Our friendly little garden gnome...

Shhhhh. He's sleeping...

(We find him in random places all around the yard. The boys swear they don't move him. We only catch him sleeping. We never find him awake!)

Red Door

I decided to paint my door red. It's a pretty shade of red, though not without it's controversy. A friend asked if I was trying to ward off demons. Big Dad isn't quite so sure about the color, either. But I want a red door. So I decided to paint it red. It was hot out, and I was trying to get it done quickly so that I could get out of the sun.

As I was painting, I heard a car drive up and then stop. I just kept painting, because I figured someone was admiring my beautiful new door. "Miss?" Funny guy. Miss. I had to chuckle. I turned around, and it was Brad. Brad Pitt. I kid you not....Brad Pitt was calling me. And he was calling me "Miss."

"Excuse me, Miss? Can you tell me who built this home?" asked Brad.

I casually walked up to the car, trying hard not to look impressed. I think I tripped, though. "Hey. Hi there. My name is Stacy Hughes."

"Brad Pitt." We shook hands.

"I know. So you want to know who built this home? I think it was Fox and Randall."

"Ah, yes. I know of that builder. I would like to get in touch with him."

"You're from Springfield," I said, continuing with my casual, nonchalant conversation. "I went to college there. In fact, my daughter was born in the hospital you just made a big donation to!"

"St. John's," he said. "What college did you go to?"

Sheepishly, I told him about the small Bible college I went to. I say sheepishly because I was usually up to mischief there. "Did you ever get hit by an egg or water balloon while you were there?"

He looked surprised. "Yes! I was jogging around SMS, and this volkswagon full of girls drove by and hit me with a water balloon. Was that you?"

"I miss that VW," I said wistfully.

We laughed and laughed.

"Nice door," I heard from a voice inside the SUV. It was Angelina.

"Thanks," I said. "It's been quite the controversy, but I really like it."

"It's a great color," she said.

And I'm thinking, "Wow. Here I am shooting the breeze with Brad and Angie."

"Well, we better be going. Thanks for the help," said Brad.

"Thank you for the walk down memory lane. I haven't thought about those years or that VW in ages." I insisted. "It was nice meeting you both. Have a good one..."

"You, too," they said, and waved as they drove off.

I walked back to my door, stood there a few moments, just to take in what had just happened, then resumed painting.

I didn't tell anyone. I knew no one would believe me.

About a week later, I had a knock on my door. It was some delivery guy, who asked me to sign on the dotted line. "For what?" I asked. He pointed outside and handed me a card.

I opened the card, and it said "Here's to new mischief. Brad and Angie PS. Love the Red Door!"

I looked outside, and there was a green VW. No lie! A brand new, green VW was sitting in my drive, a gift from Brad Pitt and Angelina Joleigh. I almost fainted.

Or maybe I did faint. Or had too much sun. Or maybe I was just daydreaming a bit too much as I painted in the sun. But I like my little daydream, and I want to remember this story for awhile, and shooting the breeze with Brad and Angie. It was a good one while it lasted, and they liked my red door. The door is beautiful.

Em Made the Dean's List!!!!!

Yep. She did.

21

I got to spend another year with Big Dad. This will make #21. Unless you count dating years. Then it's 25.

He's such a good guy: Hard worker, creative, dedicated, loyal, hilarious.... He's the rock in the family.

I'm so glad I got him. ;)