Jason's Big 40!

Game Day: November 7th, 2009

ALABAMA v. LSU

We spent Jason's big 40th birthday weekend in Birmingham with Josh & Emily Anderson, and enjoyed the BAMA victory against LSU!Nothing brings everyone together like a Game Day! While on the limo ride down to Tuscaloosa, we saw Dalton friends, Mary & Michael Wise waving from the car next to us! We loved bumping into Jeffrey & Sarah Hollis in their ol' stomping grounds, Gallette's. We enjoyed our Yellow Hammers together. Roll Tide!

Here I am with Big AL outside of the Bryant Deny stadium!

Love at First Sight

Oakley meets her Momma!

It was a sunny October day and Oakley was eager to meet her Momma. They went for a long walk in the park and met cousin Smokey on the trail. After a couple snifs and barks, they were instant friends!

Little Annie Oakley Girl

Oakley is my mom's new puppy. She has wanted a Golden Retriever for a long time, and with all that has gone on this year, she needs a cuddley bundle of love. Oakley is full of energy and full of fluff! These pictures can express her best.

Beautiful

I miss my little compound on the beach! I look forward to next year's feast at Zaxby's and seeing the waves roll in from the Gulf.

"Oh' I want to be in that number..."

My dad went home to Heaven last week. I know I will miss him for the rest of my life, but I couldn't be happier for him right now. He is no longer suffering from cancer, he is with God, and he truly lived his best life. I am so proud of my dad. Most people wouldn't approve of posting a funeral picture, but I found this image on my camera and I thought that everything about his memorial service was beautiful. When the Dixieland Band played "When the Saints Go Marching In" as his casket was taken out, I truly felt that we honored him by celebrating his life. I cried like a baby only because I will deeply miss him.

PCB or bust!

Another successful summer vacation at PCB! I dug my toes in the sand and read a book. The weather and the water were excellent this year. We enjoyed spending time with the Hollis family and loved meeting little Hayes for the very first time. It was exactly the relaxing vacation I was hoping for after such a wild year. We know just how to party (in bed asleep by 8:30 pm almost every night!)

Listening to "Toes" by The Zac Brown Band inspired my entire trip!

Julie's Wedding

There is so much to say about Julie's special day, but the pictures actually say it best.

Dad

I love my Dad. Watching him fight the many cancers that are destroying his body is far worse than I ever could have imagined. There are moments when I am overwhelmed by the reality of his experience. I have been driving myself nuts trying to figure out and plan for every possible outcome. However; in the middle of my madness, I remembered that this is something I cannot control. I remembered that it is all with God. After that realization, I felt peaceful about the entire situation. That afternoon, I went to visit my Dad and for the first time in two weeks I was no longer stressed out about what to say or do, or what might happen to him. Regardless of all that is outwardly happening to my Dad; vomitting, seizures, slurring of words, loss of balance, double vision,etc., I know that God has Robert L. Perkins in his very capable hands.
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Cookies for the Bride

Julie is so creative! We tease her about being our very own "Martha Stewart". For her wedding she has decided to have a cookie station at her reception. We spent this past Sunday helping Julie prepare miniature cookies that are favorites of the Bride and Groom. I promise everyone attending the wedding that my dog, Hannah Belle, had no part in the cookie making process! 5 Days and Counting!!!

Countdown to the Wedding!

With only a few days left until Julie's wedding, we couldn't resist a last chance at being silly. After getting permission from her boss, we did our best to surprise the future Mrs. White. There was a blind folded trip around Pittsboro, with a visit to the firehouse, and a couples' trivia game. Fortunately, Mike passed with "flying" colors!

Julie's Bridal Shower with the Groom's side

Today I enjoyed meeting my sister's future in-laws! We had a wonderful time at the coolest local park in Indiana. They had it all; a train, a pond, a butterfly pavillion, a petting zoo, a baseball diamond, and a water park. The cool part was... it was all free. I think the pictures speak for themselves. Everything was perfect and I am so happy for Julie that she is joining a loving and large family.

Hayes House Meals

It is no secret, my husband and our good friend, Bob love to cook. Fortunately for me they are fantastic cooks! During the weekends they enjoy getting creative with our meals. So far this summer Jason has made some of my favorites; Brisket and Pork Chops! Along with the brisket, he made his Grandma Corrie's cream corn. It was amazing, and of course it is cooked with bacon grease! As for the pork chops, using a stick of butter should be illegal, but it was AWESOME! I have taken so many photos of the meals over the years that we could probably put together a cook book.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We celebrated my mom's 60th birthday this week! We had a surprise cookout at mom and dad's house. Soon-to-be, Son-in-law, Mike man'd the grill and didn't burn April's veggie burgers. It was great! My dad is hairless due to the chemo and radiation treatments, but he wears it well!

I am in love with my husband, Mr. Hayes!

As Mr. Hayes is recovering from having his wisdom tooth pulled out yesterday, I can only think of how much I love him. I know it is mushy to say, but when he lets me, I enjoy taking care of him. I just took him a big bowl of ice cream!

Putts' Wedding

Card Club was very happy to see Putts walk down the aisle this spring. Her new husband is a wonderful person and we are all very glad he has come into the card club family!

The 2nd Annual Jager Classic at the Hayes House

We hosted our 2nd Annual Jager Classic over the Memorial Holiday this year. We were honored by the presence of the reigning champion from last year's classic, Mr. Wagle. Although he did not hold onto his title, he was still a good sport. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was sloppy and accusing each other of cheating at Croquet. As always, Mr. Hayes cooked excellent food for everyone. My favorites were the redneck caviar and the candied pork.

Julie's Special Day

We all gathered for Julie's Bridal Shower on Saturday, May 2nd. I am so happy for my sister and her future husband, Mike. We have all prayed for her to fall in love and to find a man that truly appreciates all of the wonderful things about her. She and Mike will be married in August. To celebrate her upcoming wedding, we hosted a "Kentucky Derby" themed Bridal Shower. It was so much fun having everyone attend in their creative derby hats!

My Art work for Show n' Tell night at school

I am posting my paintings to my blog so I don't have to bring my portfolio out in the rain tonight for class. Instead of having a final we are just meeting and showing our artwork.

The Paula Deen bubble bursts!

Thanks to my wonderful husband, I finally made my trip to Savannah! It had been on my list ever since the first moment I found out Paula Deen had her own restaurant. I got to spend a girls' weekend down south while Mr. Hayes hosted "March Madness" at our home for the boys.(beer, basketball, and food)
The cut out in the window was as close as I got to the Lady. I am sure she is a fantastic cook in her own home, but eating her buffet style fair proved without a doubt to me that my man is the best Southern Cook I know. Also, the bathrooms were dirty and the decorations were bad. C'mon Paula! I still love her and use her cookbooks...but the bubble has burst!
If you are going to Savannah I would suggest eating at Zuni's for lunch, Belford's for dinner, and the bar at The Olde Pink House for cocktails and she crab soup in the late afternoon.
Thanks to all my sisters for going with me! You are the best! I hope my Hayes sister will forgive us Yankees for being slightly crazy!