November 25th

The tree is up!

We went to church and then afterwards I began decorating. There are some things I just can't find. I also found out that candles left in a hot garage for a year do not fare well. I got most of the inside of the house done. I want to get a large wreath for over the fireplace and a few other odds and ends but overall the house looks great! We'll have to do the outside next Saturday since it is raining.

November 24th

Arthur and Dan goofing around with the Christmas decorations.

Another strange day - Nahum's mother in Puerto Rico has pneumonia and they have called the family together. Please pray for his family at this time. We brought the truck back to their house and loaded the chairs and table from church into our van so we could bring them back for them. While we were there, Arthur noticed that Donna's car had a flat tire. So he put on the spare for her and then took the tire to be patched. We stopped at Just Tires on the way home. While we were waiting, one of the employees got in a customer's van to bring it in to be serviced and backed right into our van. Ugh! Not a lot of damage but now I have to bring it to the body shop to get an estimate. I finally made it to the grocery store at about 4:30. I was hoping to decorate but other than decorating Dan we didn't get to far. Lol!

November 23rd

Kind of a crazy day. My Mom flew back to RI and then I went into work. Right after work, we had to bring an entertainment center down to Sierra's apartment. We had borrowed Nahum and Donna's truck to get it there and we needed to bring it there while Andrew could help us unload it. By the time we did that it was getting near 7:30 and we hadn't eaten yet. I am not a pleasant person when I am hungry. We stopped at Rudinos for grinders and Arthur ended up playing pool while we were waiting. We went home and ate our grinders while watching Evan Almighty.

Thankful Thursday

Definitely can't not have Thankful Thursday on Thanksgiving! There have been so many blessings this year that it scares me sometimes. Why are we so blessed? Here we go...



1. We were able to spend a whole week with Andy this year - not at a holiday but just a visit.

2. The opportunity came up for a job that I would never have thought of but has turned out to be perfect for me!

3. The Lord provided for us during the 8 weeks that Arthur was out of work and brought a wonderful job opportunity to him.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " Jeremiah 29:11

4. Rachel got on full-time days at Smithfield's

5. Ben left for Iraq and I have learned to trust in God to protect my son.
" For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" Psalm 91:11

6. Dan got his license and I have learned to trust in God to protect my son.

7. We got to go back for the family reunion this year. God knows how important some of the "little things" are to us.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6

8. The Lord brought Christine into Andy's life. I had been praying for a while for the girl that God had been preparing for Andy.

9. We have made some wonderful friends at our church

10. I found out what was wrong with my stomach and it's all better now

11. Sierra has had a learning experience in moving out. It has definitely been a time of maturing for her.
" a wise man listens to advice" Proverbs 12:15

12. Before Ben left for Iraq, Arthur and I went to Kansas to visit with Ben. It was such a blessing to be able to go there and spend time with him before he deployed.

November 22nd

Happy Thanksgiving! We put together then rest of the food. And then went to our friends, Donna and Nahum's home. We celebrated Thanksgiving with 4 families from our church.

I put together the Chocolate Trifle

Donna & Nahum Vidal - Our Hosts

There was a total of 28 people. This is the "Kid's Table" - ages 8 - 18!

My mother, Rachel and Sierra goofing around with my camera

November 21st

Today I took my mom to see Sierra's apartment. Then the three of us went to lunch. We stopped at work to pick up my casserole dishes and make a quick (ha ha- quick the day before Thanksgiving is a relative thing) stop at the grocery store. When we got home we started putting together the things I had to bring to our friend's for Thanksgiving. I made green bean casserole, turkey gravy, chocolate trifle, and pumpkin pie. Arthur made Cornbread Dressing.

First he makes a cornbread batter and fries little corn pancakes. I call them Johnny Cakes.

Then he breaks them into little pieces.

He mixes it in the biggest pan he can find with white bread (buttermilk biscuits are better he says but he didn't feel like making them) Add chopped celery, onion and boiled egg.

Add lots of chicken broth. Lots and Lots. There is nothing worse than dry cornbread dressing.

Put the whole disgusting moosh in a huge pan and bake until brown.

Somehow or another it morphs into a delicious Southern Cornbread Dressing!

November 20th

My Mom flew in last night. Today we got up and headed to Wilmington. I've never seen it and when someone visits it is always an excuse to do touristy things. First we stopped at Duplin Winery. It was different than the Shelton Vineyards. This tour focused more on the bottling of the wine which was fascinating.

This statue was outside the Bistro where we ate lunch.

My Mom and me in the restaurant.

We drove down to Wilmington and walked around shops. Then we stopped at one of the mansions.

Finally, after driving back we decided to stop at Andy's where Dan works now. We were trying to be discreet taking the picture so as to not embarrass him! Yes, we were the strange people hiding in the bushes.

November 19th

Thanksgiving at Work

We all had a Thanksgiving dinner at work today. Dex deep fried a turkey by the pool and we all brought sides and desserts. After lunch, I left since my Mom was flying in.

November 18th

I had to work 1-5 today. When I got home, my neighbors were out putting up their Christmas lights!

November 17th

I had to work today which I hate. Then after work I got to go to the grocery store since Arthur also had to work. Sigh... Rachel and Daniel cleaned the house so that was good. Well, here is my haircut and new make up. I'm starting to look old! It suddenly occurred to me a couple days ago that I am 43 - not 42! Which means that I am turning 44! Oh My!

November 16th

My new make up arrived! Yes, I was Christmas shopping and found myself a gift. I love Bare Essentials and this is the new BareGold.

November 15th

Daniel received a new portrait courtesy of the DMV. Sigh...

November 14th

I found this behind our public library!

November 13th

Cookies for Ben

Ben requested homemade cookies and brownies. I've been sending packaged goodies because I wasn't sure what shape homemade stuff would be in by the time it got there. Today I mailed off a package with homemade goodies in it. We'll see what shape it is in when it arrives!

November 12th

My Baby!

Happy Veterans Day! I want to thank all the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country.

I am so proud of my son for following in the footsteps of these men. I love you Ben!

November 11th

Terri and Steve

Today we took photos after church for our church directory.

November 10th

I'm struggling to get over a cold today. I skipped Crown Ministries last night and didn't really have any plans for today. I did make it to the library and the grocery store - stayed under my budget! After Praise & Worship practice, Arthur and I watched The Ultimate Gift. What a fantastic movie. Terry and Steve had recommended it. In the movie, a wealthy grandfather (James Garner) dies and leaves a video will to his spoiled, rich grandson. The grandson has to complete several different steps (gifts) to be able to claim his inheritance (The Ultimate Gift). At first the grandson follows through just to get the money, but he ends up truly growing through the experience. Although it was somewhat predictable, it wasn't overly sappy, was well-acted and made you think. When I turned it on, I think Arthur figured that he would doze off during it(after all nothing got blowed up) but we both stayed up until 11:30 watching it!

November 9th

This is an unusual post so I hope you will understand. We got bad news today. A friend in RI went to be with his Lord. He was crossing the road to buy a coffee and got hit by a car. We always think we will be on this earth for a long time but the truth is that only God knows how long our days will be. Mike was very involved with the youth at Frenchtown Baptist Church, taking them to Creation and Snow Camp for several years and so our kids knew him well. I will always remember when we put on GT and the Halo Express about 10 years ago and he "was" Jesus carrying his daughter who was dressed as a sheep! Please pray for his family and friends as they struggle with their loss.
He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life. John 3:16

Michael D. Wray
WRAY, MICHAEL D., age 52, husband of Sue Wray, died on Friday, November 9, surrounded by his loving family and Christian brothers and sisters from injuries he suffered in an accident on Wednesday. Born in Altoona, PA he was the son of Pete and Janet Wray of Altoona. Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by his four children Linnie, Janice, Elizabeth and Matthew all of East Greenwich, his sister Sue Staph of Altoona, his brother Dan Wray of Duncansville, PA and his in-laws Marge and Bob Bill of Bristol, PA.Michael was a Godly family man who dedicated himself to supporting and raising his family, and as a member of Frenchtown Baptist Church in East Greenwich served his Lord with his many gifts.Michael worked as an engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, DIV-NPT, in Newport, Rhode Island, proudly serving the Navy since 1981. He attended Penn State University before completing his degree at the University of Rhode Island.Funeral service at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Ave., West Warwick Tuesday evening at 7:00. Calling hours Tuesday 4-7 PM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday morning at 10:00. Burial will follow in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, North Kingstown. A celebration of his life will take place at Frenchtown Baptist Church, 1359 Frenchtown Rd., East Greenwich on Sunday, November 18 at 2 PM. In remembrance of Michael, donations may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 6864, Warwick, RI 02887. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com

November 8th

November 7th

The view now that the trees are turning.

November 6th

Dan and I and the dogs watching tv. Normally, Sam doesn't get on the couch and Gracie really doesn't like it when he does. Lol! Everytime he moves, she growls.

November 5th

Happy Birthday Sierra!

Sierra turns 20 today. We actually had her birthday dinner and cake on Thursday. So we have had birthdays the past 3 weeks. Since they fall during the week, and I'm at work, I've been buying the cakes at Lowe's food. Rachel had chocolate with cream cheese frosting, Arthur had carrot cake and Sierra had Red Velvet.

November 4th

We had the Praise & Worship Team over for a pot luck today after church. I should have taken a picture of the food. There was so much food! We had a great turn out - a total of 33 people. No, our Praise & Worship Team isn't that big but everyone brings their family.

It is such a blessing to have so many great friends!

November 3rd

A couple different pictures today. We cleaned, really cleaned! Since we moved here we haven't done a deep cleaning. With the Praise & Worship team coming over tomorrow and Thanksgiving in a couple weeks this seemed like a good weekend to get it done. I will go on record as saying, Arthur is better at cleaning than me; unfortunately he only cleans once a year. Lol!

Our Master Bedroom

The Loft - trying to keep brown dog hair off the blue couch. I also made Arthur move the blue chair back to the loft. It has lived in our bedroom since Arthur's surgery.

The Family Room

Our Formal Living Room

The "Guest" Room (formally known as Sierra's room - and believe me, it didn't look like this!)
It's all ready for my Mom in a couple weeks. The painting is one that Dan did in Art class at school.

November 2nd

My neighbor's dog, Blade. He looks ferocious but Lisa says he isn't!

November 1st

Just a visitor by the pool at work

October 31st

Happy Birthday Arthur! Yes, Arthur was a Halloween baby. I had today off so I met him at Applebees for lunch. We actually had his birthday dinner on Thursday but it seemed more appropriate to have his birthday picture on his birthday.

Cctober 30th

Cinnamon Pine Cones

October 29th

Several months ago I posted this plant. I wasn't sure what the flowers looked like.

Well it bloomed!