Transformers: Vacuums in Disguise

Are you going to see the new Transformers movie? I'll probably wait until it comes out on DVD but there is one little guy that I'd like to see in my home much sooner than that. The Dyson DC 25 has a part in this new flick and Christine is giving one away at her blog From Dates to Diapers. Check out the details and wish me luck! I wonder what a Decepticon vacuum cleaner looks like anyway?

1st Day of VBS

My group of 4th - 6th grade girls plus a couple of extra misdirected 7th graders:



Playing giant volley ball - the weather was gorgeous!




Gabriel, better known as Pippin the Penguin this week:

Still Busy

Sometimes I wonder if my Google calender will tell me that it's too full. Tomorrow begins another typically busy week. It's Father's Day and after church and decorating our room for Vacation Bible School, we'll go out to lunch. Chinese food of course. That's always John's choice. Monday through Thursday is VBS. I am teaching the 4-6th grade girls. Hannah is working with junior high. Gabriel is the mascot (pictures posted when available) and he'll also be helping with the 4-6th grade boys. John will help where ever needed. In addition to VBS, I want to work on organizing/decluttering our bedroom. We are also doing school for most of the summer as Gabriel and Hannah have a couple of subjects to complete.

In the busy-ness of our lives, Holly lost two teeth today. I cannot remember Gabriel and Hannah losing their teeth at her age. She's lost about six in the past year.

Taken by Hannah at my sister-in-law's home in Alabama.

Hello Blog!

Hello blog! I am still here. Just trying to organize my life a bit. Meanwhile, here are a few pictures that Hannah took at my grandmother's farm.

A Small Taste

Wednesday morning, John, Gabriel and I left early to head for Dayton, TN. It's about a 3 hour drive from my parents' house. We arrived at a very wet, rainy, chilly campground and I began to question whether or not one pair of long jeans was enough. (He had plenty of shorts - it is summer camp after all.) We didn't hang around very long. He's a big boy (grown man, really). So we left him behind. The girls were with their aunt back in Decatur. It was just John and I and instead of peace and relaxation, I had a heavy heart. I guess it was just a taste of empty nest syndrome. Perhaps it was a preparatory dose of what is to come only next year when Gabriel leaves for college.

He called and left a message yesterday to say that he is having a great time and his campaign is going well. It was nice to hear Gabriel's voice, even on voice mail. If I had talked to him, I would have said, "I love you and make sure you wear sunscreen!" We leave here early Monday morning to return home and we'll pick Gabriel up on the way. I am looking forward to hearing about his week all the way home!

A Precious Jewel

We had a great time visiting my 93 year old grandmother. On Friday morning, she fixed us bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy. Of course there was also an ample supply of homemade strawberry and raspberry jam. Later that day she made fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, green beans and corn from her garden that she canned herself, biscuits, sweet tea, fried apple pies (the apples were from her apple tree) and pecan pie. Many times that day, I offered to help. "No, just make yourself at home," she said. She knew what she was doing and enjoyed having company and someone to cook for. She is indeed a precious jewel. Tomorrow at her church she has a part in their Memorial Day program! She asked me to pray for her.

Below are some pictures of the dolls she has made this year for a nearby gift shop.

The day began with a bit of dread as I faced the task of packing. We have been home from the mission field for two years now and I still loathe the task. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to do it and the task is made more difficult by the fact that John likes to pull the suitcases out at least a week in advance. I don't think it makes sense to trip over the luggage that long. I'd rather have all the laundry done, things organized and then take about five minutes to throw them in the suitcase. Twenty-two years of marriage and I haven't convinced him that my way is right. So add to the the day stress.

I put on my grungy wear around the house clothes. The ones I don't pack. I didn't bother with my hair or makeup either. After a while, I decided that I just couldn't handle my hair in my eyes for one more minute so I went into the bathroom to fix it. It was then that I remembered what was written on my calendar. Not just my wall calendar but Google Calendar as well. Hannah had an appointment at the dermatologist at 10:00 a.m. The clock said 9:43. In a flurry of activity, I woke Hannah up (she's a night owl), threw on some decent clothes and tried to make my hair presentable. I decided to skip the makeup. Something I almost never do but the dermatologist has seen my bare face before. Amazingly, we were only five minutes late.

My clothes are in the suitcase but I'm not completely ready. It seems there is always one more thing to do. I am very excited about our trip. We are going to my 93 year old grandmother's house first. She lives alone, gardens, cans, teaches Sunday School, makes dolls and sells them to a local gift shop. She is the sweetest woman on the planet and I am blessed to be her granddaughter. On Friday night we will go to my parents' home in Alabama. The kids and I were there for Christmas of 2007 and John hasn't been home since we moved to Virginia. We have several exciting activities planned and perhaps I will find a moment to write about them or at least post a picture.

I will probably never enjoy packing but this day does not end with stress or dread. Instead I feel contentment and enthusiasm as my family looks forward to tomorrow. Or at least it will I get off the computer and finish my tasks.

Simple Woman's Daybook - May 18th

Outside my window… Is a beautiful sunshiny day: 65 degrees with March-like winds. Very pleasant except that the wind keeps messing up my hair.

I am thinking…that I have a lot to do in the next 3 days in order to prepare for our trip.

I am thankful for…successful clothes shopping trips with my children. We found what we needed quickly, they fit and they were all within our budget.

From the learning rooms…For Holly- math, reading, comprehension. For Hannah - photography. For Gabriel - political science and speech writing.

From the kitchen… Chicken and rice.

I am wearing…khaki capris and a navy top

I am creating… campaign materials with Gabriel.

I am going…to Michael's but I can't remember why.

I am reading... Bygones by Kim Vogel Sawyer and Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl.

I am hoping…the package that we are waiting for will come early tomorrow and we won't have to wait around all day for it.

I am hearing…nothing. It's a quiet moment. Shhhhh

Around the house…is a long list of things to be done.

One of my favorite things…Flowers

A few plans for the rest of the week: Laundry, cleaning, preparing for our trip, checking off lists, packing.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Flowers taken by Hannah

Just CLICK HERE to visit the original Simple Woman’s Daybook hosted by Peggy.

Now You Know

My dad always says, "It's true. I read it." So here it is in print. You can believe it too. Ha ha ha. Not only am I a good example, (of what I don't know) but I am a virtuous woman. It says so right in the Sunday bulletin. Now you know!

Our pastor requested that I sing on Mother's Day. His wife suggested two songs put together - A Virtuous Woman and A Good Example. The bulletin also recognizes that I am special.

Home Again

John is now in full swing of phase 2 which is field training. He goes with another trooper on patrol writing tickets, working accidents,and basically having fun! It is nice for him to have a job he enjoys. It is even better knowing he is where the Lord wants him. Did he look this good in his uniform 20 years ago?

2009

1989

Yes, he did. I must take a picture of him in uniform without sunglasses.

We are so glad to have John home now. Besides trying to figure out where to put all his uniforms and a multitudinous amount of law enforcement paraphernalia, life goes on: homeschooling, church, some housework here and there and making summer plans. Are you going on vacation this year?

New Steps

It is John's final week of phase one at the State Police academy. Excitement is in the air! On Friday morning, we will leave bright and early to attend Family Day. Of course, since there is a phase one, there is also a phase two. That begins Monday morning. I do not know everything that it involves but I promise to provide more details when I can. Originally, he was supposed to report to work in a town near Roanoke, a good three hours away. That would mean a continued weekend relationship for us as a family and the expense of him living away from home. So he requested a transfer to a location much closer and it was granted! Praise the Lord!!! He will be at home until phase three begins in October when he will continue the trooper academy. Are you confused yet? I can barely stay on top of the details myself.

This has been a long and difficult journey. I can already feel the relief of this stage being done with. Sometimes the future still seems a bit uncertain. It will be several months until we know if we will be able to stay in this area or not. But God, Who is faithful and true, will be with us every step of the way.

Roommate Reunion

It was 1983 the last time I saw Mary Ellen, one of my college roommates. A lot has happened in 26 years. Cindy, another roommate, and I kept up with each other for quite some time. She was an honor attendant in my wedding in 1987 and we were able to get together a few times after that. But life got busy and I tended to move around a lot. (Romania and back a couple of times. . . ) I lost contact with both of them. But just a few months ago I received an email. It was a Facebook message, "Hey roomie! Remember me?" A note from Mary Ellen! She had seen Cindy in recent years (they live in the same state) and we also met up via Facebook.

Yesterday we had ourselves a little roomie reunion! Cindy and her family spent spring break here in Virginia, about an hour from where I live. So she invited the kids and I to come for dinner one night. Mary Ellen happened to be in Virginia too, taking her daughter back to college after Easter. So we were all able to meet there where Cindy was staying and had a great time. We spent hours talking, reminiscing and laughing. I had a great time. I hope we can get together much sooner next time.

Mary Ellen, Karen, Cindy

We laughed a lot. I'm not quite sure what was so funny at this particular moment. It might have been a certain "Like mother - like daughter" moment. But that's a story for another day.

To Gabriel

I picked out the song. Gabriel and I went through lots of pictures and He put this slide show together. He turned 18 last month, right around the time my blog was having issues. So here it is now. Happy Birthday Gabriel.

A Blessed Day

Yesterday was a blessed day. We had a sunrise service at our church. At 7 am. In the cold. My flesh did not want to go. I was a bit nervous about singing too and I thought it would be a good time (if there ever was a good time) to come down with something. Thankfully I didn't! The service was a blessing in spite of my frozen toes. My song during the regular service went well. And to top it all off, a young lady and I led two people to the Lord!

Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but I do not have anything on my calendar between visiting friends tomorrow and Family Day on the 24th. That gives me 10 whole days to clean house and concentrate on a normal routine. That is, if I can remember what normal is! Life's been crazy lately. What about you?

I'm Back!

After more than two weeks of not being able to post anything at all, my blog is finally fixed. Apparently our hosting server was bought out by another company and required a password change. Enough of the boring technical talk. More interesting blog entries coming soon! Meanwhile, regular commenters, friends and lurkers*, please leave me a comment so that I know you can see me! Thanks!


*Lurk -

–verb
1. to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
2. to go furtively; slink; steal.
3. to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
4. Chiefly Computers - to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as in an Internet newsgroup.