January 31st

We fixed this pampered chef recipe for lunch at work today. One of the fortunate thing about working in a place with a full kitchen is actually being able to cook for lunch.

Chicken and Broccoli Braid
6 servings
2 cups diced, cooked chicken (Nancy used a can of chicken)
1/2 cup red bell peppers, chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons dried dill weed
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 egg white, beaten
1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
1 clove crushed garlic
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup diced onions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.In a large bowl, toss together chicken, broccoli, red bell pepper, garlic, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed, salt, almonds and onion.Unroll crescent roll dough, and arrange flat on a medium baking sheet. Pinch together perforations to form a single sheet of dough. Using a knife or scissors, cut 1 inch wide strips in towards the center, with the cut strips forming a fringe down each side. Spread the chicken mixture along the center strip. Fold the side strips over chicken mixture, alternating strips from each side. Pinch or twist to seal. Brush braided dough with the egg white. Bake in the preheated oven 25 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown.

January 30th

We had a pot luck after work today for the residents.

January 29th

Fire!

January 28th

A new angel that Andy & Christine gave me for Christmas

January 27th

Sammy

January 25th

If you look at the picture of me playing pool, you'll notice that it looks much better! A friend from RI, lightened up a couple pix for me. I can't believe how much better they look! I'm going to go back through and switch some of them out. Thanks Dave!

Good or Bad

One of my loopy friends asked a question on her blog ( http://emilys5blessings.blogspot.com/ ) - Should blogs show only the "good"? It is an interesting question. Looking back, last year was rough. We sent Ben to Iraq, my job became unbearable, Arthur lost his job, which then caused financial stress, Sierra moved out under less than ideal circumstances, I was really sick for a bit with my stomach infection, and most of you have seen my occasional meloncholy over my children growing up and leaving the nest. I think we would have been off the charts on one of those "stress" tests! Yet, I don't see this as a "bad" year. We have grown in faith and trust through everything, good and bad. Sharing some of our concerns allows our friends and family to pray for us through these times and is also a record of God's provision for us. He will meet all our needs, even when we don't know what they are. He is in control of everything: nothing is too small (or Big). So when things don't seem to be going the way I think they should, I can look back and be reminded of God's hand in our lives.



"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

January 21st

No, I did not go play pool today. Andy and Christine called and complained that I didn't put any pix of myself playing pool. I told them it was because the picture was dark but they requested it anyway. So here you go guys!

January 19th

We went to Joe & Rose's 25th anniversary party tonight. I don't know if we ever mentioned that Joe and Rose are our parallel people. We are both from RI but never knew each other until we moved to NC. We got married the same year and went to the same honeymoon spot, and even stayed at the same hotel! Our kids are the same age (except for their last son who is 8). We moved to NC the same time, bought houses on the same street and have the identical floor plan. Now Rose and I work together and do the same job. It's a bit creepy!

January 18th

We almost had a new puppy! Someone abandoned this little guy at my apartment community. It has been freezing here. So Daniel brought him home for the night while we found him a home. We considered keeping him until we found out that Sam was terrified of him! I have never seen Sam so upset - he jumped over Arthur's chair to get away and even onto our bed! Fortunately, Daniel's boss was thrilled to get a new puppy so he's all set. I don't understand how people can get a dog and not take care of it. How could anyone leave this cute little puppy outside?

January 16th

This is some artwork that Dan did for his Art final. He only got a "C" on the pen and ink drawing!
I don't know much about art but I thought he did a good job.

January 15th

And the visit is over... Sigh. We had a wonderful time though. We went to Comedy Worx on Andy's birthday, went to the movies, I learned how to play pool, went to the Farmer's Market, and just spent time together. We got a chance to get to know Christine and see the two of them together. I commented a long time ago that I prayed for Christine - and I did. I earnestly prayed that God would place the "right" young woman into Andy's life and after spending 5 days with them, I know He answered my prayers. I can not think of a negative thing to say about her and they are wonderful together. It is such a joy to see your child happy and settled. Now we just need to pray that they decide to move to North Carolina. Hey, stranger things have happened...I'm here right!

January 14th

More random shots of the kids just goofing around.

January 13th

For Andy's birthday dinner, we went to Fargo Cattle Company for dinner. He is definitely a steak and potatoes kind of guy. Here's some random pix from dinner.

Christine keeping Andy straight

The Lovely Couple

January 12th

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY ANDY!

January 11th

They made it!

A couple of signs from Knightdale Barbecue and Seafood where we ate lunch. Christine had never had hush puppies but decided they were pretty good!

Arthur and Gracie with his Christmas gift

January 10th

No picture today but a Heartlight article I save for just this moment. Tomorrow Andy and Christine are flying in to visit. This article says it all. "Home" is not really a place but people so for me when my children visit me they are "home". This says it all.


Coming Home, by Phil Ware

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in
me. My Father’s house has plenty of room; if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for
you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and
take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know
the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:1-4 TNIV, spoken by
Jesus).

In just a few hours, he will be coming home. His room is ready, the plans are made, the waiting is nearly done. But, it's different being on this end of things. I've been the one who has traveled and returned home. I remember the joy of being home after a long trip. I never really thought that much about being on the waiting end, the longing end, of a returning child. It is an impatient wait, a restless anticipation of a greater joy.
It's not like we haven't seen each other in a long time! It's just that I miss him not being here. I'm happy for him -- the friends he has made, the work he has done, the life he has built. But he has been away from me, and home is not quite the same without him. I'm anxious to have him here to enjoy the holidays -- a traditional Thanksgiving meal, football, a little shopping, and just buddying around. But most of all, I am anxious to have him here with me. Home will seem a little more like home with him here.
I know he longs for the day of homecoming and reunion.
This waiting has given me a new appreciation for a side of heaven I had never imagined. I think now about my waiting Father. He sent his Son.
He watched as his Son bore great indignities and death. He has seen him triumph over the grave. He rejoiced as the Son poured out the Spirit.
He has celebrated with the angels as millions have shared in the Son's death and resurrection through faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But now he waits. He lives in the world of expectation, anticipating the Great Feast when all of his children come home to be with him and to share in this great thanksgiving of joy.
I guess I've sung "Lord come quickly, Hallelujah!" thousands of times.
In all those times, I've never thought about how the Father hears it; how he hears our hearts being homesick for a place we've never been before. I know he longs for the day of homecoming and reunion, too. He yearns for the day that our faith becomes sight and we can see him face to face in all his glory. He anticipates the day when he will receive us as his fully adopted children. Unlike us, the Father knows when that day will occur, but he doesn't let anyone else know. It's his surprise!
The only reason he waits is so that our feast can be bigger and his banquet hall will be full of children. But I now imagine that it is hard for him to wait to have me home.
Until that day, every time I wait for my children to come home, I will remember that I have a waiting Father, too. This Father is happy for me
-- the friends I have made, the work I have done, the life I have built. After all, these gifts have really come from him. I know he is anxious to have me home to enjoy the celebration with him. I know my Brother Jesus has prepared a room for me in the Father's house. I know the day of going home, the day of great thanksgiving, will come. Most of all, I now realize that he is even more excited than I am, for me to come home. I can even imagine that occasionally, as he hears me sing "Jesus is Lord," he sings back to me, "Child, come home quickly, Hallelujah!"
---------
(c) 2007 Phil Ware . All rights reserved.

January 7th

Completely amazing sunset!

January 6th

We got the decorations all put away (they were in boxes in the sitting room) and cleaned everything. It is so good to have our house back.

January 5th

Arthur has lost 13 lbs ! It's encouraging. Despite our late night, we woke up at about 9:30. We got some odds and ends done, went to lunch, and then Arthur had Praise and Worship practice. He's been singing lately. There is a young man who wanted to try his hand on the bass. Arthur did speak to Katherine, the worship leader, about having a chance to play again since he misses it. He especially wants to play again after watching the band last night! I met Arthur at church, so we could go to the gym right after. Unfortunately, we were running late and by the time we got to the gym it was getting ready to close.

January 4th

Sorry this is so dark. Arthur and I went to Tony's Oyster Bar to see a band play. One of our neighbors brothers is the keyboardist. We went out at about 9 pm and didn't get home until 2 am! We felt like we were 18 again. Lol!

January 3rd

Roasted vegetables! Arthur took this picture, I swear. We have been sticking to the diet very well. We are fortunate that there are few vegetables that we don't like.

January 2nd

This is on Arthur's way to work. I am a little concerned though. It appears that Arthur was driving while he took this!

January 1st, 2008

I made it! 365 pictures in 365 days! There were a few days that I borrowed some pics from Ben so I could post pics of him but for the most part, I managed to take a picture a day. Now some were not exciting but then everyday isn't always an adventure. Lol! What did I walk away with from this project: A new appreciation for the passage of time, an understanding of how much fun our daily life really is when you look at it with a new perspective, the opportunity to really appreciate every moment with the people I love. Somehow life just keeps rolling along and all the little things are forgotten but when you have pictures of it, you keep it all fresh in your mind. I look back through the photos and am reminded of all that has happened this year. My sister in law visiting in January, visiting Kansas to see Ben off to Iraq, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Andy visiting for a week, our trip to Myrtle Beach, our trip back to RI, family get togethers, the Ladies Retreat, and on and on. What an amazing year! Even the bad things like Arthur losing his job or Ben leaving for Iraq and how we were blessed by God to get through those times is in photos.

Will I continue in 2008? Yes, I will allow myself not to have to take a picture every day. Arthur says that he wants his camera back. Lol! Actually, Arthur has decided to join in the fun and blog. I think he will write the deep spiritual things and I will cover what we ate for dinner. It will be a good balance. So we go forth into 2008, camera in hand!

I hope all of our friends and family have a wonderful and blessed New Year!

December 31st

Our final picture of 2007

We went out for Chinese with Rose and Joe and then went to see National Treasure.

Happy New Year Everyone!

December 30th

And to the gym we go. Well, this is just the fitness room that we can use for free. I'm kind of rotating between this and Curves. Arthur has joined Planet Fitness that is opening in Knightdale so I'll probably go there once it is opened.

December 29th

Spinach Quiches

It has begun - South Beach Diet again. Lol! Arthur actually started the day after Christmas but I waited until today so I could go to the store. A couple of years ago, Arthur lost 78 pounds in about 9 months. He had regained some back over the next year or 2 but regained most of the rest of it since we came to NC. Somehow hush puppies don't help in keeping weight off. I had lost 17 pounds and was in much better shape overall (I now have a pile of clothes from RI that don't fit). So we have started again.

December 28th

I watched the last dvd in Daniel. I had finished the workbook but missed the last class.