September 30th

We didn't go to church today. I was sick during the night again (why is it always at night) and overslept. I just took the morning slow. We did a bit of work in the yard and I took Dan and Rachel to the NC Museum of Art in the afternoon. Right now, Arthur is working on extending our patio so I'd better go check on him.

September 29th

We had a great Saturday. I made it to Curves (3X this week!) and then to the grocery store. I got a lot of cleaning done. At night, we had a staff appreciation night at work. We closed the pool and had a cook out.

September 28th

I got an bonus at work for August. So Arthur and I and Rachel and Dan all went out to dinner to celebrate at the Fargo Cattle Co in Zebulon. The prime rib there is delicious! I also found out that we made bonus for September as well! Yeah!

September 27th

September 26th

September 25th

Fall has come to the Potters!

I've been very behind in everything (including blogging). I've had a rough time with being sick and vomiting off and on. I went to the doctor's today. It turns out that I probably have and ulcer, the type caused by a bacteria H. Pylori. I'm feeling much better already.

September 24th

The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang

I just finished this. It was excellent - It's been awhile since I've read a book that I had a hard time putting down. The Oak Leaves is a gripping story of two women, separated by 150 years but joined by a family tree. The author pulls from her experiences as the mother of a child with Fragile X Syndrome to weave a story that engulfs the reader. I felt Talie’s emotions: the rage, the fear, the guilt, and finally the willingness to accept. Through Cosima, we see what society used to do, and are challenged to avoid those stigmas and see the blessing that each person is. "All and whatever." Those words form the backbone of the book. All our love, commitment, faith, hope; whatever the circumstances. When life throws us a curve ball we didn't anticipate, we can dig in and commit to sticking "all and whatever," or we can run. This book is a beautiful example, in two generations, of sticking "all and whatever." I loved this book and am already looking forward to the next.

September 23rd

Door number 3! After church, we had lunch at Sandy and Brit's house. We are going to be help lead a Crown Ministry class. Then it was back to Home Depot! The door looks great although the dogs are still trying to figure it out.

September 22nd

This is door number 2. We went over to Rose and Joe's Friday night and one of our neighbors mentioned that they had storm doors on sale at Home Depot. So we went and chose a black door, thinking it would look good with the burgondy door and gray siding. When we got home we realized we had forgotten about the trim on our house being all white. So we went back for a white door. Arthur got most of it put up only to realize that it was the wrong size...

September 21st

I made to the courthouse! (and remembered to take a picture this time!). I was so proud of myself - I got into the city, parked and got out of the city with no problem.

September 20th

While digging through an old desk looking for Andy's social security card, I found Arthur' s old glasses. Love that aviator style!

September 19

It's getting dark early now!

September 18th

Ladies' Bible Study started up tonight. We are using Daniel by Beth Moore.

September 17th

Senior Pictures!

I had today off for working the weekend. In the morning, I had the propane company come out and hook up our fireplace. I thought today's picture was going to be of my fireplace lit but unfortunately something is wrong with the fireplace and it wouldn't light. Sigh... Another call to my builder. Then I ran to work to cover for a couple hours while Nancy ran some errands for work. Finally at 2:00, Dan had his senior pictures taken. I got in trouble for taking pictures of them taking pictures. They let me go when I showed them the pix I took and explained about my blog. I think they thought I was nuts. They took some casual photos and then some photos in a tux for the yearbook.

September 16th

Sierra and Andrew came over for dinner. Sierra is not looking her best. She found out how hard moving is when you don't have your father and brothers lifting all the big furniture. Plus she found out about all the stuff that I took care of that she never thought of, like ...toilet paper. Lol! She took all the leftovers from dinner home with her and also cleaned out our cleaning products (and toilet paper).

September 15th

Moving Day! Yes, that is Sierra driving this massive truck. Sierra and her friends finally got an apartment. However, when they went to rent a truck this was all that was left on the lot. Sierra drove and she swears she didn't hit anything. Lol! Arthur called me at work and said, "I am not leaving you but there is this really big truck in front of our house".

September 14th

I have been in North Carolina for 2 years tomorrow. Wow! Time goes by fast. I was hoping to have an updated slide show for this but things have been so crazy around here that I haven't had time. Hopefully, by next weekend I can get it together.

September 13th

September 12th

The light is up and functioning in the screen house. At least is is now cool enough at night to sit out there.

September 11th

When you tell Baron, our Maintenance Supervisor to "go fly a kite" he actually does. Today was rather windy so Baron decided to try to fly his kite. And I try to convince my husband that I work hard. Lol!

September 10th

Today I was off. I have to work the next weekend. Normally, I would have taken Friday off but Rose is in RI for a couple days so I took Monday. I signed up at Curves again. I used to belong in RI and went regularly for about 18 months. Once we moved to NC, I joined the Wake Forest Gym but since we moved I've done nothing. I haven't gained any weight but I am definitely "fluffier". So I joined up again - I can't afford to buy new clothes! I got the house cleaning done and made my umpteen phone calls. I don't know how I got all this stuff done when I didn't have and occasional day off! I also have next Monday off and have already arranged for Surburban Propane to come out and hook up our fireplace. Then Daniel is scheduled for his senior pictures at 2:00 that afternoon. Days off are so relaxing!

September 9th

Do I hear a drum roll.................................................

It is finished! Yeah! It looks wonderful.

Arthur hard at work.

Arthur finished up the moulding today. It looks so good, now we are considering putting it up in the dining room and formal living room.

Our Bathroom

I know - a bit weird. But one of the ladies on my loop just bought a house with a similar window and wanted to know what other people did for window covering. We aren't real fancy people so this works well. I'm not flashing the raccoons or deer but it lets some light in.

September 8th

Ladies' Brunch at Tabi's house

It was nice just getting to visit with everyone. We had started a Saturday Bible Study but I ended up missing so many between work and going to RI. We are starting up our Tuesday evening Bible study with the Daniel study by Beth Moore.

September 7th

Tickets! Our State Fair is coming in October. They have some pretty good groups come to Dorton Arena and the tickets are usually $10 or so. Arthur and I bought Mercy Me tickets and I bought Trace Atkins tickets for Rose and I. Last year, Arthur and I were too late for Casting Crown tickets so we wanted to get them early. We did get to see Chris Tomlin which was great.

It's been a good week. Arthur really likes his job. This was definitely an answer to prayer.

September 6th

Our first harvest!

September 5th

This is Arthur's plate. It came about a month ago.

I got my plate in today so now there are 2!

I'm feeling better today. I'm still subsisting on jello, English muffins, soup and tea. I feel a bit weak but my stomach is ok.

September 4th

Well, apparently I wasn't over the bug yet. I woke up this morning and went downstairs for my coffee. I was just standing there stirring my coffee and realized that I needed to lay down *now*. I could not believe how awful I felt! I didn't go to work and ate only jello and chicken soup. The dogs had a good time in the yard though.

Today was Arthur's first day at his new job. It is hard to judge but he thinks that he's going to like it!

September 3rd

I was feeling much better today, just a little weak. I got some cleaning done. This is Sierra's room all picked up. Arthur started the moulding in our bedroom but I told him I refuse to put pictures of it on until its completed ( but it does look great so far!). I have to motivate him somehow! We went going over a friend's house for a cook out and had a great time. It was just a good day overall.

September 2nd

I was hoping that Arthur was just sick from something he ate. However, I got it today so I guess not. Sierra came over after work and packed up most of her stuff. She's still staying with a friend until they manage to coordinate the apartment. So far they have gotten turned down for almost everything they have applied for. They looked at a house that is near here but in really bad shape. The owner said they could rent it when he fixed it up but they aren't too sure when that will be. They can get approved for an apartment near one of the colleges but its about 30 mins from here and Sierra isn't thrilled with that. We will see. I think she found out that you don't always get what you want, just because you want it. I'm glad she came by today because it gave me a chance to remind her that this is home and if she decides that it is worth it to follow the rules, she is always welcome. Somehow, she doesn't always seem to hear what we say. Last time she dropped by, joked that she feels homeless. I didn't think of it until later that she isn't homeless, she has just chosen not to live at home.

Overall, she seems to be in good spirits and really seems to be trying to get herself settled. When I originally gave her 8 weeks to find something, she made very little effort. Why do they wait until they are up against the wall before they do something?

I am not sure how I feel about all this. Part of me is afraid that she is gong to get in a bad situation and part of me is relieved that I don't have to worry all night about when or if she is coming home. Please continue to pray!

September 1st

Apparently during the night, Daniel changed into a dog!

We had a pretty quiet day today. Rose and I went into work for about 2 hrs just to catch up on paperwork. Then I did the usual Saturday routine. Arthur was sick with some kind of stomach thing unfortunately.

August 31st

Wake County Courthouse

Today was interesting. It is the last day of the month, which means we had 9 move-ins at work. To add to the fun, our computer system went down on Wednesday at 4 and won't come up until Saturday. I also needed to go into downtown Raleigh today to file court papers (evictions). I've been in Raleigh and had no problem but for some reason, I got all turned around! First, I had to go to Walmart to get money orders but their MO machine wasn't working. So then I had to go to Kroger's. Then I went into the city. I was so lost! I finally parked and walked to the police station and got directions. After I found the court house and delivered my papers, I couldn't find my car! Lol! Then I got turned around getting out of the city. It took me close to 2 hrs to get back to work. But I did accomplish my mission! That night we went to Fat Daddy's (a restaurant) with Joe and Rose and afterwards we sat outside in their screen house for awhile.

August 30th

A boy and his first car

We bought another car tonight. As we told Dan, we have 3 cars and we let you use one. If he pays us back 1/2 the cost, it can be really his. Arthur found it on Craig's list. It's a 1992 Toyota Tercel with 112,000 miles on it. Hopefully, we can get at least a year out of it. As you can see, Dan is very, very happy.

August 29th

Arthur's grapes are turning purple! These are muscadine grapes.