Stephanie Dianne at 40!

I've always been the type of person
that can't stand surprises.

One year I opened all my presents
under the christmas tree and taped them back up.

I thought I was pretty sneaky.

I wasn't.

Then there was the year
that I opened my presents so fast,
not even stopping to see what I had received.

Then I cried.

And my mom had to help me dig through
the wrapping paper to find my gifts.

My birthday is in 6 days
and yesterday I received a package in the mail from my Mom.

As I started to tear that ribbon off
I noticed the card said Stephanie at 40!

I was stopped in my tracks.

I'm NOT 40
and I'm NOT opening it until I am.

It's not stopping me from shaking it though :)

Pool Art

Words can't describe what you're about to see...

Well...
I'm sure you could come up with some,
but I couldn't.

So I didn't.

Blairee is always such a willing participant!

<3
Love you girlie.
Broke toe and all.

More on that later.

My Day in Pictures

First thing I saw when I left the house:

They're in my neighbors front yard.

The most beautiful hibiscus that I've ever seen.

They come back every year.

And I always look forward to them.

You should click on the picture to see how pretty it truly is!

After I'd been at work for a bit
we walked across the parking lot
to our new building.

This is what I saw on the way there.

It's aptly named a Stick Bug.
And it looks exactly like a stick!!
We have the most bizarre bugs in Louisiana!

Then I saw this truck waiting on the scale.

And upon closer inspection noticed that the
driver had a Chucky doll hanging in his passenger seat!

Whaaa?

If you click on the picture below you can really see him...

I was almost scared to go in the building after this!

This building has taken years to get to this point.
I was hired 2 years ago yesterday...

Happy Anniversary to me!!...

and this building was supposed to be built
before I started.

This is our new breakroom.

Love love love the windows.

This is our new space.

And below is the building from the outside.

We're supposed to start moving in on July 13th!!
But I'm not holding my breath.

The darker part is where all the offices are
and the lighter part is where all the labs are.

We currently have one little lab in our old building
and the rest of our labs are in Rhode Island.

It's going to be great having them all on site :)

This is Debra!
Today is her birthday
and we all went to P.F. Chang's for lunch.

It was delicious and I *think* Debra had a great time.
It's kinda hard to tell from the picture though.
What do you think?

Went home, saw this moon.

And now I'm watching college baseball.

LSU is up 12-7 and Rice is down to their last out....

Strike 1

Strike 2
Ball 1

Foul Ball

2 Run Home Run.

Geesh.

Let's try this again.

LSU is up 12-9 and Rice is down to their last out....
Strike 1

Strike 2

Fair ball...out at 1st!

Geaux Tigers!

Game 2 tomorrow :)

Pretty!

I've been chasing dragonflies around my yard
for days trying to get a picture.

They've all been small, green and fast.

Tonight I went outside and found this beauty!

And he/she liked me hovering, because he/she never moved!

This first picture is straight out of the camera.

The second one I played with the contrast.

And 3, 4 and 5 got contrast and color.

I sure wish I had photoshop!

And because you can't see his/her big baby blues
in the other pictures...

Oh My Goodness

Today, before I left work,
I called Duane and asked him what he wanted for dinner.

He's a meat and potatoes guy
and I thought for sure he would say that
he wanted the meatloaf I said I would make on Sunday..and didn't.

He was a big help and told me that
he didn't know what he wanted.

So I went to my go-to gal in this situation.
Somewhere that I know I can find something yummy,

and easy, due to the step by step photo instructions.

Pioneer Woman.

I found a Veggie and Cheese Bagel Sandwich.
I knew I'd meet some resistance back at home.
A bagel with veggies?
And no potatoes?
No pot roast?
So I compromised and got him some ham for his.

Sure enough, I got home and we were unloading
the groceries and he said "you sure got a lot of vegetables".
Yep, and you're going to eat them Mister!

Lots of comments later about vegetables and bagels
and how he was going to being hungry after dinner
He took his first bite and was sold.
He even asked for seconds.
And wanted to take more for his lunch tomorrow.