down time

The Shinglers have been enjoying a bit of down time lately.  We have had plenty to do but nothing too crazy and nothing out of town!  Here's a long-overdue list (in order for me to live up to this blog's title):

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Finding a church to join

We have gone to a few but still trying to find the best fit.

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Working around the house

This is always fun!  Brad's been doing yard work, we have replaced some furniture, had a few maintenance projects, etc.

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Visited our (hopefully) eventual land

It is looking like an April closing on this so we have gone out to see the progress, take pictures, pick out the home site and walk the boundaries.

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Enjoying some musical TV

Currently watching Idol (go Philip Philips!) and The Voice.  We are also fans of The Sing-off.  X-factor sorta.

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Dinner with the folks

We hadn't seen Bill and Debbie since Christmas (!) so we had a group dinner with my parents as well.  Good to have everyone together!

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Planning, planning, planning

We have been putting together several different trips and activities for the spring and summer.  Heading to Birmingham this weekend for an Avett Brothers show and to visit, our anniversary trip will be on the way back from Chicago for Adi's business school graduation (probably to Jamaica), a summer beach trip with Megan/Adi and friends to Charleston and the PGA Championship at Kiawah.  We are also thinking that we need to host a field day of sorts to commemorate the Olympics! The First Annual Shingler Olympics are slated for May and will feature all sorts of yard games for adults and kiddos alike.  We may even have medals to pass out. 

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Brunch with the girls
Martha's birthday was the 19th so we had an impromptu brunch at our house while Brad was golfing.  It was a blast but definitely not enough time together.  We are planning a girl's trip for early May.

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A funeral

This was a tough one.  A dear teacher passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's.  I used to grade papers for her in high school (crazy right?!) and our families were close.  She was a wonderful teacher, mother, wife and friend.  It was nice to get together with others and celebrate her life however!  Here's a funny story shared by the preacher:  Mrs. Barbara Dell was always willing to go help others.  She got a call one night that someone needed her help.  She was cooking dinner and two of her children, Cully and Hanna, were watching TV.  She grabbed everyone up and raced out the door.  Her youngest child, Cleve, came home and found the doors open, lights on, pots boiling over on stove, TV blaring but not a soul in sight.  He told the preacher later that he thought the rapture had happened.  His first thought was to look for his brother Cully because he knew that if he was still there, Cully had to be as well.  What a great memory...

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Cooking

Hi, I am Jami and I am a Pinterest addict.  I mean, really, it's excessive.  I have decided I am just a 'pin'hoarder because there is no way I will ever use all those recipes.  But, I am trying!  The ones worth repeating get posted here so stay tuned.

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Movies

Since we have some free time, Brad and I are trying to catch up on some movies.  We watched 'Unforgiven' lately, the classic Western.  And, I am really looking forward to the Hunger Games movie!!

I guess that is it for now.  After Birmingham, we have a wedding around here and then I will work 19 days straight for Masters.  Yikes.  So, I am going to stock up the freezer with easy meals and try to get as much sleep as possible after next weekend.  Hope you are enjoying this nice spring weather!