An Apple A Day!

Let me introduce to you my new toy... Apple ipod nano (third generation).
nano in it's handy dandy (and cute) case.

I'm having so much fun with this new toy. I have downloaded lots and lots of music, tv shows, podcasts (love podcasts). It's amazing. Now when I'm flitting about the house doing all my housewifey stuff, rest assured nano is in my apron pocket. The kids fuss when I sing out loud but sometimes I just can't help it. The funny thing is the vast assortment of music on my ipod. I have Alan Jackson and Alabama, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Britney Spears and Beyonce, Toby Mac and Skillet, Daughtry and Elliott Yamin, Janet Jackson and Kelly Clarkson, Beethoven and Mozart, Norah Jones, Veggie Tales, Reba and Rascal Flatts, April Wine and Nickelback, Hinder and Fergie, Casting Crowns and Mercy Me just to name a few. I have over 500 songs and haven't even used half of the memory yet. This nano is an 8 gb just to give you an idea of the capacity.

If you're interested in your own "apple a day" check out apple.com and type in "refurbished". They have great deals and the ipods come with the same warranty as a new one.

And if you already have an ipod, tell me what you're listening to.

What is It????

I knew there was a problem when there was a shortage of dishes in the kitchen. The problem: daughter has been taking food to her room and not returning the dishes. So, last night when I issued a recall on my dishes, this is what was returned to me. I have no idea what it used to be. But it makes a wonderful science lesson for school.

2008 in a Nut Shell

Dad had 2 heart surgeries that included 5 stints

He also had 2 eye surgeries

Christal came to visit

Frank turned 40

We celebrated our 20th Wedding anniversary

I went to a taping of the Martha Stewart Show in NYC

Visited Washington DC twice

And Aunt Darlene and Glenn once

Gladys, Bryan and Francelina came for a visit from Arkansas

Amber turned 16, got her driver's license and a job all in the same week

She had a car accident that totaled her car

Andrew turned 13 and became interested in the guitar and girls

Frank was hired at his new job

Luke came to visit

We went to Georgia and Florida for vacation

I took a roadtrip with my new friend to Niagara Falls, NY

to visit Nancy and Steven

Chris, Becky and the kids came to visit

Amber took her first flight by herself to visit our friends in GA

Nancy and Steven came to visit

Mom was hospitalized

Frank's mom had a cancer scare

We got chickens!

Amber got her GED

She's been accepted at her first pick college

Andrew and I saw the Pirates play

Frank went hunting in Ohio several times

Frank built a shed/hen house

I had my first mammogram

People we're close to have divorced, moved, have lost a loved one, been ill or a combination of all of these things

We planted a garden and had more success than last year

We had family pictures taken for the first time in many years

We visited with Shannon and Drew and the kids

We harvested an abundance of grapes

We made apple butter outside in a big copper pot

We've met more people and grown a lot at our new church

My prayer shawl team(which consists of 4-5 people) made approximately 300+ shawls

And now I'm tired from listing all of this. Through the good, the bad and the ugly, God has been good. He is faithful and true. And that's all that gets me through some days.

May 2009 bring peace, unity and happiness to my home and yours!

Christmas at Our House

I had a tea party for the Prayer Shawl Ministry Team on Wed. the 17th. It was a lot of fun.Kay, Carrie and Amy were present. They each brought something yummy to share. On Christmas Eve the kids open one present. It's always some form of sleepware. This year Amber received a luxurious bath robe from Victoria's Secret. And Andrew received jammies.

Each year after Frank and I go to bed the kids do something to the house. Our first Christmas in WV they turned all of the living room furniture upside down to represent their lives being turned upside down with the move. This year they covered the kitchen in post-it notes.

I don't know if this has any hidden meaning or not.

Frank has the Santa look going on for Christmas morning. He was up early and made pancakes. Then he got us up at 7 a.m. The kids used to get us up early. But now he beats them to it.

This is what his shirt says.

Andrew was thrilled with his Fender electric guitar. There are no pictures of Amber opening her gifts because she was taking the photos. I think her favorite gift was a tripod for her camera.

We went to my parent's house that afternoon and exchanged gifts and had lunch. That evening Frank's mom came to our house to share Christmas dinner with us. It has been a wonderful holiday season. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Uncle Sam Wants You!

Or more specifically, my daughter. It's finally happened. The recruiters have her contact info. I was hoping to somehow slide under their radar and not have to deal with them. I know that sounds awful since hubby was a recruiter for two years. But at least he was an Air Force Recruiter. This particular piece of mail we received today was from the Army. They can be quite tenacious when it comes to meeting their goals. Hubby shared office space with Army Recruiters back in the day. Guess the phone calls come next. Thankfully, we have caller i.d.

Go Ahead! Tie One On!

National Tie One On Day™ - November 26,2008

National Tie One On Day™ celebrates the humble apron and the spirit of women of earlier generations who donned the universal symbol of home, family and mothering as the uniform of their daily wardrobe and helped make America the great country it is today. On the day before Thanksgiving, EllynAnne encourages us to pause in the preparation of our own meal, wrap a loaf of bread in an apron, tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on...an apron, of course!, and deliver the wrapped bundle to someone in need of spiritual or physical sustenance. According to EllynAnne, no matter which way you turn out of your own front door, someone who is deserving of a hug is very close by. “Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal,” says EllynAnne, “and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

She did it!

Dear Amber,

Over the river and through our beautiful West Virginia woods, we send you best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations on your acceptance to Davis & Elkins College.Have a Great Holiday!

Your friends in the Davis & Elkins College Admissions Office