Toilet Paper Tormentors

Wow, what a day! We started the day with Sunday School, where my husband and I lead the high schoolers. We started watching the movie, Luther, about Martin Luther, & the Reformation. I am anxious to see the rest of it. Then we went to church and they had a really nice Memorial Day service, honoring our members and past members who have served our country. Then we went to my mom's for a cookout and pool cleaning party. Then for a boat ride. Listened to the race and it was pretty exciting. Then came home and had our dear friends over to eat and play cards. They moved about an hour away and were down visiting for the holiday. So good to be together.

Then I set in to catch up on what I missed today on the Stephen Bennett blog and while I was sitting in bed reading the posts, we heard a "bonk" on the window. Thought it was the cat. Then, another bonk, so my husband got up to check and didn't see anything. Then, another bonk - so he checked out more thorough, and discovered some rolls of toilet paper laying beneath the windows. Seemed someone had been out back throwing these at our windows. Now, this disturbed me right away, because I had just gotten undressed, and in my jammies and gotten in bed. So I ran to look out our other windows to discover other rolls of toilet paper laying in the yard on all sides of the house. (about 8 rolls) We figured with turning all the outside lights on and looking out all the windows, we scared them away. So, I went back to reading the blog and in a little bit, more bonks. This time I got really mad and got into my car and drove next door to check it out. We live out in the country and there is farm land all around us. There is a house way back off the road next to us and that guy has several storage buildings behind our house, beyond a bunch of big pine trees, that the guy had planted to give us privacey. So I headed back to the storage buildings to see if I could find a parked car or find the culprits. No such success - but when I came back home, my guys told me that right before I pulled back into our drive, a car drove by real slow, blaring their horn and yelling. I was outsmarted!! I can't stand the thought of someone being outside lurking around my property when I'm inside getting dressed etc. Don't like it at all!!. Now I'll probably have nightmares!

In Memory of Paul

Today's post is in memory of my sweet friend Paul Wetherald. Paul lived at the same nursing home where my daughter Kristin lives. Paul was known and loved by everyone who visited at the home. He was 39 years old, but had been there since he was 7. He was the first resident my husband and I met when we went to visit the first time to check out the facility. He was the most outgoing, sweetest soul you could ever meet. He never knew a stranger and never forgot a face.

Paul captured my heart early on. He was one of the few there who can talk and interact with visitors. He loved to sit and hold your hand and pat you. He also loved when people from our church (or other churches) came to have a service for them. He always came rolling down the hall with his hymnal and his Bible. He would ask me each time I saw him, in between church visits when we were coming back to have church. It was something he always looked forward to. His favorite hymn was "In the Garden", so now I can picture him in heaven walking in the garden with Jesus. Here is a link with the words and music: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/g/itgarden.htm.

Paul, my sweetheart, I miss you dearly. Going to see Kristin will not be the same without seeing your sweet face. I will always hear your words ringing out as I leave saying, "Be careful". You knew I loved you Paul, and I know you loved me. And the best part is, we will be together again someday - for eternity. And you will be walking and running and doing all the things you couldn't do here. Until we meet again, dear friend...enjoy the garden and being with our precious Savior. :)

Carrie Won!

Ok - I wrote this post last night, but somehow, when I pushed the "publish post" button, it disappeared. I should have learned my lesson from this happening before, and save my post into a file first, just in case, but nooooooo, I guess I learn things the hard way.

Anyway, Carrie is the new American Idol! I have to say I'm surprised. I really thought Bo would win, since we have never had a "Rock Idol" before - but, oh well, what do I know. Simon did predict Carrie, after all, and he's been pretty much on the mark all year. So, congratulations Carrie!

I wanted to share my day on Monday with you. I went to Indy to take my best friend out to lunch for her b-day. I also planned on going to JoAnn fabric to pick up a few things. I told her she could pick anywhere she wanted to eat. So she decided on Charleston's. So, we get there & get a nice booth by the window. After looking over the menu, we decide to split the Chicken Picatto. It consisted of 2 chicken breasts, in some sort of lemony butter sauce (I know there was way more to that sauce) with chopped asparagus, tomatoes, capers, and artichokes. It was served with garlic mashed potatoes. Oh my goodness, was it ever delicious! I told my husband to prepare to take me there periodically to have my cravings satisfied. That is one dish I will definitely need more of!

While we were sitting there enjoying the meal, and our visit, she suggests we go up the street to "Maggie Moo's" for dessert. She had been telling me for months about this place, and that they have the best ice cream around. So, being the sweet lover that I am, I agree.

We walk in the place and the smell got my mouth watering right away. After looking over the menu, I decide on the richest chocolatey selection they offer - complete only in a waffle cone, of course. She chose a small something in a dish. So we head off to my car to enjoy our treats and visit some more. Now, for those of you who have never been to Maggie Moo's, they have a special way of making their special mix recipes. They take the ice cream scoop and put it on a chopping block, added a small chocolate bar, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate fudge topping and use the ice cream scoop to chop and mix it all - then they put it in the dish (or cone). So, when I get to the car and start eating, it is apparant right away that the waffle cone was a bad choice. It starts dripping down the cone on all sides. I am frantically trying to lick all the drips and eat the ice cream that's over the cone, all while grabbing napkin after napkin from my glove box to catch what I'm not getting. I was feeling like quite the messy pig. My friend is sitting over there with her nice little dish, eating her nice little bites, while I'm over here making all kinds of slurping noises and such. GROSS! So, we finally finish our wonderfully delicious treats and I gather the trash to throw away. When I get out of the car, I notice there is a huge melted chocolate mess in my seat - AND ALL OVER THE BACK OF MY PANTS!! My "friend" starts laughing and handing my napkins - that do little to clean up such a sticky mess. After realizing it is gonna take some water to clean this mess, I walk back into Maggie Moo's and head to the restroom - all the while, very self-conscience of what those in the place are thinking as they look at the mess on my behind. (think chocolate on the butt area - what would you think?!!) After several wet paper towels and much scrubbing, I proceeded to really rub it into my pants (they were dark denim, thank you God!) So I realize this is the best it's gonna get and I hold my head high and walk back to the car. I think I should have suggested a WARNING sign on their wall. Warning! Eat chocolate ice cream in a cone at your own risk! Anwyway - I tell my friend that we now are headed to Kohl's, next door, to find me some new pants. You have to admit it is a valid reason to go shopping.

So, of course Kohl's is having a good sale (Kohl's is always having a good sale!) and we proceed to go to the dressing room several times. And, a skirt, pair of slacks, three tops and some under garments later, we leave the store. Oh yea, she got several things too. :)

So, I never made it to JoAnn Fabric - but I did have a great meal, deliciously messy dessert and a wonderful visit with my friend. I admit, it was a day I won't soon forget!

Hello Friends,
I guess it's been awhile since I have shared any thoughts on here. So much to do, so little time. This week has been a whirlwind. Between work, laundry, house cleaning, track meets, visiting my daughter in the nursing home, cooking, sewing classes and church services, it has been a full week. But you know what? Even though I get a little burned out sometimes (Ok - a lot burned out) I just think about how blessed I am with health, a great family, many good friends and a loving Saviour and that helps keep things in perspective.

I tell you one thing I am really struggling with right now, is the fact that my son will get his driver's license this summer. How do they grow up so fast?!! I can remember those sleep deprived years and thinking they'd last forever - and now I wish I could go back to them. I think it makes it harder for me that in many ways it's like he is my only child. I have my precious Kristin, but with her severe brain damage, she cannot participate in life. She cannot walk or talk (or even sit up or hold her head up). Her life has definitly changed mine. But most of the changes are good ones. Anyway - that's a whole other blog post. But I just have this terrible fear that he will be in some terrible accident. I know he is in God's hands, but I still tremble with fear. (I'm sorry Lord) I guess I have seen so many bad things happen in life, and I love him so very much, I just want to protect him. God is definitly growing me in this area. (or He's trying to at least!)

Well, I have almost finished my first sewing project. I made a pair of pajama bottoms. The instructor chose the pattern and we could make anything from it that we wanted. I thought I'd start with the pants. Now, I need to do another pair on my own at home and see if I can do it by myself. (doubtful!) :) I already have two other projects I want to do - a pr of throw pillows for my hair salon (to go on a rattan couch I have in there) and a valance for the window in my shop. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Well, I must go for now - I have laundry to finish and some sewing I need to work on too. I hope you have a blessed week.

Well, I guess my Thursday nights are open again now that Survivor is over. They had the hardest challenges this year!! I really wanted to see Steph win, but when she got voted out then I kinda liked Ian and Tom. Then I started wanting Ian to win, just because Tom won everything - but I was ok with how it turned out. Now I only have American Idol to watch.

My mom and I took off for the big city today. (Indianapolis) She had a friend who had this cat that adopted him....then she had kittens.....8 KITTENS!!! So - after they were all weened, they took them to a mill that is close to my brother's house - only to find out they couldn't take them yet - their pen was not ready. So my mom took them home with her to try to tame them more. Now, I love kitties!!! But, I have two of my own and that is plenty. However, I did have fun going over and playing with them. They were so fun to watch. So, her and I started out today to take them back to the mill. She was meeting me at the car dealership, so I could drop my car off to have it looked at - making a funny noise. So by the time she picked me up - these 8 sweet little adorable kittens - had crapped all over the carryer they were in. Do you have any idea how long of a ride it is to Indy with cat crap in the air?!!! OH MY GOODNESS!! I guess it made it a little easier to part with them, huh?? lol

Then we went to eat lunch (not that we had much appetite) with my brother - and then on to shop shop shop. Now, my mom is almost 72 years old - but I tell you - this woman does some serious shopping. She wears me out! But we had fun, as always.

The bad part was, when I got back to town to pick up my car - I found the problem is still there. That is so aggravating. My husband and I noticed it was making a noise Sat. and I remembered I had hit a big chuck hole sometime recently. So when I called the dealership this morning - I told them about it. Then when I got to the dealership I remembered that for quite awhile it has had another problem - when I am on the highway going fast, if I put on the brakes, the steering wheel vibrates pretty good. So - they call me on my cell phone while I'm shopping and say the roters are worn and they need to turn them and could put on new brake pads. They say this is definitely the vibration problem and it should fix the other too. They said they would test drive it after doing that and make sure. So - they call me and say it's ready to go - so I go pay and get the keys and then go to eat with Mom. I come back after they are closed and while pulling out of the parking space - hear the same noise I took it in there to have fixed!!! How aggravating!! Here I thought I was getting off fairly well with only $146.00 in repairs - I wonder what and how much this noise repair will be. God is always working on me for patience. It is one virtue I need some work on.

Well - I think that's enough blogging for today. God bless!

Down To Three

Well, it's down to 3!! Anthony finally went home and the top three remain.
Don't get me wrong, Anthony is a sweet kid who has overcome alot. It has been awesome to see him achieve so much - but to me, he is just not American Idol material. I think Bo will win because he is different from any previous contestants. But my personal favorite is Vonzell. She is beautiful, talented, sweet and genuine. Carri has an amazing voice, but she just doesn't have the star quality that Vozell has. But, that's just my opinion.

I had to miss the show last night because my son had his track conference. BUT... I recorded it and tonight, a friend came over and we watched the recording of last night and then went into watching the results of tonight's show. It was so much fun to have someone to watch it with. This girl can sing good enough to be on the show herself!! Then we got to talking and getting to know each other and before we knew it - it was after 11:30. It was a good evening. It also helped me to get my rear in gear and get my house presentable. We have been so busy and on the road so much, that my house has suffered. But having Betsy over was just the motivation I needed!! :) I think I've always worked better under pressure.

Well, friends, I must close for now - morning will come early.

Busy Busy Busy

Wow - does time fly or is it just me? I seem to keep running out of time and can't get everything done. Having too much to do might be the problem. But I did find a couple hours to just relax yesterday (it was Mother's Day!) My mom lives on a small private lake of about 500 acres. My brother just bought a new boat - so after grilling steaks and pigging out - we went for a nice leisurely boat ride. It was great!

Today, however, back to the rat race. I had an appt this morning to get my hair done. Unfortunately I have a lot of gray genes and at only 39 yrs young, I have to have my hair colored to hide this fact. Then I got the oil changed in my car - only to find out that one of my tires only had 6lb of air pressure. I took it to the tire place - and they found a nail. I was so thankful that I had stopped to get the oil changed so they could find this before I headed out on the interstate. I had no idea!! Thank you Lord for protecting me!! Then off to visit my daughter. She was severely brain damaged at birth and lives in a special nursing home about 40 min from our home. There have been some problems at the nursing home and I found out one of the people I have come to love the most, lost her job there. I am so upset!! And I found out that a couple other good employees are leaving because of this. I had to just be honest with God and tell him I was feeling pretty confused about all this. I know He is in control, but frankly, things are looking a little scarey right now. I do know He will work it all out - but it's the "until then" that worries me. So, if anyone reads this who believes in the power of prayer, please pray for God to replace all those who are gone or leaving with kind, loving, competent workers. And for me to have wisdom to do the right thing with all that is going on. (He'll know what you're talking about) Thank you.

One more thing to share. Last night my friend called and left a frantic message on my cell phone. Her 4 yr old neice had fallen and had such a jar from the fall that she quit breathing and was unconscience. They heard a loud crack when she fell and my friend, Lisa, was so scared. She asked for me to please call the prayer chain from our church and get the prayers going up for her. I did that and also called a couple other people to get her put on their prayer chains. Lisa called me later and said they could not find anything broken or injured after doing an X-ray and MRI. She quickly recognized the power of prayer and gave God all the praise. We do serve an awesome God. Nite!

Entering Blog Land

Today while posting my comments on another blog site I was asked why I didn't have my own blog. Frankly - I had never considered it. I was first introduced to blogging when our minister's son went oversees and sent us his blogsite. I had never heard of blogging before this. Then my next experience came with the Terri Shiavo case. I visited her blog several times a day. Recently I have been visiting Stephen Bennett's blogsite. This is where someone inquired as to why I didn't have my own blogspot. I guess this person wanted to see what I was all about since I had posted some comments on Stephen's blog. Well - now I have officially claimed my own piece of blog land. Ta Da!!

Today was the most beautiful day. Sunny and 80 degrees. I got to spend some time outside planting flowers and weeding some of our landscaping beds. We made the big mistake of letting things go last fall and boy does my back hurt!! It's a hairdresser thing. Doesn't help that I'm tall and have very weak stomach muscles. Having kids really destroyed my stomach. But it was a good trade. :)

Well - this is all for tonight. I will post more tomorrow. May God be the Light in your life.