A Year.....

So, August 15th 2009 was the day I officially moved into my new house.  August 16th was the first night I actually stayed there.  It has been such a journey.  If you ask my life long friend Geoff what is the one thing I have wanted for about the past 14 years....he would say, "She wants to own her own home.  She is very stubborn and financially is set on doing it, on her own."  My mother could tell you something similar I am sure.  I refused all of the thoughts and ideas of roommates and renting before buying and all that stuff.  I had my mind set and I wasn't going to settle regardless of how much it frustrated me at times.  My wonderful agent, Joyce, also my beautiful mother had me go through the whole pre-approval process and everything.  Frustrating but glad I did it.  I was very set on the area I wanted to live in as well.  I wanted Talbott area. Nice, clean, not crowded but also costing a little more and offering a little less as not much stays available in the area for long.  So we looked and checked things out and I was repeatedly disappointed in what I was being given to work with.  I was still set on an area and wasn't going to give up though.  I was driving home for lunch one day and right there in subdivision we were living in I passed a house that had a chair in the front yard and white letters posted all over the windows.  I knew these were not there that morning so I better check this out asap.  I called Joyce and asked her to see what she could find out.  Geesh...a note on finding something in Talbott, although the letters had just been posted mom was the 4th agent to call about the house already. (told you Talbott was a popular area)  So it took a couple weeks before they could get a price set on the house and allow agents to show it.  Of course driving by it a couple times a day I thought it was more like months....yes, impatience was setting in.  So, we finally got the call we could see it and we rushed to make arrangements to get a earnest check (which was required when making an offer) and I met mom, dad and my sister at the house as soon as I got off work.  I was ready to make the offer, had the papers drawn up already and everything.  I remember walking in and before I had even made it through the entire house I just stopped for a minute, my sister looked over and said, "Oh no, don't!, she is going to cry!" Yes, that is exactly what happened.  It was just this overwhelming feeling that I just knew this was the house for me and yet at the same time more than overwhelmed about the amount of work that was going to be required even before I could move in.  I mean I could afford what they were asking but I could not afford what they were asking and to make the home livable at the same time.  I was just devastated.  I had all of these different things and thoughts coming at me as well as my own.  Mom felt sure we could work something out, dad (stubborn and mind you not an agent) was dead set that we could find something wonderful and move in ready for the same price in the same area.  Mom and I knew this was crazy but we set out the next couple weeks (impatiently sitting on the offer for the home and just waiting....) looking at homes in the same area for the same price.  Dad quickly came around to the fact that it was just not as easy, cut and dry as he assumed.  I had some things working in my favor, yes in fall of 2008 the economy was on a huge downhill slide.  There were a lot of people with money and a desire to down size or make a move.  The issue for them, most of the people in this situation were in need of a place to move in within 30 days and with the work required this was just not going to happen for most.  I on the other hand had no deadline, no time to be out.  I was pretty open as far as that goes.  After a month we finally started making so pretty low ball offers.  I mean we were dealing with a bank, we were not going to hurt an individuals feelings and we knew exactly what was owed on the home.  The bank was a little difficult.  Instead of 24 hours between counter offers they ran more like 72 hours.  In the middle of negotiations they changed their agent requiring us to pretty much start all over.  A process that should not have taken more than a few days took weeks!  WOW...Talk about stressful.  Finally everything got worked out, closing came around and the work could start.  I could not help myself, I went and started cutting up the awful vinyl in the kitchen as soon as I got the key.  I had all this stuff in mind, I mean I had already designed my new kitchen before we even had an offer accepted.  I was ready!  My wonderful family chipped in.  We stripped wallpaper, primed, painted, tore down walls, replaced sub floor, tore out all the cabinets, electrical outlets, light fixtures, I mean we just gutted it.  It took 9 months of working every weekend and most evenings.  Donna and Darla helped strip wallpaper and paint on Mondays (the day the Shoppe is closed).  It was so much work and everything was done paycheck to paycheck after the mortgage and bills were paid.  I purchased blinds a couple at a time.  I even bought base board and shoe mold a few pieces at a time as it all had to be replaced.  Finally I got moved in on a Saturday but I was so exhausted I couldn't move my bathroom so I slept on mom's living room floor that night...LOL  Sunday was my first night there and the evening was a little difficult for all.  I mean it had just been my mom and I since I was 16!  I remember her telling me to come get my pajamas and I got there and she hands them to me at the door and says good night and stuff and I head home.....she called my aunt and sister and said "She just took her stuff and left" *tears to follow*.  Well hello, you handed me my stuff and the door and said good night, what was I supposed to do?  Needless to say I don't think anyone got much rest that night.  In the winter I got new windows which I needed so very much and in the spring I had all new gutters, soffit and vinyl put in around the carport and house.  Made a huge difference.  I am always seeing something that got missed (I am told this will never change) or something that has settled.  There seems to be a bad seam in the main bathroom that will need to be prepared in the sheetrock so I guess I will be repainting that wall in the near future.  At the same time I sit back and I see things that remind me that it was blood, sweat and tears of myself and those I truly love and could not live without that went into making this house my home, not some strangers.  The scratch in my floor from moving day, the 3 places where I managed to hit the ceiling with the roller when painting even though dad had already trimmed (tried to cover them up but they still show to me) they all just add to the character of the home and remind me daily of all the hard work and love that went into making it a home, my home.

There really are times that I sit back and the reality is still setting in a year later.  Sometimes I walk to the fence in the back yard and just look back at it.  It is something that deep down I was just never sure I would accomplish no matter how much I truly wanted it.  I am reminded daily just being there as well how blessed and lucky I am to have such a wonderful and amazing support system in my family.  I can't imagine a world without them nor would I ever want to.  I am so lucky when there are so many others out there that don't have that wonderful supportive family.  I love them all so much!!  I am so thankful for having them in my life each and every day!

MY DESIGN

LOVELY STARTING POINT

AFTER

MY STARTING POINT

NOW

"Call it a clan, call it a network, 

call it a tribe, call it a family.  

Whatever you call it, whoever you are, 

you need one." 

~Jane Howard

Click To Support Me In Race For The Cure

The Hummingbird.....Yea...I will get to that in a bit....

Before I start, please continue to pray for Ethan Raines, 13; Hannah Allison, 8; and Abby Raines, 2.  They all start their numerous surgeries this week and next.  The mother actually went to school with my sister.  Small world!  They still have a long road ahead for sure.

Work was OK today.  It was payroll days so I was busy until I left.  Helps the day go by more quickly.  Then we had Girls Night Out again.  I think it is a good idea.  By mid week everyone really needs a break for sure!  It was Me, Linda, Terri, Sally, Mom and Lisa.  We had a blast and I think most of us will giggle every time we walk into a Weigles for quite some time.  (inside thing, but it is all mom's fault)  

Today was once again crazy hot!  It is just absurd.  I am so, so ready for fall.  Here it is 10pm and it is still 85 outside.  I sat outside for a bit.  See I have several hummingbirds that seemed to have nested in the trees in my back yard.  I love hummingbirds.  I always try and catch a shot of them when I can but this year they have sort of taunted me.  I mean they buzz by so quickly one actually hit my hair today at lunch.  It is just crazy.  They never have gotten that close in the past.  These are small babies and even when you see them in the tress it is really hard to get a shot of them.  They are so beautiful though.  There is 1 that is so pretty and shimmery and sort of reminds you of the colors in a peacock.  There are 2 that are mostly black and have these bright red patches on their chests.  Don't recall seeing them in the past.  Anyway, I didn't get a good shot as these have been very tricky but I did finally catch one today.....LOL   I wish I had been ready for it, I would have zoomed in!  Crazy little critter.

So, now that you have gotten your giggles out of my adventures in hummingbird hunting I think it is time for me to call it a night!  Hope everyone had a terrific Thursday!

From scarlet to powdered gold,
to blazing yellow,
to the rare
ashen emerald,
to the orange and black velvet
of your shimmering corselet,
out to the tip
that like
an amber thorn
begins you,
small, superlative being,
you are a miracle,
and you blaze
 
From "Ode to the Hummingbird" 

Pablo Neruda (1904 - 1973)

Tuesday......and well, that is really just about it.  It seems to be one of those weeks again, one of those where you are just waiting and waiting on Friday to get here!  The heat has just been awful.  Yesterday 97 w/Heat Index of 107!  Really?  I mean my friends in South Miami are cooler than we are.  It has just been crazy.  It is hard to enjoy being outside when it is just so miserable.  My niece and nephew started school back yesterday and I think that went well for both of them.  Always good to get off to a good start of the year.

On another note, here lately I feel like every time I post I am asking to think & pray for someone.  I don't like to see so much going on but it is just part of life.  So, before I forget.....

Please keep  

Ethan Raines, 13; Hannah Allison, 8; and Abby Raines, 2 

& their family in your thoughts and prayers.  All 3 children were badly burnt in a backyard camp fire accident in Arden, NC.  I don't know them but we do share mutual friends and just to think that everyone's lives can change in a split second....It is very heartbreaking!  They were all flown to Shriners Childrens Hospital in Cincinaitti.  I know they have a long road ahead of them and that you can never send up enough prayer.  

(Asheville Citizen Times - http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100810/NEWS/308100020 )

 

For everyone else, I sure hope we get some relief from this crazy heat and humidity.  It would be nice to sit outside for more than 5 minutes at a time and still be able to breathe!  I have been talking with the Trio Theatrical more frequently this week and hopefully will get some time to speak with the show director this evening.  I am looking forward to getting started on their various projects for their upcoming season of performances.  

I think my niece Starla has decide to start doing some pageants again.  Hopefully here shortly I will have some pics to post.  I promised her we would take some, it has just been so dang hot and sticky out!

Well that is really all there is as far as updating, not a very exciting week so far.  Maybe I will have more for you later....LOL

Hope everyone is having a good week!

"It is wise to keep in mind that 

neither success nor failure is ever final."

~ Roger Babson

TGIF!  Oh my, that is just all I can say.  What a crazy week it has been.  I am ready to go home and not think about work for a couple of days.  Went and worked out again last night and it was just as tiring as the other night.  I am not sure where people seem to get all this energy from after a workout.  Makes me just wanna take a nap!  Salad and Steak was worth it though I suppose.  he he  Last night seemed to be the night that everyone wanted to fill my head with all of these thoughts and ideas.  I mean some of them were just fun creative ways to advertise my side business and maybe produce some more work as far as that goes but still a lot to think about.  On the other side of that were some things to think about and consider that I had never before considered.  There would be change for me for sure although I always worry myself with the whole "Well what if....." and then I get myself a little stressed.  I haven't decided anything on anything just left me with A LOT to think about and consider for sure.  Like I don't already keep enough things on my mind.  For the locals, keep your eyes peeled, I am be working out some advertising with Hello! Morristown Magazine.  Keeping my fingers crossed it will be a deal work taking!

So I am going to be getting together with some friends this week and hopefully meeting up with the show Director for the new Theater group I will be working for Trio Theatrical.  I am looking forward to meeting him and hopefully getting to move forward on the various projects we have discussed.  I, hopefully, have my first photography job lined up too!  Exciting!  If you know me you know it is rare my camera is not with me at any given moment.  I love to snap pictures of anything and everything and sometimes you end up with nothing special and sometimes you grab something really beautiful!  If nothing else though, it is my hobby and it makes me happy so it can't be a bad thing.  If I can make a little extra money on the side here and there that would be a blessing!

I think that is about it for an update today.  Hope everything has a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

A Beautiful Sunset at Panther Creek Park

Darling little Humming Bird.  I love these things but gosh they rarely sit still!

Nature.....How beautiful!

"Anybody can sympathize 

with the sufferings of a friend, 

but it requires a very fine nature to 

sympathize with a friend's success."

~ Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man under Socialism”

So very thankful that we are half way through the work week!  This week has just seemed like a chore from the start.  Made it back to workout yesterday....geesh miss a few weeks and it will get you good when you go back.  BOO!  I was hoping it would help me sleep better although no luck there.  It was still good for me though so I will just have to stick with that.  ha ha

To night is a little girl's night out.  Should be nice to just relax a bit and not think about work.  One of the girls wont be there tonight, her friend's 7 month old son passed away last week and she is going to spend some time with her.  Although she will be missed with us this evening this young woman needs her much more than we do tonight.  So very sad, no doubt.  I know you don't know them, I don't know them but please keep Chris and Amanda Blanchard in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time in their lives.

"On the night you were born,
the moon shone with such wonder
that the stars peeked in
to see you

and the night wind whispered,
'Life will never be the same.'

Because there had never been
anyone like you...
ever in the world."

~ Nancy Tillman

As we all sit and go throughout our day with our peeves and whatnot I hope we all can still step back and keep in mind....Things could be worse, we could be one of those less fortunate & we should be thankful for where we are, what we have & most importantly the loved ones in our lives.

With that being said......I really have an issue with all of these crazy, non-educated drivers out there that 1) Can't Drive and 2) Purchase vehicles they can't handle.  I mean really, if you have all the money in the world that is just great, I am truly happy for you but don't go wasting all that money on large SUVs that you can't even manage to maneuver through a drive-thru let a lone actually park properly!  I was seriously struggling between laughing my pants off just watching her so very slowly try and make her way into the drive through with her big Navigator and getting very aggravated that I was wasting time stuck behind this woman that I am starting to think could not find her way out of a wet paper bag with both ends cut out of it! It is like going to Turkey Creek and trying to do a little shopping and having to back out of an entire aisle just to park because that idiot in the Hummer that thinks they are so cool can't manage to get out of their parking spot because someone parked within 20 ft of them in either direction while they were in the store.  It is bad enough, in my opinion, that Driver's Ed is not required in the state of TN in order to drive but come on now, If You Can't Drive It, DON't Buy It!  I just don't think that should be too difficult.  There is the lovely update from my lunch hour.....LOL

Saturday will be lunch with the Pirate and Kameron. (for those just coming in, Pirate is my friend John from the United Kingdom.  It's an inside thing)  Anyhoo, he is here about 5 more weeks.  3 more for work and 2 strictly vacation time and then it is back to the United Kingdom for a bit.  One weekend soon I think we are headed back to Biltmore.  We went just before he left the country in May and he is dying to go back.  I haven't met Kameron yet but he wants me to meet her so we will see how that goes.  Hopefully she will turn out to be a good one!

Well it looks like I have a few things to finish up for the day before dinner out with the girls.  I think we all need it this week!  I hope that everyone is continuing to have a wonderful week!

"Behold the turtle. 

He makes progress only 

when he sticks his neck out."

~ James Bryant Conan

Really...

August already?  I can't believe it.  Yesterday was a Monday for sure.  The start of my least favorite month of the year and a Monday that felt so much like about 5 Mondays crammed into one!  It was one of those days I got off work, poured a glass of wine and just needed to chill a bit before anything else.  I have been on a sandwich kick for whatever reason lately but last night I decided to grill salmon.  It was a good change.  

I have been really bad about updating, not even pictures!  I really have not taken any.  I took one today at lunch though, just for this.  Christie said I needed to get my booty in gear with this blog thing...ha ha ha  HAPPY BIRTHDAY (early) Christie Angel Brookshire!!  (Look at that, you got your very own little shout out in my blog...ha ha ha)

Things have been moving at work, not sure they are really where I would like them to be but somewhere is better than nowhere....right?  On another note my side business PWD has really been picking up and I have been so very thankful for that.  I have Hope Outdoors (I know I have written about them before), Trophy Destinations, Trio Theatrical and ABC's Complete Auto Detailing.  They have all been keeping me very busy once I leave job 1 each day and weekends too!  Again, nothing but Thankful!  

If it is not one thing it is another.  Set funds aside for the dentist for myself and a cleaning for Gracie then desperately needed tires so first things first dental funds went to tires.  Ugghh maybe the side business will keep moving at a good pace and I will quickly have funds aside for dental again!  Although Ford is running a great deal on tires with $100 rebate so I am getting tires cheaper than ever before so that is a positive for sure.

I have been doing some catching up with old friends as well. (so at least you know I am doing something other than neglecting by blog and working HA)  A couple weeks ago I met up with Jessica & Johnny Howard and their two boys.  Gosh I had not seem them since 97-98 so that was a lot of catching up!  It was good to seem them though and I enjoyed catching up.  In some ways it was as if we picked up where we left off, crazy huh?  This past weekend Geoff & Joseph Dilts came to visit and see the house and family.  We normally catch up on a regular basis but with me buying the house and working on it I have not seen them in 2 years!  I can't believe how tall Sepy (Joseph) has gotten and he is a polite little young man, nothing like his daddy was at that age....ha ha ha  Sunday was a bit of a lazy day.  Caught up on some DVR stuff, visited with Mom a bit and watched The Sorcerer's Apprentice, it was a cute movie.

I am hoping to go workout today.  They are only open until 7 so with everything going on in the past few weeks I haven't been at all.  I think it is starting to take it's toll as well.  I just don't feel as good.  Hopefully it will make a difference getting back into the swing of things.  

Well that's it for now, must go finish up payroll now that lunch is over.  Ya know, that thing called WORK, always getting in the way huh?  Thankful to have a job though as I know there are so many out there less fortunate.

Please continue to keep our classmate Nicole Farlow in your thoughts and prayers as she is still battling every day for one more day with her children and to live her life.  Cancer = UGLY & MEAN!

October 30th is Race for the Cure.....I will keep everyone up to date on my plans with that this year.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful week thus far!

Well, I did not mean to drench this little one in water today but I am pretty sure it was much happier after I did so!  

btw.....Dear Mother Nature, 

Do you think you could drop it down a few notches?  I would be oh so very grateful!

Use what talents you possess; 

the woods would be very silent 

if no birds sang there except 

those that sang best.

~ Henry Van Dyke

Busy, busy, busy......

I have been a bit of a slacker lately on the blog front, sorry!  I will try and do better.  It seems since July 5th I have literally went nonstop!  I am working all day at work then coming home and working all night on job 2.  I am in the process of taking over a website as well as taking on 2 new websites for 2 different clients.  I have also done some new business cards & rack cards for 2 businesses as well as logo design for another.  I have been really excited with the extra work but I think going so much and so late every night for 2 weeks has caught up to me!  I am worn out, I have not had time to go workout or anything.  I hope to get back to that next week although I have plans Mon & Tues that will prohibit that, better luck for the rest of the week as far as that goes.

I took a couple pics.  You can click on the pics below to enlarge them.  If you or someone you know need any print work, point them towards my website!  (Please)  I can drop ship anywhere in the US so don't worry about being out of state.  I email proofs for approval on everything before I start printing so no worries there!  www.morristownwebdesign.com

Today, I have been very, lazy!  I woke up around 7:30 feeling a little rough.  I am pretty sure I may have been in a wreck in my sleep!  Ugghhh  back/shoulder still hurting.  YUCK!  I finally got out around lunch and went to the store to pick up a few things.  Came home, did a little laundry, a little cooking.  Today...Pineapple/Passion Fruit Glazed Pork Loin.....turned out quite yummy if I do say so myself.  Tomorrow, maybe I will try out a new BBQ sauce.  I occasionally like to experiment and just see how things turn out.  :o)

Dad has had this plant for years that just grows insanely.  Well a couple months ago he had to cut it back as it was hanging across his dining room floor and people were stepping on it. (ouch, poor little plant)  So, I brought home 3 pieces and stuck them in water.  I have been patiently waiting for them to start growing roots.  Well two out of three survived and once the roots started they seemed to just grow over night!  I am thinking at this point I should go look for a pot to plant in tomorrow.  (maybe, if I am brave enough, I hate re-potting anything!)  Don't want to kill anything!  ha ha ha

I did re-pot my beautiful Mandevilla 'Red Fury' that mom bought me in May.  I think between now and then, especially with the crazy 100 degree heat we have been having around here that it has done pretty well! (May & then July)

Update on my little baby birds.....They have all flown the coop while in the process almost knocking me off the brick wall!  (yeah, I'm sure you would have all got a kick out of seeing that!)  Guess I startled them and they were ready to fly, well all but one.  About 20 minutes later after a rough first landing in the grass, the little runt made it in the air and safely to the tree though!  They took over my hanging basket so to keep the plant alive I had to get on the wall and water carefully.

K, so, I know I see you daily but I am not your mama!

Relaxing away in the shade....

Bye Bye Birdie!

So, there are a few little updates for now.  I really will try and do better about updating!

"Dining with one's friends and beloved family

is certainly one of life's primal 

and most innocent delights, 

one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal."

~ Julia Child

I am sharing this with everyone!

This was passed along to me and
I felt the need to share it.


Subject: jennifer's Baccalaureate MD Speech

My daughter jennifer was honored to present a short graduation speech on behalf of the medical school this past weekend. For those who are not familiar with Loma Linda, it is the last Christian medical school in the country. They pride themselves in trying to do God's work by incrementally relieving suffering sending many of their doctors to missionary hospital in 3rd world countries before it became vogue to do so. It is about sacrifice, praying with their patients and tending to the sick and dying. This past year she was in Haiti tending to hundreds of patients each day in her tent clinic as the only doctor many would ever see. She ate once a day and lost ten pounds (90#) and was sad to leave with so much suffering unattended. Her lead translator passed out and discovered he had not eaten in three days so the staff could eat. Many do not understand Christian sacrifice.  Here is jennifer's short speech at graduation:

doug

3 minute Baccalaureate Speech 5/29/10 Good morning. My name is Jennifer Jung, and it is my pleasure to be here today What I want to share with you this morning is something very simple.  It is a story of redemption through the eyes of a medical student. And I pray this will bless you. My story begins with a very sick heroine addict who was my patient.  Let’s say her name was Rachel.   She was a thin woman, with knotted unwashed hair, and areas were her muscle had wasted away from her heroine injection sites.  She was homeless, her family had disowned her.  She had out of control untreated hepatitis C- and this infection was likely going to kill her. Every day a quiet man would visit her.  I found out that he was her husband of many years, the father of her children before heroine took over her life.  It seemed that she had treated him badly so we were shocked that he had come back for her over and over again. However it occurred to me that he deeply loved her.   As I consider Love, I remember that there is a mighty God who created me. He gives every breath and heartbeat as a gift. I owe my life to him.  And He desires to have a love relationship with me, as well as with all of you.  Like this husband, God has this crazy loyal Love for us. And there’s more.  You see, I am like Rachel.  I also am very sick.  The Bible says all people are born with sin, a darkness in our hearts that compels us to run away from God.  And this sin is just like an infection that will inevitably kill us no matter how good we try to be. The Bible says that the consequences for sin is death. It’s a spiritual death-  divorce from the source of life, God. We are in need of saving because our souls have a death sentence. You thought I was going to talk about something positive, right? But this all sounds like bad news.  The good news is that God has a plan for saving our lives. When I was a freshman medical student I spent two weeks working with babies born with heart defects, several of whom needed heart transplants. It was sobering to realize that the only way for them to live was for another child to die. It reminded me of how God chose to save all of us.  By substitution.  He offers us heart transplants through his sinless son, Jesus Christ. There is giant cross that lights up at night on the medical center, it’s a statement that Jesus died on a cross in our place, as a substitution for a death that sinners deserved.  And he did this so we could be freely forgiven of our sins and be reunited with him forever. He did this because of His crazy Love for us. So many years ago, I came to God as a sick woman, in need of saving, and I laid down my broken life, and he gave me new one. It is free to me but it cost him everything. This is the gospel. Tomorrow, I will graduate as physician. And of everything in this world that I know, this is what I have learned is most important. Thank you.

The long weekend......well not so long after all.  Oh well, enjoy it while you can I guess is your only option.  Lots going on and lots of heat.....I MISS SPRING & FALL!  For real, it never happened at all.  95+ every day is getting very old.   My little birds are doing well, I will have to try and get a new picture to update.  :)  They will soon fly away I am sure.

Friday night we went to see ECLIPSE!  Yes I know, some of you will roll your eyes and say "oh lord"!  OMG.....It really was the best of the 3 they have shown thus far and I am just not sure how the next one will be better.  I could really go see it again, no problem!  I mean every time a new movie in a series comes out they always say "this is the best one so far" and you go off to see it and then you come home disappointed.  Well, they actually got it right this time.   It was great!

My cousin Miranda had her little boy Friday as well.  Oh  my, he is a cutie for sure!  Of course, it always seems the pics are snapped before they are all cleaned up and looking their Sunday best but none the less, I saw him, he is precious!  7lbs 4.7 oz. of cuteness!  Babies are like puppies....I LOVE THEM!  They are always so sweet.  Of course we have a 3 month old at the office now.  He is here 3-4 days a week.  (boss' daughter's son)  He is a cutie too.

Meet Jayden (born 7-2-10)

Finally made my way to SAMS over the weekend.  It was a much needed trip, now if I could just manage to make my way to the grocery store I would be doing good!  ha ha  I made some repairs to the roof of my gazebo swing and got it put back on.  Now, if it could just cool down a bit outside I could actually enjoy it!   Oh my, this heat is wearing me out!

I really did not do a lot on Sunday just some laundry and stuff and tried to rest a bit.  Sunday night we grilled out and shot off some fireworks and then lit up the fire pit to roast marsh mellows.  Around here if July 4th falls on a Sunday it get celebrated Saturday and they do the same thing with Halloween.  It was not like that growing up but after being here so long I have adjusted.  Monday I was off at the office but had to meet with a new client (for my job2).  We met for about 2.5 hours and I left there with his MAC PC in my possession so that made me feel like he had confidence in me.  lol   I will take over maintaining his website for www.hopeoutdoors.org and will be in charge of all of his print work.  Business cards, post cards, rack cards, brochures and stuff.  It is a great organization and if you like charities that work with children or hunting...check it out!  They took a group of kids to Dollywood Thursday that would not have otherwise had that opportunity and they had a blast.  They have a second business they have started and I will be doing all of the print work for them as well.  I sent in a quote today do build and design that website and am keeping my fingers crossed!  It will be a lot of work but I could use the extra $ so I am willing to do it!!  He called and left me a voice mail and sounded positive after receiving my quote so I am hopeful.  I will have to wait until I get home from job 1 before I can call and follow up on job 2 though, I do my best not to mix them, better not to!

Hope Outdoors is a non-denominational Christian outdoor ministry that partners with caring organizations and churches across the nation to facilitate hope through outdoor activities. Our outreach is directed to those men, women and children who may be ill or disabled, and in need of a little help and brotherly love to see their outdoor passions fulfilled. Some are looking to be re-introduced into an activity they once loved, while others are discovering a new and exciting way to live life to its fullest.

Our partners in hope help us provide opportunities where dreams can become reality. If you are looking for a blessed and effective way to touch the lives of those less fortunate, your help is greatly needed. To become a Partner In Hope, a sponsor, contributor, or a member please call or email us today. There is not a better way to spread the love of Christ than through God’s majestic outdoors! 

Until our trails cross again,

Hope Outdoors Staff

I took a break yesterday evening and went with mom and mamaw to The Point to have dinner by the lake.  The service was horrible but the food and view were nice!  Then it was back home to watch the bachelorette and finish the business cards and rack cards for Trophy Destinations.  It was a lot of work for me to get done all in 1 day but before the evening was over it was done and sent for printing!  The quicker I work, the quicker I get paid...ha ha ha

Today has been OK, just a little long.  I think I needed an extra day but oh well, do what we gotta do.  I am waiting on everyone to get my time sheets so I can get payroll done, that should make tomorrow fly by!

Well until later.......Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend with their families and loved ones!

"We find no real satisfaction or happiness

in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve."

~ Maxwell Maltz

I guess the best way to sum up this past week.....long and stressful!  There just seems to be so much going on and there seems to be no end in sight lately.  I have had so much on my mind I have just not been sleeping well.  I am no doubt looking forward to this long weekend, a very much needed long weekend.

I would like to ask everyone to keep my old classmate Nicole Farlow in their thoughts and prayers.  She is 32 and the single mother of 2 children and son and daughter (10&12).  They diagnosed her in May with Stage 4 Liver Cancer.  Fairly unusual in a woman her age and a woman that does not drink and so on.  She was given 4-6 months but with Chemo and all possibly up to a year.  They said she was not a good candidate for a liver transplant as they feel her cancer started somewhere else and attacked her liver and they can't find out where it started.  A fund was set up for her with Wachovia Banks and money was raised to afford her the opportunity to go to Duke for a new opinion of her situation.  Well the funds were raised and she was seen at Duke yesterday.  It seems they have given her the same news, there is nothing they can do.  It is so sad to see a life that will end so soon and with such cruelty.  It is sad to think of her children and how they just don't understand yet how little time they have.  She will not see them go on their first dates, prom, graduation and the many other milestones children have as they continue to grow.  I can imagine the heartache she is dealing with right now trying to take this all in and find some strength to deal with it and accept is since she has been give no other option.  What do you say?  I mean we can all sit around and say we are sorry, we will pray for you and so on but it does not change a thing.  It doesn't take her pain away or the pain her children will have to endure.  It is one of those times where the world just seems so cruel, so unfair.  IT STINKS! I am not sure where this originally came from but it is on Nicole's page as well as the Butterfly Funds page.

I don't know how, I can't see why
people with cancer have to die,
why there is no cure to make it go away.
and people are dying of it every day.
women, men, children and more,
...are dying because no-one can seem to find a cure.

 

WORK....has been stressful.  The economy seems to finally (2 years later) be hitting the construction industry.  You wake up in the morning and the thought of having to deal with it all just makes your whole body tense up.  My administrative assistant was laid off yesterday.  It really stinks.  I hate it for her, she is such a sweet person, a good person.  I know things have been tight for her to begin with and now she is having to deal with this.  I just feel so bad and there is nothing I can do to fix it.  I truly hope that things will turn around and she will be back.  It is too quite here today.  She has been a big help to me around here and I will no doubt miss her.  I am just that way, I want to fix things, I want to help and when I can't it just weighs on me.

WoW.....Got a call last night....it was my brother!  Yes, I know, you don't hear me speak of him much.  He is my half brother and after he and dad had a falling out when he was younger things were just never the same although we have always kept in touch just not often.  My nephew Jean-Luke, "Luke", will be a senior this year at East.  That is just crazy!  I still remember when he was born.  I can't believe he has grown up it seems so quickly.  Of course I say this same thing about Jeramy & Starla all the time too.  Anyway, seems he was in a very bad head on collision after football practice the other day.  After several surgeries they were able to bring him home last night.  He has a hospital bed at home and a wheel chair for now.  They are hoping that within 4-6 months he will be walking again.  I hope to see him soon, it has been too long.  I am glad he is still here with us but I do hate he is having to deal with all of this.  I can't imagine how scary it must be for him.  All of the surgery, stitches, broken hip, arm, almost tore his knee off.....I just can't imagine.  I know I would be scared for sure.  It makes me worry even more about Jeramy.  He will be 16 in April and is so excited to drive.  In this case, both kids were speeding and hit head on, I mean I don't know anyone that is not guilty of speeding and I don't really know many, especially new drivers, that haven't pushed their luck.  I know I did, I know that someone was no doubt watching over me on a number of occasions when I was that age.  Of course, they have to grow up and they have to learn by mistakes you just hate to see it be in such a situation.  It is sad but I am very thankful he is OK.  That is what matters when it comes down to it.

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”

 

~ Catherine Ponder

On another note, I have been keeping an eye on the baby birds that have made one of my hanging baskets their home.  It is neat to see how much they change day to day and how quickly they grow and come into their own.  Animals are so different from people in that sense.

Anyway, I can't help my curiosity when they are right there under my nose!  lol  I have to keep any eye on them.

I am pretty sure the newest addition has a mohawk!  ha ha ha  Here are a few pics.  The cookoo bird had to be relocated (the clearly larger egg) and there ended up being a total of 5 tiny eggs!

"To be alive, to be able to see, to walk, 

to have houses, music and paintings 

- it's all miracles. 

I have adopted the technique 

of living life from miracle to miracle."

~ Artur Rubinstein