Arizona Trip January 2009

I am so far behind, and I know it! Things have been crazy since I got home, going from one thing to the next! Kaylee and I flew to Phoenix on January 15 to see all my siblings, except one. January 17 was the third anniversary of our mom's death, and I had a free ticket that needed to be used, so it seemed a good time to go. Traveling with Kaylee is a real trip, in more ways than one! She is a handful when having to be confined for a few hours. I got to the point where I just did what she said to avoid hurting her or disturbing the people around us. Well, at least I TRIED not to disturb the people around us! So, gummy worms and silly faces it was! What did we do before digital cameras? They are SO entertaining for small children and larger ones too! We have about a hundred of these pictures! We were met at the airport by my brother, Bob, and his new child, Coco. Coco was about 10 weeks old and had only been with them a couple of weeks. While we were in Phoenix, we did a LOT of shopping! Bob's wife, Renee' knows how to get us around town! I grew up in Phoenix, and one day while we were out I suddenly realized that I knew where we were. I started giving orders to Renee' and soon we were in front of the house where I grew up. Renee' warned me that we were not in a good part of town, and when I got out to take the picture made me leave the car door opened for a quick escape if we heard gun shots or anything. I only saw one police car in the 2 minutes we were in the neighborhood!There is now a garage where we once had a car port, but other than that, it hadn't changed too much. I also found my school where I went from about 4th grade-6th. I really can't even describe my feelings, these places were a part of my history, and Kaylee got to see them, but the memories were not good memories, but ones of a lot of pain and hard times. Before I could even recover, we were just down the road at the church where I grew up and was baptized. That brought memories of many people that loved us through some pretty rough days, and again I was reminded that the church is not a building, but people. On Sunday, all four of us that were in town went to church at my brother's church. I am pretty sure that God opened a window in Heaven and let mom look down. We had a great time together and loved being together. Kaylee flew home from Phoenix after the weekend, alone, and I stayed on. I prayed for the people on the plane with Kaylee! I wasn't there to keep her entertained! After a few more days there, Bob drove me to meet Donna, where I spent a few days in Kingman, just relaxing, and then flew home from Vegas. You already know THAT story!!!

Vicki's Adventures

I have much to write about, but it will probably have to come in several different parts! I left Arizona on Monday to come home, but it was quite a journey! First, my sister overslept and we left Arizona a bit late to drive to the airport in LasVegas. It wasn't a problem, we just didn't get to shop any and that was fine, considering the weight limitations on my baggage! We did get to meet my nephew, Matt for lunch before heading to the airport. When we arrived at the airport, I made Donna go in with me in case my baggage was over, so she could take whatever didn't fit. Good plan. I was over and she had to take some stuff! My flight out of Vegas was delayed, and so I knew up front that I might not make my flight out of Atlanta. Because it was weather related, they wouldn't do anything to help and I just had to decide if I should try it or stay over in Vegas till Tuesday. I opted to try. So, we left Vegas and it was looking like I possibly might make the flight from Atlanta. However, about an hour out, a lady had a medical emergency on the plane. I'm not sure what happened, other than I saw her fall straight back and land on the floor. I was sitting on the aisle, but behind first class, where she fell. My mother taught me to be a people watcher, and I have to say that I enjoyed taking it all in. I don't know the man's name, but we will call him Servant Sam to make it easier for you to follow. Sam jumped up and over the seat to come to her aid, as fast as she hit the ground. He knelt down by her head and held her head in his lap. The attendant was calling for medical help-a young nurse was all that was on the flight. Sam did anything the nurse told him to. The lady was cold and he jumped up and started opening all the overhead bins and grabbing anything he could find, putting the coats and sweaters on her and tucking them in around her. Well, I was just amazed at the whole thing unfolding in front of me. I thought what a nice man he was and how helpful and in control. However, if I had been in his shoes I would have calmly been asking those around if they had anything they would loan her! Not Sam. He just DID it! Sam never left her. He held the oxygen tank until they started an IV, then he held the IV and assigned someone else to the oxygen. He told another man to come help him lift her into a seat when the nurse decided it was alright to move her. They got her into a seat, where she HAD to be before we could land. Another lady had given up her seat for the lady and she was looking for an empty place to sit. This was all in the last few moments of the flight, right before we landed. The attendants are yelling for this lady to get in a seat, and she had found one, there was just a small problem. The seat was in the middle and the man on the end was getting up to let her take the middle seat instead of just scooting over to the middle. The attendants are yelling...we can see the ground, just MOMENTS from landing, and the man yells to the attendants that he HAD to sit on the aisle because he HAS to get off the plane and catch his flight! It was at this point I was pretty sure I had seen it all! ONLY because I am a rule follower did I not stand up in my seat, put my hands on my hips, and YELL at him "ARE YOU SERIOUS???" I COULD NOT believe my ears. Well, he let her in and sat back down and got his seat belt on before we hit ground and everyone was safe. We did not do the normal taxi to the gate. We sped rather quickly to the gate where the ambulance was waiting. And then, they asked us all to stay seated until they had her off the plane. We all did, but I am sure it was very difficult for one person! All I can say is that if I ever have a medical emergency on a plane, I do hope that Servant Sam is sitting near by, and there is someone medically knowledgeable that can help! I can't even imagine being on the other side of the pilot's door and knowing there was a huge crisis depending on me to get to help! They all did great and the attendants were wonderful, and MOST of the people cared more about the poor lady than their own agenda. Well, I missed my flight to Ft Myers, but because it ended up being because of the medical emergency instead of the weather, we were put up in a hotel and given money for meals. I'm not adventuresome. I like security. I called Cary to tell him I wasn't coming home and that I didn't want to venture out of the airport, into the unknown and the dark, and that I had spent nights in airports before and I believed I'd just stay right there. He told me to get out there and find the shuttle to the hotel and get a FEW hours sleep before I had to come back. I wasn't real happy about it, but I did. It was dark, and cold, and I had never done anything like it before. I found the place to wait for the shuttle and made it to the hotel very easily...not as difficult as I thought! I even figured out how to set the alarm on my cell phone so I could get up and venture back into the dark to the airport. Now, all I'm dreaming of is getting to the Starbucks and spending Airtran's money on my favorite things! I went through security, made it to my gate. I asked some employees where the Starbucks was. They said "Would you believe that concourse C is the only one without a Starbucks?" Actually, at that moment I had no problem believing it. I settled for Seattle's Best, and I spent all but 4 cents of what I had been given. And, I made it home! Stay tuned for more tales!

Old Things

My blog instructor always says that putting up old pictures is a good thing to talk about when I can't think of anything else. I took these pictures of my favorite things before I packed them away till next Christmas. The stocking is my original stocking...VERY old! Mom had sewn jingle bells on the top and written my name in GLITTER! The book on the right was mine for as long as I can remember, given to me by my grandparents. It was a pop up book, but is now it doesn't pop up much! The book on the left was given to my mom by her mom, and yes, it looks pretty old too! The Santa was given to me by my grandmother just after I turned 6. It plays music and still works, and I am VERY careful with it! It even has the original box! I just love old things, and family things! These are now packed up for another year, the house is clean, and Cary and Carissa are on their way home from Guatemala. I did a lot of reading, watching movies, and relaxing while they were gone. I also had time to spend with friends over lunches and dinners. In just a few days Kaylee and I will leave for Arizona to see my siblings there. Kaylee will stay a few days, and I'll stay on a little longer.

Happy New Year 2009!

As our time with Owen is coming to a close...the boys have learned how to PLAY together! Yes, they are playing tug of war with the rope! They entertained themselves for a long time this morning! Tomorrow Owen's parents return and I'm pretty sure they will expect him to greet them at the airport! He was a VERY good boy during the fireworks last night, never made a peep! I think he has adjusted to Grandma's house very well, passed the test with flying colors! Cary left for Guatemala this morning, Kaylee is gone to Orlando, and Carissa is working today. The Hutchcrafts came over to visit the boys and then we went to lunch and Target. Claire took over Mr. Cary's chair, keeping it warm for his return. The other's watched the show that Owen and Tucker put on! Tucker LOVES Mr. Mitch! The girls also brought some gifts for the boys...to fight over!
So, as our time with Owen comes to a close, I am pretty sure about a few things...

1. Owen likes Tucker's food better than his own.

2. Tucker likes Owen's food better than his own.

3. Owen's water tastes better to Tucker.

4. Tucker's water tastes better to Owen.

5. Your toy always looks like more fun when your cousin is possessing it.

6. Owen and Tucker are both very smart, catch on quickly! Both are very capable of being sneaky and blaming the other!

7. You have a better chance of getting by with murder when you look at me with your lip hung on your teeth.

8. There really are no favorites, each is unique, and being a grandmother is pretty much the best thing ever!

Update on the Boys

Things are going quite well around here! Owen likes to cuddle when he's "invited" to do so. We had a little cuddle session last night, and then this afternoon too. I'm pretty sure he's a Grandma's boy. And, he didn't even fuss about going to bed last night...that might have been because he was so very ready to rest from the activities of the day! The boys even took a short nap just prior to bedtime last night. Yes, I did say short! Tucker helped me take down the tree before Owen came the other day. Such good help I had! I am wondering how much Owen will like the neighbors celebration of the New Year??? I think I am going to do well with this Grandma thing! Aren't they the cutest???

Owen's First Sleepover @ Grandma's

Oh, yes, Owen has come for a visit! Owen spent the first couple of days while his parents are gone with his Uncle Chris, but last night, Chris delivered him to us. He arrived in his crate, in the back of a truck...didn't like the trip too much, and was pretty petrified when he got here. So, while trying to get his cage opened, and leash on, we broke his collar. Thirty pound wild dog in the street, small neighbor girl finally gains control. Collar repaired. WILD dog chase through Grandma's house as the cousins re-unite. Owen needs to eat...too busy visiting, so we take his dinner to the porch. Owen doesn't want to eat, wants to play with cousin Tucker on the OTHER side of the door and body slams the glass door. Luckily, no harm done, to the door or the dog. He eats. NOW we can get down to the playing stuff! Just when the real fun starts...Grandma and Grandpa decide to start a new rule and keep Owen off the furniture. Owen is really not sure about this visit, poor thing! But, I will say, Owen is one SMART dog and learns quickly and wants very much to please! So, everyone has a pretty good evening, and then it's bed time. Oh geez. Owen has to go in his cage and sleep alone. That wasn't really the way he wanted it, and he complained a bit, but he did very well till the sun came up. Grandma gets up with him and tries to rest on the couch with him on the floor beside the couch. At some point I woke to the thirty pound dog snoring on top of me. Well, he WAS on me and not the furniture. Good dog! He's already learned Grandma is not a morning person and can be easily taken advantage of before 9AM. Well, we just returned from running a few errands and came home to find the bottom of his cage in two pieces. Guess he didn't like being left very much and maybe did a few jumping jacks to entertain himself. Now, we just have to figure out what to do with him when we go to dinner tonight! He is absolutely the cutest thing ever-gets his lips hung on his teeth sometimes and smiles real cute at ya! For now, they have been playing real nice and things have been calm for at least three minutes! We've almost made it 24 hours! Just three more days of bonding time to go! I think this is a very good time to show you just how precious he was at Christmas! Santa found him, for sure!

Joshua's Birthday 2008

Today was Joshua's birthday. Joshua and Jen came over for dinner tonight, we had steak, and I even made a chocolate chip pie. However, as usual, we are pretty much over all the sweets and no one was terribly interested in pie. After dinner they left to meet up with friends. Tomorrow they leave and spend a few days in Michigan with Jen's family. Carissa got Guitar Hero for Christmas, and finally had a break in her schedule this evening to get it set up and practice a bit. Steve came over to help and, of course, dad got a turn too. Tucker paid very close attention!Kaylee has been staying busy babysitting over Christmas break.

Random Thoughts

I know, it's been awhile! I've had many computer issues, among other things! There's really nothing big to report on here, so this will just be random! We ended another season of "The Biggest Loser" with our favorite taking home the prize. I'm not a big TV person, but I get excited about this show. I like it because it actually means something...like a person's life is changed for the better. Somehow, watching people eat nasty things on an island doesn't do a thing for me. I really started watching this when mom was in the hospital and we would watch it together. This time of year brings back all those memories, it's now been three years. And, this is my first Christmas without Spike. He made Christmas SO fun because he loved every part of it so much! I am really dreading stockings...he loved his stocking more than any of the kids ever did! It won't be the same. Oh, I was pretty excited the other day when my friend had the opportunity to tell her four year old daughter that she was a princess! I wish I had fully understood that when MY girls were four and had been able to start pouring it in, building a foundation. Kaylee is spending the day with me today. We are going to get our nails done and shop a little. Around here the world stops for the City of Palms Tournament, so my family has been going to that every afternoon and evening. We are about ready for Christmas. I think everything is wrapped and ready! Joshua and Jen will spend the day with us tomorrow. We'll have our traditional Chicken Salad at lunch (on Christmas china, of course), go to church at 4, to our friends, the Propps, and then home for gifts. Christmas Day I'm doing a ham and we are planning to go see a Christmas movie. Friday we are meeting up with Cary's family, and Saturday Joshua will have a birthday and we'll all be together for dinner. Then we have just a couple of days, with no particular plans, before Cary and Carissa leave for Guatemala. They will be building two houses in the village destroyed by the mud slides, where we have worked before. I'm still thinking about writing a Christmas letter. Notice I said THINKING. I may do our first one by email! I've gotten a couple this year, so I think it's ok to do now! Well, have a Merry Christmas!

I'm a Princess/Saint

Cary has been teaching on Wednesday nights about who we are in Christ, and that when we belong to Him, we are saints. First, I'll say that Cary uses the word "saint", but my word for it has been "princess". I suppose the reason for that could be the fact that he is not a princess! It has made me think that THIS is my passion, and I should probably document it in more detail than I have before. If I could, this is the one thing that I would love to be able to open up your head and pour inside. I want you to HAVE this! Understanding this has changed my attitude toward life! When I was in my early twenties, one of the pastors I worked for told me that I needed to read Psalms 139 everyday until I could believe what it said. I committed to doing just that, and I would love to know now how long I did it. It was a long while, that much I know. I have always said that when I retire, my first project is to cross stitch every word of Psalms 139. Somewhere in the process, I really did come to the point of believing that I was worthy of being loved, simply because I am His, and He created me for His glory and to make Him famous. I have purpose simply because I am His. I am a child of the King, thus I am a PRINCESS! That is a great place to start, but life happens, and I had 20+ years of the world's junk invested in me. That would take some time and healing. God used different people and books to bring that healing and so much of the process came through the ministry of Beth Moore. God has SO used her in my life to teach me who I really am. After many Bible Studies and miles together, Beth wrote a children's book called My Child, My Princess and it is one of my favorites. I love to give it as a gift. I also love a small devotional book called His Princess, by Sheri Rose Shepherd. Those are just some tools that remind me of whose I am. I was saved when I was 7, but freedom didn't come until MUCH later. I think there are many people that are saved, but maybe even never find freedom. It's two different things! Proverbs 28:13 talks about being set free from my shame. It's that freedom that changes the way I live each day. Everything else seems trivial when I am living for an audience of One. Just a child of the King! I am God's masterpiece, I am not an accident, I have value, I am unique, I have been bought with a price, and I am a beautiful princess! Cary told a story one night about an eagle that acted like a chicken because it had been raised with chickens and knew no different. That's what it's like until you find true freedom...an eagle trapped in the body of a chicken! The quality of life is so much richer when you live like you were created to! Kind of like being remodeled! When we really understand and believe how much He loves us, we are changed! It takes time and allowing Him to work in us. More than anything I know, I want you to believe you are a princess! I've mentioned this before, but this one thing is why the songs Shackles and Great is Thy Faithfulness mean so much to me. Freedom came through His faithfulness!

Moving on to Christmas!!!

On Friday, Cary and I spend a good portion of the day with a couple that was in town for the weekend. They came over for breakfast and left at about 2:30! We had a great time just visiting and catching up. Of course, we DID hit the stores then! We shopped a little, but not much, and then had dinner at P.F. Changs. On Saturday I cleaned and put away the fall decorations, then started right in with Christmas! Kaylee wanted to be in charge of the Christmas tree this year, and I was all too happy to let her! In fact, we were at the tree place when this all came up and I told her if she'd do it all I'd jump up and down. I was serious. I did it. I think it turned out wonderfully! After she did the tree, I got to put out my nativity direct from the Holy Land! It is real olive wood, made in Bethlehem, and it came with a camel. I had to beg for that part, but I won! On Sunday night we had our first Christmas party here, and yesterday I gave myself the day off! I LOVE to read a Christmas story at this time of year. In the past, I've read the whole Karen Kingsbury series, and the whole Donna Van Liere series. I had to go out on a limb this year with an unknown author, but oh, I was NOT disappointed! I just finished reading "The Paper Bag Christmas" by Kevin Alan Milne. I would say you should probably rush right out and get it, put your feet up and enjoy! I always say that, I've been pleased every time, can't go wrong with any of the ones I mentioned! Whatever you do, take the time to enjoy this season!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

We had a great day at home, our family and Mel and Nic from North Carolina. Of course there was plenty to eat, and we'll enjoy leftovers for a while. I got to open my birthday gifts this afternoon, and now I can tell you about one of those pictures that was a surprise! It's of a lady, holding a bottle to catch her tears in. Under the picture is the verse about God catching all of our tears in a bottle. I have always loved that verse, and the picture was beautiful. On my birthday, Michelle took me to lunch. We had a short visit squeezed in because they were getting ready to leave for Thanksgiving. She gave me a crystal dolphin! Loved that! Cary took me to dinner and I had tons of calls and birthday wishes on Facebook. Kathy took me to lunch yesterday and gave me a special little gift too. Last weekend we were with Cary's family, celebrating mom's 80th birthday. It was a surprise party and we had a great time with family. Tucker got a hair cut this week, so he's been a little cold and needed some covers! It's been a good week!

Cruise Details

We went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the Princess private island. These were all the ports we were supposed to go to, but just in a different order than originally planned! We had a great day on Cozumel. We took a taxi to a beach, and it was quite private. It was a beautiful place, and we really never figured out why we were almost alone! Grand Cayman was gorgeous, but the beach was VERY crowded and the chairs were REALLY hard plastic! Jamaica was nice, a small beach with some entertainment. I'm not sure WHAT this lady was doing, but I got a laugh out of her. Let me tell you, when she danced to the music, that back side did some moves! They also had an area all ready if you wanted a massage. We always enjoy the private islands, but we did "run" back to the boat fearing a storm that ended up not coming our way. We just spent the rest of the day on the boat, at the pool. From the island we were able to get a good picture of our boat, the Ruby Princess. This was the inaugural cruise and we made it with no problems! One of my favorite things about Princess is the dessert called the "Love Boat"...I'm telling you, it's worth the trip! I had seven of them...one each night! And, I will say, with NO regrets! We went right from getting off the boat to Robby's wedding. It was so sweet. Robby and Cary have been close over the years, and we were big buddies when they first came to McGregor. My favorite memory was when Robby was in middle school and the movie "Twister" came out. He couldn't believe I had not seen it yet and he said "Ms. Vicki, I'm gonna have to take you on a DATE!"

Cruise Events

We made it! Just as we thought, they re-arranged our ports and we never knew there was a storm out there. We had perfect weather the whole time, very pretty. We love cruising because we feel like we are out of the fishbowl for a few days, but God seems to always have some friends for us to meet. The first night we had a Romanian for our waiter, Gabriel. That always gets me all wound up and makes me feel connected to my second home. Then, there was the morning we ate in the dining room, and we had this cute little guy from the Philippines for our waiter. He had way too much spunk (for one who is not a morning person) and he was singing his way all around us. Since it WAS in the morning, and I WAS in a bit of a daze, it took a while, but Cary and I realized about the same time that he was singing a Christian song. Cary asked where he had learned that from. Without a bit of hesitation and with all the boldness and spunk he was capable of, he said "I AM A CHRISTIAN." He stood so straight and proud, so unashamed. He told us he had accepted Christ while he was in high school, and that he has met a lot of Christians while working on the ships. Near the end of the week we sat close to a couple at dinner, close enough to talk a bit. It ended up that he was a minister in Montana and they were celebrating their 25th anniversary as well. Of course we had plenty in common and ended up spending some time with them before the end of the cruise and exchanging information. Cary's favorite "moment" was when we were in line with a couple and Cary asked where he was from. He was a heart surgeon (didn't look old enough to be such!) and was from Guatemala. He is in charge of the volunteer fire department. We ended up comparing all our Guatemala stories and experiences. Before we parted he volunteered his info and offered to help us out any way he could whenever we are down there. Reading between the lines, we are pretty sure he must be from a prominent family with influence. Those are always good people to have phone numbers for when you're down there! My favorite moment was at dinner one night, when we were sitting next to an older couple. Much older. Very old. Cary and I were talking about what we had been reading that day and basically saying how very blessed we are, how very wealthy we are-compared to SO many in the world. Wealth being defined monetarily, but not exclusively. We have seen enough of the world to know we are the exception in many ways, but we also know because of Jesus we would feel wealthy no matter where we lived. We are BLESSED, and we are well aware of it! Well, our conversation was stopped cold when a man walked up to the older couple and thanked the man for serving our country and providing the freedoms we enjoy. It was Veteran's Day. Obviously they had met somewhere along the way and this gentleman had gotten up from his table and made the effort to walk over to thank this dear old man. Tears in my soup! I was stopped cold! Cary and both had to take a deep breath. Our country and freedom was a blessing we hadn't mentioned, but the foundation of what we had been talking about, and certainly one we should have been adding to our list on such an appropriate day. All these things were really neat things that God had planned for us, divine appointments. I will save some of the details and pictures for another day, but we had a great time and met some really precious people!

Hurricane Paloma????

Yes, our bags are packed and we are headed to the Western Caribbean...right where Hurricane Paloma is headed! We aren't worried or even concerned, we've done this enough to know they will have it all under control! They will probably change our route or the order of our ports...or even just park at sea! We don't really care, we'll be happy no matter how it ends up! Last night Joshua and Jen had us over for dinner. Joshua fixed steak sandwiches on the grill, and Jen made wonderful mac and cheese and asparagus! We had a nice visit with them and with Owen, of course! I think I better add in a Tucker picture too...can't be partial! We'll be back in a week!

Nothing Imparticular...

I started to write yesterday about the blue jays and cardinals at the feeder, but my picture didn't turn out so well, and you've heard that before! I'm SO glad the birds visit and keep Tuc on his toes! He seems to know when it is OK for the visitor to be in the feeder, or not...like the squirrels. He takes his job seriously. We had a nice, but busy weekend. Of course with Friday being Halloween, the church was busy getting ready for our Fall Fest. Cary and I voted, and did so pretty quickly. Fall Fest was very nice, and TONS of people! I spent some of my time in the bookstore, trying to make wise decisions on the sale items, since the bookstore is closing. Cary and I decided on three pictures for the house, but I can't tell you about them since they are for birthday and Christmas, so I don't know about them yet. Saturday morning we met a young man and his mom for coffee. He was in the youth group about 20 years ago and wanted to visit with us while he was in town for the weekend. I pray I never get over the blessing of these precious ones passing back through our lives just to say they are still loving and serving Jesus! This particular family has been very special to us since we first came, and all four of their children passed through our ministry. Long after the kids were gone and had started adult lives, the parents would still remember us at Christmas and thank us for our ministry. So genuine. Mom and I still have lunch from time to time and we share deep motherly joys and burdens-always have. We rushed home from having coffee to spend some time with a couple that was in town for the weekend and wanted to see us. We pushed them out the door and got ready for a wedding and reception for a couple currently in our ministry. That was also a blessing. They did it all right, in the right order, and live to make a difference in the lives of those around them. It was a joy to be a part of their special day. We were WORN out when we got home! So, this week I have been trying to recover and also getting ready for our usual November cruise! We leave Saturday for a week on the Western Caribbean! We will arrive back and jump off the ship and run to another wedding before coming back home! The weather has been so beautiful and we've had all the windows and doors opened. It's wonderful when we are able to do that here! I guess I should mention the election...I can only say that I am glad I can trust the only One who holds the future.

Weekend Events

I've really got you wondering about my trip, so I guess I better fill you in! This week has been a little crazy, so I haven't gotten around to posting. Last Thursday morning Michelle and I left for Marco Island for a ladies retreat. We shopped all the way down there, and we shopped most of our free time! The weather wasn't the best, so we didn't get much time to just relax at the pool...be we accomplished a lot! The retreat was fun, very well done, and challenging. I won some Chanel sunglasses, that was note worthy since I never win anything! We came home Saturday and then Cary and I went to the hockey game with a bunch of our college kids. We had a lot of fun... the arena was COLD like it was supposed to be when Sarah came to town! On Sunday we had lunch with Josh and Jen and Owen got to visit for the first time in a while. THIS grandpuppy keeps growing!

TAG, I'M IT !!!

I have been tagged for a meme (no idea what this means) just trying to comply. I DO NOT normally do these kinds of things, but since I am hurting for blogging material......

Rules: Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, goes to their blogs to inform them they have been tagged by leaving a comment to read the tagger's blog, and letting those bloggers answer the questions themselves. Here are the questions:

10 Years ago I:
1. I was home schooling Kaylee-taught her to read, one of my greatest accomplishments, and probably the most fulfilling thing I've ever done.
2. Already married 15 years.
3. Living most of my life on a soccer field.
4. Had my own sewing business, making bridal veils, dresses, alterations.
5. Entered the joy of parenting a middle schooler.

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. grocery store
2. pay the credit card bill...this may seem really insignificant to most, but one of the dear ones that tagged me for this chore will be blessed to know these details. Kathy, are you listening??? Until very recently, I kept envelopes of money in my purse, each marked with a category of my budget. I paid cash for everything and never borrowed from an envelope I shouldn't. Now, I have a credit card. One, only one. Pay it off at the end of EVERY month. I carry no cash. At the end of EACH day, I take the receipts from my wallet and pay them off. Then, when the bill comes each month, the bill has to be reconciled to my amount of money I am holding. Maybe I should say the money has to be reconciled to the bill??? That's a big word... the money must equal the number on the bill. A few times this has not happened, and my life has near ended and I am tempted to go back to the old fashion way. So when you read this today, PLEASE pray it works out. It really messes with my life when it doesn't work.
3. Pack for a trip that will be blogged about on another occasion
4. Dr. appointment
5. church

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. chocolate
2. grapes
3. chocolate
4. chocolate
5. chocolate...I'm really NOT a snacker!

5 places I have lived:
1. San Manuel, Arizona
2. Tucson, Arizona
3. Lancaster, California
4. Fort Worth, Texas
5. Ft Myers, Florida

5 jobs I have had:
1. working in a school for handicapped children (my all time favorite)
2. working for an eye doctor (very educational)
3. banking (NOT my favorite)
4. working from home and doing alterations on wedding dresses that cost more than some houses. (more stress than anyone should ever take on!)
5. secretary

5 people I tag: (I only have 3 blogger buddies that haven’t been tagged):
1. Angela DeBoer
2. Megan Hunt
3. I COULD tag Beth Moore, but I really don't think she'd do it and if she did, I'd probably NEVER recover!
4. It's not that I don't have other friends, I just don't have any other friends that blog that haven't already been tagged!
5.

Precious Flower Girl!

I'm getting fussed at for not blogging in a while, but things have been pretty quiet around here! So, when there's a lull, I can always talk about our zoo. This afternoon the girls and I saw a HUGE bobcat in the yard. Bigger than the last one, for sure. I couldn't get a picture fast enough. My math skills tell me that probably that means there are more than one! JOY! Then, there's always Tuc. Tonight he had his back side resting on Cary's chair, while his front end rested on the table. Isn't he a site??? Never a dull moment! This weekend we went to the wedding of one of our boys that we have known for about 15 years. The flower girl, without a doubt, stole the show. She behaved very well, it's just that she was too cute to take your eyes off her! She did a great job! We have loved her mama for many years. The wedding was another reminder of how blessed we are by long term relationships! Going through thick and thin together for many years just creates an amazing glue!

Old News

This is old news because I have been waiting for a certain daughter to give me pictures! Last week, while Cary was gone, Kaylee left her lights on at school and we ended up with a car that wouldn't start. Funny how that happens. It gets funnier...she finally got someone to help her jump it and they got it started. Here's the problem...when you jump the car, the sunroof comes opened. The only way to fix it is to turn it off and jump it again, then it closes! We know this from experience! So, Kaylee called me and told me she was on her way home, but the sunroof was opened! I went into panic mode...Cary was gone, it was going to rain for the next three days, starting any moment, can't have the car in the garage in case it doesn't start again and can't have it in the driveway because the sunroof is opened and it's gonna rain! I have to make a very long story short here, so let's just say we tried MANY things to remedy the situation, and nothing worked. Finally, we decided we just had to take it into the shop and let them take care of it. The problem: It is raining and the shop is about 15 miles away. You just do what you have to do! I got a plastic tarp out of the garage and shut it in the doors of the passenger side. Then, I pulled it over the sunroof, got in the car and shut the tarp in after I had tucked myself in real good. It worked well, for at least a few minutes. With speed, rain was blowing down as the tarp was flying up. The pressure was pulling the tarp up and I was watching the tarp slowly fly out the doors where I had tucked it in. So, I'm driving, trying to hold the tarp down with my spare hand (as if I had one). It was one of those situations where there were no good answers. To go home, I had accomplished nothing. To keep going...I was already soaked and so was the inside of the car. I stopped at the church and had several helpers evaluating the situation. Finally, it stopped raining and I took off, Kaylee following behind. I was almost in tears by now, but it really was pretty funny too. We made it to the shop, they fixed it, and all is well now. I hope Kaylee remembers to turn off the lights from now on!