Downtime...with a Side of Links

I made it into town last Saturday evening and promised myself (and my family) that I would take a week to relax before jumping full speed into campaign mode. I am thankful for this down time and relishing having the grandkids in town!

Please excuse the lighthearted posts but my heart just sings having the two boys around. Besides boating on Lake Havasu, we have been swimming in the pool, making cupcakes, playing Wii bowling, watching Veggie Tales, and countless other fun activities. I have roasted two herb and garlic-rubbed pork loins, slow-cooked two tri-tips for BBQ sandwiches, grilled chicken for my famous chicken pasta salad, and tried a new recipe for Brown-Sugar Bacon that I saw Billy Joel's wife make this on the Food Network last week. Yummmmm...

For those of you who need some meat and potatoes to accompany this family fluff I gladly provide the following Arizona-related links:

Sports authority for Pima County fails in Phoenix

Gas station owners upset over pump fines

Don't mess with the autism community in Pennsylvania

New law may delay Arizona railroad project

Arizona budget calls for higher fees on businesses, consumers

State's budget is irresponsible in its spending : Opinion - Editorials

Our Opinion: Making sausage at the Legislature

Budget Pain Hits States, With Relief Not in Sight

That's it for now...there is a messy kitchen and a couple of hungry kids calling my name!

ROSE GROE

My precious Mother-in-Law Rose fell last night and broke her hip so Frank left for California to be by her side. I am still in Phoenix since the Legislature was suppose to work today though that did not come to fruition. Please pray for Rose, that she heals quickly and without complications.

Catching Up ~ Abeit Briefly

Back and ready to blog!

I will be posting new legislative happenings later in the day...we go to the floor at 11:00 today to entertain a few bills and I plan to get the scoop on the budget proposal. I will share all I learn.

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from my weekend trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee where my youngest brother was married.

Traveling to Tennessee

I am on a brief jaunt to Chattanooga, Tennessee to celebrate my youngest brother's wedding tomorrow so posting will be extremely light until the start of the new work week. Tennessee is still humid, if anyone is wondering but being surrounded by family is keeping my mind off the sticky weather.

Click the title of this post to read an interesting article that highlights the difference in the definition of the words "endorsing" and "supporting".

Awakening: Here We Go

Many of you so faithfully prayed for my sister (and her husband) when she was pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. Precious little baby boy had some heart problems and was with us only four short months after being born. His beautiful sister just turned two. Praise God! Well, as the title of my brother-in-law's post says it all and I am asking for your faithful prayers again.

UPDATE: My sister and her husband are expecting! Praise God!!!!

Grampa

William "Bill" Manning

He was my Grampa, my Hero

Larger than LIFE

He could say more with a shake of his fist...

to me, Grampa sign language for "I love you"

Two years ago today I was holding his hand, kneeling at his side as he took his last breath from his hospital bed and his soul ascended to a place far better than we can imagine.

Grampa, since that day,
the lemonade is not so sweet,
the grass is not so green...
but I have hope and faith like never before
and I know I will see you again.