October 25, 2009 Trunk or Treat

Tonight was Trunk or Treat at church. It was a wonderful night for this. The weather was clear but a little bit crisp which was appropriate for the season. It was well attended and think everyone had a good time.

October 24, 2009 Autumn 2009

In autumn every leaf is a flower.

October 7, 2009 50 Things For Which I Am Thankful

Today is the 1st day of my 50th year. In honor of that I decided to make a list of 50 things for which I am thankful. I opened a document at work and just added to it when something came to mind.

1 The Master Creator who cares for me
2 Jesus who left the glory of Heaven to redeem the world including me
3 The Holy Spirit
4 The angels
5 a heritage of faith
6 Jay - a husband who loves me despite by inadequacies
7 Kathleen - the first person to ever call me Mommy
8 Daniel - my one and only son
9 Charlsley - my baby girl
10 spending time with my family
11 Mama & Daddy - no one could have asked for better
12 my brothers - David, William & Lindsay
13 my neices and nephews - Brandon, Jason, Andrea, Michael, Rachael & Mitchell
14 my in-laws - Jiggs & Harriet
15 my siblings-in-law - Sam, Patti & Lorraine
16 my extended family - aunts, uncles, cousins
17 Bonnie who loves me like a daughter
18 my dearest friends
19 the Bethia Church family
20 trust in the relationships in my life
21 my health which I need to be more conscious of taking proper care of
22 today
23 a childhood blessed with devoted parents
24 my Mama's sisters who filled in the gap when needed
25 freedom to believe
26 coming home at the end of the business day
27 when Kathleen comes home for the weekend
28 watching Daniel play baseball
29 the smile on Charlsley's face when she is in hip hop dance class
30 a house provided for us by Bethia Church
31 a cellphone that I can keep in contact daily with Kathleen at college
32 a van that is paid for
33 choices and the freedom to make them
34 holiday times - fond memories of past and anticipation of future
35 laughter
36 offers of help in times of need
37 having fun with photography
38 a phone call or email from a friend
39 education
40 clergy appreciation month
41 compassionate doctors
42 all the modern conveniences I couldn't imagine living without
43 the Atlantic Ocean and hopes of seeing the Pacific
44 the internet - a wealth of information, support, and sometimes plain nothingness
45 an abundance of books
46 the ability to provide for my family financially though I would rather not have to
47 Thursdays off most of the time
48 health insurance - don't know where I would be without that
49 the hope of a big vacation planned for next year
50 diamonds

Photos of myself definitely doesn't make the list

October 6, 2009 My 49th Birthday

These flowers were delivered to the house today for my birthday from my lovely daughter. Thanks sweetie!!

Today I turned 49. It's been an interesting birthday, one filled with celebration, joy and a heavy dose of emotion. The past year has certainly been one of the more challenging years. Having had breast cancer changes your perspective on birthdays. A birthday is a precious gift and I will never ever complain about being a year older. I'll take as many as I can get.

Not only is each birthday a gift but each day is as well. May I begin each day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of a new day.

September 27, 2009 How Do You Build A Life Of Success

This was written for a group question at work. We have a group in which we have a thought provoking question and we respond by email. It's great to see the different perspective - each fairly similar yet unique to that individual. I debated about putting this out there but here goes. This is my response to the question of the week.

The question for the week:

What or how do you build a life of success?

On our own I don’t think we can build a life of success. It’s only by Christ working through us are we able to build a true life of success. What better role model do we have. Christ willingly left Heaven to be born of a virgin and bore on the cross the sins of the world for each of us. I can’t imagine how heavy that burden was.

I don’t believe success is measured by how much stuff we have or how much money we make. That may be the world’s standards but not God’s. We don’t know what’s going on in the life of that person that may be driving the Bentley or wearing the Prada. The “stuff” certainly doesn’t bring joy. Oh it may bring temporary happiness when they acquire such things. There is certainly nothing wrong with owning the things mentioned such as a Bentley, Mercedes, Coach, or designer clothing. We all like to have nice things. If I were to make a purchase of any of the more expensive items, I think I would need to examine what my motive is for wanting it. Why do I feel the need to own such and such? If it’s to make me look successful in the eyes of my peers then perhaps I need to reconsider. If it’s all about me or what others think of me then it’s not the best use of my money.

Success isn’t measured by how much you have but instead of by how much of yourself you are willing to give. When we take the focus off of ourselves, it is then that Christ can do great works through us. If we commit ourselves completely to living a life in Him then we live into his purpose for our life. Am I willing to give of myself for those I love? Am I willing to give of myself for those I don’t even know?

Life is a journey that we are each on. It is filled with ups and downs – peaks and valleys. It’s how we live into those peaks and valleys that shape how successful we feel we are. We may feel we are a failure when we are in the valley but in reality everybody, even someone you may feel is the most successful person you know, has valley times too. We can’t have the peak times without the valley. If we don’t know how to manage the peaks and valleys, then the peak times are filled with celebration while the valley times are filled with despair. And you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster. No fun – been there done that way too much. Instead, in the peak times of our lives we need to be sure to be grateful and humble. And in the valley times we need to be able to look at reality in truth to realize that perhaps it isn’t as bad as it seems and to find the good in the valley. It’s those things that will help us get back to the peak.

One of the traps I fall into is comparing myself with others. And I can assure you that comparison is the death of contentment. My reality is what it is. And I have no idea what the person that I am comparing myself to has going on in their own life.

So I guess for me to build a successful life I need to focus not on myself but on the relationships in my life. I have been blessed with a heritage of faith and it is my desire to see my children walk in faith. I need to love my family deeply – oh so very deeply. I need to be able to manage the peaks and valleys appropriately. I need to utilize my finances wisely in regards to spending and saving. Embrace reality for what it is. I need to be content in my own life instead of comparing myself to someone else. Pray for wisdom to know what things in my life can be changed if needed or to accept the things that cannot be changed. I need to be aware of the needs of others.

I need to be like Christ.

Oh my gosh, I’m definitely a work in progress.

September 8, 2009 1st Day of School

First day of high school. I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? In another 4 years - oh I can't even think about that. I am so proud of the young man you have become.



First day of 7th grade. May you embrace this school year and take every opportunity to learn and grow. I love you so much.

August 30, 2009 Because He Lives

Several months ago I think it was right around the time I was having radiation Andi asked me what my favoite hymn was. Gosh how do you pick a favorite hymn. I do love the traditional hymns. I like praise music too but I love traditional hymns. So how do you pick a favorite hymn. Anyway I selected Because He Lives. At that particular time in my life it meant alot to me. I can face anything that comes because I know that He holds the future.

Today Daniel and Jackson played Because He Lives during the 11 o'clock service.

August 17, 2009 Dr. Doolittle

Introducing Dr. Doolittle (aka Charlsley). She just has a way with animals. This little bitty kitten was rejected by the mama. He is only about a week old. Charlsley has been taking care of him until today when she had Jay took him to a cat rescue place where he can be given then care a tiny little kitten needs.

Charlsley, I believe that someday you will have a career than involves animals.

August 15, 2009 Heck Of A Tomato

Today we took Kathleen back to school for her sophomore year. Since we couldn't check in to her room until 1 we decided to eat lunch before leaving home. I made myself a tomato sandwich with a tomato from my very own wee little garden. Yes that is 1 tomato slice for the sandwich which is way bigger than my slice of bread.

When I was buying tomato plants from Lowes I didn't really know what I was doing. I usually like the smaller tomatoes but I purchased 2 Heirloom tomatoes plants not knowing that I would get these huge tomatoes from it.

Did I take my camera with me to take pictures of move-in day. NO of course not. I forgot it. Left it sitting in the kitchen.

August 6, 2009 The Girl Likes Her Stuffed Crust Pizza

Whenever we are going to order pizza Charlsley always wants to get stuffed crust pizza. But we usually end up ordering from whoever has a special at the time or if we have a coupon. Tonight it was just Charlsley and I home for dinner. Jay and Daniel were at a baseball game and Kathleen had gone to Chrysalis. So Charlsley and I ordered a stuffed crust pizza.

She was quite happy!

August 1, 2009 What's Your Favorite - Hard Shell or Soft Shell Tacos

Since I can't decide which is my favorite I decided to have both. How's that for decision making. They were both good too! Mmmmm look at those yummy tomatoes. They were good too! Summer tomatoes are delicious!!



This is my new skillet and I bet you are some kinda excited about that. I am trying to make some changes for the better for my health. I want to replace all non-stick pans with stainless steel. So I bought this one a couple weeks ago. Of course look in the pic and you'll see the diet coke I was drinking while cooking dinner tonight. Yes I'm still drinking the stuff. It probably negates any positive changes I have made.

I'm a work in progress, that's all I can say.

July 31, 2009 Ocean Reminders

I really like window photos. The light coming in thru the window is just something that appeals to me. These are the window decorations in the sanctuary for the summer. I think they're really cool. But then again I love the ocean!!

July 30, 2009 In The Zone

We are at the Baltimore Orioles game. Jay is definitely in the zone at a baseball game. There's no distracting him.

I really like the way the field is reflected in his sunglasses.

July 26, 2009 Keep Your Eyes On The Cross

I took this pic after church today. The flowers are from the wedding yesterday. I don't know I just liked the angle of looking up through the flowers to see the cross standing firm.

July 24, 2009 Did We Buy A New Vehicle?

Ok this isn't exactly what you want in your driveway. There is all sorts of equipment in and around the house these days. Construction on the new building at the church is happening. In our little circle on the driveway they are adding a fire hydrant. Not sure why it had to go right there but there it is. It sure makes for interesting time trying to get out of the driveway. The dirt pile came from the hole that is now in the driveway circle. Inside the hole is a big box that is for overflow or something but I have no idea about any of that. Anyway gonna be fun maneuvering around it.

July 23, 2009 First Harvest

I can't say that everything in this basket of veggies came from my wee little garden. In fact only the cucumber on top did. My wee little garden got a later start but it sure is growing. The green beans will be ready soon. We ate the cucumber with our dinner tonight. We had hamburgers with one of these yummy tomatoes on it. The tomatoes and green peppers we received from others' gardens. We're blessed by the bounty of others. Sweet potatoes are from Kroger!

July 19, 2009 Tomatoes On The Vine

I've got tomatoes on the vine. I can't wait until the ripen. Also in the garden I have some cucumbers. The green beans are about the ripen. The corn is growing. The watermelon vine is spreading everywhere. It's a jumbled mess, my garden is, but a fun jumbled mess. But that's ok. It's like to see things growing.

July 18, 2009 Yard Work

Saturday was spent doing yard work. I don't think the kids were particularly joyful about this prospect. But come on they spend alot of their summer days doing absolutely nothing. A little yard work isn't going to hurt them.

Jay is doing excellent with his weight loss plan. He is down about 40 lbs.

July 17, 2009 At The Hillcats Game

Tonight we went to the Hillcats game with the grandparents. I think Charlsley goes for the food. Forget the hotdog, you have to have cotton candy at a ballgame.

July 15, 2009 Hey Dad, A Braid Has 3 Strands

Another hair photo. Instead this time it is Kathleen's not mine. Don't you just love the color. She has always like to have a braid in her hair. Just don't ask her Dad to braid it, ok!!

Kathleen's hair was very curly when she was little. One day she and I were in the mall. She was in the stroller. A man came up to us, he was a grandpa type person, and he told Kathleen, "Do you know how much people pay for those curls and that color?" Of course she had no clue what he was talking about.

July 12, 2009 That's Reality

What can I say about this picture. Yes that is my hair. Yes I took the picture myself.

Today I went to get my hair cut. You stare reality in the face when you sit in the chair at the "haircut store" as the kids use to call it. There was a day that my hair was very dark. Oh not so anymore. I'm sitting there wondering when did it get so gray. I really don't mind it actually. The lady cutting my hair asked me what color it used to be. Oh my can you not even tell anymore. No I suppose you can't. Trust me it was quite dark.

Everyone at Hair Cuttery raved over it even some of the other hairdressers and another customer who was checking out before me. Were they just being nice or did they really like it. I suppose I'll never know.

You know I couldn't help but think as I was sitting there letting her take about 3 inches off the back that had I had to have chemo well...enough said.

July 11, 2009 In The Kitchen

Today has been a day in the kitchen. First I spent some time this morning working on my menu for the week. I think I have a plan in place. Then Charlsley and I went to the grocery store. We stopped at Tropical Smoothie first. Smoothies always make grocery shopping a little better. Actually I rarely get a smoothie but today it was a treat.

After we got home, unloaded the groceries and put them away, it was time to start cooking. I was making dinner tonight to take to Bonnie.

This is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. It has gotten quite a bit of use. The kids like it and have been using it independently for years. None of my children like to eat the apple peel so this has been great. When I make applesauce in the crockpot I use this to cut the apples first.

I consider myself quite inept in the kitchen but I'm working on it. I'm really not as inept as I make myself out to be. I don't mind cooking when I have time. Now what drives my crazy is the rush of trying to get dinner on the table when you don't get home until 5:30.

July 10, 2009 It's A Bird, It's A Plane...

or no wait, it's just my cash taking flight. Yes that's right my money barely makes it into my fingertips before it takes flight. Forget a good grip on it. It lands in my checkbook and you would think it would get a moment to rest comfortably there for a while. You know to maybe collect some interest or something. But oh no that's not to be. It soars onward for things like car payments, utilities, groceries, insurance, tuition, books and the like. Just when you think there may be some extra for things on your wish list of wants not needs, then suddenly a new need arises. And your wish list remains just that a wish list.

Disclaimer: No cash was harmed or wasted in the taking of this photo.

July 7, 2009 What's Cooking?

So what have I been up to. Well I've been trying to be a little more committed to meal preparation around here. Admittedly Jay has been doing alot of the cooking lately. When I don't get home until around 5:30 it's hard to get a relatively healthy meal on the table at a decent hour. However it's easier if there is a plan in place. So I've been trying to make a plan for the week, purchase the necessary ingredients and then actually follow through with making it. If I have a decent meal for dinner and have leftovers then I have lunch for the next day and don't have to go our and spend money on lunch.

That Healthy In A Hurry cooking is something I need. It needs to be healthy and being done in a hurry is good too. I've also been pursuing some food blogs on the web. They're fun too but can be quite the time waster.

Funny I'm posting this tonight because since it was only Jay, Daniel and I for dinner tonight, well true confession we ordered pizza. Defeats the whole post, doesn't it.

July 4, 2009 God Bless America!!

Happy Independence Day! What a great country we live in. So often I'm certain I take for granted the independence that we as Americans possess because I've never known any difference. The land of the free and the home of the brave has always been home for me. Yet people have given their lives to defend the freedom I have.

See the black kitten laying by one of the white columns. It is a stray. We have a Mama cat that has adopted us. She came with a kitten from her first litter. Charlsley immediately named the Mama, Camille, and her baby Chocolate Chip. Then Mama had another litter of four kittens. I tell them not the name the cats. If they have names they don't think they are a stray anymore. But of course all 4 kittens have names. There are 2 solid black kittens - one is named Rebel because when the Mama first brought the kittens to the front porch this little one didn't come with her. But I can't tell one of the black kittens from the other. One is Rebel and the other is Not Rebel. I just never know which is which.

July 3, 2009 A Day With The G-Parents

Since the 4th of July is on Saturday today was a holiday from work!! Yeah!!

We met the grandparents for lunch at our halfway point. We had lunch at Charley's and then took a few photos outside of the restaurant and in this yard ornament shop. A good time was had by all!!

June 27, 2009 Follow The Path

That leads to my wee little garden. I told you it was small.



So what do I have my in wee little garden. It is planted in blocks in the square foot garden method. I have in my garden by squares from the closest all the way to the end: cherry tomato, beets, tomato, yellow pepper, tomato, green peas, cucumber, red pepper, cucumber, green beans, cantaloupe, carrots, watermelon, green beans, green peas and corn.

Today I was out pulling weeds in the garden at about 10:00 this morning. It was quite hot out there. I could then appreciate that when I was much younger my Mama wanted to get out there very early in the morning to pick in the garden before it got too hot. Then I wasn't too keen on it. Mama said you can go back to bed after we are done. Ok yeah after we pick it, snap, shuck or shell it, then can or freeze it, it will be time to go back to bed. We would pick from Evelyn and Warren's garden. Warren would plant the longest rows ever in the garden. They went on and on - nothing like my wee little garden.

Now if I could just get rid of these Japanese beetles. They are everywhere. They are on the flowers in the yard. I saw one beetle on a bloom on one of the tomato plants. Go away beetle and don't eat that bloom, it is going to be a tomato!! That's probably not going to work, is it?

June 26, 2009 Happy Birthday!!

Yes I am once again breaking my self-imposed rule of one photo a day. I may as well go ahead and revoke it for all the times I am breaking it.



Today is Jay and Daniel's birthday. It is also my father's birthday. I think it's pretty cool that the 3 most important men in my life, my father, husband and son, were all born on June 26th. Daniel was born at 1:49 am so he just barely made it until June 26th.



We started a new family tradition that on each child's birthday we would go out and do a photo shoot. We had a good time but it was quite hot!!



What a precious boy he is. I am so very thankful that God has blessed my life with this boy. He is a treasure to me. Daniel has such a good heart and is such a joy to be around. He is comfortable with people of all ages. Daniel, may you always remember that you are loved so very much.

June 25, 2009 United

Our family is united again. 3/5 of the family has been in the mountains and 2/5 of the family has been at the coast. Tonight we are once again under the same roof. It feels good to be back together.

June 24, 2009 Our Mini Vacation

I noticed this scene late yesterday and wanted to capture it on film. To me it just seemed so, I don't know, humbling. There are people playing on the beach without a care in the world, just enjoying their vacation. There is someone parasailing, I can imagine them feeling so free as they soar above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. And there in the background is the US Navy. It makes you stop and think, doesn't it? At least it does me, puts things in perspective.



Kathleen and I went on this mini vacation while Jay, Daniel and Charlsley were at Lake Junaluska for a youth camp. Kathleen was too old to go to youth camp this year. Last year I was home alone while they were all gone. This year Kathleen and I took off for the beach.



What a joy it is to be the mother to this young lady. I love you kiddo!!



There is something about the ocean that just restores my spirit. I love the vastness of it. I love that the waves just keeping coming over and over again. I love to play in the ocean. I love the sound of the ocean. Sometimes I just need to get to the ocean. God's creation is such a marvelous thing, I stand in awe!!

Mini vacation

Kathleen and I are taking a mini vacation to the beach today. We'll be back on Wednesday!!

June 20, 2009 Daylilies

The Daylilies are in bloom!!

I had taken several pictures that I thought would possibly be the photo of the day but the daylilies won out. I had photos of watering my wee little garden but they were just ok. I had a photo of making my massive "to do" list for the day but that was a dud. So I went for the daylilies. I had some other flower pics but this is the one that won.

June 19, 2009 Lovely Little Flower Pots

I just love these little flower pots. The kids made them in Bible School several years ago. Finger painting at it's finest. I think they turned out so cute.

Thanks Mrs. P.

June 18, 2009 Achieve

Well I have purchased new tennis shoes specifically for the purpose of going walking. I bought these shoes at Kohl's yesterday. The brand is New Balance and I noticed after I got them home that the style of New Balance shoes they are is "Achieve". So yes I can Achieve this goal. I have got to get back to walking every night. The exercise will be good for me. It will be good for my health.

Next year is going to be a big year around here. Lots of hoopla (I like that word.) Next year will be our 25th wedding anniversary and I will be turning 50. I'm not bothered by turning 50. Embrace it. When you've had a brush with breast cancer you'll take all the birthdays God blesses you with. Bring 'em on.

So anyway next year we are hoping to take one of those dream vacations. And eveyone knows when you take a dream vacation you buy all new clothes to wear, don't you? So I'm dreaming of wearing oh maybe a size 12 no no wait I'm dreaming of a size 8. A girl can dream can't she? Right now I would like to not have an X as part of my clothing size. OK that's way too much information. Hence the need to get back to walking every night.

Jay and I went walking tonight - 3 laps around the church parking lot.

I took quite a few pictures of these shoes earlier this afternoon. After the first I don't know 5 that I took I noticed that the shoestrings were twisted. I don't know why that bothers me but it does so I had to get them untwisted. Doesn't it figure that the photo I selected as the best was one with the twisted shoestring. So there it is twisted shoesstring and all.

June 17, 2009 It's Raining

It's raining again tonight. This photo feels kinda, I don't know, melancholy to me. It's the rain hitting the asphalt of the church parking lot. I'm sitting in my van taking the pic so as not to get my camera wet.

Isn't melancholy a funny word? I looked it up at dictionary.com and it means gloomy state of mind. It's been a gloomy state of weather today so maybe that's why this photo looks melancholy to me. Or maybe it's my gloomy state of mind or maybe I just think the word sounds funny. For whatever reason it feels melancholy.

I really don't mind the rain kinda like it actually. Thunderstorms ummm not so much. But a steady gentle rain is refreshing. You just feel the earth gobbling it up. Providing much needed water for the trees, flowers and grass and such. And my wee little garden is getting water too.

And where are we on the way to. We're going to buy flip flops in this rainy weather. Charlsley hasn't liked to wear flip flops before because she didn't like anything between her toes. Now this year she likes them and wanted some to take to youth camp next week. So off to Old Navy we went. Now she's not leaving for youth camp until Sunday but we had to have those flip flops tonight!

Big contrast between today's pic and yesterday's.

June 16, 2009 Color My World

I love how bright the colors are in the umbrella. They look so vibrant. It just makes me feel happy!!

We went to the pool tonight. I took lots of pictures of the kids in the pool.

June 15, 2009

I cheated!! This picture was not actually taken today.

I was going to take my camera to work today and go out at lunchtime with a specific mission to capture in pictures. But it was raining this morning so I didn't take my camera. It had actually cleared up by lunchtime.

Tonight I was tired and wasn't happy with any of the pictures I took so I decided to post a previous picture.

June 14, 2009 It's For The Children

I bought these for the children. Yeah that's it, for the children. I wouldn't go out and spend $7.29 on doughnuts just to photograph them, would I? Of course not, it's for the children to celebrate their first official day of summer vacation.

I wouldn't go out and get doughnuts for me to eat. Of course not. I wonder what the kids will think when they open the box and only see 11 doughnuts. I thought a baker's dozen was 13 not 11. Bummer the photo kinda gives me away that I originally had a true dozen.

So why is a baker's dozen 13 not 12. It apparently dates back to the 13th century where bakers feared severe punishment for short-changing someone of their dozen of whatever they were buying so they would put in an extra. Or something like that. There you go, that's the rest of the story.

June 13, 2009 My Little Garden times 3

Yes I'm breaking my self-imposed rule of only posting one picture a day. I figure I started the blog I reckon if I want to post more than 1 photo I can.



I have little square foot garden spots. I have 2 tomato plants, 1 cherry tomato, 1 red pepper and 1 yellow pepper, 2 green bean squares, 2 green peas squares, 2 cucumber squares, 1 carrots and 1 beets square, watermelon, cantaloupe and corn.

These are the green beans they have come up nicely.



This is the square with the beets. I think the beets have come up but they could be weeds who knows. If I were an experienced gardner I would know but I'm not. I'm thinking they are the beets coming up because the stem is red.


I love beets they are one of my favorite vegetables but only cooked the way my Mama made them. That is cooked and then add vinegar, butter and pepper and eaten hot. Pickeled beets - no way!

June 12, 2009 Where does the time go?

Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday the new school year was starting and here we are at the last day. I can't believe that Daniel has completed his middle school years and will be in high school next year.

Sometimes I just want to slow down time to savor every minute of it but I can't. Time waits for no one. Not me, not anybody. No one has anymore hours in the day than anyone else. When I returned to work after being out for radiation - well I say I returned to work I was working from home during radiation - I needed time to ease back into the fast paced life of a working mom, but time didn't wait.

Although I can't slow down time, I can certainly be mindful of how I am utilizing the time I've been given. The 24 hours each day is a gift and if I look at it from that perspective then perhaps I will embrace it and savor it which is where I started with this. To find that balance between being the mom which is my main focus, working which I must do, personal interest such as photography and rest. It's a tricky balance that's for sure.

June 11, 2009 For The Love of Baseball

Today's choice was a tough one because I think there were several good choices.

I liked the perspective of the ball in the grass.