Smoky Mountain Vacation

I don't know what's been wrong with me the past few days, but I just haven't been in the mood to blog. I think it's because I'm missing my family pretty bad. We were there for Thanksgiving, but Christmas is just the one that's hard to miss with family. When we lived in either GA or MO, we'd get to do both holidays with both families because we were close to one and we'd just have to travel to the other. But now things are pretty different, living away from both. Really, I was ok until just the past few days. I'm still o.k. though, just a bit sad.

Anyway .... Happy New Year, everybody!!! The last year in the decade, so that's pretty cool, I guess. Unless 2010 is the last year and the new decade starts in 2011. I don't know, but it seems so weird that just next year we're going to start saying twenty-ten instead of two-thousand-something. Unless the Lord comes back before then. Then time won't matter at all.

Well, I said I'd post about our vacation. We really did have fun. On Friday we left the in-laws' house around 11:00 and went and spent an hour or so with Anthony's step-grandmother. She sure is a sweet lady. And a talker. Whew! ;-) She told us about the activities she's been involved in since Pa-Paw passed away. She's done some sewing. She showed us a quilt she'd just finished with and it was just beautiful. I told her she ought to start selling them and she said she'd been thinking about it. Anyway, this quilt had a pretty pink and brown color scheme and in each square she'd done a different star pattern. It was very unique, but really pretty.

She said she'd been on a tour bus trip with the people at the Senior Center to Savannah and Tybee Island. Anthony and I had been there before so we recognized some of the places she talked about. She got to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant, which is cool. Something I've wanted to do for some time. Anyway I'm glad she's staying busy and active.

Then we went to Chattanooga and met some of our friends for lunch. We hadn't seen them since Easter and it was so good to see them. They have a little boy just a bit younger than Jackson so the two of them enjoyed one another's company while we were there. We got a few really cute pics of them outside the restaurant. Here's one. Aren't they cute???

We then ventured on up to Cleveland and spent a few hours with Terry and Shaye Ammons where Jackson got to play with their little boy John Devon at their house. Those two had a blast. Terry and Shaye are close friends of ours, so it was so good to see them as well. All this fellowship almost made me just a little homesick for the Chattanooga Valley.

Then it was off to Kodak to check into our hotel and rest up for an action-packed vacation Saturday. There was one problem I was a little worried about, though. Jackson was coming down with a cold and I didn't want him out in the cool air too much. We didn't get in as much activitiy as we'd planned because he needed naps to help him get over his cold. Anthony, too, since he was just getting over a mild case of mono. But maybe that was a good thing. We probably needed R&R just as much as we needed fun time. So we built a nap into our schedule each day, which kept us refreshed and kept our sickness down. That and the touch of the good Lord. :D

We spent our first day in Gatlinburg. We did the aquarium, which is just way cool. If any of you ever vacation in the Smokies, it is the #1 thing I'd recommend doing. I also enjoyed the tropical waters exhibit where they have the most beautiful coral and tropical fish. Soooo pretty. This is the best aquarium we've ever been to!!!! It's actually voted #1 in the U.S. Loved it.

Excited to get started...

Curious little boy....
Look at those colors!!!

The coolest part is the glass tunnel that walks underneath a huge tank filled with fish and sharks and all manner of sea life. It is enormous and you get to spend a lot of time in there.
So cool. I mean, this is how close you are to the sealife.

And it's all around you ...

Mommy's boy ...
Daddy's boy ...
Check out the difference in the expression in those two pics. Can't figure the little twerpie out. *rolling eyes*Play area

Look at that little girl's pretty blonde, curly hair. Aw, so sweet. ;-)

We thought the area where they had the jellyfish, sea dragons, and spider crabs and such was just so cool.

These tanks were so cool. See the round part in the middle? Well, the kids could climb underneat and stick their heads up in there. We tried to get Jackson to do it and he stuck his head in for 1/2 second and got scared and got out real fast. :-( Would've made the coolest pictures ... if only he would've cooperated. Grrrrr....

The second coolest part is the Touch a Ray Bay where you get to actually touch a stingray. Awesome! Jackson and I tried and I got the tip of the "wing", but Jackson's arms were a bit too short and he couldn't reach it. Maybe next time.
This guy did a show with the stingrays while an emcee taught a mini-lesson on stingrays. We only caught the tail-end of it, so I wish I'd seen more. But what we did see was pretty cool.

Part two coming soon ......

THANK YOU, SISTER SMITH!!!

I saw your invitation to come spend the night at your house and would have loved to have taken you up on the offer, (I told Anthony that you would've played games with me--you know, I love playing games, but he doesn't so much) but our plans changed a bit and I didn't have computer access to let you know. Let me back up and explain.

Anthony called me just before he left work on Monday and asked if I'd be opposed to leaving that night and spending the night somewhere in Ohio. Well, who can turn down extra vacation time? So I agreed and we jumped online and found an employee rate for that night at a beautiful Comfort Inn in Bluffton, OH, cancelled our room in Knoxville, and hit the road. Had I known at the time that we could've spent the night at the Smith Family Inn, I wouldn't have been so gung ho on leaving early. Alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be.

So thank you very much for the offer. We really would have enjoyed it. *sigh* Oh! By the way, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Brother Smith. Congratulations on 35 years!!! :D

One of the perks of Anthony being in the hotel business is the employee rate. Sometimes, if Anthony knows the manager, he can do a trade-out and get our room for free. But, oftentimes, we do pay the employee rate, and it's normally only $35 a night, which is pretty cool. Right now we're staying in a beautiful, brand new Comfort Suites in Kodak, TN, which is near Sevierville, for that rate. This hotel is just gorgeous. It just opened in March, so it's new and contemporary. The room and all the public areas are immaculate. Looks, smells, feels clean. AHHHHH!!!! The decor is beautiful. The mattress and pillows are AWESOMELY comfortable. The bathroom is way, way cool. Granite countertops AND shower walls. Now, how many hotels have granite shower walls? Just so cool. LCD HDTV in the room. Even the closet is nice and big. For $35/night .... just can't beat it.

Anyway, I took a ton of pictures. I'll have to go through them and get them up here soon. We had a really nice time and did some really neat things. Will post soon. Right now, I'm going to jump in the shower and finish getting our stuff together. We're leaving to go back home today, which is good, I guess, but really I think I need one more day of vacation. Maybe we'll spot something to do on our way home. We go through Knoxville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Surely we'll find something.

Everybody have a great day. And Happy New Year!!!! (in a couple of days ;-)

Even More Excited than I Was

So I was printing off directions for our trip tomorrow and started looking at what towns we'd pass through. I noticed Lexington was one of them. Richmond, KY, is just on the outskirts of Lexington. Now Richmond, I remembered, is where some dear friends of ours live. Called 'em up and voila! Lunch tomorrow with the Esteps. Can't wait to see you two, Donnie and Marsha. :D We very rarely get to fellowship with church people our age, so this is such a blessing to us. We love ya'll.

So What Exactly Are Ya'll Trying NOT to Say????

Not many comments on my glasses pictures. Hmmmm.... Makes ya wonder just how terrible you think I look. ;-) just teasing My husband likes the way I look, and that's what matters. ;-)

Jackson got a Christmas present last night. I know, I know, but we kind of had no choice. See, the box is HUGE and no way was it fitting in our car with all our luggage, unless maybe we put Jackson on the roof. But since that's illegal, we had to choose between giving it to him now or him having to wait until after Christmas. Well, it stinks to have to wait until after Christmas when you're a kid, soooooo.... last night it was. Besides, I was in the mood for using some power tools, anyway, so Mom got in on the fun, too. :D

He got a new Lifestyles Partytime Kitchen. Now before you go making judgments and comments and crying outrage about a boy getting a play kitchen, I want you all to think about all the swell male chefs out there that I know you enjoy watching on TV. Come on .... Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Emeril Lagasse, etc., etc. I know you watch 'em. So there's nothing sissy about it!!!! (That's what won the debate with Anthony on this one.)

Anyway, he loves it!!! He's made me pancakes for breakfast and spaghetti for supper. Steak and chicken and mashed potatoes and macaroni, and even a salad have also been on the menu. And the set is really super-cool. It's got a built-in microwave that has sounds and a working light on the stove hood, a real clock, "stainless" appliances, and a "granite" countertop. Even a cordless phone. The kid's got a better kitchen than I do. HA! Anyway, it's very neutral in decor so there's nothing feminine or sissy so no worries there. It's just fun.

Last night while I was in there with the power drill and screwdrivers and batteries and stuff (I love doing that kind of stuff), Anthony was working in the living room on something for work and had a Christmas program of some sort on. Well, the program started playing the Peanuts theme music and Jackson recognized it immediately, Anthony said, as the "Charlie Brown" music. Wow! I thought that was great! I remember when I was pregnant, I'd pray he'd be musically talented and I keep seeing signs that lead me to believe the Lord answered that prayer. We are seriously considering getting him started on piano lessons soon. I know he's only four, but many people start their children out this early. Maybe this summer we can look into it--that and t-ball. I just pray he shown an interest in learning as well as the aptitude.

Does anyone else's kid do this? I just went in there to put him down for a nap, and he'd gotten all prepared for nap time ... 15+ toys stashed under his covers ready for his "naptime enjoyment". What's up with that? *rolling eyes* What a goof.

Alright, I need to go start packing for our trip. Leaving in the morning. :D Yippeeee!!!!

Merry Christmas, everybody.

11 below, Ice, and No Church

We are homebound today. Our pastor said the roads are big sheets of ice and the temp is 11 below. Brrrr...... He said if anyone slid off the road, they'd freeze to death, so he wasn't taking any chances. Looks like an extended devotion's on the agenda for today at the Dyer house.

Jackson ended up in our bed again last night. Grrr.... I thought we'd gotten past this, and it hadn't been happening for quite a while, but he woke up crying really hard and wouldn't tell us why. Whaddaya do? I was sooooo sleepy last night, so I just gave in. I know, I know. Uhhhh.... we'll try again tonight.

I found out I'm getting more classes next semester at Ivy Tech. I'm pretty excited about that. Jackson will go to daycare 2-3 days a week and I'll get to stay home with him the other days, which I love. Where I work is very close to the hotel, and we found a great daycare kind of between the two of us, so that's perfect. Jackson really needs the interaction with other kids and we don't have kids at church, so this fills that need and still allows me to stay home with him part of the week. God is so good.

We leave Tuesday. We're spending the night in Knoxville on the way down and then we'll spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Anthony's parents and take in Rock City Christmas lights one of those nights, then we'll go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for Friday, Sat., and Sunday, heading back on Monday. I am really excited about our getaway. We're trying to decide what all we'll do while we're there, but it's usually a spur-of-the-moment decision in that area. And the bummer is miniature golf is out because of the weather. We used to always play miniature golf any time we went to Pigeon Forge (we LOVE to play miniature golf), but that won't be happening this time. Unless, of course, we find an indoor one. Hmmm.....

Alright, time to get some more things done.

The Four Eyes Pictures Post

Yeah, messy hair. I know. ;-) But that's what the glasses look like. And here is the other pair. This pair's basically the same, but they're purple and they have the bottom rim.

We're getting ready for Christmas travels. We leave next week for Georgia and we've decided to spend a couple of days in the Smokies/Pigeon Forge. We haven't had a get-away in a very long time, and we're just going to do it. Can't wait. :D We should have internet access once we get, so maybe I'll get some pictures of our trip up while we're there. I'll try, but I'm not making any promises. Really, I'm imaging there won't be too many people on the blogs next week, but ya never know.

Merry Christmas to all ...

"Four Eyes"

Well, I have joined the ranks ... the ranks of those who need assistance with their vision. I had been noticing lately that my vision far away has been getting somewhat blurry and after much nagging from my dear sweet hubby, I finally made an appointment to get it checked out. Yep. Need glasses. I've never needed anything before ... always had great vision. But I guess that blessing can't always last for everybody.

My mom told me she can't believe I haven't needed them before now. My two brothers and my sister AND my mom are all pretty near blind without theirs, so I guess the family genes finally caught up with me. My dad just uses them for reading, but that's a recent thing, so I just assumed I had his genes in the optical department. Now I guess not. I just wish they weren't so expensive. I went to one of those places that's buy one pair get one free with free eye exam, but the one pair was expensive enough. I was looking at the price they had written on the frames ... about $150, so I was thinking not too bad, right? Au contrare. Didn't know there's a whole other charge for the lenses. With scratch protection, I ended up paying $270 total. Yikes! I've talked with some people who have glasses and they've assured me that's about normal so I feel a little better, but I'm kind of a tightwad, so that just seemed like a lot to me.

I go pick them up tomorrow. Maybe I'll have Anthony take a pic and post it so y'all can see what they look like. I got the Sarah Palin rectangles. With my round face, it was the only thing that was working for me.

Well, good night, all.

Beginner's "Luck"

No, I don't believe in luck, but I didn't know what else to call it. Anyway, I'm referring to my cards that I sold on ebay. I put the new ones on there and I only have 17 hours left on it with no watchers and no bids. ;-(

Ah, well, if they don't sell, I'll just use them for my own Christmas cards. Need to get 'em sent out anyway, so nah!!! ;0) tee hee

We took Jackson out for a big birthday bash yesterday. We went to the mall and let him look around in the Disney store. He loves that place and, you know, they've got toys out, so it's fun. We also took him to JC Penney's to get his pictures made. It'd been quite a while since his last pics and I just decided we'd better not wait any more. Kids get too big too fast. HE DID SOOOO GOOD. I cannot wait until Friday when the order comes in. He was way too cute. We did Christmas and birthday pictures.

Then we took him to Chuck E. Cheese. Big tip for parents out there: Go to chuckecheese.com and register for their coupons. There's a GREAT deal you can get. It's a large pizza, four drinks, and 40 tokens for 18.99. Can't hardly beat that! You also get another coupon with that email where you can buy 100 tokens for $10!!!!! But, warning. Wait until you're ready to go because the coupon they send is only good for like a month. I was majorly surprised to see that all the games in there are only one token, so that was great!!!

Anyway, I'm gonna skedaddle. Talk to ya'll later. Happy day.

A Few More

Haven't been spending too much more time on cards, but I did make a few more. Thought I'd share.
Had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to my sister's house and spent a few days with them. On Saturday night she and her husband offered to watch Jackson for us and let Anthony and I go out for a few hours. That was soooo nice. It'd been a very long time since we'd had any alone time. Living where we do and not knowing anyone, we don't have a babysitter we'd trust, so the little man's always in tote. ;-) So the offer from my sister was such a blessing. We just went and shopped for a little while. Anthony found a new Bible that he wants. We'll see about that for Christmas. Shhhhh..... And I found a pair of boots and a coat. OK, OK, I know how that sounds, he finding a Bible and me shoes, but living up here, I really do need a pair of boots and my coat is WAY not warm enough to handle these winters. Anthony and Jackson both have really warm coats, but I didn't get one yet, so it's justified. tee hee.

I'm a little disturbed about the recent happening in Washington state. The governor has allowed a sign to be placed next to the nativity scene in the state capitol. The sign is extremely offensive and there's just no reason for it. I believe in freedom of speech and I think if atheists feel a need to put up a sign in the state capitol, that's fine. But I believe this sign is inflammatory and has the potential to incite violence from people ignorant enough to allow themselves to get upset enough over it. Then, guess what. It'll be something else atheists will be able to point to when justifying the very contents of that sign. Anyway, the sign says this: "“At this season of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” You see what I mean? They put something infuriating up like this, the wrong people see it and get upset and do something stupid, they have another reason to point the finger at "Christians" and say they were right all along. "Just another bunch of hard-hearted religious ignoramuses."

The group who put up this plaque is the Freedom From Religion Foundation and uses the Establishment Clause, which basically says government isn't allowed to establish a religion for our nation, as their justification. And neither would we want the government to do so. But what bothers me is it seems their goal is to eliminate religion from our nation. The problem with that is the very Clause they use to validify their cause also states that government shall not prohibit its citizens from the free exercise of religion. Seems clear cut to me. Practice what you will, but leave us be to do the same.

Prayer. A close relationship with God. We'd all better have that at this tumultuous time of society because it's all coming to a close and the ones who have the audacity to flaunt such a plaque against God's chosen will wish they'd listened just a little closer to the inner Voice that called for them to repent and to the voices of all His followers who reached out and tried to persuade them to change their ways.

Alright. 'Nuff 'bout that.
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Well, folks, I'll blog again in, oh, another week and a half or so. Just teasing. I'm going to try to blog more often.

I can finally say it . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I love this time of year. :D

I Sold My Cards on Ebay!!! :-O

Aren't they cute! I'm so excited. I didn't think they'd sell, but they did! I'm thinking about making a bunch and selling them next year at the Assembly for Missions. (Is that even allowed?) I can do several designs for each season as well as birthdays and wedding and baby showers. Fun, fun, fun! :D I'll try to post pics as I make different ones.

Lake-Effect ... is Here!!!!!

This is what Jackson and I did Monday morning:

We got all bundled up ...

and headed outside ....

for ...

a snowball fight!!!!! :D

And had a BLAST!!!!

Jackson had so much fun. He threw so many snowballs at me that the front of my red coat looked almost white!!! (OK. Maybe I'm exaggerating a little. ;-) He's apparently going to be one of those kids who can handle the cold for quite a while because he certainly didn't want to come in. We played for about 45 minutes or so and then we went and grabbed a few groceries at Wal-Mart and then I took Jackson to Cracker Barrel for a cup of hot chocolate and breakfast. Has anyone tried their new skillet breakfasts? We shared the veggie one. YUM!!!! One of the best things they've decided to add to their menu!


Anyway, the day ended with about 5-6" accumulation. It was beautiful, but not so cool when I was driving home from my class that night. The roads were a little slippery because the trucks couldn't keep the roads cleared for very long periods of time with the snow refusing to stop, but the Lord was definitely with me because I made it home in one piece. I did see two accidents on the toll road. I pray no one was hurt.


Well, right now I'm looking out our sliding glass door watching more snow fall. We're supposed to have up to a foot by the end of tomorrow. I love watching it. It's so pretty.


My mom was here last weekend with my sister and her two oldest. We had a lot of fun. We took Mom to see Notre Dame. I was bummed because if there was one thing she wanted to see, it was the Basillica, but it was closed because there was a wedding going on that day. I could tell she was a little disappointed. I told her she should just look at the bright side ... that she gets to come back some other time to see it. ;-) Then we went to the Farmer's Market and shopped a little. My sister got some doll outfits for her daughter for Christmas. There was a lady with a booth there who makes them. They were VERY nice. This lady is an excellent seamstress and her clothes are made to fit the American Girls dolls, but my sister was pretty certain they'd fit the dolls Madison already has. Cute stuff. She got a ballerina outfit and a Chistmas dress and coat with faux fur trim and a Dorothy dress (Wizard of Oz Dorothy). Cute. We ate at J. Willy's, a local BBQ joint that's kind of a Notre Dame tradition. It's actually a restaurant that was visited by Gordon Ramsey last year. He's a chef who does a show where he comes to restaurants and gives them menu, cooking, and decorating tips. Anyway, the place is pretty neat.


We're leaving Wednesday night next week to go to my sister's house for Thanksgiving. I talked to her this morning and she's nervous about cooking this year because her husband's parents and grandparents and part our family are all coming! It's like 16 adults and five children! I told her not to worry that I'd be there all day Thursday to help and told her what she could do ahead of time. Mom even said she'd do desserts at her house and bring them with her, so that'll help. She's doing two pumpkin, two pecan pies and cranberry bread and her famous pumpkin roll. I think my grandma is probably going to bring lemon merraigne (I know that's spelled wrong) and custard pies, her specialties. I can't wait. Holidays are done right in my family. ;-) Then I guess we're going to GA for Christmas, which is good. We haven't seen Anthony's family since Easter. I wanted to have them here for Christmas, but I don't guess that's going to work out since my sister-in-law just had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago. Try getting Grandma to leave the Chattanooga valley for any reason for a while. HA!!! She's definitely attached to those grandchildren. ;-)


Well, I've got some papers to grade. End of semester has been a killer, but I'll make it. :D


Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!!!! :D

Well, now this is kind of cool.

I thought this was pretty neat. Click on the following link to look up the #1 song on any date in history. I thought it'd be neat if everyone commented with the song on their birthday, just so we can see. Mine is "Rich Girl" by Daryl Hall and John Oates. I never heard of the song but I have heard of those singers. I'm no rich girl, either. HA!!! But I thought it was neat that my grandma's was "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

http://www.joshhosler.biz

History Really Does Repeat Itself

One of my favorite speeches in American history is the one given by Patrick Henry at the VA House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775. The committee that had been assembled was one that was to make a decision for the young nation on what to do about the British occupation in America. Many men there held to the delusion that the British troops and navies were scattered in the colonies and darkening the harbors along the coast for the purpose of helping America to become established. Those men had their heads in the sand, so to speak, because deep down, surely they knew the price King George III would demand for his "help". Patrick Henry, however, was not one to hold to delusions. His attempt to awaken these men, thankfully, did not fall on deaf ears completely and he did succeed in convincing the majority to go to war against the redcoats.

What I'm interested in, though, was his determination to know the truth, which would set free not only himself, but an entire nation. He played the role of a watchman for his fellow countrymen and helped them to snap out of the entrancing hold that King George's false promises held on so many. He argued, "... it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts." The allusion he makes is to the sirens in Homer's great epic poem The Odyssey. The sirens were "nymphs [who] had the power ... of charming by their song all who heard them, so that mariners were impelled to cast themselves into the sea to destruction" (2020site.org).

Last night as I watched the election returns decide fairly early in the evening that Barack Obama had won the bid for the Presidency, I saw a sea of faces gathered in Grant Park in Chicago who have already begun to listen to the song of the siren. They reminded me of the way I've often pictured the men sitting in the VA House of Burgesses trusting in the lies of King George. Hoping for a better day, longing for a stroll on the greener side of the fence. The Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of that way is death. The young people have been taken hostage by "illusions of hope" and they are indulging. But what Patrick Henry told those deluded men still rings true today: "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past." We can look back to failed attempts of the hippies in the 60s for a recent and pertinent example of when a utopia was promised to the followers of the liberal movement, but the utopia turned out to be at the price of freedom. We can look back to the Bible days of the nation of Israel asking for a king. The glitz of the worldly nations who refused to allow God to lead them allured God's people to destruction and ruin and led to one thing: the loss of freedom.

The Obama family taking residence in the White House seems glitzy and exciting to many people, but they are deluded by illusions of hope. Henry said of the insidious smile of the British ministry to "Trust it not ... it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss." I am compelled to believe that we are seeing a repetition of something that has happened many times in our nation's history and in the history of other nations. Something that has not worked in any one of its attempts. God must be the one to whom we look for the answers. Not a man. Not a system of government. Not even an ideology. Henry pleaded with those men when he said, "If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left of us!"

The Bible tells us that our appeal to arms is not carnal, but spiritual. Spiritual warfare many of us have waged on numerous occasions, but from here on out, the frequency is going to be a little more constant, the fervency a little more intense, and the consequences a little more significant. Hold to your faith and drag everyone you can to come along with you. May the Holy Ghost embolden us in our hour of distinct need.

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! ... Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlement wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" (Henry)

*sighhhhhhh* Boy, oh, Boy

Welp ... hang on to your seats, folks. It's gonna be a wild ride from here on out. I'm keeping my eyes peeled and my knees on the floor. May the Lord give us discernment like we never have had before. We're gonna need it. Love ya'll.

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful ...

That's right. It finally came tonight. Last night it never did. They called for it, but it didn't happen. I got up a few times to look out the window and check. No dice. Tonight on my way home from my class, however, I enjoyed the sight of big, fluffy flakes of the white stuff, folks. It was sooooo pretty. And thrilling. I was sooo excited. It did lay on the roads a little, but it was too wet to stay. By the time I got home it had stopped snowing and had melted. I almost got sad and THEN I remembered that I now live in Winter Wonderland, USA, and we'd have more before long, so I was just happy inside for the beautiful glimpse I got tonight.

However .... are you ready for this ...

it's supposed to do it again tomorrow, but only for a while and I think it'll be too warm to stay. Hey, I'm enjoying the sight of it. :D

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. * *
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What a Prospect!

Applied for and had the phone interview for another job. A job I really want. It's for an enrollment coordinator position at a study abroad program company called the Education Abroad Network. It's right up my alley. I would be interviewing and selecting the students who get to go and then helping with the travel arrangements and such. The programs for this company are in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. One of the perks of the job is that I'd get to go to Australia for two weeks ... and may be able to take my husband and son with me!!! That would be way, way cool. If it's the Lord's will, I want this job REALLY BAD!!! Anthony was here when I did the phone interview and he said I sounded confident and like I really wanted the job, so it was good to have that feedback. :D

Anywho ... Anthony told me to tell ya'll that you had all better get out and vote for McCain because he's about to lose. Send the message far and wide. ;-) I still wish Huckabee were our candidate, but I guess McCain'll do.

Jackson's been really cute and funny here lately. I let him sit on my lap and showed him how to play the Mickey Mouse game on Playhouse Disney the other day and now he can do it himself. All we have to do is pull it up for him and he takes it from there. Can you believe that? He's not even four yet. It's almost scary, really. He's also starting to learn to read very simple words. He's sounding the letters out and also recognizing some other words by sight reading. Crazy. I am just amazed at how fast he's growing up.

He's got this cute little saying that he says when he wants to do something. He'll say, "Please, mommy, it's got funny on it." It's his way of saying that something is fun or funny. Ha! What a goof! He's also learned that it's funny to blow raspberries. Great.

I've been scrapbooking some lately and that's been fun. Maybe I'll post some pics of my work soon.

Anthony's been playing Christmas music around here this weekend. Put me in the holiday mood and I decided we needed to go Christmas "looking". (Not shopping because we can't do that yet! HA!) I've decided I want a good camera for Christmas. I looked at a few yesterday and am having a hard time deciding. Any suggestions? I think we'll only be able to spend around $200 or so, depending on whether I get a job before Christmas. We'll see. Oh, and we looked at Christmas trees last night. We've got to do a skinny one this year because we live in a shoe box. I won't be able to use my big, pretty tree. (sniffle) But I think I decided I want a white Christmas tree with blue and silver ornaments. Wouldn't that be pretty? I guess we'll see about that, too.

Our first snow tonight!!! It's not supposed to stick, though. But snow nonetheless. Still petrified about winter up here. Ahhhh... I guess we'll get through it somehow.

Shucks!!

Well, we went. And came back very quickly. Anthony and Jackson had been battling a cold for several days and it really seemed Jackson was getting a lot better and Anthony also acted like he was feeling better this morning. But when we got there, I guess Anthony kind of suffered a set back. Maybe it was the chill in the wind or something. The body aches and stuffy head just got to him and we decided to leave. We did look in all the shops, but they were pretty much just crafts and souvenir stuff. We used to really get into that, but recently we decided it's really just stuff we don't need and we opt not to spend our money on it. The homemade quilts we saw were gorgeous, but I didn't see anything I couldn't live without.

We were planning on doing the day trip "Pastport Package" (they spell it that way -- "Past"port). It includes the buggy ride, tour of the Amish home and farm, two short documentary films on the Amish, and the famous Threshers Dinner. Jackson would've been free, but our tickets would've been 25.95 each with my $2 off coupon. I guess with the dinner included, it's not too bad of a price, but we just decided not to spend the money. Anthony wasn't feeling well and Jackson was coughing. I was even starting to get a little bit stuffy. (Now I'm worse with it being night time. Why is it always worse at night?) So we decided to come back when we all were well and more energetic. I was bummed a little bit, but I decided it was better to wait. It'll be more fun when we're all feeling good. ;-) The main reason I was bummed out was because I didn't get very many good pictures. Jackson wouldn't be still for me to get anything of him except for one. Twerpie.

The place was a lot smaller than what the website suggests. I was a little underwhelmed, but then again, we didn't do the touristy things so I don't know if we missed what we would've really enjoyed. We did stop in a little snack shop for hot apple cider, but it was barely lukewarm. HA! Figures.

Before we left, I checked out the hotels there. There are two: The Inn at Amish Acres and The Nappanee Inn. They were pretty nice. I am considering having our Ladies' Retreat there, but it's still a toss-up. I can't say this trip convinced me either way. The Lord knows.

On our way back, Anthony stopped at a Farmer's Market and let me go in for a few minutes while he stayed in the car with Jackson. Wow. I may have enjoyed my time there just as much or more than Amish Acres. There were lots of neat vendors. One Amish family had a beautiful display of furniture and wall hangings. I want one of the hope chests he had. Soooo pretty. I probably spent a little too much time looking, considering my husband and kid were waiting for me in the car. I bought some fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and a big spaghetti squash from one of the farmer's stands and some pumpkin nut bread from one of the Amish families that had bakery goods. Mmmmm... We had some tonight and it was delicious. I also made a salad with our supper and used one of the tomatoes and cucumbers. They were really fresh and flavorful. Yum!

I forgot to tell about last weekend. My husband actually was in the mood to play games!! (Happens about two or three times a year, so I jump on it when it does.) :D We played the short version of Monopoly (whatever it takes to get him to play) and he beat me mercilessly. Doesn't matter. It was still lots of fun. I was very happy.

Thursday was interesting. I was scheduled to sub for a middle school math teacher. I dropped Jackson off at preschool and showed up ready to work. But for some reason my name wasn't on the sub list. So the secretary called the sub coordinator and I guess she had made a mistake, so the school had a teacher who they said didn't have a sub so they sent me to his science classroom instead. I made my way down to Mr. Weirich's room and there were three teachers sitting there meeting about something. I introduced myself and told them I was supposed to sub that day for Mr. Weirich and one of the teachers started laughing. "No, you're not," he said. I looked at him and said, "You're Mr. Weirich, aren't you?" Yep. He was. Again, the sub coordinator had goofed. His personal day was supposed to be for the next week, not that day. So he walked me down to the office and they told me they didn't need me, apologized for the mistake, and said I would still be paid! Wow. I never would've dreamed they'd still pay me! But that's good because I had used the gas to get there and spent the money on Jackson's preschool for the day. So I went and did something I've been putting off for too long ... I went and got my Indiana driver's license NOT having studied for the test.

I told the lady that if I failed (which by that point I was pretty sure I was going to) that it was because EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS THE FOURTH STATE I'VE LIVED IN, I hadn't had to take a driving test since I was 16!!! Had to cover my tracks, you know. She laughed and wished me luck. So I was allowed to miss six of the multiple choice and only 2 of the signs in order to pass. I put little tick marks next to the ones I thought I had wrong and I handed in my paper sure I had failed. I thought I had missed only about four of the multiple choice, but FOUR of the signs. Nope. I missed two!!! Total!!!! I missed none of the signs!!!!! HA!!!! Not having studied. My husband only missed one on his BUT HE STUDIED!!!! HA HA HA HA!!!! He was so sure I was going to fail because I hadn't studied. Even scolded me for not studying and said I'd waste time and gas when I went to take the test. But he was wrong, and as Chonda Pierce would say, "I think that's hilarious!"

Alright. I guess I ought to get these pics uploaded and go to bed. Getting pretty sleepy.

Anybody remember Shotgun Red?

"Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite. If they do, hit 'em with a shoe and say, "I don't wanna sleep with you!" HA!

Wahooo!!!!

Anthony decided to take us to Amish Acres in Nappanee today. It's only 22 miles from us and we haven't been yet. The cheaper gas prices, I'm guessing, helped prompt this impromptu trip.

;-P

Got my coupons printed and my camera ready with new batteries. We're ready to go!!!!

I'll post pics when we get home.

:D Yippeeee!!!!

Quilts

I guess I've been nostalgic lately, but I thought I'd post this picture of a baby quilt that my grandma made for Jackson when he was born and one that my grandma made for me when I was in college. I love them both, but Jackson's has a special origin. The embroidered blocks were actually originally on a baby quilt that my grandma had made for me when I was born. Then when I had Jackson, she took the embroidered blocks and reset them in blue alternating blocks for a boyish look. I love that! She has the neatest ideas. These are Campbell's Soup kids. I think they were really popular in the 70's when I was born. THE LATE 70s ... '77 to be exact!!!! (I'm not that old.) ;-)
Can't have Campbell's Soup kids without one of them making tomato soup!! :D

My college quilt is also one of my treasures. I love that it's so colorful and cheerful and I think the puffy blocks are neat. I took a close-up of my favorite blocks so you can read the words. I don't know why I can't figure out how to post pictures that can be clicked on for enlargement. Anybody have any ideas of what I my be doing wrong?

And here are some pictures of the apartment community in early autumn splendor. It won't be long before we have full-blown color. The pictures don't do it justice, though. I WANT A NEW CAMERA FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! A good one. You know, every mom should have a good camera. No exceptions.

Well, I said some pictures, but one of them got booted off the post when I added some other pics. Grrrr....

I subbed some again last week. First grade at two different schools. On Tuesday I subbed for a first grade class at Chandler Elementary. It was a sheltered English classroom so all of the students were Hispanic, but they all spoke and understood English really well. They were soooo cute and sweet. And well-behaved. That teacher must've really trained them well from the get-go. And the environment was wonderful. The entire school seemed really calm and quiet and in good order. I don't think I've ever experienced anything quite like it, but it was great. Then on Wednesday and Thursday I subbed for a first grade class at Prairie View. DIFFERENT STORY!!! The kids here were wild and unruly and constantly picking and fighting with each other It was amazing the difference between the two schools. I liked to pulled my hair out with the group I had. I was told that I had a difficult group when I first got there. Well, THAT was an understatement! I had several kids who liked to fight with each other. And there were two little girls who were bossy and tried to tell all the other kids AND ME what they should be doing at all times. I had two pouters who would squall when they didn't get their way. It was ridiculous and I was sooo glad to see 2:35 on Thursday. I didn't sub Friday, so Jackson and I stayed home and played games and read books. Good day. :D

Jackson's still enjoying preschool. I think it's good for him to get to be with other children and even another adult besides me. I really like his preschool, too. It's run by a church and the teachers seem very caring. And they run a tight ship, which is important for Jackson. He definitely needs the structure. The director, I can tell, is strict but loving. I get very good vibes from her. They have daily Bible stories and art time. On Thursday he got to bake with one of his teachers!!! That's so cool. Home Ec at an early age! ;-) They made a snack for Monday when they go on a "pretend field trip" with Christopher Columbus in search of something. Isn't that neat? They also have music where they learn children's Bible songs and early reading where they learn their letters and sounds and such. Jackson already knows his letters and sounds, but it's good review for him. I thank the Lord that he helped me find this particular school.

Well, I didn't get the job I interviewed for on Monday. That's alright. That means it wasn't God's will and I'm constantly praying for God's will. I applied for another one on Thursday. It's an enrollment coordinator for a study abroad company. It sounds like it's right up my alley, it's just down the road a ways from Anthony's hotel, and it pays pretty well. We'll see what happens.

Well, I need to get going. Have a great day, all, and God bless.

Tea Towels

First of all, I don't know if everybody missed the post of my cousin's new baby girl, but she's gorgeous. Scroll down and take a look. ;-)

And here are the pictures of some tea towels my grandma made for me when I got married. Aren't they cute? Sister Smith said she was working on some right now so I dug mine out to take pics of mine. (They were in storage so they're a little wrinkly.)

She also made a quilt for me that I'll show off some time. And several baby blankets for Jackson. They're so cute. My favorite is one that she took the blocks from a quilt she'd made for me when I was born and reset them in blue for a quilt for Jackson. I'll have to show those, too.

I subbed today and Jackson went to preschool. And wouldn't you know it? The kid's been with me since late May so I thought it'd be hard this morning dropping him off. Nope. Gave me a hug and went on his merry little way, ready to start the day!!!! I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. But I was glad that he didn't cry (even though my feelings were a little hurt). Silly mom stuff. Why are we like that, girls? But to add insult to injury, when I came to pick him up, he threw a fit. Did NOT want to leave!!!! How do you handle THAT as a mom?

And tomorrow I guess I'm subbing for a Middle School PE class. Ugh! PE is NOT my cup of tea. (The rhyme wasn't intentional.) And I'm not too crazy about middle school, either, but, hey, it's only for the day so I'll get through it.

Welp, I've gotta' go. There's a couple loads of laundry and a very messy little boy's room calling my name. Have a good evening, all.