Saturday, February 28, 2009

It's a Wonderful Life!!

As I type, I am riding in the car from PA to NC. (Thanks to wonderful technology and a Christmas gift from the hubby, I can use my laptop in the car)! We took our daughter and granddaughter home after a wonderful week! Last week was *girl's week* and most of the girls in the family met at my home for fun, food and fellowship. (Missed you Nanny, Amy Beth, Kendal, Anna, Macie and Mary Beth!) Here we are eating lunch:
We did a LOT of car riding....E.C. is a trooper!!!:

My niece, J, and her two precious little ones, M and J, also came for a few days! Do you know how hard it is to get a picture of the three of them together???? The two year old is easy....she has *cheese* down to a science. But the 14 month old and the 16 month old....not so much!
My two daughters in law took some time off work to join us!!! We were so happy they could come!!!

Another niece, J, who is a hairdresser, not only came to visit, but she trimmed the kid's hair!!

My daughter, G, and her first cousin, J, grew up together. Now they are raising children together. The circle of life continues...........
My daughter, G, and my granddaughter, E.C.:
Thank you girls for loving me and sharing your children with me. Thank you too for a wonderful week. It's a Wonderful Life with all of you!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Today My Man is 55!!

Happy Birthday Honey!!
Thank you for being so many things to so many people. I am so thankful for you....for your honesty, your integrity, your love for Jesus and your love for me. Thank you for being the man you are.
Yo
u love us all so well.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Full House, a Full Heart

I've had a full house this week....and a Very Full Heart

Monday, February 23, 2009

So Stinkin' Cute!

This is pretty much what my week is going to look like:
Yeh, I know it's blurry. But she's so stinkin' cute, it doesn't even matter!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

JUST A LITTLE PEEK INTO MY WEEK

Poppy, You have shown me how to dial it 100 times. I'm tired of this! Just give me the phone!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

And The Winner Is......................

Thanks for all of you that entered. It was my first ever Giveaway! I hope to do more in the future! It's so much fun to see who leaves a comment and so exciting to see who the winner is!! I used random.org to pick the winner. So, without further ado, the winner of the box of cards is............#11....Sheri!! Sheri, email me with mailing info!! conoil@yahoo.com Thanks again to ALL of you for making this fun for ME!!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Brownie Knife


A Brownie Knife

"But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose." 1 Corinthians 12:18 (ESV)


Oddly enough, I'm thinking about plastic knives today. You know, the kind you get with your to-go meal at restaurants, packaged with a plastic fork, spoon, and napkin?

For years I ditched the plastic knife, thinking they are a waste of energy and not very useful at cutting my food. Steak, chicken, pot roast …metal knives slice right through these, but not plastic knives. Hard foods are not their forte. Where plastic knives do excel, however, is in cutting fresh from the oven, piping hot brownies!

Have you ever cut brownies with a table knife and made a ragged mess out of them? Well, I've discovered a way to enjoy them, and keep them in tact, while they're still warm. I've used this trick successfully for years, as my hips will attest. Nice squares of warm, gooey chocolate goodness with smooth edges can be yours when cut with a plastic knife.

Knowing plastic knives' special knack for cutting brownies, I use them specifically for that purpose. I don't try to cut cardboard, steak or wood with them. That would be a senseless misuse of their gifts.

Oh, but how often have I misused my gifts or stepped away from my natural talents, attempting something I am not really cut out to do? This usually leads to frustration and a mess.

The point is this: God designed each one of us with certain abilities, but we tend to look at the abilities of the other women and we get caught in the comparison trap. We try to emulate her gifts and her talents when God has called us to something totally different.

Some of my friends have better culinary skills. Some of my friends train their children better
than I. Some of my friends are well organized. Some of my friends...well, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is this: What am I going to do with what I am?

Paul puts it this way in I Corinthians 12.17-19: "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?" (ESV)

In what way has God gifted you? Have you yet to use that talent for His glory? Are you a wonderful hostess? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is a teacher. Are you an organizer? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is creative. Are you great with children? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who writes the newsletter.

After many years of anguish over my place in this world, or in my church, or in a women's group, I've come to embrace that which God has blessed me with. And I've decided I love being a plastic brownie knife!

Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents You've given each of us. Please show us where we are most useful for Your kingdom and Your purposes. Give us boldness to carry out Your will especially when it might be an unexpected task. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This was taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries and written by Sylvia Basham

Greeting Card Giveaway!!!!

These cards are so cute!!! I treat my *girls* to a box every year at Christmas. They love them! Thought you might like to win a box!! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite card you have ever received!! If you don't have a blog, please leave me your e mail address in the comment section so I will know how to get in touch with you if you win. (Also, if you don't have a blog, just hit anonymous and leave a comment...it's easy MOM!!) The giveaway will end on Friday morning, February 20 at 10:00a.m.!! Good luck! Here are some pictures:

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

GIVEAWAY COMING TOMORROW!!

Thought I would have a little giveaway!! Details and pictures coming tomorrow.........

How Well Do You Know Your Hubby?


Here's a chance to see how well you really know your husband. The real challenge is to send it to your husband to see how right you really are. My daughter-in-law posted this on her blog, so I thought I would give it a shot!

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? ESPN
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch
3. What's one food he doesn't like?Chicken livers
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Food: Salmon Drink: Sweet tea
5. Where did he go to high school? Williams
6. What size shoe does he wear? 12
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? he does...rocks, from all over the world
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Tomato with lots of mayo and pepper
9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Chocolate
10. What is his favorite cereal? Granola
11. What would he never wear? A turtleneck
12. What is his favorite sports team? Duke Basketball
13. Who did he vote for? McCain
14. Who is his best friend? besides ME : Uncle Ray
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Get stressed out over stupid stuff or nag him to always be doing something
16. What is his heritage? no clue :/
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Chocolate
18. Did he play sports in high school? no...he became a STUD much later in life:)
19. What could he spend hours doing? Playing golf
20. What is one unique talent he has? He can cook!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

SICK...UGH!

Been sick for a few days....hope to be up and running soon. Only five more days until this.......

Friday, February 13, 2009

Looks Gross! Tastes Great!


Don't say I didn't warn you........

A FRIEND OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND.........

Last night we went to Senior Night at E.S. High School.
It was C.'s last home game...like forever. She played great....the rest of the team, not so much! They Lost...Big Time. She wasn't that upset, because LOOK WHO SHOWED UP AT THE GAME....her boyfriend, C!!! He's away at college, so it was a great surprise!

C was introduced at halftime with her parents and all the other seniors.

C is our daughter-in-law's, brother's, girlfriend. We are so proud of her! What a great girl! Much closer than a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend....................

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Big Game!

UPDATE...UH OH....................
Here in the Carolinas, we have the best basketball conference...the ACC! It's just a part of us. I love it. March Madness is always around the time of my birthday and I look forward to it every year. Tonight is one of the biggest rivalry games in college basketball...Duke vs. North Carolina. May the best team win....I just hope it's of the DARK blue sort! Go Blue Devils.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A New Boutique!!


A blogging friend, Lori, opened a new Boutique! She handcrafts each individual item with loving care....and her things are beautiful! Join me in wishing Lori all the best as she takes on this new endeavor! I can't wait for my E.C. to be big enough to wear one of her beautiful dresses!

Monday, February 09, 2009

My Favorite Holiday!!


It's all about the presentation!
I love the sweets and the colors....


I love the nostalgia of this box.........
These bring back sweet memories............

My favorite holiday is made sweeter because I have a man who loves me.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

15 DAYS

Today I bought this:
And this:
And this:

And this:
Because in 15 days, I'll be seeing this: