I suppose that when you drive 58,000 miles a year for work, you are bound to have more than your fair share of run-ins with the highway patrol, right. :) Yesterday was Joal's day for a ticket in podunkville TN.
So here's to you, babe.
3.31.2009
3.27.2009
Easter Cards
Cute-sy stuff really isn't my thing, except around Easter. I bought the lamb stamp at Michaels for a dollar (Studio G) because it reminded me of the logo of the children's ministry at our church. I thought perhaps I would use it in G's school scrapbook for the year he attended pre-k at our church.
I had visions of lambs for baby cards, lambs for Easter and spring cards, lambs with flockng, lambs with Stickles...you get the picture...the lamb seemed like he would get alot of use. He, she...I don't know.
Anyway.
Lambs for Easter and Spring cards...here the are. :)
So the little lamb stamp started me down a path...here are some other lamb-ie things:
Unity Stamp Co's "Love Ewe" set..gotta get this!
This kid's lamb craft...who doesn't love the 9 million things you can do with paper towel tubes and cotton balls?
This felt lamb pin on Etsy.
Happy Friday all.
3.25.2009
pages
Hey, guess what?
I actually do still scrapbook.
Really.
A few weeks ago Melly from 2peas emailed me and asked if I was interested in making a couple of layouts using some free goodies--how could I say no to that? One of the items she sent along for me to work with was the Travel Mat Stack from Die Cuts with a View. I've never used Mat Stacks before but was impressed with the cardstock weight of each sheet and the texture too. I don't really mat photos...so I had to find other ways to use the sheets.
There's a variety of options in this particular stack--a pleasant surprised.
Thanks for looking.
--Sarah
3.24.2009
Just a picture of me and the sea
I don't end up on this side of the camera very often--but I like this shot. It reminds me of the wind in my hair (obviously), the endless sound of gentle waves, the hum of the ship, and the occasional spray of sea water across my face. It reminds me of the warmth of the sun and the smell of the sea. It reminds me of laughter and love.
Dean Brody
Brothers
by Dean Brody
Have you heard this song?
If not, beware.
It'll getcha.
"Sometimes freedom makes it hard to live,
It takes things from you that you don't wanna give."
by Dean Brody
Have you heard this song?
If not, beware.
It'll getcha.
"Sometimes freedom makes it hard to live,
It takes things from you that you don't wanna give."
3.20.2009
Have I said thank you lately?
So something happened to me not too long ago that made me realize I should be more grateful for those of you who take the time to read my little blog. I haven't said it lately--but I am grateful. Thankful--very very thankful for people who read what I write. If you weren't reading, what would be the point?
So thank you, for sharing a bit of your day with me, whether I know it or not.
Those are beautiful words to a writer's heart--to hear someone say "I read your blog." It's a compliment. And I am totally grateful.
What made me think of this?
There's this blog that I read.
It's written by a creative woman whom I have long-admired but never met in person. From her blog, I have become a more faithful person, a better scrapbooker and a more caring and observant mother. Her words speak to my soul quite often. After reading her writings for more than a year, I am fairly convinced that we could be friends in real life, not that I would presume, but sometimes you just know these things.
And yet, when I had the chance to meet her in person through a mutual friend, I said those words that (I thought) every blogger would surely appreciate--"I am so inspired by your blog."
And boom. The lights went out and her smile left.
"It's nice to meet you." she said.
And turned and walked away.
It was an "ouch" moment.
For sure.
And I was stunned. I know that a whole person can not be judged by her reaction to one little phrase, in one unplanned, unexpected moment, and because I still want to like her, I try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
But it stung.
Does she not understand the gift she has?
Does she resent that she gives so much of herself and that people willingly accept her as brilliantly funny, qwerky and creative? Is that a burden?
Was there a rock in her shoe or grounds in her coffee?
I don't have any answers...but it did make me want to say "thank you" to my friends who read. You bring me great joy. You give me perspective. You challenge me. You correct my spelling. You make me laugh.
And for those things, I am deeply grateful.
So thank you, for sharing a bit of your day with me, whether I know it or not.
Those are beautiful words to a writer's heart--to hear someone say "I read your blog." It's a compliment. And I am totally grateful.
What made me think of this?
There's this blog that I read.
It's written by a creative woman whom I have long-admired but never met in person. From her blog, I have become a more faithful person, a better scrapbooker and a more caring and observant mother. Her words speak to my soul quite often. After reading her writings for more than a year, I am fairly convinced that we could be friends in real life, not that I would presume, but sometimes you just know these things.
And yet, when I had the chance to meet her in person through a mutual friend, I said those words that (I thought) every blogger would surely appreciate--"I am so inspired by your blog."
And boom. The lights went out and her smile left.
"It's nice to meet you." she said.
And turned and walked away.
It was an "ouch" moment.
For sure.
And I was stunned. I know that a whole person can not be judged by her reaction to one little phrase, in one unplanned, unexpected moment, and because I still want to like her, I try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
But it stung.
Does she not understand the gift she has?
Does she resent that she gives so much of herself and that people willingly accept her as brilliantly funny, qwerky and creative? Is that a burden?
Was there a rock in her shoe or grounds in her coffee?
I don't have any answers...but it did make me want to say "thank you" to my friends who read. You bring me great joy. You give me perspective. You challenge me. You correct my spelling. You make me laugh.
And for those things, I am deeply grateful.
Eric Carle
Happy First Day of Spring.
Did you see the Google omage to celebrate?
It's fantastic.
I wish I could have Eric Carle come decorate my house!
3.19.2009
3.17.2009
3.15.2009
What a Week!
We'll we had a quiet week for the most part at the Dev...Ranch. Jet-lag or perhaps, more correctly, cruise-lag hit me with both barrels on Monday. I was totally wiped out. Joal left before the sun came up for week in Atlanta. I climbed out of bed begrudgingly and got G to school and came home. Sat Julian up with a video and decided to catch a nap on the sofa. Nice peaceful nap. Dreaming of Grand Cayman that we didn't get to see. (Another post for another day.)
Only to have my little dreams interupted by the words "Mommy I need the key to the shed so I can get the tool to turn off the water to the house."
Come again. Is there sand in my ears. Who are you?
My 13 year old son--the one who was supposed to still be watching a video in the chair in the same room was standing over me--his voice was shaking and I could see immediately that he was drenched from his fuzzy hair to his boots. His whole body was shaking. He was clearly disturbed.
"What's wrong?" I ask with the usual amount of motherly trepidation.
"I need to turn off the water to the house down at the main. I need your key to the shed to get the tool out."
"Why?" What I was thinking was more along the lines of "What on earth are you talking about and exactly how do you know how to turn off the water to the house at the main?"
He was frustrated and still shivering. I could tell he was really worried about the impending consequences of whatever it was that he had done. "I didn't mean to." was all the information he could muster.
My brain was clearing and I could hear the ominous sound of water gushing from one of the outdoor spigots on the front of our house. I told him to sit tight, got him a towel and traipsed off to invesigate.
Thinking all the while...Joal's not coming home until Friday...I have to handle this. Alone. Whatever this is. Visions of our water/sewer guy having to make a housecall danced in my head. I saw myself writing a check...ugh. And feeling completely inept.
Sure enough, the spigot at the front of the house--naturally the one that was hidden by an overgrowth of ivy and bush, was gushing water because the controlling piece had been removed. There were various pieces of pipeage in the muddy pool of yuck that was fast becoming a flood in the bed of my front bushes.
If it hadn't been 40 degrees outside, this might have been fun.
I made a few attempts to re-attach some of the pieces that looked like they might belong on there...but did you know that if you try to cap a flowing spigot, all you get is very wet and very cold? I learned that in a hurry.
So, indeed, he was right. He needed to get the tool out of the shed that turns off the water at the street.
Wonder what said tool looks like?
I come back in and fetch him from the chair. I grab the keys and we go to the shed. He retrieves the tool and we traipse down the driveway to the box that contains the water main valve. Julian is almost 13 and I confess he has taken on quite a bit of muscle mass lately--a fact for which I was thanking the Lord, when I could not budge the valve. He was still freezing and scared, but he worked that valve with the tool like a pro.
The flow of water quickly subsided. We traipsed back up the driveway and he put all the pieces of the thingamajigs and whatchamacallits back into place. He used the vice grips to tighten it all up and wasn't beyond getting down into the muck to get the job done. I couldn't help but be proud. He loves plumbing and all things related to plumbing and he reads manuals like most boys read comic books.
When he said he was done, I whispered a prayer for it to all hold tightly under the returning pressure of the water(for his sake and mine) and walked slowly back down the drive with him, to turn the water on. He used the tool and reinstated the water.
It held and there was no more gushng of water.
The day is saved.
How do I scold or discipline him for all the rules he broke--going outside without permission, going to the front yard without telling me first, turning on the water, dismantling part of the house...all these things he knew he should not have done...and yet, he came to me when the situation became serious, he owned up immediately, and he worked hard to fix the problem. In the end, it was his skill that made it right.
We had a long talk about all this. He knew that he had done wrong. He knew that he could have caused a larger problem for our house. He gave me the most heart-felt apology I have ever heard from him. Yes, it was a serious situation but I couldn't rain down any further punishment on him. Dang it. I was too proud of his ability. He really did save the day.
So, after he was clean and dry again, and after I had some time to mull and pray, I told him that when Daddy got home he would have to tell Joal what he had done and that they would have to look at the spigot situation together. If Daddy thought that any pieces needed to be replaced, Julian would have to use his Home Depot money to pay for the replacements and he would not be allowed to participate in the replacement process. Dad would do it without him.
I told him I was dissappointed that he had done things he knew he wasn't supposed to do, but that I was glad he came to me in the crisis and that he was able to fix the problem.
He understood. All in all, I'm pretty sure that Richard Trethewey would be proud. And is probably to blame for him knowing how to turn off the main water supply anyway.
The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. And drier. Mostly.
Only to have my little dreams interupted by the words "Mommy I need the key to the shed so I can get the tool to turn off the water to the house."
Come again. Is there sand in my ears. Who are you?
My 13 year old son--the one who was supposed to still be watching a video in the chair in the same room was standing over me--his voice was shaking and I could see immediately that he was drenched from his fuzzy hair to his boots. His whole body was shaking. He was clearly disturbed.
"What's wrong?" I ask with the usual amount of motherly trepidation.
"I need to turn off the water to the house down at the main. I need your key to the shed to get the tool out."
"Why?" What I was thinking was more along the lines of "What on earth are you talking about and exactly how do you know how to turn off the water to the house at the main?"
He was frustrated and still shivering. I could tell he was really worried about the impending consequences of whatever it was that he had done. "I didn't mean to." was all the information he could muster.
My brain was clearing and I could hear the ominous sound of water gushing from one of the outdoor spigots on the front of our house. I told him to sit tight, got him a towel and traipsed off to invesigate.
Thinking all the while...Joal's not coming home until Friday...I have to handle this. Alone. Whatever this is. Visions of our water/sewer guy having to make a housecall danced in my head. I saw myself writing a check...ugh. And feeling completely inept.
Sure enough, the spigot at the front of the house--naturally the one that was hidden by an overgrowth of ivy and bush, was gushing water because the controlling piece had been removed. There were various pieces of pipeage in the muddy pool of yuck that was fast becoming a flood in the bed of my front bushes.
If it hadn't been 40 degrees outside, this might have been fun.
I made a few attempts to re-attach some of the pieces that looked like they might belong on there...but did you know that if you try to cap a flowing spigot, all you get is very wet and very cold? I learned that in a hurry.
So, indeed, he was right. He needed to get the tool out of the shed that turns off the water at the street.
Wonder what said tool looks like?
I come back in and fetch him from the chair. I grab the keys and we go to the shed. He retrieves the tool and we traipse down the driveway to the box that contains the water main valve. Julian is almost 13 and I confess he has taken on quite a bit of muscle mass lately--a fact for which I was thanking the Lord, when I could not budge the valve. He was still freezing and scared, but he worked that valve with the tool like a pro.
The flow of water quickly subsided. We traipsed back up the driveway and he put all the pieces of the thingamajigs and whatchamacallits back into place. He used the vice grips to tighten it all up and wasn't beyond getting down into the muck to get the job done. I couldn't help but be proud. He loves plumbing and all things related to plumbing and he reads manuals like most boys read comic books.
When he said he was done, I whispered a prayer for it to all hold tightly under the returning pressure of the water(for his sake and mine) and walked slowly back down the drive with him, to turn the water on. He used the tool and reinstated the water.
It held and there was no more gushng of water.
The day is saved.
How do I scold or discipline him for all the rules he broke--going outside without permission, going to the front yard without telling me first, turning on the water, dismantling part of the house...all these things he knew he should not have done...and yet, he came to me when the situation became serious, he owned up immediately, and he worked hard to fix the problem. In the end, it was his skill that made it right.
We had a long talk about all this. He knew that he had done wrong. He knew that he could have caused a larger problem for our house. He gave me the most heart-felt apology I have ever heard from him. Yes, it was a serious situation but I couldn't rain down any further punishment on him. Dang it. I was too proud of his ability. He really did save the day.
So, after he was clean and dry again, and after I had some time to mull and pray, I told him that when Daddy got home he would have to tell Joal what he had done and that they would have to look at the spigot situation together. If Daddy thought that any pieces needed to be replaced, Julian would have to use his Home Depot money to pay for the replacements and he would not be allowed to participate in the replacement process. Dad would do it without him.
I told him I was dissappointed that he had done things he knew he wasn't supposed to do, but that I was glad he came to me in the crisis and that he was able to fix the problem.
He understood. All in all, I'm pretty sure that Richard Trethewey would be proud. And is probably to blame for him knowing how to turn off the main water supply anyway.
The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. And drier. Mostly.
3.13.2009
One little memory...
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
That big boat behind me is the Navigator of the Seas.
It was really windy, so my hair was blowing into my face (and had already been wet because we swam with Pepe', the dolphin first thing in the morning.) This small little beachy area is located at the end of the Village--a string of shopping spots and entertainment venues right near the pier, that's very popular with tourists. It's also the home of the Ocho Rios Margaritaville.
So I thought it would be cool to have a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Actually, I thought it would be a cool scrapbook page...but don't tell anyone that. We tried. We went to Margaritaville and the gal at the door said it would be about 20 minutes. We said OK and stood around, took some pictures and watched the people at the bar. The music was loud and enjoyable. Twenty five minutes come and go...Joal checks with her and she says "do you wanna eat at the upstairs bar?"
Well, not really, but OK. I hate eating at a bar because a) it makes bartenders irritated when people who don't drink take up space at the bar and b) the service always stinks because of a). :)
SO we go upstairs, which turns out to be really cool, because we can see everything going on downstairs but as I suspected, the service did not happen. The waitress apparently didn't get the memo so we sat for a while. No menu, no service, annoying the bartenders. Finally, Joal catches a waiter and asks if we can move to an open table. Jamaicans never have a problem with anything so of course he says move. We do. But then we wait for a while more for our waitress to take our order.
My apparent inability to say the requisite "No problem, mon" at this point prompted us to give up and go eat on the boat.
So no cheeseburgers in paradise this trip.
But it was better than last year's horse adventure...so no problem, mon.
The music at Margaritaville was lively (live DJ) and a little taste of home--that felt good. There's something iconic about hearing Alan Jackson's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" played super-loud at a Margaritaville in the Caribbean. A cheeseburger would have made it perfect.
No problem, mon.
3.10.2009
This hobby of mine...
So after 13+ years, this hobby of mine is changing drastically for me and as a whole...and I'm not sure entirely that I like it.
I love scrapbooking.
That's not changing.
Much.
But when the last store in my area closed, my heart just kinda broke. That was the fourth inde scrapbook store that I had taught at that closed. (Some would wonder about the common denominator...including myself.) Whatever the various reason for the closings, (stated or not) I just can't do the store cheerleader routine again. I love small buisnesses and at one time felt very passionately about inde scrapbook stores. I have a heart and a gift for marketing in this industry that made me equal parts hopeful and heartbroken about the possibilities and the challenges.
But I can't do it anymore. I can't invest my heart into a store--yes, I know how silly that sounds--a creative "home" and be divorced again.
And so while I am changing as a shopper/consumer to embrace the craft chains and the online stores, I am also dismayed at the changes in the industry. Will scrapbooking survive? Of course. But will it ever be that way again? I don't think so. I think it's going to look very different in the coming years and that is encouraging and also a little disappointing.
Digital media is the wave of the future, no matter how much we fight it. Or ignore it. I will always adore the feel of paper in my hands...but digital is booming. Stores really can't compete with that.
Discretionary spending in many spots has slowed considerably and scrappers are embracing the notion that simple is good, use-what-you-have, and consequently spending less. Or not at all. Stores are dropping like flies. I hate that.
It feels like the whole market grew with such great abandon for years and years and now suddenly, all at one time, feels a great need for a deep breath. There's a rapid inhale taking place and it's not pretty.
Prehaps necessary.
But not pretty and not without consequence.
But now I'm just rambling.
I'm leaving you with a picture today--proof that I do still actually scrapbook and make cards. I bought a new pink pair of CutterBee scissors this week (because the scissor snatchers in my house used my old pair for cutting something non-paper and expected I wouldn't notice) and they made me want to cut something detailed out. :)
This was the second rendition of a similar card that I made for a birthday party G went to this week. Love Scenic Route.
I'm sortof out of the habit of blogging right now...so hopefully there will be more tomorrow.
I love scrapbooking.
That's not changing.
Much.
But when the last store in my area closed, my heart just kinda broke. That was the fourth inde scrapbook store that I had taught at that closed. (Some would wonder about the common denominator...including myself.) Whatever the various reason for the closings, (stated or not) I just can't do the store cheerleader routine again. I love small buisnesses and at one time felt very passionately about inde scrapbook stores. I have a heart and a gift for marketing in this industry that made me equal parts hopeful and heartbroken about the possibilities and the challenges.
But I can't do it anymore. I can't invest my heart into a store--yes, I know how silly that sounds--a creative "home" and be divorced again.
And so while I am changing as a shopper/consumer to embrace the craft chains and the online stores, I am also dismayed at the changes in the industry. Will scrapbooking survive? Of course. But will it ever be that way again? I don't think so. I think it's going to look very different in the coming years and that is encouraging and also a little disappointing.
Digital media is the wave of the future, no matter how much we fight it. Or ignore it. I will always adore the feel of paper in my hands...but digital is booming. Stores really can't compete with that.
Discretionary spending in many spots has slowed considerably and scrappers are embracing the notion that simple is good, use-what-you-have, and consequently spending less. Or not at all. Stores are dropping like flies. I hate that.
It feels like the whole market grew with such great abandon for years and years and now suddenly, all at one time, feels a great need for a deep breath. There's a rapid inhale taking place and it's not pretty.
Prehaps necessary.
But not pretty and not without consequence.
But now I'm just rambling.
I'm leaving you with a picture today--proof that I do still actually scrapbook and make cards. I bought a new pink pair of CutterBee scissors this week (because the scissor snatchers in my house used my old pair for cutting something non-paper and expected I wouldn't notice) and they made me want to cut something detailed out. :)
This was the second rendition of a similar card that I made for a birthday party G went to this week. Love Scenic Route.
I'm sortof out of the habit of blogging right now...so hopefully there will be more tomorrow.
2.20.2009
Stamping Blog
Want to enjoy beautiful stamp projects and learn some things about stamping along the way?
Check out Heather Nichol's blog. She's a gifted artist and teacher...and her blog is awesome.
Check out Heather Nichol's blog. She's a gifted artist and teacher...and her blog is awesome.
2.19.2009
Who am I? Anyway.
I'm frustrated.
My big dude will turn 13 in a few days and apparently I've been over-thinking on that topic. Thirteen years.
Holy.
I remember when Joal held his entire premature 4 pound body in one hand.
I remember when we joked that he weighed less than a bag of sugar.
I remember buying his first pair of shoes in the doll aisle of a craft store...because baby shoes were all too big for his tiny little tootsies.
And now he's wearing shoes larger than his father's and his jeans are longer than mine.
If I were really brave, I would admit that he's a hair taller than me.
Trust me. I'm not ready to acknowledge that fact.
((picture me stuffing my fingers in my ears and singing lalalalalalalala...)
Being the mother of a thirteen year old son has brought me slap smack into the middle of some kind of nightmarish "what am I going to do when I grow up?" phase.
Don't get me wrong.
I do alot.
I'm the homeschooling parent of a special needs child (teen). I scrapbook. I write a blog. I cook. I take care of a family.
I am the mother of a private school kindergartener...who thinks he's about to turn 13 too.
I do alot.
I am a person with diabetes.
I have been a florist, a flower buyer, a craft class teacher, a professional scrapbooker, a crop organizer, a marketing assistant, a really bad secretary, a pharmacy clerk, a circulation clerk in a library, a cashier at Kroger, a web designer, a writer, and a contributing artist.
I have done all these things...and I don't know what I am good at.
With the exception of the secretarial position which was pure torture for everyone involved and probably the worst choice I have ever made...I feel like I did well at each of the positions I have held. It's that oldest child thing...if I do something, I want it done well. I have done all these things but I'm missing something. I feel like there's something I am missing out on...some undefined thing that I would be really good at, that would be good for me and good for others, and beneficial to my family.
What am I missing?
What's the next step?
I'm not sure.
I am looking.
Exploring.
Praying.
Thinking.
Waiting.
I heard someone say "look for the thing you would pay for the joy of doing and get someone to pay you to do it with joy".
If I only knew what that thing was...
My big dude will turn 13 in a few days and apparently I've been over-thinking on that topic. Thirteen years.
Holy.
I remember when Joal held his entire premature 4 pound body in one hand.
I remember when we joked that he weighed less than a bag of sugar.
I remember buying his first pair of shoes in the doll aisle of a craft store...because baby shoes were all too big for his tiny little tootsies.
And now he's wearing shoes larger than his father's and his jeans are longer than mine.
If I were really brave, I would admit that he's a hair taller than me.
Trust me. I'm not ready to acknowledge that fact.
((picture me stuffing my fingers in my ears and singing lalalalalalalala...)
Being the mother of a thirteen year old son has brought me slap smack into the middle of some kind of nightmarish "what am I going to do when I grow up?" phase.
Don't get me wrong.
I do alot.
I'm the homeschooling parent of a special needs child (teen). I scrapbook. I write a blog. I cook. I take care of a family.
I am the mother of a private school kindergartener...who thinks he's about to turn 13 too.
I do alot.
I am a person with diabetes.
I have been a florist, a flower buyer, a craft class teacher, a professional scrapbooker, a crop organizer, a marketing assistant, a really bad secretary, a pharmacy clerk, a circulation clerk in a library, a cashier at Kroger, a web designer, a writer, and a contributing artist.
I have done all these things...and I don't know what I am good at.
With the exception of the secretarial position which was pure torture for everyone involved and probably the worst choice I have ever made...I feel like I did well at each of the positions I have held. It's that oldest child thing...if I do something, I want it done well. I have done all these things but I'm missing something. I feel like there's something I am missing out on...some undefined thing that I would be really good at, that would be good for me and good for others, and beneficial to my family.
What am I missing?
What's the next step?
I'm not sure.
I am looking.
Exploring.
Praying.
Thinking.
Waiting.
I heard someone say "look for the thing you would pay for the joy of doing and get someone to pay you to do it with joy".
If I only knew what that thing was...
2.13.2009
Gotta keep those home fires burning...that's gonna cost how much??
So happy Valentines day, my friends.
I hope yours is filled with love and romance and plenty of warmth.
Don't underestimate the value of warmth.
If I told you we were spending tonight at a hotel, you'd think "aww, how romantic".
And then I'd say "It's a Microtel."
And you would definately start to wonder about our definition of romance.
And then I would say:
And the boys are with us.
And the big dude is a few days shy of 13 and passes gas like a freight train and snores like a ship horn.
(He should come equipped with a personal ventilation system.)
And tomorrow we are going to spend slightly less than $800 to have our HVAC unit repaired.
Joy! Joy! That's surely not what I wanted for Valentines Day...but apparently our house had other intentions.
Because it's been blowing cold air for 3 days.
And this is not the week to be without heat in Tennessee.
Although it could have been worse if it had been about two weeks ago...when it was 9 degrees.
Such is life.
I can assure you that I'd rather be at the Microtel with my snoozing honey than at the fanciest hotel anywhere with anyone else.
Which brings me to my other point for the night...do you eat Chex Mix--the bagged kind that you get at the grocery? I love the stuff way too much and I don't buy it very often...because I love it way too much. :)
The thing is...I only love the little square Chex in the mix. I sort those out for myself and leave the rest of the goodies for the boys.
So, how do you eat the Chex Mix?
Stay warm my friends.
Even if it's at a Microtel. :)
I hope yours is filled with love and romance and plenty of warmth.
Don't underestimate the value of warmth.
If I told you we were spending tonight at a hotel, you'd think "aww, how romantic".
And then I'd say "It's a Microtel."
And you would definately start to wonder about our definition of romance.
And then I would say:
And the boys are with us.
And the big dude is a few days shy of 13 and passes gas like a freight train and snores like a ship horn.
(He should come equipped with a personal ventilation system.)
And tomorrow we are going to spend slightly less than $800 to have our HVAC unit repaired.
Joy! Joy! That's surely not what I wanted for Valentines Day...but apparently our house had other intentions.
Because it's been blowing cold air for 3 days.
And this is not the week to be without heat in Tennessee.
Although it could have been worse if it had been about two weeks ago...when it was 9 degrees.
Such is life.
I can assure you that I'd rather be at the Microtel with my snoozing honey than at the fanciest hotel anywhere with anyone else.
Which brings me to my other point for the night...do you eat Chex Mix--the bagged kind that you get at the grocery? I love the stuff way too much and I don't buy it very often...because I love it way too much. :)
The thing is...I only love the little square Chex in the mix. I sort those out for myself and leave the rest of the goodies for the boys.
So, how do you eat the Chex Mix?
Stay warm my friends.
Even if it's at a Microtel. :)
2.12.2009
I Have to Believe
I fell in love with this song last Sunday.
I have to believe, he sees my darkness
I have to believe, he knows my pain
I have to lift up, my hands to Worship
Worship his name
I have to declare, that he is my refuge
I have to deny, that i am alone
I have to lift up, my eyes to the mountains,
thats where my help, it comes from
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
He can move your mountain too
I have to stand tall, when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong, when i'm weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, a hold of the garments,
the garments of praise oh i know
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
He can move your mountain too
I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains,
that bind up my soul my sin and my shame he has forgiven,
and made me whole oh yeahhhh
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
he can move your mountain too
I have to believe
He's got everything under control
I have to believe
Lord I believe, help my unbelief
I have to believe in you
I have to believe
I have to believe, he sees my darkness
I have to believe, he knows my pain
I have to lift up, my hands to Worship
Worship his name
I have to declare, that he is my refuge
I have to deny, that i am alone
I have to lift up, my eyes to the mountains,
thats where my help, it comes from
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
He can move your mountain too
I have to stand tall, when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong, when i'm weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, a hold of the garments,
the garments of praise oh i know
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
He can move your mountain too
I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight
He unlocks these chains,
that bind up my soul my sin and my shame he has forgiven,
and made me whole oh yeahhhh
He said that he's forever faithful
He said that he's forever true
He said that he can move mountains
If he can move mountains
He can move my mountain,
he can move your mountain too
I have to believe
He's got everything under control
I have to believe
Lord I believe, help my unbelief
I have to believe in you
I have to believe
2.11.2009
Sky High
I like this little movie.
It's cute.
But the best part--Linda Carter plays Principal Powers!!
Isn't that cool!!
It's cute.
But the best part--Linda Carter plays Principal Powers!!
Isn't that cool!!
2.04.2009
Happy Birthday Joal
My honey is celebrating his birthday today--away from home. He's working in West TN this week.
Miss you.
Love you.
Happy Birthday, my love.
Miss you.
Love you.
Happy Birthday, my love.
2.03.2009
The Rest of the Story
Christmas came a little late this year but it was certainly worth the wait. Saturday morning the extended Burnett family and various additions, assembled for lunch at Andy’s new apartment in Tyler. Sixteen people shared lunch and exchanged presents. My Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron drove in all the way from Maryland, my grandmother hitched a ride with them from Texarkana for the day, Joal and I came from Nashville, Deb and Matt from Oklahoma…it was a little chaotic but still so wonderful.
Speaking of Andy’s apartment, can I just say “Wow.”? Daniel chose well--the complex is new (still being completed, in fact) and the layout of the unit is open and designed to be very functional for Andy’s needs. It’s big and spacious and I have a feeling that he will be very comfortable there. Even with so many people, it was still very comfortable. There are two bedrooms and two baths--intentionally selected so that Andy can comfortably host the long list of guests who want to spend time with him, now that he’s home (including his sisters).
The apartment is coming together--before lunch on Saturday, the boys (Andy, Daddy, Ron and Joal) went shopping for Andy’s sofa. Andy discovered that he likes furniture shopping and I have a feeling that the Ashley Home Furnishing Center has not seen the last of him. Joal is taking credit for preventing the purchase of “a girly couch”. They came home with a super long extra-firm sofa that has a suede look to it. It’s a very nice, manly addition to the living area. I’m pretty sure everyone has now tried it out and approved.
The Welcome Home Celebration was held at the boys home church--First Church of the Nazarene in Tyler, and was assembled by the very gracious and generous Sherry Crain. I know that “Miss Sherry” spent many many hours preparing for every detail of this day and her tireless efforts showed. The people attending were well-organized, the church decorated beautifully with red, white and blue banners, streamers and balloons and the food was plenteous and delicious. The team of people in Sherry’s army really pulled out all the stops for this day. We are all filled with gratitude and appreciation to all of the Tyler First people who worked so dilligently to pull this off.
At a few minutes past 2 on a brilliantly sunny Saturday afternoon, Andy and Daniel pulled into the parking lot at the church--Andy behind the wheel of the new truck. They got out and as Andy rounded the corner of the parking lot, the deep booming voice of one of the guard riders called out “Atten…tion”. The crowd of people lining the sidewalk on both sides came to a silent, respectful stop. All was quiet. The sound of flags--lots of flags--whipped in the wind. “pre--sent arms” the same guard rider snapped. Members of the crowd saluted. Andy, Daniel, Mom and Dad and Uncle Ron and Aunt Judy began to move forward thru the path. People began to clap and cheer.
And then a man approached Andy and held out his hand. Andy stopped and looked up. We couldn’t hear when was being said but I had a feeling this was the special surprise I had been warned about. SFC Rodney Eubanks (also from Tyler) served with Andy in Afghanistan and just happened to be home on leave when he heard about Andy’s homecoming. It was an honor to have one of his Army brothers walk beside him into the sea of so many.
In the crowd were family members, people we call family from several states and all across Texas, friends from churches current and past, fellow firefighters, at least two Marines and other fellow servicemen and women, veterans, community leaders, pastors, adults and children, motorcycle riders, many many members of East Texas Military Families, the Patriot Guard and the American Legion.
East Texas Military Families members participate in “Welcome Home Soldier” events in the Longview/Tyler area whenever a soldier comes home. Anna DeLaet is their team leader and she is an invaluable asset. ETMF WHS presented Andy with a hand-crafted quilted wall-hanging signed by many of their members and people attending the event. They also presented him with a number of gifts and goodies. Anna was also responsible for notifying various media outlets of this soldier’s homecoming. Because of her work, a camera crew and reporter from Channel 7 (KLTV) and a newspaper journalist were present to speak with Andy and record this momentous occasion.
Andy and company passed through the long lines outside the church and made their way into the church. Inside, the church was decorated beautifully with red, white and blue ballonns reaching towards the exceptionally tall ceiling in long colorful lines. Two massive, beautifully-decorated cakes said “Welcome Home Andy” and plates of cookies and snacks were there for everyone to enjoy. A selection of patriotic songs played in the background and a collection of Andy’s photos edited and arranged by his good friend Cory played on the overhead projector screen.
For two solid hours people came thru the line to greet Andy, shake his hand, thank him for his service and his sacrifice, wish him well, hug him, pray with him and present him with gifts, cards and mementoes of the day. It was a gracious outpouring of kindness, gratitude and support. It was beautiful to watch and capture on film.
I wish I could have spoken to every person there. I wish I could tell every person how deeply appreciated they are for participating in this day--especially those who were there not because they know Andy personally, but because they felt the need to welcome home a soldier as a good American. Thank you for sharing your day with us.
As the afternoon’s events came to a close, Andy was exhausted (we all were really). I don’t think he has yet realized what he has come to mean to so many--especially the people whom he had never met before.
There were some guests that came from other parts of Texas--the Myers are very good friends to Mom and Dad. Also driving in for the day was my Uncle Frank and Aunt Beverly (Frank is my father’s cousin) from Irving, TX. Dad and Frank grew up together and many many of the adventures my dad likes to recount of his youth start out with the phrase “One time Frankie and I…“ and usually ends in some kind of crazy trouble or legendary escapade.
Later in the evening, we watched Andy on the 6pm news and again on the 10pm news. Sunday morning brought Andy’s image on the front page of the The Tyler newspaper with a good story.
All in all, it was an excellent day…one that we will all remember for a very long time with great pride and appreciation. It was a glowing tribute to what it means to be an American, to the power of community and the grace of God’s family.
I think I can speak for the family once more and say that we are deeply grateful for the prayers that have led us to this day and for the outpouring of friendship, admiration and love that has been shown to Andy and by extension, to us throughout this journey.
It’s far from over--in fact, a new phase is just beginning. It will be different--not what anyone planned but I am convinced that it will be better than anyone could have imagined. As Andy says, “smile and move forward”.
Please continue to pray for Andy and Daniel as they re-adjust to their altered lives. I am walking a fine line with continuing the updates on the blog and I confess I am not quite sure how to balance Andy’s (and Daniel’s) need for some discretion and my loyalty to those of you who have let me know how faithfully you read the blog and pray for my family. In an effort to satisfy both, I will be posting updates from Andy and Daniel on or right around the first of each month.
Other than the monthly updates, my blog will go back to being mostly scrapbooking and a little bit of here and there in the adventure that is my life with 2 boys.
The Tyler Paper’s front page article can be found here.
The Channel 7 piece can be seen here.
Andy’s new address is available upon request. Email me at devendorf@bellsouth.net
Speaking of Andy’s apartment, can I just say “Wow.”? Daniel chose well--the complex is new (still being completed, in fact) and the layout of the unit is open and designed to be very functional for Andy’s needs. It’s big and spacious and I have a feeling that he will be very comfortable there. Even with so many people, it was still very comfortable. There are two bedrooms and two baths--intentionally selected so that Andy can comfortably host the long list of guests who want to spend time with him, now that he’s home (including his sisters).
The apartment is coming together--before lunch on Saturday, the boys (Andy, Daddy, Ron and Joal) went shopping for Andy’s sofa. Andy discovered that he likes furniture shopping and I have a feeling that the Ashley Home Furnishing Center has not seen the last of him. Joal is taking credit for preventing the purchase of “a girly couch”. They came home with a super long extra-firm sofa that has a suede look to it. It’s a very nice, manly addition to the living area. I’m pretty sure everyone has now tried it out and approved.
The Welcome Home Celebration was held at the boys home church--First Church of the Nazarene in Tyler, and was assembled by the very gracious and generous Sherry Crain. I know that “Miss Sherry” spent many many hours preparing for every detail of this day and her tireless efforts showed. The people attending were well-organized, the church decorated beautifully with red, white and blue banners, streamers and balloons and the food was plenteous and delicious. The team of people in Sherry’s army really pulled out all the stops for this day. We are all filled with gratitude and appreciation to all of the Tyler First people who worked so dilligently to pull this off.
At a few minutes past 2 on a brilliantly sunny Saturday afternoon, Andy and Daniel pulled into the parking lot at the church--Andy behind the wheel of the new truck. They got out and as Andy rounded the corner of the parking lot, the deep booming voice of one of the guard riders called out “Atten…tion”. The crowd of people lining the sidewalk on both sides came to a silent, respectful stop. All was quiet. The sound of flags--lots of flags--whipped in the wind. “pre--sent arms” the same guard rider snapped. Members of the crowd saluted. Andy, Daniel, Mom and Dad and Uncle Ron and Aunt Judy began to move forward thru the path. People began to clap and cheer.
And then a man approached Andy and held out his hand. Andy stopped and looked up. We couldn’t hear when was being said but I had a feeling this was the special surprise I had been warned about. SFC Rodney Eubanks (also from Tyler) served with Andy in Afghanistan and just happened to be home on leave when he heard about Andy’s homecoming. It was an honor to have one of his Army brothers walk beside him into the sea of so many.
In the crowd were family members, people we call family from several states and all across Texas, friends from churches current and past, fellow firefighters, at least two Marines and other fellow servicemen and women, veterans, community leaders, pastors, adults and children, motorcycle riders, many many members of East Texas Military Families, the Patriot Guard and the American Legion.
East Texas Military Families members participate in “Welcome Home Soldier” events in the Longview/Tyler area whenever a soldier comes home. Anna DeLaet is their team leader and she is an invaluable asset. ETMF WHS presented Andy with a hand-crafted quilted wall-hanging signed by many of their members and people attending the event. They also presented him with a number of gifts and goodies. Anna was also responsible for notifying various media outlets of this soldier’s homecoming. Because of her work, a camera crew and reporter from Channel 7 (KLTV) and a newspaper journalist were present to speak with Andy and record this momentous occasion.
Andy and company passed through the long lines outside the church and made their way into the church. Inside, the church was decorated beautifully with red, white and blue ballonns reaching towards the exceptionally tall ceiling in long colorful lines. Two massive, beautifully-decorated cakes said “Welcome Home Andy” and plates of cookies and snacks were there for everyone to enjoy. A selection of patriotic songs played in the background and a collection of Andy’s photos edited and arranged by his good friend Cory played on the overhead projector screen.
For two solid hours people came thru the line to greet Andy, shake his hand, thank him for his service and his sacrifice, wish him well, hug him, pray with him and present him with gifts, cards and mementoes of the day. It was a gracious outpouring of kindness, gratitude and support. It was beautiful to watch and capture on film.
I wish I could have spoken to every person there. I wish I could tell every person how deeply appreciated they are for participating in this day--especially those who were there not because they know Andy personally, but because they felt the need to welcome home a soldier as a good American. Thank you for sharing your day with us.
As the afternoon’s events came to a close, Andy was exhausted (we all were really). I don’t think he has yet realized what he has come to mean to so many--especially the people whom he had never met before.
There were some guests that came from other parts of Texas--the Myers are very good friends to Mom and Dad. Also driving in for the day was my Uncle Frank and Aunt Beverly (Frank is my father’s cousin) from Irving, TX. Dad and Frank grew up together and many many of the adventures my dad likes to recount of his youth start out with the phrase “One time Frankie and I…“ and usually ends in some kind of crazy trouble or legendary escapade.
Later in the evening, we watched Andy on the 6pm news and again on the 10pm news. Sunday morning brought Andy’s image on the front page of the The Tyler newspaper with a good story.
All in all, it was an excellent day…one that we will all remember for a very long time with great pride and appreciation. It was a glowing tribute to what it means to be an American, to the power of community and the grace of God’s family.
I think I can speak for the family once more and say that we are deeply grateful for the prayers that have led us to this day and for the outpouring of friendship, admiration and love that has been shown to Andy and by extension, to us throughout this journey.
It’s far from over--in fact, a new phase is just beginning. It will be different--not what anyone planned but I am convinced that it will be better than anyone could have imagined. As Andy says, “smile and move forward”.
Please continue to pray for Andy and Daniel as they re-adjust to their altered lives. I am walking a fine line with continuing the updates on the blog and I confess I am not quite sure how to balance Andy’s (and Daniel’s) need for some discretion and my loyalty to those of you who have let me know how faithfully you read the blog and pray for my family. In an effort to satisfy both, I will be posting updates from Andy and Daniel on or right around the first of each month.
Other than the monthly updates, my blog will go back to being mostly scrapbooking and a little bit of here and there in the adventure that is my life with 2 boys.
The Tyler Paper’s front page article can be found here.
The Channel 7 piece can be seen here.
Andy’s new address is available upon request. Email me at devendorf@bellsouth.net
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