Just had to!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
BIRTHDAY GIRL
We celebrated Joe's Moms (Mamaw) birthday this weekend. She was 70 on the 24th! We had dinner and the kids got to show her all their latest tricks. 
How do you like those shirts the kids have on? It looks like I have my work cut out for me on laundry day! I just try to look at their sweet faces and overlook the rest.
How do you like those shirts the kids have on? It looks like I have my work cut out for me on laundry day! I just try to look at their sweet faces and overlook the rest.Friday, April 25, 2008
DREAMING OF GLOVES
The other night I had a dream of finding my gloves. I didn't realize they were missing, but looked down and there they were. I haven't stopped thinking about it, so this morning I had to look it up. SECURITY, that's what it means. That I have securtiy in my life. Whew! After all the crazy dreams I have had, and the supper busy life, I was really starting to wonder why this was stuck in my head.
I can rest now.
I can rest now.
Monday, April 21, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SADIE
We just want to show you what a fun girl Sadie is and say how much we miss her. We DO have plans to see her this summer and we can't wait! We hope you are having a wonderful birthday! We love you !
Sunday, April 20, 2008
PIRATES OF PENZANCE the play
It has been a very loooong week. For more than the last month, Elijah has been going to rehearsal several times a week. It has worked out well for me because Joe has been able to pick him up most days after work. That all changed last week when they had rehearsal every day until late in the evening. I spent a lot of time waiting....
It was ALL worth it! Thursday they had their first performance and it was AWESOME. I have not been to too many plays to compare it with, but I was totally entertained. They were flawless, which I know is saying a lot, but they were on fire! Which led to some really pumped up kids that didn't get to bed until midnight with school the next morning.
Meme and Pop joined me for the Friday performance along with Leah and her daughter Camellia. They were going to the "real" High School Musical the next night but were really surprised at the talent we had right here in our town. They had a few sound issues but the acting was superb! Everyone enjoyed the night with lots more excitement.
Saturday found us out bright and early for Levi's soccer game. The weather was cold and windy but the game was good with Levi making some good plays. I am definitely ready for some warmer weather to stay! By the afternoon Naomi had her second game ever and was really playing. The other team had only 4 teammates show up so they decided to let our team help them out at the goaly position. It was fun to watch. Kenny and his kids showed up about the time her game was over and it was wild thereafter. The kids have so much fun together, I wish we lived closer. There was concern over whether they would be able to sit through a two hour play so Chris decided to stay home with Meme and Pop. Our very supportive friends PJ and Gregg came with Georgia. Mamaw and Papaw, Elijah's dad, and several of Elijah's friends from church came to see the show also. There was excitement in the air, the kids were on the edge of their seats and they were totally enjoying the show. Elijah stepped up his part in the play and made it to the front of the group whenever possible. I was so proud. To see the look on my friends faces and hear the complements that were said, gave me great joy. I wanted everyone to be as entertained as I was. I know that my family cares about us and will support us, but to see real talent is exciting.
So, for those of you who, like me don't know about the play, here is a brief summary.
A comedic operetta that premiered in 1879. This show, like most operetta's mock the conventions of opera with its sarcastic and silly lyrics. This show is one of the most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. Albert Sullivan wrote the music and William Gilbert wrote the lyrics. They are the most famous comic opera team in history. In light of the historical significance of their work, this show is also known as The Slave of Duty and has had thousands of productions preformed across the world. This version is based on Joseph Papp's Broadway production which opened in 1981 and featured performances by Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt.
The play is about Frederic, the 21 year old pirate, who has never seen the world, wanting to free himself of his duty to the pirate king.
Opening scene, where they are celebrating Frederic's 21st birthday. Elijah is center stage in white shirt and blue pants.
The pirate king, right before he falls off the crates.
The pirates wanting to take the daughters as brides. Elijah is on the right.
Singing one of the many fine songs.
Toward the end when turmoil has set in.
It was ALL worth it! Thursday they had their first performance and it was AWESOME. I have not been to too many plays to compare it with, but I was totally entertained. They were flawless, which I know is saying a lot, but they were on fire! Which led to some really pumped up kids that didn't get to bed until midnight with school the next morning.
Meme and Pop joined me for the Friday performance along with Leah and her daughter Camellia. They were going to the "real" High School Musical the next night but were really surprised at the talent we had right here in our town. They had a few sound issues but the acting was superb! Everyone enjoyed the night with lots more excitement.
Saturday found us out bright and early for Levi's soccer game. The weather was cold and windy but the game was good with Levi making some good plays. I am definitely ready for some warmer weather to stay! By the afternoon Naomi had her second game ever and was really playing. The other team had only 4 teammates show up so they decided to let our team help them out at the goaly position. It was fun to watch. Kenny and his kids showed up about the time her game was over and it was wild thereafter. The kids have so much fun together, I wish we lived closer. There was concern over whether they would be able to sit through a two hour play so Chris decided to stay home with Meme and Pop. Our very supportive friends PJ and Gregg came with Georgia. Mamaw and Papaw, Elijah's dad, and several of Elijah's friends from church came to see the show also. There was excitement in the air, the kids were on the edge of their seats and they were totally enjoying the show. Elijah stepped up his part in the play and made it to the front of the group whenever possible. I was so proud. To see the look on my friends faces and hear the complements that were said, gave me great joy. I wanted everyone to be as entertained as I was. I know that my family cares about us and will support us, but to see real talent is exciting.
So, for those of you who, like me don't know about the play, here is a brief summary.
A comedic operetta that premiered in 1879. This show, like most operetta's mock the conventions of opera with its sarcastic and silly lyrics. This show is one of the most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. Albert Sullivan wrote the music and William Gilbert wrote the lyrics. They are the most famous comic opera team in history. In light of the historical significance of their work, this show is also known as The Slave of Duty and has had thousands of productions preformed across the world. This version is based on Joseph Papp's Broadway production which opened in 1981 and featured performances by Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt.
The play is about Frederic, the 21 year old pirate, who has never seen the world, wanting to free himself of his duty to the pirate king.
Opening scene, where they are celebrating Frederic's 21st birthday. Elijah is center stage in white shirt and blue pants.
The pirate king, right before he falls off the crates.
The pirates wanting to take the daughters as brides. Elijah is on the right.
Singing one of the many fine songs.
Toward the end when turmoil has set in.Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I DID IT
I finished the book by Alan Alda, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself. And it was wonderful!
I really felt a connection to this book. I guess the fact that it has come into my life when it did. I spend so much time working on myself and my kids, thinking, is it making a difference? I know it is, and I know with my personality, I have to do it. So the next thing I have to do, is share what I learned with you, and anyone who will listen.
Just a note, I have heard many of these things said before. I have thought many of these things before, too. I like that he put them together in a book for the world to see and if people listen, we will be in a better place before we know it.
The first thing he wrote that made me pick up my pen was, Are you living a life of meaning? (Sorry to be redundant of the earlier post) It just spoke to me. Was I? I am trying to, it feels like it, but when I lay my head down at night I feel like I could have done so much more. But how?
He has sooo many good points. These are some of the highlights that I wrote down. I hope it gets you thinking like it did me. If you have time, read the book, let me know what you think. He quotes Edmund Burke. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." So I can't do "nothing" after reading this book, so, here it is in a nutshell.
Your life will have meaning, when you give meaning to it.
Find out what your values are and then learn to live by them
Serve a higher purpose than yourself. This will give you fulfillment.
Love your work. If you put your heart into it, you can't loose. And no one can take that away from you.
Keep laughing, and if you can, get others to join you in laughter.
Be fair with others.
Be strong and aggressive and tough and resilient and full of feeling.
Be bold, move with all of yourself, be brave.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
It is better to be wise that smart.
It is possible to be absent without ever leaving home.
If you are bored, you're not paying attention.
There are people who truly care if I learn.
Get very lucky (in work and love) and if that doesn't work out, have a back up. Be nimble.
Think things through. No matter what the ideology is, get the facts. Don't just rely on your beliefs. Everything is more complex than it first seems, and being passionate doesn't make you right.
You have to learn the thing that counts; the thing that will get you through the dark hours of the night when the gray wolf of doubt, the prince of fear, comes and sits on your chest and, smiling whispers to you, "Hello friend. I'm going to eat you, but you won't feel a thing because I eat from the inside out."
Think clearly and for yourself; learn to use language to express those thoughts. Love somebody with all your heart....and with EVERYONE, whether you love them or not, find out how you can be helpful.
He does finish the book with the answer to what he thinks is the meaning to life, and it is so simple.
The meaning to life is life.
Not noticing life is what's meaningless, right down to the last second.
I really felt a connection to this book. I guess the fact that it has come into my life when it did. I spend so much time working on myself and my kids, thinking, is it making a difference? I know it is, and I know with my personality, I have to do it. So the next thing I have to do, is share what I learned with you, and anyone who will listen.
Just a note, I have heard many of these things said before. I have thought many of these things before, too. I like that he put them together in a book for the world to see and if people listen, we will be in a better place before we know it.
The first thing he wrote that made me pick up my pen was, Are you living a life of meaning? (Sorry to be redundant of the earlier post) It just spoke to me. Was I? I am trying to, it feels like it, but when I lay my head down at night I feel like I could have done so much more. But how?
He has sooo many good points. These are some of the highlights that I wrote down. I hope it gets you thinking like it did me. If you have time, read the book, let me know what you think. He quotes Edmund Burke. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." So I can't do "nothing" after reading this book, so, here it is in a nutshell.
Your life will have meaning, when you give meaning to it.
Find out what your values are and then learn to live by them
Serve a higher purpose than yourself. This will give you fulfillment.
Love your work. If you put your heart into it, you can't loose. And no one can take that away from you.
Keep laughing, and if you can, get others to join you in laughter.
Be fair with others.
Be strong and aggressive and tough and resilient and full of feeling.
Be bold, move with all of yourself, be brave.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
It is better to be wise that smart.
It is possible to be absent without ever leaving home.
If you are bored, you're not paying attention.
There are people who truly care if I learn.
Get very lucky (in work and love) and if that doesn't work out, have a back up. Be nimble.
Think things through. No matter what the ideology is, get the facts. Don't just rely on your beliefs. Everything is more complex than it first seems, and being passionate doesn't make you right.
You have to learn the thing that counts; the thing that will get you through the dark hours of the night when the gray wolf of doubt, the prince of fear, comes and sits on your chest and, smiling whispers to you, "Hello friend. I'm going to eat you, but you won't feel a thing because I eat from the inside out."
Think clearly and for yourself; learn to use language to express those thoughts. Love somebody with all your heart....and with EVERYONE, whether you love them or not, find out how you can be helpful.
He does finish the book with the answer to what he thinks is the meaning to life, and it is so simple.
The meaning to life is life.
Not noticing life is what's meaningless, right down to the last second.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
SPRING in my yard
I could not resist taking these pictures the other morning after I took the kids to school. The way the sun is just coming up is so beautiful and makes everything look fresh and exciting! I really like some of the close up shots, just a little different from what I normally do. 
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
IRRESISTIBLE POST
With a caption like that, I guess I have some explaining to do. I had already posted ealier today, but this made me laugh and I wanted to share it with you all. As you know spring break is over and we are back in school full swing. Which means lots of papers coming home. Naomi has been working really hard on reading and writing and the proof came home today.
Now the funny part. Levi was laughing at how Naomi had written her story, even going as far to say that she didn't know how to spell. I quickly reminded him that she is only in kindergarten and was doing really well for her age. I reminded him that he was young once too and that he should be proud of his sister.
She was really proud of the fact that she had written her name in self taught cursive. I didn't notice that she put Mrs. in front of Naomi until I scanned it!
Translation: On spring break I did many things. I went to the farm, on the way I saw horses and cows, moo! Just kidding. I could read it with out any problem and was very happy.
Just today I ask Levi to go through a box of school work that I have saved. I thought it was only this year and part of last year but low and behold he came up with his papers from first grade. He ask me to read them after dinner and we had a good laugh. His spelling was just as bad if not worse but we all had a good laugh.
Here is a paper he wrote on Nov 4, 2005
Dear Naomi, Library was fun. I wil brag home a book you wil laf. My book is ckuood A DIARY OF A WORM AND A DUCK FOR PRESIDENT. Do you wut to hir a but my week. I had science igsper a mit we are wucking on very ckl igsperumit abate matter. are Halloween Party was fun.
Love. Levi
So, you see, I thought you all might like a challenge. Can you try to figure out what he is trying to say? I did pretty well till I got to the ckl igsperumit. Any suggestions?
Now the funny part. Levi was laughing at how Naomi had written her story, even going as far to say that she didn't know how to spell. I quickly reminded him that she is only in kindergarten and was doing really well for her age. I reminded him that he was young once too and that he should be proud of his sister.
She was really proud of the fact that she had written her name in self taught cursive. I didn't notice that she put Mrs. in front of Naomi until I scanned it!
Translation: On spring break I did many things. I went to the farm, on the way I saw horses and cows, moo! Just kidding. I could read it with out any problem and was very happy.Just today I ask Levi to go through a box of school work that I have saved. I thought it was only this year and part of last year but low and behold he came up with his papers from first grade. He ask me to read them after dinner and we had a good laugh. His spelling was just as bad if not worse but we all had a good laugh.
Here is a paper he wrote on Nov 4, 2005
Dear Naomi, Library was fun. I wil brag home a book you wil laf. My book is ckuood A DIARY OF A WORM AND A DUCK FOR PRESIDENT. Do you wut to hir a but my week. I had science igsper a mit we are wucking on very ckl igsperumit abate matter. are Halloween Party was fun.
Love. Levi
So, you see, I thought you all might like a challenge. Can you try to figure out what he is trying to say? I did pretty well till I got to the ckl igsperumit. Any suggestions?
REVAMPING THE CHAIRS
All of you must know by now that I get distracted easy. Most of the time it is not a problem but I have decided I will start my list again. I used a notebook for a long time and that was the most effective. I finally threw it out after feeling like I always had a job to do. But, guess what, I DO always have a job to do! So, for a year now I have been walking around in circles getting done only what was staring me in the face.
The latest staring me in the face project was de-cluttering my home. I went through the attic, my office and several other rooms. While in the attic I ran across the bag of material that I had kept from my Grandma. Being the seamstress she was she had lots of material when she died and Mom and Dad inherited it all. We donated some of it to the kids school (which they loved!) Mary Grace and I took some and left the rest for Mom. Believe me, there was plenty!
In the bag I found this one piece that I thought would make great seat cushions. I had some chairs that we inherited from Joe's family that were old and worn out that just begged to be recovered. We had some old foam and batting, now we had the material, so, since it was staring me in the face, I must do it. Joe of course, can' t believe his ears. (We have had all this stuff for years). But, being the sweetheart that he is, he obliged me! The kids love to help too! Best, I can cross a project off my list before it even makes it on there!!!
Levi checking for pins. He has a good eye and found a few!
Just starting out. The material doesn't look too bad from a distance but up close it is worn. Did I mention that we put the missing piece to the chair somewhere? I haven't found it yet but I am not giving up hope.
Naomi doing her part. Giving the chairs a good cleaning! She is totally posing for the picture, "Wait, let me get inside. Does this look good?" You see how well she is cleaning.
What do you think, new and improved? Not your traditional seat covering but they work well in my home.
The latest staring me in the face project was de-cluttering my home. I went through the attic, my office and several other rooms. While in the attic I ran across the bag of material that I had kept from my Grandma. Being the seamstress she was she had lots of material when she died and Mom and Dad inherited it all. We donated some of it to the kids school (which they loved!) Mary Grace and I took some and left the rest for Mom. Believe me, there was plenty!
In the bag I found this one piece that I thought would make great seat cushions. I had some chairs that we inherited from Joe's family that were old and worn out that just begged to be recovered. We had some old foam and batting, now we had the material, so, since it was staring me in the face, I must do it. Joe of course, can' t believe his ears. (We have had all this stuff for years). But, being the sweetheart that he is, he obliged me! The kids love to help too! Best, I can cross a project off my list before it even makes it on there!!!
Levi checking for pins. He has a good eye and found a few!
Just starting out. The material doesn't look too bad from a distance but up close it is worn. Did I mention that we put the missing piece to the chair somewhere? I haven't found it yet but I am not giving up hope.
Naomi doing her part. Giving the chairs a good cleaning! She is totally posing for the picture, "Wait, let me get inside. Does this look good?" You see how well she is cleaning.
What do you think, new and improved? Not your traditional seat covering but they work well in my home.Friday, April 04, 2008
SPRING BREAK
I worked the first part of the week, but the latter has been spent cleaning and purging. I must admit, it feels good. I have organized several room and several areas in other rooms. Writing it out seems like I have accomplished a lot but in reality, it has only put a small dent in our home. The kids have had fun playing with each other, helping out a little, but most of all, just having the time to hang out. If it was pretty outside, I might have a different story but this has given me the opportunity to do some much needed work.
It all started with the electronic recycling that the city put on. We have been saving our alkaline batteries for years as I hate to throw them in the landfill and they were willing to take them! It seems that they are doing it more often, which is great. It caused us to clear out things that were stuck in the deepest, darkest parts of our home and it snowballed from there.
The other good that will come of this is, what was not recycled will be donated to Elijah's school for a yard sale that will benefit the choir. It is set for 2 weeks, so I will have to look at the mounds of plastic bags but it is for a good cause!
It all started with the electronic recycling that the city put on. We have been saving our alkaline batteries for years as I hate to throw them in the landfill and they were willing to take them! It seems that they are doing it more often, which is great. It caused us to clear out things that were stuck in the deepest, darkest parts of our home and it snowballed from there.
The other good that will come of this is, what was not recycled will be donated to Elijah's school for a yard sale that will benefit the choir. It is set for 2 weeks, so I will have to look at the mounds of plastic bags but it is for a good cause!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY a little late AND a april fools joke
Sorry, Emily. I didn't completely forget her, we gave her a call to wish her a happy birthday at her Grandma's house. She was having fun, her other cousin Britney was spending the night too. We have spent many birthdays with her but not this year. As you can tell, she is quite a character!
Now for the joke. My client gave me the idea, I didn't think my family would fall for it but they took the bait, hook, line and sinker!
While cooking dinner we were talking about jokes and things we could say to Daddy when he came home. Joe walks in and I go over to Hawk's cage and surprised I announce, "Oh my gosh, Hawk laid an egg!" Everyone rushed over to see. Elijah says, "I thought you said Hawk was a boy?!" Looking around Joe was the first to say, "April fools!" Going back to there seats, I saw some pretty good faces that looked like they had just been HAD!
Now for the joke. My client gave me the idea, I didn't think my family would fall for it but they took the bait, hook, line and sinker!While cooking dinner we were talking about jokes and things we could say to Daddy when he came home. Joe walks in and I go over to Hawk's cage and surprised I announce, "Oh my gosh, Hawk laid an egg!" Everyone rushed over to see. Elijah says, "I thought you said Hawk was a boy?!" Looking around Joe was the first to say, "April fools!" Going back to there seats, I saw some pretty good faces that looked like they had just been HAD!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
HAWKEYE
With so much talk about Hawk lately, and the fact that I am reading a book by Alan Alda, it has got me thinking. I really like what he has to say. Has anyone else read his books? I am reading, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself.
He wrote it after his near death experience in Chile. It is based on some of the impossible questions he's ask himself over his lifetime. I want to share it with Elijah but I don't know that he would really get it. I think he makes some great points and, from the beginning I have set with my journal to try and remember them. It would be so nice to remember all the good advice we have been given over the years. My mind doesn't work that way but at least I am smart enough now to write it down!
One of the first things he writes is the question, Are you living a life of meaning? Wow!!!
He writes, Will this have been a life that meant something? Wow!!!
I think we all want to believe that our lives have meaning, but what is the meaning of life? This is truely the question I have ask myself my whole life, what is my purpose? What am I REALLY put here to do? I guess time will tell. Until then I will let Mr. Alda give me something to think about.
He wrote it after his near death experience in Chile. It is based on some of the impossible questions he's ask himself over his lifetime. I want to share it with Elijah but I don't know that he would really get it. I think he makes some great points and, from the beginning I have set with my journal to try and remember them. It would be so nice to remember all the good advice we have been given over the years. My mind doesn't work that way but at least I am smart enough now to write it down!
One of the first things he writes is the question, Are you living a life of meaning? Wow!!!
He writes, Will this have been a life that meant something? Wow!!!
I think we all want to believe that our lives have meaning, but what is the meaning of life? This is truely the question I have ask myself my whole life, what is my purpose? What am I REALLY put here to do? I guess time will tell. Until then I will let Mr. Alda give me something to think about.
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