Thanksgiving was great. Went with Margie to Sam Seltzer's Steak House. Grace had Chicken Piccata, Margie had baby back ribs and I had Steak. Then went to Gay & Julee's for dessert. Well, actually we ate another meal. But we ate lunch @ 1230 and 2nd turkey dinner @ 430. That was enough time in between, right?

This is what else is going on...

Yep, you guessed. I finally found some crazy person (I mean David to take her away). But, its gonna cost me and NO, this isn't the dress.


No actually, I am gaining a son... David.

David is the one in the blue shirt. This was taken when he came to FL.
He is a very wise young man to be only 20 years old.


Well, you asked how life is... there is nothing else to do right now. With looking at wedding dresses(both online and with appointments at bridal stores), almost daily visits to Joanns and Michaels for ideas (decorations and favors), trying to figure out budgets and everything else. Each paycheck we are buying 1 item towards the wedding. She has a paycheck and so do I. And guess who gets to buy the pricier items.

Oh by the way, Ladies, hope you saved that wedding gown that isn't strapless because you can hardly find a dress that isn't strapless, halter top, backless or at all modest. We are still looking. Grace wants something not like Little House on the Prairie but she doesn't want Pretty Woman either. Either the skirt part is not A line enough or the top is too revealing. And yes, David wants her shoulders to be covered. I told Grace the other night... maybe we should start a bridal shop and show the bodices and the skirts separately. Then you would pick the bodice with the skirt you want, try it on and then a seamstress would put it together. It kind of looks like Julee will be making a jacket, shrug or bolero to go with the dress.

This is for Pam!

I haven't posted in a while because:

David came to visit. You can read about David on Monday, September 15, 2008's post.

Working Overtime and learning my new job.

Trying to keep my blood sugar under control. I went off my diet and am having trouble getting it back together.

Just haven't really had too much to say. I am the silent majority and am still stunned by the election and really don't know what to say about that. When I was in high school my history teacher gave me an award... The Jesse Helms Silent Majority Award. When we went to Wilmingon, David's pastor is a cousin to my high school history teacher. What a small world.

Now here come the holidays.

More vacation pics

Balloon competition

More competition

and more

Last one
Do you believe I was underneath all of this???



This is of the Indians dancing at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Up Up and Away

This is what I saw in Albuquerque, NM. Wow! what a sight! I got to watch my cousin Margie go up in a hot air balloon. That was interesting to see how the balloon is inflated and how the people take off.

It was a rough landing. Once Margie got out of the balloon, she saw a balloon hit a power line and catch fire. One of the men died and the other is still in critical condition or at least when we left Monday, he was.

We only got to see the balloons go up on Friday as it was too windy Saturday and Sunday morning.

We also got to go to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Old Town. Old Town is the old part of Albuquerque (no, duh!). It has street vendors who are native American Indians selling their wares.

I fell in love with the food. It was awesome. Lots of breakfast burritos made with bacon or sausage or both, eggs, shredded potatoes and of course, green chile wrapped in a flour tortilla. Yum Yum

We ate Thursday night at The Range Cafe. It was great. I had Pork Posole (soup). I can't wait to find a recipe. Well, I have but I don't think it will be as good as the restaurant's. Hopefully, I can find posole. It is like what we call hominy but it is dried for the soup.

Then I had Pastore's Pie. It was shredded beef, potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini and onions with green chiles, red chiles and lots of other spices. It was really spicy!!! It was made sort of like Shepherd's Pie. That is what I told Margie it was. A spicy Mexican shepherd's pie. Boy, did it clear my sinuses. ... And I ate the whole thing.

Then for dessert, I had a french apple tarte tartin. It was like a green apple pie with very little sugar (very tart by itself) and cinnamon ice cream (too cinnamony by itself). You had to eat the 2 together. It also had homemade whipped cream and the biggest, reddest, sweetest (without sugar) strawberries. Almost better than Plant City's.


I really had a great time. I was a guest of Margie's with the Elderhostel group. You have to be 55 or older to go or a guest of someone who is. Elderhostel's have classes also. I learned about hot air ballooning and the history of Albuquerque, NM. And I met 48 other people. Margie has been to Savannah and Plains, GA (she got to go to Jimmy Carter's Sunday School Class), a West Virginia Coal mine, two times to Albuquerque and a few other others.

They seem really interesting. Not only do you get to see a new place, meet new people but you have classes and learn new things too.

Well, back to laundry.

Wii, Wii, Wii we got a Wii!!!!

Yep, I am in the video game mode right now. We got a Wii!!! It was just as challenging to get one as it is to play it. We got the Wii Play (w/extra remote), Wii Playground, Carnival Games, Mario Slugger, Mario Cart (w/wheel) and High School Musical (w/microphone). I want to get Wii Fit, Pinball and Game party. I think I can find the Pinball game and the Game Party but not Wii Fit. They sell out really fast. Even walmart.com doesn't have it.

We played Monday night. On the carnival games, you can play a game where you hit the hammer and the light goes up the tower, like the strong man or test your strenght game at carnivals. Before you swing the remote you shake it to get enough power to hit the target for the light to go all the way to the top of the tower. Well, both Grace and I have sore arms around our elbows from shaking the remote. What do you call that? VG elbow (video game elbow) instead of tennis elbow. We have laughed so hard about our "injuries". Spanky doesn't like the Wii becuase you just don't press buttons you move along with the game. Grace wants Wii Ski. That should be funny for anyone who will walk past our house and see us swaying back and forth like real skiiers. Anyway, I have to go play with my other new toy my H20 Mop.

Woo Hoo!!!

Work is going a lot better. I am typing a lot of letters, like 10-20 per day. I have lost a total of 18#. Still following the dr's diet but can't afford the visits anymore.

Homecoming was yesterday

We had a good time. This is the first time that I haven't been asked to work in the kitchen. That was ok, and yes, I did try to help a little bit.
I did have a chance to talk with Rose and Diana. I don't get to sit down and talk with them. The last time I actually got to sit with Rose is when we went to a ladies' retreat about 5 years ago. She drove and we talked. This is the first time I actually got to speak more with Diana except how are you, how is your grandson and give her a handshake and a hug.

We get so caught up in our own lives that we don't get to spend time with others. We think well if I spend time with my family and we spend time with God then we are about ok. Well, what about our fellow Christians and our friends? Do we actually spend enough time with them? If we were in our friends' places, would we be able to call ourselves a good friend? I know I am not the best but I try.

Anyway, that was my deep thought for the day. The food was as always excellent. I make macaroni and cheese with bacon on top (I saw the Pizza hut pasta commercial and made my own) and I made fettucine alfredo with broccoli and chicken (but I used the egg noodled) and I made mini cupcakes with lemon flavored icing.

We didn't have Junior Church as the children sat in "big church". Every once in a while it is good for the children to do that especially on a special day like Homecoming or when we have singers or missionaries or the children's home.

They were really good. Macayla and Madison sat with me and they sat really still until about 10 minutes before the service was over (About 1 1/2 hrs) The rest of the children did well also. I was really proud of them. Especially since two of the eight children had never been in a church service at all. (Well, one had but he was a baby, he's now 3).

The preacher was good. I enjoyed his sermon. His daughter and her husband are new members of our church.

I can't wait until next year.

Need I say more!

That's My Dog
Spanky-doodle, doodle bug, Stinky or just plain Spanky

This was with Santa

This is his Old Navy Polo Shirt


... and Happy Hallowe'en.

David (Grace's Friend)

Well, I have to tell you a little about David. David is from a GOOD Christian home (would there be any other). His family is very active in their church. The youngest child, Zach works the sound system at their church. David is the oldest. You can tell that most of his best friends(not in any particular order) are his Sunday School teacher, Youth Pastor and his Pastor and his family.His birthday was on August 31st and his dad, Brian was on the 30th so his mom had a big birthday party for both on them on Saturday evening. David was so excited for his birthday party and he was so happy that his best friends showed up.


Tracy sings solos in their church, plays the piano and the organ (not at the same time) for the services when needed. She is the President this year of the Peacemakers, which is what their church (Peace Baptist in Wilmington, NC) calls their women's missionary program sort of like our SWIM (Smyrna Women in Missions) used to be. She also sings in the choir. Tracy feels the same as I do: The person you are at home is the same person the world sees. God knows who you are and he sees what happens behind closed doors. While we were waiting for the party to start, Tracy and I had a wonderful conversation and learned a lot about each other. And I am proud to call her friend. While, we were talking, I was telling her that Grace sang and (if you can call it that) her signature song is "Little is Much". Well, that is the song Tracy sings around her house.


Grace met David at Crown. David did not return to Crown. He kept in touch with Grace for 1 1/2 years until we went to see him Labor day weekend. That is right, they did not see each other for 1 1/2 years. The only conversation between the 2 of them was the thousands of text messages and phone calls to each other. (Thank you God for Verizon to Verizon free texts and calls or both families would have an extra mortgage!) Their idea of a date is to pick a movie from the many we have and watch it on their computers 800 miles away from each other. David has watched The Notebook as well as Alvin and the Chipmunks with her.

David is a very considerate of everyone and he is a very meek man, this is very different for Grace because she is very talkative. David also helps Grace study for school. David will not call her when she has to study and will not contact her during the times she is in class (either by phone or by text). He totally understands the importance of school and that Grace needs to focus and finish.
David and Grace talk on the phone until they fall asleep. They have daily devotions and pray before they fall asleep and when he calls to wake her up every morning.

Grace also has a different outlook on school. She is studying more and she is more confident about school. She is even making 100's in some of her pop quizzes!

Part of this is because of David in her life and the fact she doesn't share a dorm room with 4 to 5 other girls and she can go to sleep at a decent hour now. But, ALL credit goes to God, first. Thank God for answered prayers.

You Belong in 1965

You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Well, I wouldn't say too much of a free spirit. I do have a huge heart and wear it on my sleeve. God rules but that leads to Love, peace, and happiness. The drug thing, I don't agree with.

We're back!

We had a wonderful and safe trip to Wilmington, NC. I met David and his family. They are really nice people and I really enjoyed our visit. We got there about 11:30on Friday night. The motel room was not very clean. I am so glad that I took the Lysol, Dow Bathroom Cleaner and paper towels. I cleaned the bathroom before we got to go to sleep... We drove almost 12 hours and then had to walk up stairs and then clean the bathroom before I could even use the bathroom. We also took showers with Grace's flip-flops on. But we were blessed to have air conditioning, a refrigerator and a microwave to use if we needed it. I also did really well trying to follow my diet. We had 12 hours to go up there and it took 12 hours to get home and it was great to be able to talk with Grace for that long. We laughed at everything...mostly my driving. It was dark when we went downtown Wilmington and when you are downtown, there are many statues and a fountain in the middle of the street. Grace told me to watch out for the fountain and the light was red. I stopped for the red light to later find out that I had stopped in the middle of the intersection. Well, at least I didn't get a ticket for running a red light. I actually drove most of the time which is a shock to Grace and to my cousin Margie. My theory on driving is some people are drivers and others are passengers. I consider myself a passenger. Well, not this time. I actually drove 8 hours on Friday and 10 hours on Monday. I had to stop driving around Gainesville, FL because the taillights looked like everyone had their brakes on and were running together. So, I turned the driving over to Grace and she finished the last 2 hours of the trip. This was the first trip my car has been on. It was interesting to find out that I got 34 miles per gallon on the trip. But I set the cruise control and didn't use the gas pedal or brake that much. That is probably why I got such great gas mileage.
Anyway, I was glad to take off on Tuesday. Grace got up and went to class. I went back to bed and slept until 10:30. I picked up Spanky from the kennel. He was mad at me and has been laying next to me all evening.

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person... a partner who you do special things for. In love, you express your emotions through actions. Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well! At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist. How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

What's Your Personality Type?

New Mexico

I am going to see the Hot Air Ballon Festival in Albuquerque, NM in October. I think I said this before, this will be the first time I have been west of Panama City/Ft. Walton Beach/Pensacola, FL area. This is going to be a great trip. My mom is coming here to stay with Grace and spend time with her. Grace is old enough to be on her own but I thought it would be a good time for Grace to spend time with her grandmother.

It is now 5 am and I have to go to work.

My current events

I haven't posted in a while. Been too busy to type.

Here's what is happening...

1. My pastor had another heart procedure. GOD is good.
I have adopted the song just for him:
It’s just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,
It’s just like Jesus to keep me day by day,
It’s just like Jesus all along the way,
It’s just like His great love
Even to think of the words, it gets stuck in my head. That is a happy tune!

2. We survived another hurricane/tropical storm or big wind. We were supposed to get it but it missed us by THAT MUCH. Keep praying that the storm will give the much needed rain to the areas that need it and it doesn't damage too many homes and people are safe.
God's so good. (makes me think of another song...

God's so good to give us some many blessing, undeserving that's what we are.
I want to thank him, love and praise him a little more today and a whole lot more tomorrow.

Do you reckon I can combine the two songs and get them both stuck in my head at the same time? I love both of these songs.

3. Getting ready for our trip to NC labor day weekend.

4. Orientation at my daughter's new school.

5. My trip to NM in October. I am nervous but excited.

6. My diet. I have lost 14# in 3 weeks, another 46 to go until I met the goal I have with my doctor. Thank you God. My blood sugar is doing really well and I have almost been able to take my insulin every other day instead of every day. My doctor wants me to continue every day instead of skipping a day. She would rather lower the dosage first. Makes sense though.
Hopefully, by the time I lose the weight I need to lose, I will be just controlling my diabetes with just my diet and exercise instead of pills or shots. You know the saying, once a diabetic ALWAYS a diabetic. Your symptoms can go away but not the disease, especially as you get older and your body changes or you don't follow your prescribed diet as you should. I have found that if I follow my diet strictly, I can control my blood sugar but when I go through a drive through restaurant and choose the wrong thing (anything with bread) my blood sugar is out of whack. I am looking to God for support and really prayed about this before I even started it. and really relying totally on him. I am also making this a total lifestyle change. When you think diet, you think about losing a few pounds and then going back to your bad habits. Just got to break that.

7. This is exciting. Thank you Pam & Brenda Pasek for inviting me to be your friend through facebook. Because of that, I got to talk with one of my really good friends from high school Her name is Laura (Harrelson) Wicker and she is a nurse in Durham, NC. We have been talking via facebook's email. I gave her my blog address so she could catch up on my life. I will be in Wilmington, NC for labor day weekend and hopefully she can drive down there to meet up with me. I think it is about 3 or 4 hrs drive so I don't know if she can or not. That would be great. Once, she got in touch with me, I did a lot of reminiscing about high school and really missed our friendship.

8. My job responsibilities are a lot tougher than I thought they would be. It will be ok. Just need a lot of practice and patience. God will give me that.


Until next time,

See you in church on Sunday,
Remember to shake the preacher's hand,
DON"T FORGET TO VOTE... A vote for no one, means the wrong man will get in office
&
GOD SAVE AMERICA

I am trying one more again time!

Just a little way Grace used to say she was going to try again.


I really got disgusted with myself. I can't believe I gained all 20# I lost on Weight Watchers + about 15 more. Well, I decided to go through my doctor. She did an EKG, gave me a B12 & liquid chromium shot, an appetite suppressant, a vitamin list and a booklet about the weight loss program. It is expensive but I have to do something, I can't bend over to paint my own toenails nor tie my own shoes. The insurance does not cover it either!

But I have to do something, one day I will have to help with my daughter's wedding and children. NO! not yet, but one day and I want to be there. Not just my high heels like we are going to do with my father's wingtips when she graduates college and either one of us get married. Just a sentimental symbol of daddy. He always wore them when he dressed up.

Anyway, day one was a bear! You can only eat from Phase 1 (you must measure everything) and have only 2 caffeine drinks a day (whether it be coffee or tea or a combination of both) and 2 12 oz cans of diet soda. Then you must drink 8 8oz of water. Then, you take your meds @ 7, 11 am 3 pm.
7 am appetite suppressant and Super B complex vitamin.
11 am Calcium pyruvate and flax seed oil
3 pm Calcium pyruvate and flax seed oil plus a multivitamin


It must be working, I don't feel that my clothes are getting any looser (it is too early for that) but the scales said GOODBYE to 5# since Wednesday. My scales are digital and they are about .5 difference between my scales and the doctors. I can'r remember which way so it is either 5# or 5.5# GONE. I am going to say gone because I don't want to say lost and then find some more pounds. A little diet humor for you.

Found these signs:

I'm on a few diets I can't get enough food on one!

Or


I tried losing weight but it keeps finding me.

Found those refrigerator signs and I decided to buy them. I think they fit, right?

Well, I have hurt my back. I have a bulging disc in my neck along with arthritis in my shoulders and neck, too. That is part of the reason why I was gaining weight. I was holding my own after Weight Watchers by exercising but when I couldn't go to the gym because of my back all 15 inches I lost, found me again.

So everything is a new approach. And I let God handle it this time instead of myself on impulse. I have been praying about this since July 4th, when I started eating everything in sight. I did watch that special on TLC about I eat 33,000 calories a day. It made me mad at myself but have compassion for those people because I could be like that too.

I am keeping a diet chart and a journal. Doctor says she has had all but 3 of her diabetic patients on this diet and everyone one of them is off the medication. Gues who of the 3 not on the diet was? You guessed it. Well, I have named my journal:
Burger King, Home of the Whopper: The diaries of a Starving FAT person.

I figure if I name it, I own it. Then I will be more willing to keep it up. Besides, if I write about food maybe I can get over my obsession.

Ok... now I have to be political.

Read this morning at http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080801/pl_politico/12237;_ylt=AugqO7GwoEIQyqGTYEopcE5h24cA.

What I see is that the Democrats are at their game again. Lets snow the public, promise more money to them (that will cost them later) so he can get elected. My only thoughts on this - If you don't vote at all, the wrong man will be elected.

I am not happy with either candidate. I think there is a better man for the job for both parties but I would rather vote for the patriotic person than him. Yep, that's his name now.

And notice, I said better MAN for the job. Yes, a man should run the country. A man should run businesses, a man should preach and a man should be the head of the household. It is time for America to realize that and return to that.

And hear I go again, I am going off on another rant (but it is the TRUTH!).

If we didn't need to be so FAT in money, power and size, then a man should be able to run his household. The only reason a woman should work outside of her home is if she has no children and/or has her husband's permission. Ok, I am not married and have a child, this was before salvation. Don't need to explain more.
If a man spent more time trying to be the head of household (and being a real man!) by following God's will then, mom's could either home school their children or be able to be more involved in their school work and activities. We don't need to go to ballet class, soccer , basketball and football games, Boy & Girl Scouts every night of the week.

Our homes are supposed to be homes and not motels or storage units.

First off, all those activities cost money. Yes, it is good for a child to get active in something but children today are doing so many activities that they have been diagnosed with ADHD. They only need 1 activity plus church.
If mom doesn't feel comfortable home schooling their child, then when she sent them to school, they could be more prepared, well rested and fed every morning before they went to school. Today's routines are full of get up, go to school, go to day care, mom picks me up, takes me to practice and then stops somewhere for supper. Whatever happened to we are having meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner? It is now where do you want dinner? I've been mom and dad and made the money and boy now do I see the light!

A woman's job is in the home and if she must work then her income should not be used just to pay day care!

Well, that is enough,about that. Where was I?

Oh, don't forget to vote. My new slogan will be:

If you don't vote at all, the wrong man will be elected.

I am a bit talkative today and mind you I posted again, Pam!



GOD SAVE AMERICA
Remember tomorrow is church! Shake your pastor's hand!

Just got a phone call

Came from 999 999 9999. Wanting to do a survey with either Grace or me.

I said ok.

Question: How closely are your following the presidential race? 1 to 5, 1 being very closely, 5 being not at all.

I said 1.

Question: Who would you vote for in the presidential race, McCain or Obama?

I said McCain without even thinking!

Question: Even, though you said John McCain, how likely would you be to vote or Obama?

Without hesitating and almost yelling at the poor survey girl... NEVER

Question: What is your age for our demographics: 45

She didn't even want to talk anymore with me. Wonder why?


GOD SAVE AMERICA

Wow What a Summer!

We have been really busy this summer. I finished my summer class American Government and Politics. I was the oldest Republican in my class. There were only 2 Republicans in our class. I think the professor was but she has to be impartial about these things. Anyway, I made an A.

My job is changing a little bit. There are 3 parts to my job and my area only did the middle part. We are going to learn parts 1 and 3 for 2 weeks starting August 18.

Grace and I went to the beach on 7/9-11. It was supposed to be a girls relaxing time. We were going to get my mom from Hernando, FL and take her with us. Something came up and she could not go. But, I did take my cousin Yvonne with me. I am so proud of her. She is an alcoholic and has been sober for 1 year! What an accomplishment. My A in American Govt doesn't even compare. Her mom was my mom's sister, Carrie. Aunt Carrie died the end of April. Anyway, we stayed on St. Pete Beach at the Travelodge. I haven't been to the beach since Grace was about 5 yrs old. I put 50 sunblock on and a hat and a t shirt (underneath my bathing suit) and only got a little burned on my back at the most uncomfortable place, right where my straps belong. And my freckles (that I work so hard to hide) are darker. We ate at PJ Seafood House and it is the best seafood I have eaten in a long time. Beats Red Lobster!. I didn't get any pictures, we forgot the cameras but we got souvenir cups from the restaurant.

My neighborhood is having a yard sale on 8/2 at Duran Park from 10 to 3. We have 3 parks in our neighborhood and it is the one with the basketball court, near the Fransican Center. Grace and I have been sorting through unworn clothes, shoes, coats and all the other stuff we need to get rid of.

The next Saturday (8/9) is our neighborhood S.W.E.E.P. That is where you can put out the stuff you need to take to the landfill (except paint cans and construction materials)on the edge of your front yard and the sanitation department will pick it up. There is a list of the items they will and will not take on the Tampa Waste Dept. website. The night before you ride in our neighborhood and see mounds of old furniture and other stuff sitting out and then usually by 12 pm the next day, the neighborhood is clean again.

Grace and I are going to Wilmington, NC for labor day weekend. She is going to meet David's family - mom, dad, brother, grandparents, etc. I will be meeting them too as well as David. David went to Crown and he had to leave because of financial reasons. His birthday is that weekend as well as his dad's and they are having one big birthday party.

Grace hasn't blogged in a while, She will be going to Florida Baptist College next year, so we have orientation on the 29th and then we will be back in time for her to get enough sleep to start classes on Tuesday 9/2. It will be a busy weekend but I know that God is in it.

That was weird! I was in the middle of this and my screen went blank. I looked around the computer and my power cord came unplugged from the unit itself. Someone doesn't want me to post anything. Wonder who?

Anyway, I was wrapping this up and wanted to wish everyone a safe rest of the summer. Tomorrow is my favorite day of the week Sunday!

until the next time.
God Bless you and God save America!

Bowden, Elbert Richard

WAKEFIELD, VA
Elbert Richard Bowden, 82, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at his home in Wakefield. Born Aug. 26, 1925 in Zuni, he was the son of the late Solomon Richard and Grace Pittman Bowden. Mr. Bowden was a retired truck driver.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Freeman Bowden; his daughter, Deborah B. Bartley and her husband, Robert of Wakefield; four sons, Richard F. Bowden, Walter "Dallas" Bowden and his wife, Sandy, and Robert P. Bowden, all of Wakefield, and David L. Bowden and Tracy Dorman of Chesapeake; a brother, Andrew A. Bowden and his wife, Kay of Smithfield; a sister-in-law, Mary Bowden of Windsor; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Wuska and Alice Sheffield; and two brothers, Harold Dean Bowden and Daniel Bowden.
Mr. Bowden served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the European Theatre. He was a member of the Virginia Tractor Pullers' Association, Wakefield Sportsmen's Club, and Bent Barrel Hunt Club and was a past member of Tucker Swamp Hunt Club.
A graveside service with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2008, in Wakefield Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Kerr officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, 155 Fleetwood Ave., Wakefield, VA 23888 or the Waverly Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 318, Waverly, VA 23890.


Uncle Elbert or as Grace affectionately called him "Uncle Baldy" was married 60 years. He served in WWII and was on one of the boats that stormed Normandy Beach. He also was on a boat that was on Omaha beach. He also served his country at Pearl Harbor but he wasn't there on December 7th. I knew he was in the Navy during WWII but thought he was in the Pacific theatre. I found out the information about Normandy from Grace, who got it from her grandfather, while they were watching Saving Private Ryan. Margie told me about Pearl Harbor and Omaha beach.

Please be in much prayer for my uncle's family, especially Aunt Charlotte.

Also pray for my uncle Andy, he is the only surviving child of 9 children. He is not very healthy after having a heart attack and 2 strokes and he didn't take this well. He is a Christian but there is still an emptiness that only God can heal in His time.

Also, pray for the family of Graham Smith, who is my cousin Margie's cousin's husband. He die the same day as my uncle's funeral. In fact, he was in his garden picking vegetables before he got ready to go to my uncle's service.

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday was kind of a hard day for me. You see, my daddy went to heaven 2 years ago. I have to tell a cute story. Since daddy died, I haven't changed our voice mail. Just personal reasons that are not my main focus of my post today. My Aunt Sandy (mom's sister) calls and if she gets the answering machine, she always says Dan how are you tell Missy I called and see in Heaven, when I get there. Well, yesterday when she called, she said Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Dan. I thought that was so sweet.

So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I got to thinking about the men that are in my life. Thanks for all you do.

First of all my other "daddy": the one I yearn to be closer to. The one I take advantage of every day but need to get to know better than I do. The one that spoke the earth into existence, the one who lets me live in HIS word. And the one who the world is trying soo hard to get rid of - in every one's mind, neighborhoods, schools, courts and country.

God.

Everyone takes HIM for granted everyday. We wake up, do our morning routine and go to work (yes, sah mom's work too). Maybe part of our routine is to read the Bible and pray but do we always take the time to read the Bible like we should - reading and meditating or do we read the required verses in our daily devotion book, think about them for a minute and then go back to our hectic lives ? Do we always take the time to pray like we should - weeping and crying over the lost - including our country? Remember, we are not too busy or God can give us all the time in the world to be able to get closer to HIM? He gave us the sun, moon and stars, he can give us more time.

I have so much more to say about this and wished the words would just come out of my fingertips to type them.

I am thankful to God for everything He has given me. My daughter, Grace. She is my sunshine and has been my whole life for the past 21 years. I can't believe that she is all grown up. In more ways than one (meaning maturity). I am thankful that she said about 10 years ago can we go to that church where Cara goes and does crafts with Miss Ebbie? We went and haven't left. Everyone knows that it was supposed to be to make Grace be quiet and leave me alone about church.

I am thankful for my other father figure, my pastor. My pastor and my daddy are about the same age (June to October difference) as well as my mother and My pastor's wife (mom is from December to February older). So I look at them as my 2nd parents as my mom is 2 hrs away. They have been such a help in the past 2 yrs they will never know. Anyway, shouldn't a pastor be like a father figure to his congregation no matter what their age. He (as far as I am concerned) is upholding his job, given to him by God, well. Thank you Pastor.

Now, to all my other male friends who are fathers:

I have to start with Brother Gay Chesser. Julee (his wife is one of my best friends). They are both good Christian people to talk with and each time we all get a chance to talk they are such a blessing to me. Brother Gay's brother, Marshall just had a kidney removed and what a surprise! God performed another miracle. He was home within 3 days of the operation when the surgeon's said that there was a chance with his health problems that he may not make it. What a testimony! There was such a sweet spirit when he told us this yesterday morning in church.

I have to add Brother Ron Worley to this too. God has performed a miracle in his life also. He was dying and waiting for a liver and he got to help Grace paint her room Saturday. Well, he actually told her to get out of the room or he would paint her. He was nice about it when he said it. He saved about 3 hrs of time and struggle and it looks great!. Still have some extra touches that Grace needs to do but when it is done, I will post pictures.

Brother David Dean. What a great person he is. His wife Vera has had several rounds of chemotherapy and he has high blood pressure but he still loads up his van with grandchildren and they come to church. Usually he has about 6 of the 12 with him. He spent countless hours helping to fix our air conditioner at church and when he is honored for his time and work he says that it is the Lord who gets all the credit.


All of my uncles... Elbert, Andy, Leo and John Paul. I don't know Elbert and Andy too well. They are my dad's brothers. They are older and live in VA. We didn't live there after I was 13 yrs old, so I didn't see them as often as I should but they always are ready to see me with open arms. Elbert is now in a nursing home and may have lung cancer (they are waiting on the test results). He and my Aunt Charlotte will be married 60 years in July. He was a truck driver and kind of rough around the edges but he raised 4 boys and a girl that have children and grandchildren of their own. Andy has 2 children and 4 grandchildren of his own. 2 step daughters and they have children of their own. Uncle Andy was married 2 times before he found the right lady, Kay. They were married 27 years ago.

Leo has been married to my Aunt Sandy for over 20 yrs. Leo is 82 yrs old but acts like he is 1/2 his age. I really like to be around him. He has good advice and you can see how much he loves Sandra (her real name). You can see him read his Bible devotion everyday (he uses Our Daily Bread). He doesn't do anything until that gets done. I have gotten to know them so much better in the last 10 years.

John Paul is my mother's brother. I didn't know him that well, because we moved when I was 13. I remember as a child before he and his wife Sonia had children they used to take me to see Disney on Ice. I enjoyed going every year for my birthday. I was the flower girl in their wedding, but I don't remember any of it. Yes, I have been in a wedding before in my life. But only this one. I went to VA during Thanksgiving when I was in college and stayed at their house. I babysat for their 2 children and got paid. He has 4 grandchildren. He owns his own pest control company and used to be in the brochure for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. One of his main contracts was Busch Gardens. Now, his daughter runs the family business in VA and his son has a business in CO. He and his wife have been married around 40 yrs. Oops! I told my age again.

There are so many more people that deserve to be honored, especially the men of our church, I did thank God for all not mentioned yesterday.

Everyone have a great time.
Until I post again.

I am alive!

I know I haven't blogged in like forever.. Everyone who reads my blog either will probably block me from reading theirs or keep sending comments on other blogs to post. Well... this is the hectic life I lead.

I am still working from home. They decided to make our jobs (what they say) easier by auditing us. Problem is... the audits don't know how to do our jobs and they are only going by an antiqued piece of paper that was prohibited (by former supervisors) to use. We have had 4 "training sessions" to learn how to do this. The training goes like this: ok, print the info you were given and here look at it on the computer while I go over it (trainer just reads it). Then, we stop to ask questions the reply is "We'll have to get back to you with that." My hair is literally falling out. I want to do the job to the best of my ability but don't know how to do it anymore because they don't know how to tell us how. Confused? I surely am. Then in the mix we are going to be able to do the whole job instead of the minute portion we do now. More money? Don't know but there is a blessing in that. I am truly blessed to be able to work from home in my pjs. Right now, the overtime is minimal but that is OK. I am not spending extra money to go to the gas station and that is a raise in itself and once I learn the new part of the job (those trainers know the job) I can more opportunities for overtime. 'Nuf about work.


Spanky turned 2 years old, yesterday. It seems like yesterday he was just a pup. To celebrate we had steak for dinner and he got just a little piece. I bought him a new pin monkey stuffed animal. He played with it and when he got tired he put it on the couch next to him and fell asleep. Will be sending pictures soon.


Still going to school, taking American government and politics. Classes end on 6/24/08. It is very interesting to be the only person who knew that Nixon wasn't impeached (he resigned, for all you young ones out there) that Bill Clinton was. And to believe that the best candidate for our country (at this time) is John McCain. Just hope his speeches don't get him in trouble. You know how the press is, they will turn everything around to be either for or against you. I just hope that the media has already "hand-picked" the right man.

Grace will be painting her Sunday School class today and tomorrow. She wants to brighten up the classroom. She got advice from Ron Worley (paint expert) and it should be interesting as she doesn't need my help. My! has she grown up and has it been hard to let go.

Pray for my dad's brother Elbert and his family. He has pneumonia that hasn't cleared up with antibiotics and my aunt Charlotte thinks it is something worse - like lung cancer. The doctors are having tests run and I haven't gotten the results. He is 82 years old and a smoker. He's not eating and has oxygen on 100% of the time.

Let's see we have discussed my current events and politics, so I need to go back to work. Hopefully, I can post a little more often.

And by the way,
Congratulations Josh and Naomy!

You Are a Peanut Butter Jelly Bean

You get along well with all sorts of flavors - and people. You may feel ordinary at times, but you're still loved by (almost) all.

What Flavor Jelly Bean Are You?

A real bargain @ only $3.51 per gallon

Well, I figured I needed to put gas in the car again. I was down to 1/2 tank and figured I had better fill up while I could still afford it. IT TOOK $40.00 TO FILL IT 1/2 WAY!!!!
This time it was $.08 per gallon more. Woo Hoo!! (Note the sense of sarcasm) I went to the BP station and used my debit card. If you use the debit card at the station @ MLK and Armenia, you don't have to pay the extra $.03 per gallon like you do at most stations with a credit card.
As I went to the gym today, I thought I saw $3.91 per gallon at the Sunoco station and I tried to take a picture with my cell phone. It wasn't clear enough to save so I think that one of the LED lights on the sign is stuck on, making the cost appear to be $3.91 per gallon. I think that it is $3.51 per gallon because the Hess station across the street was $3.53 per gallon.


Yes, Pam, I can blog more in one week than you!!! Nanny nanny boo boo!!

Aunt Carrie and Uncle Charlie are together again.

My Aunt Carrie died this afternoon at 2:30pm to be exact. She would have been 83 years old on May 31st. Aunt Carrie has been a special lady in my life.

My mother was born on December 23, 1942 and my Aunt Carrie named her. Donna Maria.

My Aunt Carrie
wasn't even 5' tall but she acted like she was 10' tall. She was a very strong willed woman but she taught me a lot about how to care for my family.

Each summer from 1975 - 1981, we would go to Florida to stay at her home. I remember waking up early a lot of mornings and watch her cook breakfast for my Uncle Charlie so he could go to work. He had to be at work around 7 am so she was up really early to make him eggs, sausage, gravy and biscuits. I don't remember homemade biscuits, they were canned but I do remember getting to eat the leftovers that she would leave on the stove. At supper time, I can always remember her cutting up my Uncle Charlie's meat. I decided to ask her one day why he couldn't do that himself. She said, "He works all day and he is the head of the house, remember that Missy when you get married that it is important to make your husband happy. This makes him happy." She always taught me to treat the man of the house with respect, even when you feel like he doesn't deserve it. Even though, I haven't married yet, I always treated my daddy with the utmost respect. Yes, daddy and I had verbal differences but when it came down to it, I never did disrespect him.

I remember the coffee pot always on. She was always ready to share a cup of coffee and she didn't waste a drop. If it got cold, she would pour the coffee right back through the coffee pot and sometimes it was so strong that only she could drink it.

Her door was always open for anyone who entered.

I remember the late nights, playing Canasta after we (Yvonne, her, my mom and I) would take turns bouncing Grace on our knees to get her to go to sleep because of colic. You would always have to be Aunt Carrie's Canasta partner because if you sat to her right, you would feed her the right card so she could win the game or if you sat to her left, then she would freeze the pot or lay down a card that couldn't be used by anyone. She liked to win at card games.

She helped raise my mother, me, my brothers, my daughter, her son's daughter and son. She adopted two girls and she raised them from infants. Between the 2 of them, they had 11 children. And 3 of those 11 children have 5 children of their own (between them). Every one knew her as nanny. She was either a mother figure or nanny to everyone.

She taught me how to make gravy. I still can't do it as well as she could. But now everytime I try to make gravy, I will think of her.

She taught me to keep my door open and be ready to feed someone when they visit. No matter who they are or what time they show up.

She also taught me that all my freckles were angel kisses. And to think that when the kids teased me at school for having freckles.

I also remember the most important thing she taught me. Take your children to church. Don't send them. How are they going to learn to go to church when they get older. Aunt Carrie didn't go to church but she always made sure that Uncle Charlie had his suit and tie ready and his shirt was ironed. Aunt Carrie and I never talked much about spiritual things because we never got the chance once I got saved and she got sick. She did tell me she was saved and that she was going to heaven when she died. My pastor used to visit my Uncle Charlie after he had his stroke, before he went into a nursing home and he would talk with my Aunt Carrie. Pastor told me that he said she told him she was saved.


She loved to watch: Perry Mason, Diagnosis Murder and Air Wolf, but mostly she loved her family.

I will miss her but I know she isn't suffering anymore.

Gasoline for Sale! Cheap at only $3.43 per gallon!

I was shocked yesterday. I work from home and had to stop at a gas station to fill the car up.

I have my reasons but I only use Sunoco, Hess or BP. I will just have to push the car myself if I have to use Citgo. I never have and hopefully never will. It is cheap gas, and not just money wise.

Anyway, I pulled up to the Hess station because the fuel light had been from Bearss and Dale Mabry until Sligh and Dale Mabry which is only about 3 miles away, however about 20 minutes in traffic. Yes, I said "Please Lord, don't let me run out of gas!" Not just once but quite a few times.

Anyway, I saw the price 3.43 per gallon . Yikes! Eek! Well, I have xx amount in my checking account and will use my debit card. Ok, the fuel light has been on for about 20-30 minutes and I have a 16 gallon gas tank and at 3.43 per gallon that is roughly $56.00. I said ok I have enough to go ahead and fill up the tank. Lets go! Well, I started to fill up the tank and it stopped. Wait a minute, it isn't full yet. After I filled up with $50.00, I remembered, Oh! the gas stations limit the fill up to $50.00 on credit/debit cards.

The shocking part is that the last time I filled up the gas tank, gas was about $3.15 per gallon. And then I thought when I bought the car 2 years ago this June, it only took $25 to fill it up and we were complaining about high prices then.

I have a new respect for all you diesel vehicle owners everywhere. If I am paying 3.43 per gallon, you must be paying 4.00 per gallon. Oh! and by the way, crude oil was $115.00 per barrel yesterday. A new record high-which seems to be growing daily. AAA (travel) says fuel should be about $3.75 per gallon soon.

What are we going to do? Spiritually - PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and PRAY SOME MORE
Physically - I already don't have to drive to work and already don't go too far from home.

Boycotting gas is an answer but too many people live too far from their jobs to be able to walk to work. Can't you see 275 to downtown Tampa full of bicycles instead of cars. That would be great if it could be done, but I don't think they make bicycles built for a family of 5 with diaper bags, book bags and mom's bag attachments. Or how about coming home from the grocery store with food for a family of 5 strapped on the bicycle. That would be a sight.

Anyway, have a good day. Don't let those gas prices keep you home! hee hee

Nothing new going on here!

I guess, I will post something to let you know that I am alive and pretty much well. Just going through a lot health issues right now. My diabetes is now to the stage of insulin. I have started exercising more. I am really getting my moneys worth at the gym going 5 days a week instead of when I depended on Julee to go with me. I haven't lost any weight but the doctor says that once my body gets regulated to the correct blood sugar and I continue to walk 30 minutes a day my weight will start to go down. By the way, I gained back every weight watchers' pound I lost. Well, all but 2 pounds. I am not eating any bread, rice, potatoes, etc. and I gave them all away - except for the open boxes that I had. Even gave away my favorite cereal- Special K chocolaty delight (special k with little chocolate bars in them). I only eat chicken, fish, lean meats and vegetables. Occasionally, a little brown rice. I feel alot better on the insulin. I don't feel like there are so many chemicals in my body now (because of the meds). And, I am drinking my water (yuck) and would rather have diet pepsi.


I did find this on Pam's blog and participated and made some observations:

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

When you take this test, they give you other options. Mine were:
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Schindler’s List
Sunset Boulevard
Apocalypse Now
Platoon
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Godfather
Easy Rider

Somehow, the other ones didn’t fit me. I don’t think I am the Apocalypse Now or Platoon type person. Even though, I thought Platoon was an ok war movie. I don’t see myself as Indiana Jones or the Godfather. But could you see me on a motorcycle in Easy Rider... don’t think so. MENTAL PICTURE, YUCK! My cousin had a motorcycle and he rode me around the block when I was about 12 years old and never again!. I never even rode the one my father had.

The only movies I saw were Platoon, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Godfather. I have seen clips of the other movies.
I did see a spoof that Carol Burnett did about Sunset Boulevard. She was hilarious.

Anyway, Grace will be home soon. I can't wait.
There is the Mother Daughter tea coming up on May 17th. My mother is coming. We always have a great time.

More Pictures:

Desk in progress ( I don't have a picture of the whole office yet):

Bookcase:





More Kitchen in progress:

The glory light:

The wait is over!

Before:



What I came home from vacation to:






Now:


But pictures don't do it justice. You have to look for yourself!
Sorry, it took so long to get the pictures together. I have been sick. Sick enough to call in sick and miss work and I work from home.


Coming soon! The infamous desk and bookcase!

Well

Here I am again. Another one of those Murphy's law examples. Does anyone know what parsing on a computer means? I called Verizon (my internet provider) and they said it is my computer. Yikes!! That Dell computer, again. Pray for me as I call them to see what is wrong. Will keep you posted.

The house is done!

My remodel is done!
Repairs, too.
I have a new kitchen and a new bathroom. Also, I have new office furniture, end tables and a cabinet for my television.

I practically have a brand new home and didn't have to move! Just had to pack up a few rooms and put them back. Everything is almost back in order.

I learned a few lessons, too.

1. Be patient!
2. Be patient!
3. Be patient!
4. Be patient!

... do you think God was teaching me to be patient?

Also, remember when you make the plans God is rotfl at you!

The saying Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. I think people call that Murphy's Law. It has been in effect this whole time.
I will try to organize the picture and show you what was done next week. I hope.

Remember When... This is for Rita and Pam.




Rub a dub dub Three men eating hamburgers in a tub!

My Baby is 21!

Yes, I am now an official parent to an adult. Grace was 21 on Saturday. For those of you who do not know Grace. She is a Junior at Crown College of the Bible in Powell, TN. She is an elementary education major. She is also in the college choir and got the chance to travel to England last spring. Hopefully, she will get to go this spring.

Happy Birthday Grace. Hope you had a great day.

I am a Violet What Flower Are You?

"You have a shy personality. You tend to hesitate before trying new things or meeting new people. But once people get to know you, you open up and show the world what you are really all about."


This is me to a T. Yes, Pam, 2 posts in a week. Ohhh AHHHHH

Coming Soon!!!

Pictures will be posted soon. My home is still under construction. My Christmas present - the new kitchen still isn't done. I have cabinets and an over the stove microwave installed, the walls are painted and I have a Glory light!!!


Will tell you more later.