some pictures

Here are a few pictures of the beach last weekend...

The hermit crab picture is for Aubrey - - she got her hermit crab as you can read about here... so Ronnie wanted his pic taken with "his" hermit crab in VA. Beach...

my new coffee table...

and me and ronnie before that political event that I referenced here.

A moment from the movies

Every now and then in my life, I have these moments. They don't happen often - I am afraid I would take them for granted if they did... But moments that make me feel like I am in a movie. You know what I mean right? Those things that happen when you just think "this is NOT really happening to me.... things like this don't happen to normal people."

A couple of examples include the moment I lived my dream and stepped off the plane to live in Germany for a year.... a couple moments from when I traveled with Wings... One moment is as I was laying on the beach in Phuket, Thailand - 6 months after the Tsunami of 2004... You know what I mean...

Only a handful of times in my life do these things happen.

Last night was one of them.

I have started my new job on the campaign of my Congressman here in southern VA. The whole week has been quite an experience. I have learned a TON, worked a LOT, and really had some good time getting to know him, his wife, and his sister - all of who work closely together in the office.

Last night, we were attending a fundraiser. There were different "levels" of entrance, but due to the fact that I am on staff now, Ronnie and I were able to attend all three levels... the first level required donations of $2,000 per person to enter... it went down hill from there - but even the lowest level was still a nice donation.

The location was a "farm" out in our county. But this was no typical farm - it is owned by a man that owns the gas company that heats our house in the winter. The house was absolutely GORGEOUS. The fields were landscaped perfectly, the "barn" was a wonderful building that held about 250 people for this event.

The attendees included our State Senator, State Delegate, other political leaders, as well as Attorneys, distributors, etc. etc.

The point at which I realized this was one of "those" moments was when my Congressman got up to speak - he of course introduced his wife first - - then his sister - - thanked the man who owned the home... and then introduced me and Ronnie to this crowd of people as "the newest member of the campaign staff." I waved to the crowd of people, then turned and looked out the door over the fields, past the American and Virginian flag flying in the breeze, realized that my Congressman not only knows me, but I was just introduced to a ton of people by him... It was one of those moments for me. One of those moments that feels it shouldn't happen to me... those things don't happen to normal people!

Later in the evening, our State Senator was talking with us, and said "You guys make such a great team!" That was so exciting to me - I am enjoying this political world that I am in now. I wouldn't be here except for my husband though who has all these contacts set up.... I don't know where all this road will take us - but I do know that as long as we are doing things like this, I want people to see us together - as a team... its nice to be part of a team... So often I think couples do so much stuff separate from each other, that they aren't a part of each other's worlds...

I like being on Ronnie's team.... I like joining his world... I like our team of two - its nice here.

I only post on Monday's now

I guess I am turning into a weekend writer...

My weeks just haven't been very exciting lately - but all that is about to change!

Anyway, we did get to go to the beach this past weekend! I was so excited, and maybe soon I will get some pictures posted. We went to VA. Beach for Saturday all day and most of Sunday. I was a short trip, but one that was needed! I LOVE the beach! It was absolutely beautiful... and even though like 5 million other people were there, we were able to just relax and do nothing with sand and ocean for two days!

Tomorrow, life changes. Again.

Yep, it't true, I have a job.

Remember last year when I had just gotten married, and I began working for the State delegate and his campaign? Remember how everyone wondered what I was doing?

Well.

Here we go again.

I am going to be a "campaign aide" again this year. However, this time it is for our U.S. Congressman. He is the incumbent and I start tomorrow into two months of political insanity.

So, this will greatly limit any public opinions that I might have otherwise posted here on the world wide web....

Anyway, here we go again! If I don't see ya before then, see ya after the election (I do plan to try to post some in between these times... I am just not making any promises.)

Ladies Banquet and Skyline Drive

Well, our weekend was full of fun....


It started Friday night, when we went to the Ladies' banquet. Ronnie was one of the waiters, and of course, I just went to... well... be there:). This event was how we really started flirting back in Jan 2007 - - this was the third one we have been to together - - and although it was the first time that Ronnie wasn't the waiter of my table. It was still a wonderful time. This was the largest of our Ladies banquets to date... there were 180 tickets sold... I think more than that actually showed up!





Saturday morning we woke up without a plan. Usually, for us, a lack of plan means that we end up wasting the day away asking each other 100 times "what do you want to do?"... "I don't know... what do YOU want to do?" etc.


Thiis Saturday morning was different. We went through a few options, but ended up decided to drive about 3 hours up to Skyline Drive. A part of the Shenandoah National Park in VA. It is also an extension of both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian trail that travels from Georgia to Maine.

The first attempt to get to skyline drive - we were following our trusty GPS... (who apparantly is NOT completely omnipotent) ended like this...






We turned the Echo around here... drove back down the dirt road - found two men mending their fence (we were SERIOUSLY in the middle of nowhere!!) they disagreed on the best way to get to skyline drive from where we were.... we followed instructions that included statements like this:

"when you see two houses across from each other turn right."

"when you get to the store go straight... don't turn there!"


Anyway - those directions - in that area - - since there is NOTHING there.... got us there. We were finally on Skyline Drive!


Ronnie had been there before when he was in college - so we started out going to a familiar location for him. BlackRock. The walk here started with this warning:




I should have turned around at this point.


I didn't.


5 Minutes later, I was INCHES away from stepping on one! If I had not heard it move I would have hit it right on the tail!!


So, needless to say, the rest of that trail was an adventure for me.... and for Ronnie - who then had to carry me on his back through portions of the trail that were too grassy, too close, or if I just got scared. He also had to go ahead of me and "check out" all the rocks to make sure nothing was hiding to "get me."


Here are a few of those pics:







After a while of climbing on the rocks, we decided to take a second hike to a waterfall. In theory, it was to be a 3.4 mile round trip hike. This was the warning before embarking on this hike.





No biggie.


After the snake incident at Blackrock - I was a bit nervous about this one!

This trail also dropped 915 feet over the course of the 1.7 mile one-way trek to the falls.

This was the "waterfall" we worked so hard to see....




A bit disappointing huh??? Anyone see the water???


Descending 915 feet one way means that you CLIMB 915 feet over the return 1.7 miles back to the car....

Climbing 915 feet, over 1.7 miles, watching for bears, mountain lions, snakes, and wild hogs the whole time... yep - definately "a good time was had by all."

We weren't done yet. We pulled into the little roadside store and saw this....

Yep - those deer would just about come right up to us! I was not using zoom on my camera!

Leaving the deer - we drove around the corner and ran into this guy:



Luckily - our only encounter with the bear was from INSIDE my car. But knowing how young he must have been - I have to be honest, I was a bit nervous that "mama bear" would be coming behind me as I had my camera stuck out the window getting the pictures. I kept an eye on the rear view mirror. I mean, seriously, the echo is small.... a Large bear could throw it down the mountain... I am sure of it!

Finally, the sunset looked like this:

And we headed home... it was an amazing day of adventure -

I think next time we will go shopping:)

Weekend help

First of all, thanks so much to those of you who have been encouraging to me over the last couple days. I can't explain it... it doesn't make sense... but it was just so dark Friday.

For an update of the weekend - after I started feeling better.

Saturday night we went to an event in our city - someone gave us tickets to "Mandolins and Magnolias" - a fund raiser for our museum. It was a bit stuffy at first - a lot of people that have too much money sitting around sipping the selection of drinks.

We had taken 3 friends with us. 'H', a new friend in our city, her husband had to work, so this was good for her to get out... and then two kids - the two that I teach piano lessons to. The advertisement said they would have kids games, and, not having kids of our own - we decided to adopt two for the evening.

When we got there, some other friends from the church were there too. So, the 7 of us, amid the stuffier variety, had a lot of fun, watching the dog show, touring the museum, playing badmitton and croquet. It was a wonderful night to be out of the house.

a few pics of the evening:

Then, on Sunday evening, when we didn't have church responsibilities, Ronnie and I went to Roanoke to the Star on the mountain and watched the sunset from the top of the mountain. It was some good 'quality' time with my man.

a few pics:

Now, I am supposed to be cleaning now - so I will get back to work - that laundry that I didn't do Friday - also didn't do itself... so it has to be done today...

Another Day Update

Quickly,

I am better tonight.

My wonderful husband made me go out - - he prayed one of the most amazing prayers I have ever heard him pray on the way to town - - then he made me get some Chick-fil-a - - walk around Target, the Mall, Lowes, etc.

PS. Did you know that for 25 cents more, you can get chocolate added to your cookies and cream milkshake at Chick-fil-a?? A CHOCOLATE COOKIES AND CREAM MILKSHAKE!!! It was amazing.

I feel that it isn't like a solved problem. This afternoon, I felt more than ever, like I was walking down a dark tunnel - I didn't even want to come out of it. I knew in my head that most of what was echoing in there was not Truth... but that didn't seem to matter in my heart.

Anyway, maybe I will be able to figure this thing out sometime. I have never been one to truly battle depression. I know the Truth... that I am blessed beyond measure... that I am loved, and that I love others. But today, for some reason, none of that mattered...

Anyway - thanks so much for the prayers! Keep them up. I will keep you updated.

Another Day

Well, I have to be honest today. I know most of my blogs are up, pushing funny, happy-go-lucky, life-is-a-bucket-of-roses, blogs.... if that's what ya came for... this ain't it today... sorry

I don't feel like blogging.

I don't feel like doing laundry (this is normal though.)

I tried to work on my newest adventure - - a new bedside table - - but my drill battery was dead... and requires 16 hours to charge.

I don't even feel like watching the Olympics.

Even worse, I don't even feel like going shopping as Ronnie and I had planned to do tonight.

Ya see, I am usually a 'do-er.' I do things. I really like to do things that help people - - but even when that can't be accomplished - I still 'do.' I have never been one to be lazy day after day. Oh sure, there are those rainy Saturdays - - but honestly, the reason they are special is because every other day is NOT like that!

Right now, for the last two weeks of my life, I can not come up with ONE productive thing I have accomplished. Until a couple weeks ago, I still had classes going on that I was teaching... before that, I was still working at the church... and doing Tupperware parties... Now, since we are preparing to move... and yet not yet moving... all that is gone - and we are still here. I could pack... but honestly, I just feel like doing nothing.

The worst part is that it is a beautiful day outside! I don't even want to go out there.

So many 'un-true' statements go through this little mind.

- you aren't qualified for those jobs that help people out
- you can't do it anyway, why try.
- you won't be able to finish anything you start, so why try?

it even goes so far as.... - you are just useless.

Useless?? I don't want to be useless.

I was listening to a Matthew West cd that I got back in the Spring - Some of the lyrics include:

You got something to say
If you're livin', if you're breathin'
You got something to say
And you know if your heart is beatin'
You got something to say
And no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through
You got it, you got it
You got something to say

Listen up, I got a question here
Would anybody miss you if you disappeared?
Well your life is the song that you sing
And the whole wide world is listening

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

Basically - - those are from two of the songs... it should encourage me to get off my tail and get busy doing something.

I also saw this morning where a lady won $50,000 worth of K-mart gift cards. She lives in a poor area of the country. Instead of doing what we all would first do with that money... she went and bought school supplies for 9,000 students that live in her neighborhood. They all got a full backpack of school supplies. WOW! I cried.

I don't usually cry at things like that.

Probably because used to.... I participated in that stuff... I wasn't sitting at home watching it on TV.

But in the back of my head, it echoes... "what if I had given everything?" and "would anybody miss me if I disappeared."

Now, don't say stuff like "I would miss you..." What I mean is that my questions are real. Honest. What difference has my life made in the last few days? Weeks? Months? I haven't helped any one get school supplies, Haven''t been able to show love in a way that impacts people.

So, I look online for jobs... in order to get a job helping people, making a difference, you have to already have 5-7 years experience in doing that. Here comes the qualification thing again....

My heart is just kinda empty.

There is so much I want to do.

There is so much I feel I need to do.

Yet, I am here waiting. For what? I simply don't know.

So, I sit here. On my couch. Empty.



Comments closed. Please spend that time praying for me instead.

Lake Day

So, Saturday Ronnie and I went to the lake with his parents. It was a wonderful day - I got sunburnt - Ronnie jumped off some rocks that he has wanted to jump off of for a long time - we found some golf balls next to a golf course (they were in the water) - but the real stories of the lake day came before and after.

We were supposed to meet Ronnie's parents at the lake at 11:00. We were right on track when we saw this...

These two cows - mom and child - held us up for 5-10 minutes. Then we had to stop to tell the local farmer that they were loose. SERIOUSLY!!!! Where do I live??? When we saw them and I started taking pictures, Ronnie asked if it was going to be my blog this week - I said "YES!! I haven't had to stop in the road for cows since I was in Belize.... a third world country!" He said I have had more blogs about animals than any other one thing since I started this about a year ago...

Hmmm...

I live in Southern VA... enough said:)

Anyway - The second big story for the day has to have a bit of introduction. Ya see, coming from Alabama, carries with it some stereotypes. I can't tell you how many Virginians get funny looks on their faces when after an intelligent conversation, they find out where I am from. Apparantly, most of them think we are uneducated losers or something. I even had one lady - a school teacher - say "Well, I guess you are GLAD to get out of there then!" after hearing my homestate was the heart of dixie. I get redneck jokes, accent comments (this coming from some people who don't even pronounce their 'r' in words!), etc. etc.....

As we were leaving the lake... having already been delayed that morning due to cows in the road... we saw this:

A DUMPTRUCK PULLING A BOAT TRAILER!!!! This was parked at the boat ramp! I was amazed! After all the comments, jokes, and funny looks.... I am so happy to see something more redneck than the things I have seen in Alabama!! :)

I do like my new home - its nice most of the time - and it provides PLENTY of blog material... It's just nice to know that although some places in the US carry more stereotype, 'redneck' is nationwide!

And for that teacher.... while VA is fine... I am PROUD to be a Bama girl:)

I have some serious thoughts developing in my head... maybe they will come into a real blog soon.

I may be WAY behind the times - this made me cry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM

I don't know how to imbed yet.... WAY behind the times...

Our church just got back from a mission trip to Uganda.... so it hits home... there is also a final verse that he added that is not in this video... he added it after his daughter was killed... here are the lyrics.

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even herein this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

Survey

Here I am.... I have tried to blog a couple times this week, and it just hasn't happened. So sorry. I even posted one - but decided to pull it. Maybe something legitimate will come out soon. Until then... a survey.

Bloggy Survey...10 years ago: fall 1998 I was starting my Jr. year at the University of Montevallo. I do believe this was the first of several times that I would consider quitting music all together.... That Jr. year was a PAIN!

5 years ago: fall 2003 - I did a mission trip to Venezuela... my sister was getting married... I was getting ready to go to Germany

5 months ago: March - nothing amazing happened that month that I can remember.

5 things on my list of things to do tomorrow:
1. run
2. laundry
3. dishes
4. budget
5. unpack

5 bad habits:
1. saying yes to too much
2. always looking for 'what's next'
3. holding my feelings inside till i explode
4. exaggerating my emotions
5. letting people 'get to me' about silly stuff

5 places I’ve lived:
Alabama
Georgia
Virginia
Germany
Texas

5 things people don’t know about me:
1. There isn't much that I won't tell if someone asks... or... maybe you DO know that!
2. I am much more emotional than I want you to know.
3. I don't like to dry my hair
4. I usually feel guilty when I spend money... even when I spend it on stuff I need - - I still have guilt! I know!! what's wrong with me??
5. I think it will be fun to be an old lady... one day... later... not yet.



ok - - i will get ya stuff for real soon.

Jon's big day

Well, tomorrow is the day we have all waited for... My little brother... the one that has made the subject line more often in my blog than anyone else probably... is getting married.

He is the last of the three Warren kids to go through the wedding... umm... excitement. The first time mom and dad have been "mother and father of the groom."

Being at mom and dad's house this week has been exciting... but there is NEVER a dull moment here! I am reminded of how different my "life-pace" is in VA whenever I visit here. Its crazy here!

Since being here... here is a general list of the things that have happened to those of us already permanently attached to theWarren clan... this does not include what the bride and her family have been doing... because I dont even have time to get to that list... I am talking about less than 72 hours for us....

4 haircuts
2 eyebrow waxings (the haircuts and waxings have a long story in them too.... WAY too long for this late night blog)
4 pedicures
3 manicures
8+ hours decorating the church (Wednesday night till 1:30 am)
1 hour exercising
1 car accident - Jen had someone pull out in front of her Thursday - not her fault - totaled her car - she is ok - just sore... go to her page for more info.
1 day babysitting Aubrey
2 hours of normal Wednesday night festivities at church
1 trip to Hobby Lobby, the mall, Best Buy, Bruno's etc.
1 counseling session
3 trips to Starbucks
2 trips to Target
3 trips to Wal-mart
1 computer repaired (mine)
1 family dinner
1 rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Ok - that's all I care to think about now.

The bottom line... tomorrow, in the evening, my little brother will be a married man. He is marrying a wonderful, godly girl. I have never seen my brother so excited about something in his lifetime. I am praying already that tomorrow is the day my soon-to-be-sis-in-law dreamed of. I am also praying that their marriage will be blessed by God.

For the random day that Jon and Brantley read this.... I love you both so much!

I forgot to send a card

So, I am going to say Happy Birthday to my mom here! I am sure she will read it... sometime... soon... I hope.

Here are '50' reasons I love my mom!
1. She is so in love with Jesus it is precious!
2. She is a great encourager
3. She always gave me advice.
4. Usually I wanted it
5. She loves my daddy so much!
6. She has taught so many ladies so many things!
7. I hope my life has as much impact as hers has had!
8. She loves me
9. She loves my brother
10. She loves my sister
11. She treats my husband, brother in law, and soon to be sister in law as if they were her own.
12. She thinks fairness is important
13. Sometimes the 'in-law' children get it better than the real ones... HEHEHEHEHE!!!!
14. But we even like that because even that shows how much she loves us.
15. She wants us to be all that God wants us to be.
16. We can never get by with anything less than our best.
17. She gave up 12 years of her life to teach us.
18. She never went to college because of us - a sacrifice greater than I can imagine.
19. She looks forward to talking to me
20. I want to be a mom like her.
21. I want to love people like she does.
22. I want to have a spirit for Jesus like she does.
23. She loves her mom, and mother and father in law.
24. She loved her daddy so much!
25. She loves so much.... even when we do stupid things....
26. When Jonathan was little... she called him the wrong name when he was bad... Jen and I thought that was funny.
27. She loves Aubrey a ton too... and will make it a priority to love all her grandkids the same amount... even if, because of distance, she has to show it differently!
28. She is constantly in God's Word
29. She shares what she learns with us.
30. Even sometimes when its hard to hear what she just learned
31. I look just like her.
32. And that's a wonderful thing
33. Cuz she doesn't look 50.
34. Even though she is!!
35. My friends all loved my mom.
36. She made sure we all had a place to hang out,
37. Even when her house may not have been perfect.
38. She still opened it for us.
39. She knew we were more important than a perfect house.
40. That showed us love.
41. She likes to do projects.
42. She doesn't like to exercise.
43. I got it honestly.
44. She over packs.... for everything.
45. I got that honestly too!
46. She is the woman I look up to more than anyone else.
47. I miss her tons!
48. I can't wait till I see her again next week.
49. She has shown us the love of Christ through her life.
50. I want to be just like her.

I love you mom.
Julia

Totally different topics.

Ok - I have two totally different topics to hit today. Please note that they have NOTHING to do with each other. One was my planned blog for today---the other is my funny story for this morning that simply cannot wait until tomorrow for fear that I will forget the humor.


First of all... Today's funny story.

I woke up early, came to the living room to start my ritual of drinking coffee and checking my emails, facebook, and blogs etc. I heard something that sounded like it was coming from under the carport.


Actually, it sounded like Ziba - our dog that we had the first 7 months of our marriage. She used to sit under the carport and throw her food bowl against the wall until we came out to feed her.


I thought she was back.


Not really.



I don't believe stuff like that.



Regardless, there was SOMETHING making noise. I opened the blinds. We already had the windows open on some of the windows. I couldn't see anything.



I went into the extra bedroom to see if something had gotten in there and was making a mess of all my nicely stacked (haha) boxes that I am starting to pack in.



Nothing moving...



I could still hear it though.



Maybe Ronnie is bumping around in the bedroom?? I cracked the door - he was still sound asleep.



Oh well - I guess I just will see if it goes away (you see how brave I am right?)



Here is the list of options that went through my mind:
Fox
Wild Dog
Raccoon
Possum
Maybe a black bear?.... nah... that's not possible....

Here is what was NOT on my list!





"With a wingspan of 1.5 m (5 ft) the American Black Vulture is a large bird though relatively small for a vulture. (wilkipedia)"


They are STILL up there! Bumping around. We see them often on telephone poles around here - - but BUMPING on my ROOF! What in the world?? Did you notice how big they are?? 5 ft wingsspan??? The pics don't do it justice!!! They are huge! And not afraid of us when we walk outside!!! (Is there something that they want to eat at my house?? I don't want to know!) - - Welcome to the country my friends!


Anyway - I have to move on. Please pray that we don't get eaten up.


The second - and real reason that I wanted to be sure to post today is because of some friends.

Over the last 3 weeks I have come in contact with some friends that I had not talked to in years.


When I say years... I mean it. One friend from Georgia that I have not talked to really since I moved away from there - in 1992 (I think... could have been 91). She and two other girls were my best circle of friends during the Jr. High years that I lived in that town just south of Atlanta. It has been wonderful to take some time to catch up with what is going on! I was looking for her on Facebook - and had to gamble because of the name changes that girls go through with marriage and all that... but I just sent that email that said "Looking for childhood friend...etc... etc...


Second, I did a mission thing with Campus Outreach in 2000 in Panama City Beach. And all of a sudden, my discipleship leader found me on facebook and we are talking again for the first time since we left PCB in August of that year.


Finally, I toured in 1994 with a team called the Young Continentals. It was a 5 week tour on the West Coast with about 30 other teenagers between the ages of 12-15. There was a girl on that tour that became my closest friend on the tour. We met each other as we got off the planes in LAX that July, and were the last to have to say our tearful goodbyes 5 weeks later in LAX. Just a few weeks ago I was talking to Ronnie about those friends, and that we all so quickly lost touch after the tour. Since there were 30 of us, from different areas of the US, it was hard, "pre-email/facebook/myspace/blogland" for us to really stay in tough with each other. I think we mailed letters for a short time... but you know how it goes.


Anyway, my friend, just found me on facebook this weekend. Of course we both have new last names now - but after she was looking through old scrapbooks, she just gambled and tried to see if she could find me. I am so excited!


It is so wonderful to be able to catch up with old friends. Sometimes, in life, people impact our lives in such a short time - and then usually they are gone. There seem to be so many good-byes. It is so cool to be able to say 'hello' every now and then.


Now - one final disclaimer.... American Black Vultures and three old friends from days gone by have NOTHING to do with each other!


Have a nice day:)

Bragging on my man

Saturday, Ronnie and I were doing some "house-hunting" in an area where we might be interested in living. He got the new job in May - and well, life has been crazy since then, so, since he has the option of tele-commuting normally, we just haven't gotten serious about house-hunting.

Now, the search is ON!

So, we were just past this small town that is halfway between two cities that are acceptable in size - and looking at a nice little rental house. The rental house didn't seem to be what we were looking for, so, disappointed, we started driving back home.

As we were getting into town, we passed an older couple out trying to cut the grass. At first, it was cute, the little old man was pushing the lawn mower, and the little lady was standingback giving directions! Typical right?

Anyway, as we got closer, we realized he was down in the ditch next to the road... pushing the lawn mower with his left hand and supporting his weight on a cane with his right hand! As soon as we saw this, Ronnie told me to turn around.

I pulled up to the next turn place and we went back to see if we could help. I will be honest, I half expected them to either be offended, or at least be embarrassed that we would offer help. But Ronnie was committed. We got out of the car in their driveway, and of course they looked at us quite confused.

Ronnie just ran to the little man and asked him if he could help. The little man and woman came back to my car and talked to me while Ronnie cut their grass for them. Yep - that's my husband! With a huge heart towards helping people! In his polos and khacki shorts - - and his GOOD tennis shoes! Mowing the lawn... the thing he hates worse than anything in the world... just to help out an elderly couple we had never met before. Whoa! I love my husband! - for things like THAT!

We talked to them for a while. They loved to talk. She is 69, he is 74 and they have no kids. So, they have to take care of things themselves. They were hoping we would decide to get a house in the area so we can come back to visit them sometime. I don't think that house would have worked out - - but I do think we may stop by again sometime. Sometimes people just need to be shown a little love ya know?

As I was standing there, and the three of us were watching Ronnie mow their lawn - she looked at me and said "Ya know, you can just tell Christian love when you see it." I had not said anything about being a Christian up to that point. Of course, I looked at her and confirmed that we were, in fact, Christians.

Then, due to being in some serious conversations with a friend of mine of the last week. I have really been thinking about it. Although the church in general can be a tough place - - and people are never perfect - - and even the fact that Christianity as a religion can look like a whole lot of different things. When we are truly following Christ - and responding to people as HE would have us to do... yes, you CAN tell Christian love when you see it. It is unmistakable.

I just had to take a minute to brag on my man.

Not here.... again

I am not here! Today I am at Starbucks getting my "free coffee Wednesday" coffee. I wish I were at the beach like last time... however, I am still at Holding On.

This last week has been spiritually a challenge for me. I have faced and defended my beliefs more than I have ever really been required to before. While the challenge has been good for me - it has also been work. Its good to know that regardless of how the conversation goes - I am on the winning side. I cannot be beaten in an argument on the existance of God. Not because of who I am - - but because of who He is.

My Holding On topic is dealing with how I have managed this. Please go stop by - and either comment there... or come back here to comment!

Table Pics!

The tools...


The tools - rearranged!


The cut pieces... ready for assembly... yes I cut them all myself!


Partially through assembly - a work in progress


Rough draft - the front legs are too short because well... i thought 2x12 actually meant 2... and 12... and it apparantely means 1.5 and 11.5.

**** edit to add next picture*****With new front legs... no more leaning forward! no rocking from side to side.... waiting for glue to dry and then tomorrow... staining!

Table Update

IT STANDS!!! I have taken the pics, I just don't have time to post them right now - however, I cut, sanded, glued, drilled, and "screwdrove" (is that a word?) my self right into a little table... yes, she leans a little to the front - but she stands - on her own - without propping... I consider that an accomplishment.

My wonderful husband suggested that I simply go get a couple of the little "feet" things from homedepot to go on the front so she will be level....

I haven't stained her yet. I have to go teach tonight and have to leave in about half an hour - and currently am covered in a mixture of sawdust and wood glue - so, I will get pics up and get her stained hopefully tomorrow!

Watch out - I have a jigsaw!

So this weekend I was at World Market - only my favorite store in the WORLD! and I saw this amazing table. Don't just skip over that link - go look at it...

When you look at it, you will also see that there is a pricetag of $129!!!!! What in the world? Its a small accent table!

So, yesterday, I convinved R to take me to the brand new Home Depot in town and get the supplies I needed to make this amazing table.... $92 later, I have it - Look I have already saved over $30 AND I now have my OWN jigsaw with which I am sure I will make MANY MANY other things that I don't want to pay full price for. Or, at least I will be able to cut things. You know. Sometimes you just need a jigsaw. or. something.

Anyway - here we go, I will post pics of the process (of course that is assuming that I don't lose any appendages - there will be no pics of that:))

Comments heard while shooting fireworks

Two couples came to our house last night to eat and hang out - and of course... shoot fireworks. One of the girls that came is about 39 weeks pregnant and I was so hoping for a great blog on how she went into labor as we shot fireworks on the 4th of July at my house - however, she was not really cooperating - even after I sat and googled "naturally induce labor" and "eggplant inducing labor" No - we didn't eat eggplant, but apparantly there is some restaurant in GA that claims that every time a pregnant woman (38-40 weeks) eats their eggplant parmesan, she goes into labor within 48 hours! CRAZY! They have over 300 stories AND they guarantee it or you get a free meal!

Anyway, back to the story - since I don't have a great blog about rushing my friend to the hospital to deliver her baby - I will give you some quotes overheard during the fireworks extravaganza at the house.

Note: The girls were under the carport watching for the fallout. And protecting the 5 month old baby of the other girl that was here:)

I will use initials to protect the (not so) innocent...

JW: Whoa - I guess that didn't work! (this quoted while running around the house trying to make sure my roof wasn't on fire!)

JK: Ronnie - Where is your duct tape?

JK: I guess you neighbor has a tin roof huh?

JW: Whoa! That was a short fuse!

JK: Throw it.... FAST!

JM: Hey - That's my car!

KW: My baby just jumped with that one!

JW: I can't find the fuse!

JK: OW! That burnt my hair!

RM: Wait! Someone lives over there..... (too late - it was already lit!)

JW: that wasn't was I thought it would do!

and finally......

JW: Hey ya'll watch this......

Anyway - even after all those comments - we all made it through the night, with no major injuries, lots of laughter, no mad neighbors (at least as far as we know so far - I will let you know if that changes), and no baby deliveries.

It was so great to be with other young couples and just have a time of fun. Our life seems to be so crazy at the moment, knowing we are moving and trying to get ready for that... and yet wanting to be "where we are" as long as God leaves us here. Its such a torn feeling - but regardless, we had a blast last night and are so thankful for friends.

Summer days

Well, it's July 1. (Happy Birthday Jen!!!) here come the hot days of summer right? Well, so far this year, June has been ridiculous along the east coast - many days over 100.... however, last night, as R and I went to a little league baseball game (the semi finals in our county) - I had on shorts and a t-shirt and I FROZE! It had rained a bit earlier, and it felt more like I should be watching a mid-season football game in October! This morning, I expected all to be back to normal - and I was outside cutting the grass... and well, I even got a bit chilly doing that! Again, shorts and a t-shirt! It truly feels like fall here in southern VA right now?! What is going on? I know I am further north than I am used to being, but seriously!

Anyway, all that to say - as I was cutting the grass, the smell of the fresh cut grass, the cool breeze, the strawberry koolaid I was drinking to keep myself hydrated... I felt for a moment that I was living on 8th St. S.W. Decatur, AL. Back when summer was as it should be. So, I thought I would share with you a few memories of summer in the south.

I lived at this address for almost 7 years. We moved when I was three years old and my first real memory I believe happened in the driveway of this house. (I have some vague memories of things prior to this, but I think they are just combinations of pictures and stories). However, a little girl down the street "K" came running to my driveway where I was playing and brought me a sucker - one of those round ones with a hole in the middle. It was strawberry flavored. That was the beginning of 7 summers of fun. K had three sisters, I have a brother and a sister, and there was another little boy that lived in the house between us.

Jon, Jen and I had a trampoline, swing set, and tree house- the boy in the middle house had a slip n slide - and K and her sisters had a 4-ft swimming pool. We all spent many summer days, from daylight till dark running from house to house (or riding bikes, scooters, and skates from house to house) playing all day long! What wonderful days those were.

There were also the days mom would wake us up and say these famous words "If we all work hard to clean for ONE HOUR, then we can all go swimming!" Mr. H and Mrs. S had a swimming pool not far from our house. A HUGE swimming pool (at least for a kid it was big) and we would swim all day long. Jen was able to swim underwater by the time she was 2 if that tells ya anything!

The other factor involved was the "spend-the-night" times that Jessie and I would have. We played in the sprinkler in front of her parents house for HOURS on end! We would explore the basement, play games, and be more creative than I have been since then!

What wonderful memories lie in those dog days of summer for me and my childhood. I only hope that I can provide similar memories for my kids.... one day... :)

What summer memories do you hold on to?

Holding On

Hey - I am not here (am actually at the beach) however, you can also find me on "Holding On." Discussing "online interaction vs live connection."

I am gonna be better - I promise

Ok, I am going to try to be better at writing. So sorry for the lack of info on the excitement that makes up my life. Here is my list - the best way I can see to catch you up on the things that have happened...

1. You know this - but my bro came home from Iraq, leaving me with a couple of trips to bama to see him
2. My niece turned 2!! she is adorable!
3. Ronnie and I celebrated 1 year anniversary! WHOA we made it further than some people thought we would given the short-ness of our courtship
4. Ronnie is loving the new job, but the traveling is wearing on him
5. We are still looking to move - to aleviate some of the traveling... but finding time to find a new house in the midst of his traveling for work, and my trips to Bama has been tough - its a process
6. We celebrated our anniversary with a cruise - the "nothingness" was much needed... i wish I were still on the boat!
7. There will be pics posted soon
8. I have finished teaching my first TWO college courses... whoa! I just started number 3!
9. I am no longer working at the church - getting ready to move just required that I go ahead and stop that part time job, I didn't feel I could give it the time it needed.
10. The story for today...

Well - you know there has to be a story for the day - because for some reason my life seems to be more and more interesting daily... This morning, Ronnie had court like 2 hours away from where we live, so he was up at 5:00 to get ready. I was kinda excited because that meant I was going to get to sleep late and not have to get up running and all that jazz (I am not a perfect wife, but I do think its important for us to eat breakfast together when possible, so I usually get up with him and make breakfast for the two of us.... although usually that is just cereal) but on EXTREMELY early days, I forego breakfast... I am just sweet like that.

Anyway, he got up, I heard him go into the bathroom, and then, like 2 minutes later, the bathroon door opened in a hurry - I knew something was wrong... I rolled over - still mostly asleep and he let me know of the tragedy - "We have no water"

this didn't really make any sense to me honestly. How do you run out of water? I am a city girl - you can't run out of water! He opened the door to go to the front of the house and we heard this LOUD racket that we had not been able to hear before because we have a window unit AC in our bedroom that runs all night as well as a fan.

The pump is in the cellar. I don't even like to aknowledge that we have a cellar. It isn't a basement - its a scary room that i keep blocked up with boxes and suitcases so noone - nothing - can come in through the door.

By the time I got to the kitchen Ronnie was moving boxes and suitcases so he could go to the cellar to find out what the noise was.

Turns out - the pump is jacked up - or at least its really loud.... we called the landlord, woke up his wife... called ronnie's parents.... remember he still has court 2 hours away from here! he needed a shower!

so we went to ronnie's parents house for him to get ready, and I am currently awaiting a phone call from the land lord to let me know what time a "fix it" man will be here... Lord help us all if we can't get water for a week or something... I WANT TO BE BACK ON THE CRUISE!!! - At least I did get most of the laundry done yesterday so we have some clothes to wear!

Anyway - that's the story for today - and its only 7:30am as I write this. If the story gets more exciting I will let you know.... who knew? Well water can run out??!!!

***Update*** The well pump fix-it man came by (completely unannounced with no phone calls to prepare me or anything.... so he saw me in my glasses, old gray t-shirt and alabama shorts that i have had for like 10 years... oh well) and within about 30 minutes he had my water working again. We had already turned the hot water heater off though, so now I have to go down into the scary cellar and figure out how to turn it back on... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.... oooohhh.. I HATE this cellar! The good thing is that we have WATER again!

This is good for a lot of reasons... showers, brushing teeth, flushing toilets - - but honestly, my biggest concern for the day was "How am I going to fix my coffee???" whew... thank goodness for the "well-pump-fix-it-man!"

Anniversary!

I am not good at writing these days. Life has kinda exploded on me.... However, I do want to mark one day... today - Ronnie and I have been married a YEAR! What a year it has been. In some ways, it has flown, and in others it has poked right along.... It has been a year of learning - (like how to live with a BOY in the house... sharing my stuff... etc. etc. ) a year of growing - (like growing up and being adults and all that boring stuff) a year of excitement (new job for him... multiple random jobs for me... politics, college professor, church musician, etc. etc.) a year of families... (from my brother and his year in Iraq, to his great grandmother who passed away back around Christmas)....

I have to say though, after the first year is past tense - God out did Himself in picking a man for me... that fits me better than I ever expected... that is more attractive than I ever could have desired... that takes better care of me than I ever knew was possible... that is more wonderful than I ever dreamed... no - life ain't perfect - it never is - but life is better with Ronnie than it ever was before - and the tough times are still tough, the sad times are still sad... but for this last year I have learned to lean on God more, by watching Ronnie lean on God more - and we have learned to trust - together...

The best part is that when we laugh, we laugh LOUD - we laugh LOTS - and we laugh often... its much more fun to laugh together!

Happy Anniversary to my best friend... my love.... my husband. I love you!