March 29th

This is Russell, our neighbor's dog. He's 1/2 welsh corgi and 1/2 lab. He has to be just about the cutest dog I have ever seen! He is probably also the friendliest as well!

March 28th

I have a blooming tree! We planted this last fall. When I was watering today, I noticed it had bloomed. It is a Newport Plum; I'm certain this time since it still has the tag.

March 27th

The weather has been beautiful - in the 80's. When I was driving Daniel to work, I took this picture of the hazy setting sun. Later that night, we had a brief thunderstorm come through.

March 26th

Sierra and I went out for a belated birthday night. We had pedicures and manicures, dinner and went to see the movie "Premonition". The movie was a bit disappointing but we had a wonderful night. This is Sierra drying her pedicure.

March 25th

This was at Sunday's worship service. One of the other ladies took this picture. This whole weekend was amazing. I think sometimes we need to get away from life's distractions to focus on God. The theme was Trusting God. One of the speakers really reached me when she talked about stumbling blocks to fully trusting God. I recognized that fear is often the most debilitating force in my life. I never realized how much I was controlled by fear; fear of failure, of being alone, of loss of income (especially now that we both work for the same company), fear of losing someone that I love. I am walking in fear most of the time, not in faith! Fear is a threat, not an actual act. We wrote our biggest fears on a note, put it in an envelope and wrote a date on it. On that date, we'll open our envelopes and read the Bible verse that was already in the envelopes. Of course, my biggest fear is that when I open my envelope all the things I wrote will have come to pass! My prayer is that I am able to release my fears to God so that I may truly trust Him.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend my to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to you. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 33:20-22

March 24th

On Saturday, we had about 5 free hours. There is quite a lot to do but some of us decided to hike to Slick Rock. We never found it! We got all turned around but we had a blast searching.

March 23rd

The polar bear at NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC. I went on a ladies' retreat and 5 of us went early and visited the zoo.

March 22nd

I think this is a Bradford Pear Tree (Ginger?). I see them all over. I wish we had planted one in our yard; they are so beautiful!

March 21st

This is an recipe adapted from Betty Homes and Gardens Complete Step-by-Step Cookbook. I received it as a wedding gift 24 years ago! The poor book is tattered and stained but it still has some of our favorite recipes. This really a "fall" recipe but I was just in the mood for it.

Pork Chop Supper
Pork chops
1 1/2 cups rice (Uncle Ben's is all I'm allowed to use )
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 1/3 cups chicken broth
2 small chopped apples
1 tble butter, melted
1 tble brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Brown the pork chops in a deep frying pan (use a little oil if necessary). Remove pork chops, saute rice with onion until golden. Add chicken broth. Bring to boil and add chopped apple. Simmer for 2 or 3 minutes. Put mixture in 13 x 9 pan, arrange pork chops on top. Cover pan and cook in 375 degree oven for about 25 minutes. Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Take out pork chops, brush butter mixture on pork chops and cook, uncovered for another 10 minutes.

I served this with steamed green beans. Yum!

March 20th

I've been waiting and waiting... and all of a sudden my tulips bloomed! Yes, those are the remnant of my pansies next to it. Today was beautiful; right now at 9:00 pm it is 66 degrees. I went out for lunch with my boss, Sandy. We ate outside on the patio at Michael Dean's, a local restaurant. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 50! My poor tulips won't know how to behave.

We spoke to Ben today. I haven't heard from him in about 2 days. He was on a mission clearing a town but he's fine. Tomorrow he's leaving for another mission so I probably won't hear anything from him for a day or two again. The Internet is amazing when you have a loved one in Iraq but then when I don't hear from him for a day or two, I start getting worried.

March 19th

My actual birthday! Arthur gave me cards all day - they were hidden in my van, my lunch bag and my desk at work. He had given me my gifts yesterday - clothes from New York & Company. Becca, my friend, brought in a birthday balloon and took me to lunch. We went to California Pizza Kitchen. So overall it was a nice day. I thought we were going out tonight but plans didn't work out. Arthur had forgotten he had to close at work and when I got home, Sierra wasn't home. So I was feeling a bit forlorn. (How do I go from happy to pitiful in a matter of minutes!) I brought Rachel to work. Dan came down and suggested we go out. So we went to Knightdale Seafood & Barbecue. Here's Dan at the restaurant. I'm not quite sure what he was doing- signaling a plane to land perhaps? Anyway, thanks Dan for making my night!

March 18th

Today isn't exactly my birthday - that's tomorrow - but Arthur brought home a cake today! And, yes, I'm only 28 . Most Sundays we have our 3 youngest home with us for awhile, so today I cooked corned beef and cabbage for lunch in honor of St. Patrick's Day. All 5 of us were here to enjoy it. I finished our taxes and took down the St. Patrick's Day decorations and put up the spring decorations. Arthur took my car to be cleaned and vacumned so everything is sparkling.

Thank you for all the kind comments about my son leaving. I don't want to sound too pitiful. There is a lot of joy in watching your kids grow up and lead independent lives - that is the way it should be. I enjoy spending time with my adult children; It's just a different relationship. It has gotten easier. Last Saturday, I cooked dinner for only Arthur and I (everyone was working) and didn't even feel sad! It's so strange, children can bring us the most amazing joy into our lives and yet bring such pain that we feel it physically - and they don't intend to do either.

March 17th

And so the visit with Andy concludes... Seems like I am always saying goodbye to my kids but I guess that's a part of them growing up and *me* letting them go. At this exact moment, he should be landing in RI. I almost thought that he was going to miss his flight. Thanks to a kindly stranger, we managed to bypass the line that was 50 people deep. He landed in Charlotte and just made his connecting flight.

BTW, don't let the pictures below fool you with the t-shirts and bare feet. It was 50 degrees today and we were freezing. Yesterday our beautiful weather ended and it down poured all day. The high tomorrow is supposed to be about 55. Not bad but not 80. Oh well, I guess come July I'll be complaining because it is 95!

It was a great visit. It was fun having just Andy visiting. Usually, we have people here for the holidays so there is always lots of people and a lot going on. It was fun having just one and being able to focus on him.

Trying to get the picture. This way everyone - focus- look at me! me!

The Gang

Lunchtime

Don't worry I don't have a cold. They all had me laughing so hard that I was crying!

March 16th

Arthur took today off. That night he and Andy went out for dinner and to a comedy club, Charlie Goodnights, to see Gallagher. Some of you old timers will remember him from the 70's and 80's. He used to do the "sledge-o-matic". Bring back any memories?? He put on a good show . Andy also enjoyed the attention the female servers paid to him until I pointed out that he was probably one of the few people there under 40!

March 15th

Today, I didn't have any pictures of Andy. Sierra and Andy spent the day at the movies, shopping , went out to dinner, and to Adventure Landing (one of those places with miniture golf, laser tag, go carts, etc.). They didn't get home until around 10:00 pm. After I got home from work, I finished packing more boxes for Ben. A couple of these boxes are for a friend of his Patrick as well.

March 14th

Andy, Rachel, Sierra and I went to Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher today. The weather was perfect, in the 80's. We got home around 6, cooked steaks on the grill and ate outside. Andy, Sierra and Dan are going to a movie tonight. Unfortunately, I have to go back to work tomorrow. Sierra and Andy are making plans for tomorrow and then Arthur has Friday off.

Andy threatening to throw Sierra in the water, Rachel staying safe at Kure Beach.

Andy at Fort Fisher

Andy and Sierra checking out the turtles at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

March 13th

Quick take the picture!

I worked this morning and took the rest of the day off. Andy promised he wouldn't chew anything while we were gone! After I got home, we went out for lunch to Applebee's and then went to Umstead State Park to the hiking trails. It was so beautiful today - almost 80. It was a great spot to just walk and talk. Of course, I am trying to convince Andy of how wonderful it is here.

March 12th

Only one picture today. Arthur, Sierra and I alternated who would be home while Andy was home. Fortunately Sierra has the week off of school. Monday, Arthur took the day off and they went to the mall (I guess in between beating on each other - it's a guy thing). Andy bought this cowboy hat while they were out.

March 11th

As you tell by all the pictures, our 21 year old son, Andy, flew in on his spring break. We haven't seen him since Christmas so it is great to have him here!

Acting cool outside of the Wild Hogs movie.

We are very high- brow -Lunch at the Golden Corral. Andy is talking with his hands. I think he said something like "What is it with the camera!"

Deep in thought?

Andy arrives!

Daniel decided to take a nap and Sierra and Arthur amused themselves.

Andy's plane was a little delayed and the family was a little bored.

March 10th

Saturday was beautiful and we spent most of it working in our yard. I took a bunch of pictures!

Our front porch. Don't be too envious - I just bought these pansies!

Time to water!

Arthur rolling out the netting so our grass seed doesn't wash down the hill.

Sam and Gracie (and me). The dogs are a bit like 2 year olds - they always want to be 6 inches from me.

Planting flowers with my little terrorist, I mean terrior, Gracie.

Spreading the seed and lime.

Arthur unloading our gardening supplies.

March 9th

The first Dogwood tree! I saw this yesterday when I was driving Rachel to work but I couldn't figure out how to pull over to get a picture of it. Today, Dan was driving so he pulled over in the tennis courts so I could walk back to take the picture. Ok, the the people that owned the tree probably thought I was nuts but... My husband was told he could go barefoot when the dogwoods bloomed. Well, it only in the 50's so I'll forgo that!

*UPDATE: Ginger (from Louisiana) informed me that this isn't a Dogwood but a Japanese Magnolia. So I guess we can't go barefoot yet!

March 8th

Tonight we grilled outside after work. Apparently it takes 2 men to grill properly. We were having shrimp and boneless pork ribs. Note the Boston Red Sox t-shirt on Dan. Go Sox!

March 7th

The buds on our willow tree! It's so funny when you see buds and then the next day all of the trees are in bloom. I noticed several flowering trees today.

March 6th

Fantastic day! I had today off of work since I worked Saturday. Rachel and I went to the post office, shopping (Target & Walmart), Walgreen's, the library, the bank and the post office again. I even got our taxes done! Yippee! This is an old house near the crossroads of the library. It tells the tale of development in Wake County; a big old farm house that used to be isolated with tons of land and development all around it.

March 5th

These are the pansies without the snow. I still can't get over that they have survived since last October and here it is March. Last year, they lasted until it got really hot here in June or so.

March 4th

The first day in about a week that Arthur and I have had to relax. It's beautiful weather but a bit chilly (around 43 degrees). After church, I picked up the yard a bit and then went for a walk. I did the groceries and then got a new package ready for Ben. This is what we were trying to fit in that box! I've been IMing him the past couple days and he requested the ingredients to make S'mores so I picked that up at the store. Unfortunately, we can't fit everything in the box so we'll have to send another. I'm not quite certain what Arthur did with his day but I'm pretty certain most it involved a large blue comfy chair.

March 3rd

Last night, we went out to dinner with the group that was in the meeting all day and our consultant. Downtown Raleigh is a great place. This is the view down the street after we came out of the restaurant.
We spent all day in meetings today (yes, I know it's Saturday), then Arthur went to praise and worship practice. After that we went to see Breach and out for coffee and dessert with some friends of ours.

March 2nd

Thank you so much for the caring comments and emails about Thursday! Today was much better. We had meetings all day that I was dreading but it turned out better than I expected. A cold front came through last night (the storm that caused so much damage in other areas). We had torrential rains but not any other problems. As I was going to work this is what the horizon looked like. I thought it was so neat; I was trying to find a place to pull over to take a picture. It looks like big fluffy mountains!

March 1st

Yeah, we made it 2 months! It is hard to believe. Today was not a good day. It should have been a very good day. We had employee lunch today and we had a safety speaker come in. All seemed to come together well in my eyes. But apparently it didn't go as well in other people's eyes. It just was one of those days when you feel like you can't do anything right. I was actually moved to tears. I NEVER cry at work; I have always felt that I will work my tail off at my job, but work is just work, not worth crying about. Sigh...

My devotional today talked about maintaining God's perspective on our life. That is so hard in the day to day. Today's picture was going to be a picture of rain in puddle. But then I decided I had enough wallowing... Instead here's a picture of the sunset from yesterday. It's a much more encouraging picture!