Faith, Family and Friends: April 2009

My friend, Judy, has found another delightful place to spend some time, get great decorating ideas, and placed it all within our reach. I have added this blog to my list of favorites over on the left, but thought I would highlight it here so those of you that only read 'updated feeds' without visiting my site will see it.

Sherry and John Petersilk have transformed their ranch and will take you on an eye candy journey as they share what they have accomplished. I think my favorite is the before and after of their bedroom, which Judy shares on her site. Here's the pics ~

Before

After ~ is this not peaceful and calm?!I have not taken the time yet to read through this new blog site, but I can bet you I will this weekend when things calm down a bit around here. Love these sites that take a bit and do a lot. Much like our own Layla, here on Wetumpka Street! The little cottage that was/is for sale beside them is being rented at this time. Layla is helping with the renovation and you'll find it refreshing and interesting as well. Scroll through her recent posts to see before and after pics of this charming cottage. Enjoy ~

A Classic Between Legends~

I love these two characters, and when I received this link via email today I knew I wanted to share it with you ~ Carson left this earth in 2005 but Dom DeLuise is still here and delighting millions with his cookbooks and collection of children books. Enjoy!

Trio on Tuesday~

Jenny had some errands to run today, and a doctor visit, so I went eagerly along to help with the boys. Imagine my delight when we picked up Elexis so her mommy could have some uninterrupted time to work on a dissertation! After several stops, we went to Panera Bread for lunch! When I mentioned we needed the camera, Sir Noah stopped dead in his tracks, turned around, and posed!

Elexis calls Noah 'NoNo' and if I heard it once I heard it two dozen times, Noah would mutter, "my name not NoNo, it's Noah". I laughed many times today~

Finally, Noah got his cup from Ian, Elexis decided to hold his hand, and we were able to proceed on with our lunch destination!

Afterwards? We did a bit more shopping, a lot more laughing, and Jenny even ended the day with cookies from 'the cookie store' and put in a DVD on the way home! I.had.a.blast.

{These were taken with my cell. argh, forgot the camera!}

Tiger Woods Inaugurational Speech ~

Tiger Woods received a special invitation to speak at the events preceding Obama's inauguration. His inviters were stunned, when he did not deliver the message they expected. You will see why the media swept it under the rug. Below is the text of his speech, entitled "You'll Never Walk Alone," as posted on his Web site.

I grew up in a military family - and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of the service, and every rank.

In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.

Each day, and particularly on this historic day, we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.

I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes.

I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.

In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the an at whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio regiment and said: 'I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.'

Just as they have stood tall for our country - we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.

Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Glee Club.

I have never been more proud of Tiger Woods than when I heard his 2-minute tribute to the military at the Inaugural Celebration in Washington DC . He paid tribute to our soldiers. Not one time did he mention Obama, the inauguration or the new administration. Tiger is his own man; his father taught him to be his own man. Somewhere over that cold, gray Washington sky, old Earl Woods was smiling down on his beloved son.

Click here for the Snopes reference for this article!

Make You Smile Monday~

If this one doesn't make you smile~

this definitely will~

{thank you, Jim, for sending these today!}

I have been waiting for these pictures,

and here they are! Our trip to Mississippi!!

To see what the Maddox's are expecting!

The trip where we found out it's a girl!

After the ultrasound and lunch, we came back to Stacey & Brett's

so the kids could spend some time together.

Alaina is really into 'princess' dressing

and hugging her Pa. Noah was absent

much of this time, as there were lots of trains

to play with in Austin's room!

Here's another of our sweet 'Laina~

and the one below is my very favorite~

I am so in love.

Obviously, there's a movie on the TV,

but you can tell Alaina and Noah

are really trying to give us their attention.

Here's hoping you and yours

have had a restful and refreshing weekend

and that this week is one of your most favorite!

I'm Addicted To ~

I am addicted to quite a few things, and I'll outline them a bit later. First, though, this idea came from Teale who got it from Amanda. It made me stop and think about mine, so now it's my turn to ask "what's your addictions?" Here's mine ~

**the blogging world ~ what began as a journal during counseling for PTSD (and no, THAT blog is NOT for public review - too much information, too much pain) became a journal of our life for close friends and family members. John and I pretty much dropped out of sight the first two years after the accident. It became a line to the outside world. This addiction also includes blog hopping, which has led me to some great friendships across the nation, and even to luncheons and dinners with friends I never would have met otherwise!

**Facebook ~ I've reconnected with friends I haven't seen since high school, students I have taught and now have children of their own, and parents of students that became some of our best friends. It's also been a great way to keep up with those within our congregation that I love but don't see often enough. Isn't that sad! When you worship in a large open space with lots of exit doors, it's difficult to see everyone you'd love to see!

**an icy classic coke ~ prior to the accident I loved this drink; after the accident I craved this drink. Almost as much as I craved the pharmaceutical 'cocktail' I was given 24/7 for 77 days! And yes, I salivate when I see one on TV or when I think about one. Like now! (and yes, I just asked John if there's a drink machine on the property)

**dinnerware ~ cannot pass up salad and dessert plates; oversize dinner plates; chargers; and table linen. I have to admit since the accident, this addiction is under control now. I do NOT set a table like I did the first 23 years of our marriage and this is the first time we haven't had a formal dining room. With the girls on their own, we haven't missed one.

**magazines ~ with Books A Million right across the street, it's become even worse. So much so, that Jenny has told me she doesn't need anymore. Throw in there, hard copies of novels by James Patterson, John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks and Richard P. Evans, paperbacks of P. Cornwell, Tom Clancy, Mary H. Clark, and others. Love love love to read.

**driving ~ give me an open road, a great car that handles well, awesome cd's, and a coke in the drink rest. I'm good for 6-8 hours!

**flip flops ~ any color, any style, as long as I can get it off my foot easily ~ enough said

**House Hunters International ~ love this show! and envision myself shopping and arguing with why they chose the wrong house!

**spending money on home decor, daughters, & grandbabies ~ not much to say here except I am really really trying to be better. I promise, John. I really am better. I cannot tell you the last time I went in Kirkland's, although Cute As A Button is still a killer.

Let's end now with what is NOT a weakness ~

**the phone ~ I hate spending any length of time on a phone. I may talk to you several times a day, but it will be just a couple of minutes, at the most, each time. Any longer, and you've lost my attention. In fact, I have asked John quite a few times if we can do without the land line. He's not crazy about that, as I am known to leave my cell in the car, in the purse, in a pocket, you name it, it's been there. He has threatened to nail it to my body. I love having the connection, just not crazy about long connections.

So, what are your weaknesses? Leave me a comment directing me to your blog if you decide to use this as a jumping off point for a post of your own.

Slinky, A Wonderful Toy ~

How many of you had this amazing toy?

It took just one commercial,

and I had to have one.

Got one, too! For a gift!

Bet you did, too.

And how many remember this commercial?

The one that made me want that neat piece of metal!

And how many, like me, ended up with this?

(Stay tuned for Chatty Cathy dolls that had their voice boxes yanked out, Tiny Tears dolls that lost their hair, Silly Putty that got permanently stuck to the comic section of the newspaper, and Lincoln Logs that were used as teething means.)

Shabby Blog

Oh my. I am in love. And I haven't even gotten past the home page yet.

If you love changing the background of your blog page as much as I, then you must visit ShabbyBlogs! Too cute. Shabby chic. Adorable! Absolutely precious! To die for! {Well, okay, that's taking it a bit far.}

But truly, check it out. That's where I am headed now. Just wanted to tell you about it first. OH, and while I'm thinking about it, you have to click on the header buttons to go anywhere. I kept looking in the middle and bottom of the home page. Nope, it's all in the header. And ~

if you haven't visited Jenny's blog yet, do so. Darius, of Hootie & the Blowfish, has a moving video and song that she posted today. Yes, I had tears sliding down my cheeks just remembering that it really wasn't that long ago that I held my Jenny just the way I held her youngest son this past Sunday evening. Noah always lets me rock him to sleep, and as I kissed those curls and sang softly to him, I ached for his momma to be that small again. For just one more time. One more day.

Okay, so I have NOW found yet ANOTHER site for blog backgrounds, smile smile!! See the link in the upper left hand corner~

Happy Earth Day!

I just love the way Google does their thing~

Miss California ~

Miss California says she stands by her anti-gay marriage comments, even if they may have cost her the Miss USA crown. Carrie Prejean defended her views Tuesday on NBC's "Today" show, telling host Matt Lauer that she spoke from the heart during Sunday's pageant when she said that "marriage should be between a man and a woman."

The beauty queen's response to a question from openly gay pageant judge and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has received more attention than the winner, Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton. Click here to read the rest of the article.

"I don't take back what I said," she told Lauer, adding that she "had spoken from my heart, from my beliefs and for my God." "It's not about being politically correct," she said. "For me, it's about being biblically correct."

I chose to add this tonight after reading the comments left on Facebook,

other blogs, and the media. Here's my feelings on this matter ~

"RIGHT ON!"

Enough said.

25 Reasons I Owe My Mother ~

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning!"

My mother taught me RELIGION:
"You better pray that comes out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I will knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC:
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep crying. I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me the science of OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there until that spinach is gone."

My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"This room looks as if a tornado went through it."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have parents like you."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:
"Just wait until we get home."

My mother taught me about RECEIVING:
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE:
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me ESP:
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

My mother taught me HUMOR:
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT:
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

My mother taught me GENETICS:
"You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about my ROOTS:
"Shut that door! Were you born in a barn?"

My mother taught me WISDOM:
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my fav-o-rite~

My mother taught me about JUSTICE:
"One day you'll have kids, and they'll be twice as bad as you."

Just Another Trigger Moment

Julie Conn.

A second grade teacher at Holtville Elementary.

My home-away-from-home for twenty years.

She taught down the hall from me.

Always had a smile, a hug, a dear friend.

She came into Cute As A Button last week,

looking for an outfit for her newborn son.

I turned around to greet a customer,

and it was Julie. Jules. My Jules, from 'that time'.

My counselor calls these moments trigger moments.

When my throat closes, the headache begins,

speech becomes labored, my thought process jumbled.

I wanted to cry, to hold onto her, to be back there,

to be back in Room 33, beside Lisa,

across the hall from Jackie and Deborah;

to live at 204 Spruce, the home Johnny and I loved,

to have it all 'not have happened'.

So much rushed me at once

that for a moment, or two,

all I could do was stare at her.

And remember. And hurt.

We talked, we hugged, I saw the baby,

she left. I remembered.

And I grieved. And cried.

Will it ever.get.better?

Will I ever, ever get to the point

that it.won't.hurt?

Logic tells me the house at Spruce was too big,

too much upkeep for a disabled retiree.

But my heart tells me

had the accident not happened,

we would still be there. Still sitting in the swing,

on the deck John built, and I loved.

I would still be teaching next door to my best friend

and learning from seven and eight year old

angels in little children bodies. Do I miss the day to day

routine, the parental worries, the paperwork?

You bet I do. I always will. It was a passion. It was me.

Honestly, I don't know if it will ever get better.

It will be three years tomorrow.

We are in a new home.

Another new home, as a matter of fact.

And Life is different. As much as he tries,

and as much as they try,

and as much as I try,

it will always be different.

And God help me,

I want it back. There are times

I ache I literally ache,

to have Life the way it used to be.

My heart tells me I have much

to be thankful for; much to enjoy;

much to find delight in. And yes,

retirement has freed me up for other things,

and I cling to the understanding

that He never, ever, allows anything to happen

that He doesn't offer some means of bringing

Glory and Praise to His Name.

But my heart still breaks,

when those trigger moments occur.

So if I see you at some point, and you wonder

why I fumble, why tears slide, why I stare~

just know you have triggered a moment

for a past I miss with my whole heart.

And I continue telling myself,

it will get easier.

And then,

I go to my Jenny's family blog,

and she has this photograph of Noah.

And I read her words with the picture,

"Run, Forrest, run!"

And I laughed.

Through the tears brought from writing to you,

I laughed remembering what I had seen on her blog.

So I have brought it to you for your laughter.

God works in beautiful, mysterious ways.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Go, Noah! "Run, Forrest, run!"

He's a Hunk

Meet Jonah.

He's a hunk.

A future model.

You can say you saw him here first.

A-Day Spring Football Game~

A grim forecast of rain didn't stop an estimated 84,050 Crimson Tide fans from attending today's practice game at Bryant-Denny Stadium! ESPN brought it to national television and Tuscaloosa rocked once more as another record was set. Today's attendance was the second highest A-Day game in school history, and the second largest crowd to witness a spring game at any SEC school. The first was the 92,138+ fans, that arrived in 2007 at Tuscaloosa, with many being turned away at the gate. Last years game drew 78,200, the third largest crowd at any SEC school. {John wanted to be there badly, but a fishing tournament and work put a stop to those plans. I was downtown in the shoppe all day, but kept informed with customers wearing the colors and listening to newscasts.} Previous best is believed to be Tennessee's 73,000 in 1986 and we nearly doubled Florida's 47,5000 in 2007. Today's practice game brings an end to Spring Practice and we wait now for the games to begin!

There's something about football that stirs my blood. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the guy I loved in high school was a football player and I was a cheerleader, or the fact that I married a guy that was his high school's quarterback and our main rival. I will always remember Marbury High School Friday night games and Saturday's Alabama and Auburn college games. It just doesn't get any better ~