February 28th

The candles on my coffee table

So what is your source of light? What do you seek with your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Where do you direct your passion? What gives you the reason to get up in the morning and press on when the days are long? What is your source of light? Don't settle for mere shadows. Don't build an idol out of your own expectations, plans, pursuits, goals, or sense of identity. Don't let the light in you be darkness. Seek God ... just God. Only God can bear the weight of all our hopes and dreams. Seek God and find life's true light!

From "The Light Within Us" by Phil Ware

February 27th

The first package heading to Iraq! This is a great deal. It only costs $8.10 to ship this box and it doesn't matter what you put in it; and boy you can pack a lot in a box. Thanks to all my loopy friends for help with our first shipment. I worked a half day today so that I could bring Daniel for 2 dental apts. It was a beautiful day in the 60's again. I'm getting spoiled! While he was in the dentist's, I got Ben's package ready to go. So be on the look out Ben - it's on its way!

February 26th

If you are in RI, you know the importance of Duncan Donuts coffee. They are on every corner. I didn't realize how addicted I was to caffeine until I went a day and a half without coffee and thought my head would explode. Although coffee is highly valued in North Carolina, it hasn't reached the same level as in New England. So I have been weaned off. However, we have found a couple of Duncan Donuts conveniently located near work and one right here in Knightdale! This is actually Arthur's ice coffee at work today; we work together. I am trying to stay strong!

February 25th

This is the actual Feb 25th picture. We finished our bathroom today. The color is a pale gray called smooth pebble. Arthur insists it is called rebel gray . We went the church this morning; I can't get over how crowded it is! We added 30 chairs and it's already full. It's amazing what happens when the Lord draws people - no signs or marketing - just the Lord. After church, we went to Panera Bread with Pastor Rob and Linda. We stopped at Lowes on the way home and picked up the small brush for the trim. So the bathroom is done. Arthur had picked up crown moulding for the bedroom so we'll finish that and I think that will be it inside for awhile. It's time to get some yard work done. Our lawn was sod and was rolled out in giant squares. We have *seams* in our yard. I don't think grass ought to have seams! So we need to focus on how to get our lawn to grow. It's funny trying to figure out what grows here and when to plant it. We need a step by step guide to planting things in North Carolina.

Pictures of Ben!

February 24th

Ladies' Brunch, also known as Talk and Munch, was today. It is always fun to get together with everyone and just chat and catch up. We are gearing up for our Ladies Retreat at the end of March. I can't believe it is only a month away. I have not been on a ladies retreat in probably 10 years. It was always such a logistical nightmare with 5 children and working part-time. I'm really looking forward to a chance to focus on God and not have a million distractions.

Other news - BEN CALLED! He called at about 1 AM. He sounds great. He says that he's bored right now. He gave us a snail mail address but then said to hold off for a day to two to send him stuff because he might be reassigned. We've been taping TV shows for him so as soon as he gives us the address we'll be sending off a big package.

More news - ANDY IS COMING TO VISIT! He has vacation from school the week of March 12th so he'll be coming down then.

So... two pictures today. One of the food at the Ladies' brunch - almost too pretty to eat - but we forced ourselves. And one of some of the ladies at the brunch.

February 23rd

No it's not the Knightdale space ship -It's another water tower. On the other side of town is the "old" water tower. It's not quite as attractive and there are usually vultures perched on it. I took this after dropping Rachel off at work. It is so nice that it is light later. I can't believe how it perks me up!

February 22nd

Today was beautiful - in the 70's. Rachel had to work tonight at 6:00. Daniel then at to be at work (Chick Fil A) at 7:00. It's a bit of a pain because I just walk in and then I have to run out again, then come home and then run out again. Arthur usually does the evening pick ups. I'll be glad when Dan drives! Rachel works at Smithfield Chcken 'N Bar-B-Q as a dining room attendant.

February 21st

Arthur's grape vine. Arthur's cousin brought over a muscadine grape vine when we moved here. It's a little pitiful right now but hopefully it will perk up now that's it warm. It is 68 degrees! Unfortunately, I got the "bug" and I'm home from work. Thankfully I'm not as sick everyone else was but I hope this is the end of it.

February 20th

THE FROGS ARE BACK!! Last year, we moved in July. Our house is backed up to the woods. The frogs were so loud that you could here them over the television. Sam was afraid to go out because they were so loud. Tonight was the first night that I heard them again. They must hibernate ??? It's funny how sometimes you don't notice something is gone until it's back. Anyway it was in the 60's today and just beautiful. Here's Sam listening for the frogs.

February 19th

Last night, I was longing for the old days when all my kids were home. This empty nest syndrome is kind of strange. It hits in waves; I'll be fine for awhile and then it crashes over me. I look other moms who have been through this and have lived to tell the tale so I know that I will survive. It's not even so much missing my children (three of them are still "home") as missing the life we had then. So much of our lives revolved around our children. Now everyone is going their own direction. My kids are all great and we spend time together but it isn't the same. This picture was taken in 2003 so Andy would have been 17, Ben 18 1/2, Dan 13, Rachel 16, and Sierra 15.

People always say to enjoy your children because in a blink of an eye, they are grown up. It's so true!

February 18th

I love sky pictures! I looked outside Sunday afternoon at about 5 and couldn't believe how beautiful it was. It was actually very cold since we had 30 mph winds. We didn't get much accomplished today. Sierra had gone to Myrtle Beach with her boyfriend on Saturday and on the way came down with a stomach bug. I'll bet that was one looonnnggg ride home. By Sunday night, Arthur had it. Ugh. I pray that I manage to avoid it. Arthur and I went to California Pizza Kitchen after church (before the bug struck). Then I managed to go to mall to use a gift certificate I had from Christmas for The Gap. I got a pair of cargoes and decided to run into Sears. I usually have good luck there. Most of the clothes were 50% off and I picked up a couple of tops. But I have to admit, I hate the way Sears is set up now. I remember the "old" days when there were actual sales clerks; people helped you; there was a sales counter in each department. Now they have these centrally located check outs and the clerks are useless. If I wanted to go to WalMart, I'd go to Walmart. I know it's been that way for awhile but I still hate it. Whatever happened to service??

Ok, back from my rant. When I left I got the phone call to make a soup (must be Campbell's Chicken Noodle) and cracker run. So that pretty much describes the day - I guess you can fill in the blanks!

February 17th

Yes, 4 pictures for the 17th but I guess for birthdays, it's allowed. Today, Arthur took Dan to lunch and to see "Ghostrider" . We had his cake and birthday dinner tonight.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Note the open cell phone. That was Andy on speaker singing Happy Birthday with us. Hey, when your kids are grown and far away you have to get creative!

We have a tradition that when it's your birthday you can choose the cake and the dinner. Daniel chose homemade macaroni and cheese with little hot dogs and salad.

Daniel's birthday cake - Pig Pickin' Cake

February 16th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL! Daniel turned 17 today. It is really scary - my *baby* is 17! I keep telling my kids that I am much too young to have children this old. Dan took the day off of school but he had to work last night. Saturday we will have his cake and birthday dinner.

February 15th

Daniel drew this picture 2002 which would have made him about 12. We had it properly framed and it is hanging in our dining room now.

The Great Wedding Photo Dare

In honor of Valentine's Day, my friends on my email loop have dared us to put our wedding photos on our blogs. So here you go... from 1983. Notice the Farrah hair and the Princess Di dress.

February 14

One of my co-workers, Maxine, recieved a singing telegram today at work! It was a barbershop quartet and they were really good. Note to husband - I loved watching this but never do this to me!

February 14th

Every Valentine's Day my husband gives me several cards and candy (of course). He hides them so I find them throughout the day. This morning I found cards in my make up case, in my underwear drawer, and on my dresser. This year they were musical cards with You're Still the One and Stand by Me. We didn't end up going out for dinner tonight though. Hopefully, we'll go out for a special dinner this weekend. We actually thought that we were going to have the house to ourselves but alas, Daniel found out that he didn't have to work.

February 13th

Definitely NOT taken today. Today it poured. I have flags for most of the holidays and remembered to pull this one out this weekend.

February 12th

Ben and his buddy, Patrick "selling" Kuwaitie water.

February 11th

This is NOT an art masterpiece! More later... We had a wonderful Sunday. At church this morning, they rearranged all the chairs to make more room. It is funny how rearranging chairs can change the whole dynamic. We always seemed to sit in the same spot and talk to the same people. It was fun having a chance to talk to different people. We came home and had Sunday dinner after church because Sierra was home. Then we began to paint. Well, we did get the whole room painted. It took quite a while and a second can of paint because it's a big room. I went downstairs to rinse out the rollers. Arthur came down and said "Well, there was a little problem. Let's just say, we'll be painting the bathroom next weekend. " The picture is of my bathroom wall. He was trying to put the lid on and it splattered everywhere! Lol! Now I have to quickly decide what color I want the bathroom to be (yes, a week is quick for me). I guess that's one way to get your bathroom painted.

February 10th

Sam was out enjoying the sunshine! It was nice and bright although a little bit chilly - in the lower 40's. After we moved here, we got the wireless invisible fence for the dogs. It was the best thing we ever did. We have been chasing our dogs for as long as I can remember. We've always had fences but Gracie, being a terrier, would dig her way out and Sam would just follow. We think that they are like the cartoon charactures, Pinky and the Brain. "Come Pinky, we must prepare for tomorrow night" "Gee, Brain, what are we doing tomorrow night?" "The same thing we do every night, Pinky — Try to take over the world!" If you've ever met my dogs, you'd know which one is which ! It only took one day and we have no problems with them taking off at all. They can run all over the yard and follow us around when we work in the yard or in the garage.

Today was basically a normal Saturday. I did the groceries (which is good because we had NOTHING in the house), cleaned up the house, we ran kids to work, and Arthur went to Praise & Worship practice. I made a delicious Chicken Rosemary Soup and biscuits for dinner. I haven't been feeling too well, allergies I think, so I made my own chicken soup! Becca gave me the recipe yesterday. It was only Arthur and I for dinner so it made just the right amount. It's been tough adjusting from cooking for 7+ most nights to cooking for only 2 or 3 of us but I am getting better at it!

BTW, Ben has emailed several times and called once. He's doing well and seems to be enjoying the "adventure". I guess that is good since he has to be there!

February 9th

This is on the top of the "honey-do" list for the weekend. This is the bedroom wall color that I was talking about. I can't wait to finish the other walls.

I am soooo glad it is Friday! It's just been a very long week......

February 8th

This is my friend, Becca, from work. Today we had employee lunch and she ran around helping me pick up food and setting up. She keeps me laughing which some days I really need!

February 7th

Dinner tonight was pizzas from The Big Cheese. After having been gone for 4 days, getting in at about 9:30 pm and then working all day Tuesday there is NO food in the house. Hmmm... What can I create from a can of black beans, a can of tuna fish and Oodles of Noodles? We left some money with the kids for food for the weekend and they did well but there wasn't a lot of dinner options. In town, there is a pizza place that charges $5 for a pepperoni pizza. They aren't gourmet but they aren't bad. 2 pizzas and a bottle of Pepsi cost $12.50. Can't go wrong there!

I also got home to find the email from Ben so it was a good night. He commented that it was 5:30 am (here) and he didn't want to wake us. I told him to wake us next time!

February 6th

Sunset over the plains on the army base. We got home last night but I forgot to take a picture today : (. We had a wonderful trip. We arrived at the base in Kansas Friday night. It was a great 3 days with Ben - just the 3 of us. There isn't a lot to do in the area - typical military base- but as I told Ben, we went to see him, not Kansas. It was just a wonderful time to spend together. Ben left Tuesday night. He has emailed me and has arrived safely in Germany. I don't know how much contact he will be able to have once he's reached his destination. Whenever anyone asks me how I feel, I always respond, "I try not to think about it too much". It isn't meant as a flippant response. If I start thinking about all that is going on there and what "could" happen I get very upset. I have to trust that God is in control and that He will be with Ben through whatever happens. It's hard not believing in God when you see a view like this picture.

February 5th

Buffalo in Kansas. The funny thing is that Ben had been telling us that there were buffalo in Kansas. So we are driving from the airport looking for buffalo! We were very disappointed to find out he meant there was a buffalo RANCH! We were expecting buffalo to be roaming free!

February 4th

Ben and Arthur outside the barracks.

February 3rd

Ben and Arthur at Sirloin Stockade, Manhattan, KS

February 2nd

The view from the plane flying to Kansas.

February 1st

I can't believe I have made it a month! I think Arthur's surprised too. It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be to find something to take a picture of each day. Today we had a "weather event". They closed the schools. Arthur and I went to work , especially since we won't be there tomorrow. The roads were completely dry at 8:00 am. Then around 9, it started to snow really hard. At about 12, it was sleeting. By 2, it was raining. We like to cover all forms of precipitation in one day. My work was deserted by 3:30. I hung in until 4:45 and headed home with some light rain and no one on the roads! Fortunately, we haven't been below freezing so the roads haven't turned to ice. I took this picture looking across the side yard. They are starting to build on the lot next to us. Tomorrow, we leave for Kansas so I'll probably put all my pictures on when we get back. Keep us in your prayers!