the rescue mission so we enjoyed the sunshine and were able to visit with each other.  We decided to hurry up and try to make it to Cornelius to hear the band.  Well, wouldn't you know it .... we were 1/2 mile from our exit when we got stopped by a terrible accident on I-77.  A Ford Explorer flipped several times on the highway with a woman and 5 children having to be air lifted to the hospital.  By the time we got to the restaurant, Scott (Mumms) was just tearing down his set!  Oh well, Ashley visited with him a few minutes and we headed to another restaurant for dinner.

Monday we all went to the "Y" for a workout.  Ashley ran the track, Sonny walked the track and used the equipment and I took a swim exercise class.  Afterwards, Ashley and I had appointments for a massage.  We both got 90 minute massages and didn't want it to end!!  Then we met Marianne and went to a local "paint your own pottery" shop and visited while each painting our masterpieces!!  A stop at the Blue Star Café for dinner and we headed home.

Tuesday we plan on heading over to Ikea while Sonny is out at the shooting range.

I have had a little bit of time to be crafty (but not much!)  Last Thursday, I made a Butterfly picture that I have been wanting to do ever since I saw it in a friend's home.  It was soooo easy - didn't take me much more than an hour to do it.  I hung it in my guest bathroom.  I used the Sizzlit butterfly die as well as two Butterfly punches and embossing folders to cut all the different sized butterflies.