Here Am I

Yes, ok it has been some time since I last posted. with taking care of Nana and getting things straight with her and her finances , trying to get the house sold in Gboro, getting situated here and let me see what else? Oh yeah the never ending search for a job, I am pooped!

I will share some photos of recent events along with some cool news!

First Easter: David was asked to play his violin along with the choir in the Easter program. He practiced several times with our wonderful neighbor across the street who also plays the violin. He was nervous and had a had timing tuning the A but was finally ready. The key the choir sang and the key the violin was in were different SO he ended up not playing. I will say this well done son for being to play a piece after not playing for a year.

Here is a picture of the Easter morn - yes the lilacs are real. After nine years in the ground the lilac bush was very generous this year. Too bad it is still at the old house.

Spring has arrived here and we recently had a chance to take Lars to the reservoir.

Ok Cool news - I have been asked to coordinate an Emergency Preparedness Fair. It will be held at 7 different locations in the area all on the same day. I partnered with several hotels in the area and take a look at the "Stash" I collected. The youth are preparing hygiene kits to be picked up by the Red Cross. David and his buds - The Dave Mathews Band helped count and divide the items into 7 boxes. Had fun counting 160 bars of soap in each box!

Time For An Update?

I was about to give Peach a hard time in that she had been a long time posting her news, when I realized I am guilty too!

David and I spoke this past Sunday - Bill lucked out with "his other job". We spoke off a talk given by Todd Christofferson. He was my first bishop! The title was a Sense for the Sacred.

David introduced the article and I talked about dress and Brother Bell- friend of ours sat in for Brother Bill - as Daddy fondly referred to him. - oh sorry he spoke about the body being sacred and the Temple being sacred.

As I was preparing my talk I thought of two distinctive memories - One I was first baptised and the DC Temple was just built. A member of each family unit was asked to come in and pick an envelope of seat tickets. I picked one and the bishop - Bishop Christofferson - asked me to pick another as his counselors had not yet picked. I picked another set - sitting in chairs in the hallway.

I was glad to get a call later that night from the bishop stating I would be able to keep my first set of tickets - Sitting four rows behind Sister Kimball in the great hall. When President Kimball walked in and the congregation sang - I knew at that moment this is the true church and spirit was so strong.

Years later I had another opportunity to go see the rededication of the Manti Temple. There were three couples we all planned to go. We loaded up the car- BUT oddly enough we were all not really talking to each other. So my boyfriend at the time was driving I was sitting in the back next to my roommate's boyfriend, Don and she sat in the front next to my boyfriend Marc. The other couple was split up too. We had a bad accident right outside of Idaho Falls and never made it to Manti.

Fast forward to a few years ago when the Raleigh Temple was dedicated. I was also blessed to have tickets then too. I have a picture somewhere of our little David in his white shirt and tie - just like Daddy, standing outside the Temple.

Ok I am not where I thought I would be career wise or even other wises, BUT I am so thankful for my family and the blessing they are to me. Even though sometimes we don't all see eye to eye I am blessed to have been sealed to them for all time and eternity and we can grow closer together.

The Power Of Prayer

It was a crazy weekend this past few days and we had the Dave Matthews Band - or as we call them thing one and thing two spend almost the entire weekend with us. Not a problem as he has become one of my other adopted sons. You know I don't mind if David's buds hang out here - I know where he is and what he is getting into!
Anyway we ran alot of errands Saturday and that night was a big tri stake dance for the youth! The plan was to drive the kids to the stake center and then three of us moms would sneak out to have a girls night out! We found out there were no chaperons from our ward so the three of us ran out to Ruby Tuesdays - GREAT salad bar and then came back to hang out. Needless to say I was tired when I finally got home and into bed.
Sunday I woke up and just about had a heart attack. The middle post of my ring - the diamond that my romeo bought in Holland was totally missing! I tried to piece out in my mind where I had been the previous day to try to track the diamond down. My sweet sensible husband simply said- Stop say a prayer and Heavenly Father will lead you to it!
So I did just that. No sooner had I ended my prayer I felt a impulse to check the pocket of the pants that I had worn Saturday. There in the front pocket was my diamond.

So... Yes the Lord does hear and answer our prayers - some quicker than others. Our ward split Sunday and We both wiped our brows as we "dodged a bullet" It is even harder as we are good friends with the Bishop's family. I know in my heart that the Lord puts us in positions to help us grow and benefit others so Where we will be called we will serve!

Winter Snow Hits Carolina

Yeah Boy - it is 2 pm and it is STILL snowing outside! Here are some pics to enjoy. School is closed as is Fort Bragg!

HARNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 20, 2009
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

"Fort Bragg is closed Tuesday, 20 Jan 09.

Enjoy the view - Lars enjoyed the snow for the first few minutes until he realized it was cold - he wanted back in. I was able to get some shots of him and his dad out walking in the early am! There is always time for playing Go Get The Tennis Ball!!!

Good thing the cocoa motion is getting it's workout today. It was also a great day to clean the electric oven and share the heat shall we say!

Yes, that is the name of our trash company!!!

Christmas a month late

OK I know I am a bit slow here posting these pics. We tricked Sir David this year. We got him a phone but we put a baby phone in Joe's Instinct box and then wrapped his Rumor in paper and put behind a frame. Bill went to Salem and got the shirt for David. Jon and Amy were tired from going back and forth from house to house family to family. That is Mikey behind the mask!

Oh I almost forgot - what family gathering is not complete without laying the game out on the living room table- jon was there in spirit!

I took some sure fine dim sum photos. Yes Mike is about to eat chicken feet!

New 2009

This is a new Year and I have all these great goals to want to achieve! There are the obvious ones we all know and try to make each year!

I was at a recent job interview and the CFO asked me what my goals were for the new year!

Hmm - I feel a little like Dustin Hoffman in that movie .... Kramer VS Kramer where he needs to have a job to keep his kid... You know the scene - interview at office while Christmas party is going on....

Anyway I like my little picture and the words of the wise Swedish Chef!

Uncle Jay Recaps 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY

A friend of mine sent this link. Make sure your sound is on- sit back and enjoy!

He is riding on sleigh

I just had to post this picture. A true Blue New England Christmas. Will the post office get through? What about the big man in the sleigh?

Hope you and yours wherever you may be in this world have a happy and safe Christmas full of happy memories that have been in the past that take place in the present and what may come in the future!!!

Project

This is one of my favorite pictures of Daddy/Big Grampa/Dwight. He was in his happy place at the Ocean City condo on the beach with his Redskins hat. I am sorry that the picture is sideways, The original in Picassa is straight - weird that it uploaded on the side. But so it is!

I have taken on the challenge of converting the "slides" over to JPGs to view on the computer. This has been a big challenge and taken many hours and will continue. It is fun to see the pictures and as many of them were taken by Daddy, to see them through his eyes.

The Christmas photos are just about complete. I did not copy all of them as there are many similar shots. Daddy loved to take pictures and them be able to enjoy them over and over again. He loved the holidays and I think especially Christmas. We always had to load up the car and drive down to DC to see the National Tree- which by the way has often been from North Carolina.

As in German? tradition we would always go cut a tree but it was not to come into the house to be decorated until the 15th and then left up until the 15th of January. Through the years we were always required to be at home to decorate the tree- I dont think we complained too much. It was fun and we had cider or hot chocolate and gingersnap cookies - YUM!

Daddy loved to bake/cook and I have found memories of watching then helping and then in later years the roles were switched as we made the Christmas Stolen. The kitchen table was covered with flour and the massive loaves were rolled and rolled and them filled with fruits and nuts and then carefully placed in the oven to bake.

I do miss Daddy and am so glad that he taught us girls so much and I can see it in my adult life everyday.

So Daddy, at this time of year I raise my cider/Glug glass to you sir and wish you a very happy Christmas and to all family that read this to you I send the same. Family: take a minute to reflect on your memories if Daddy/Big Grandpa/Dwight and enjoy this holiday!

Heres to you! Skal!!!! EN skal till du en skal till vännerna och en skal till alla den söt flikarna

A little Southern Christmas Tale!

Bubba Claus Is Coming To Town

A new contract for Santa has finally been negotiated....Please read the following carefully.......

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I w ill no longer be able to serve Southern United States on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by the North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. I now serve only certain areas of Oregon , Nevada , Washington , Montana and California . As part of the new and better contract I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies so keep that in mind.
However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences between us. Differences such as:

1. There is no danger of a Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These toys insured by Smith and Wesson."

2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit can handy.

3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen now overlooks Bubba's fireplace.

4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen ..." when Bubba Claus arr ives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Wallace, on Martin and Labonte. On Rudd, on Jarrett, on Elliott and Petty."

5. "Ho, ho, ho!" has been replaced by "Yee Haw!" And you also are likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!"

6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back off" The last I heard it also had other decorations on the sleigh back as well. One is Ford or Chevy logo with lights that race through the letters and the other is a caricature of me (Santa Claus) going wee wee on the Tooth Fairy.

7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other.

8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure you, the wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree.

9. And finally, lovely Christmas songs have been sung about me like Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer" and Bing Crosby's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." This year songs about Bubba Claus will be played on all the AM radio stations in the South. Those song title will be Mark Chesnutt's "Bubba Claus Shot the Jukebox" and "Grandma Got Run'd Over by a Reindeer."

Sincerely Yours,
Santa Claus(Member of North American Fairies and Elves Local 209

Memories Dim the lights please!

Ok after many hours of scanning the slides to jpgs I hope you will be able to enjoy this one. It should be playing music too!

I apologize if the font is too small to read the captions!

Its The Time of Year

In yet another box I came across these doilies that I was going to do something a few years ago but net did. Well, here its the time and so Angels we have heard on the ironing board singing gently for loved ones!

I have fond memories growing up of little glass angels ornements with spun glass wings and hair. I think Daddy brought them from Germany.

So here is my newer version of the angels - Don't laugh but the hair is from a "lady Godiva" wig from Halloween. Well OK, my hair did have an influence for these sweet angels!

Rejoice!

do these look familiar

Hey I was unpacking some old boxes and came across these flowers. These lovely flowers were my bouquet when we were married how many years ago?

dont know why the pic loaded sideways- it is correct in my Picassa photo album - sorry!

Black Friday - Cyber Monday

I was attempting to post a picture of the day after Thanksgiving for those of you readers who have not been privileged or had the gumption? to venture out in the early hours of the day after Thanksgiving to brave the cowds. Hmm is that a run on or just a big mouthful?

Anyway, I remember one year Sis came down to the land of the south and we went out to stand in line at the Walmart. It was cold, BUT we did stay on our focus and as soon as the doors opened we were to the electronics and two big tv boxes were secured and we went to stand in line. We had to sit the two young boys on top of the boxes as folks were attempting to take the boxes from us!

The boxes were so big we could not get them in the Expedition beast so we had to take the TVs out of the box!. Our TV lasted for a few years but one day it did not want to speak to us any longer.!

I did not get out at the crack of dawn but we braved the outlet mall on the way home from the coast a lovely Thanksgiving feast w/Bill's older sister and then later I did go and get in on the Joanne's sale. Hey fleece for $2.99 yard - great for Christmas gifts! And flannel for $1.49 - I had a great time and grateful to have most of my shopping over with - now to become joined at the pedal with my sewing machine!

Look forward to seeing the finished products! Cant show material because it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?

Time to run and cook some ribs on the grill - WHAT it is November!

Juliet

Holiday Crafty Decorations

Alright all you decorators out there check this out!

I was recently out with a friend and saw the Poinsetta topiary- way too much. I thought I can make that and I did- this is only a prototype but I think it looks very nice!!!

To get into the holiday spirit I also heard of a Tomato Cage Christmas tree - so of course I checked it out and had to make one too! Really Easy too invert the cage, tie the prongs together and run garland frorm top to bottom. I thought that two 9 yard lengths would be good but it really could stand for another.

Sorry To hear of the Fury Friends

Well, this has been a hard year not just for us but others as well. This year earlier we lost our sweet Princess and last week, Oscar left this earth. He is laying eternally beneath the azaleas in the front of the yard. He liked to sleep there.

I just found out that sister in law lost one of their own, Rocky and also father in law lost RC. These great family friends were lucky to live a long happy life and we will miss them.

It is still strange to walk into the bedroom and not see Oscar laying on the bed!

I leave this poem and picture of our Oscar in his fighting weight! Warning if you have lost a pet close to you, this poem might spot a tear. It does for me.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Virginia Outing

We met up with Dave and Karen and Chase in Virginia. We did one day at the theme park and the other day at Colonial Williams burg. Had a good time as you can see from the pics. Enjoy. I like the pics of Brothers in Time out and Cousins in time out!

The pic of David and Chase with the locals - check out the body accessory on the fine young lady. did not see the tattoo until after I snapped the photo! LOL

Pictures Here!