Sep. 29, 2009 - Mark Your Calendars-- Above Rubies Family Camp Missouri

If anyone is still checking on me...

Shane and I are planning an Above Rubies Family Camp for June 25-27, 2010 at Windermere Baptist Conference Center in Roach, MO att Lake of the Ozarks.  

We have a website set up with all the information, so please visit it and contact us if you're interested in more information.  Please join us and Colin and Nancy Campbell for a weekend of growing in God's Word and some family fun. 

Here is the link for the webpage for the Family Camp.  If you have questions or want to register for the camp, please let us know!

Apr. 22, 2009 - MPE and SHEM Conferences... back to back and I get to go to both!

By the grace of God I get to attend the SHEM conference this weekend!  I have wanted to go since hearing that James and Stacy McDonald were going to be the keynote speakers, but with the MPE conference the weekend before, I thought it was impossible for me to do both.  But then I found a source for free lodging -- that makes it do-able. 

Anybody gonna be in Springfield, MO this weekend???????  Let me know... I'd love to meet you.

Jan. 23, 2009 - Fun Stuff -- Unearthing Coins

Shane won Marsha's blog contest a couple of weeks ago.  The prize, a box of coins from Vision Forum.  The other night, we had slated a family night.  We were planning on playing games and having popcorn.  But Marsha's coins came the same day, so, we scrubbed some coins instead.  What Marsha didn't know was that we had bought a set like this about a year ago, and Shane had had some of the coins soaking in oil almost that long,   So we had plenty of coins to work on.  And work we did. 

Of course one of us just "brush your teeth"

The one Princess chose to work on is showing a nice profile.  Bubba's a wreath and a star, Little Bit started on one of the new coins and made some progress, we'll see what turns up after it soaks for a while. 

We had a wonderful time with the coins, trying to see what we could see and getting excited when we found something.  I tried to take a picture of Princess's coin, but I couldn't get it to come out well.

Thanks Marsha!  What fun.  We're planning on pulling these coins out much more often now.

Jan. 19, 2009 - Facebook Status Disorder

My cousin coined this phrase last night.  I'm just stealin it  from her.   Seriously though, I find myself thinking in the 3rd person and wanting to update my status often.  I remember doing the same thing when I started my blog 3 years ago.  (Wow! Has it been that long?) 

I know the new will wear off and I'll come to some place of normalcy with FB.  But for now, I'm having some fun getting to renew relationships with cousins and cousins wives and 1st cousins once removed...

Have a wonderful week in the Lord!

Jan. 17, 2009 - Cousins at the SACIFF

I've been reaquainting myself with some cousins on Facebook.  And I was excited to find that one of my cousins sons, placed in the semi-finals at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. 

The movie is called Precious Treasures.  Here's a link to my cousin's blog.  He talks about making the movie and you can order a copy for $5.00 while they last. 

Dec. 18, 2008 - Facebook

I've done it.  I'm still not sure what "it" is.  But I've joined facebook.  We're going to give it a try. 

So far I feel more confused by it than when I started blogging... so we'll see. 

Dec. 13, 2008 - I Saved 50% on my...

No, not car insurance, silly.  My friend Debbie and I have a standing montly lunch date.  Well, actually, it ends up being an afternoon date.  Her oldest daughter at home, watches the rest of the children for us.  So last Monday we were puttering.  This month we had to shuffle children different places during the course of the afternoon.  Two of hers had a play rehersal, and Little Bit had an ortho appt. so we took him to meet Shane.  I had nothing that had to get done in town, so we just got to have fun.

Anyway... we ended up at one of my favorite stores.   Cargo Largo.  It's a HUGE store with overstocks at really good prices.   For example all their hair bows, ponytail holders, etc. are $1.  Compare that price to Walmart folks!  I've found organic graham crackers for 50 cents a box before, office supplies are really cheap always, I've found sippy cups, diapers, and all sorts of other stuff in the past.

So, Princess has been wanting a pair of boots for years.  Up until a year ago, she could wear a pair I had, but this summer when she past me in height, she also passed me in shoe size (11's--her, not me).  I have been unable to find any for a price I was willing to pay.  Usually CL's shoes are pretty nice, but expensive for me nonetheless. 

So, Deb and I pull in and it's extremely busy, esp. for a Monday, even in the Christmas shopping season.  So Debbie remembers it's a special "madness sale" If you had been in the store the previous week you were given a scratch off ticket to come back.  Debbie had 2 cards--one for her and one for me.  Anywhere from 15% to FREE.   Debbie handed me one of the cards. 

So now you know where this is going.    I found boots.  Liz Claiborne boots.  In Princesses size.  For $50.00.  Yikes!  (I actually called and asked if she would like boots and nothing else for Christmas or something else, she decided boots, right away).  So in they went.  I also found an RCA CD player for the boys for $25.  I would have paid the same price for an off-brand at Walmart.  Some diapers for Sweet Cheeks, some shoe laces, and other little things.   I ended up with $100 worth of stuff in my cart.  So, Debbie checks out... 15% off.  I know how rare those FREE of 50% off cards are-- I was expecting 15%.   But low and behold, the first digit she scratches is a "0"  I think "Cool!  20%"  but then she scratched of a "5"  YES!  I got 50% off!!!!!  Yehaw-- I was dancin!  If ya look at it right,  the boots were FREE!!!!!!   So now Princess gets her boots and something else under the tree!  

I'm still excited about that bargain!

Have a blessed weekend. 

Nov. 5, 2008 - Charity Auction for the Children

I don't know how many of my blogging friends might be interested in this, but I've got to post it anyway. 

I have written  about my sweet Uncle Chip before.  He was in the music industry until he retired several years ago.  He was a guitarist and producer for many years.  Most known for his picking with Elvis many, many years ago.  He also picked on Billy Swan's 1976 (I think) hit song "I Can Help" 

He was very good friends with Jerry Reed and in fact they grew up together in Atlanta, GA.   I remember Jerry in "Smokey and the Bandit" and the song "When You're Hot You're Hot" but there were other songs and movies he was known for.  Jerry died earlier this fall.  But Jerry and my Uncle had built a gas model airplane and Jerry wanted to see it auctioned off for charity.  The letter my Uncle sent the states that the proceeds will go to "Feed the Children"  

Here is the link for the Ebay auction    Go check it out and if you're into gas model airplanes... bid on it.  BTW,  The handsome guy on the left is my Uncle...

Oct. 31, 2008 - Reformation Day and Math

Happy Reformation Day! 

Today is the day that has traditionally been the anniversary of Luther's nailing of the 95 Thesis at Wittenburg, Germany.  We are celebrating in a similar fashion to the last 2 years.  The first year, Shane was in Liberia with Sweet Cheek, the children and I watched "Luther".  Last year we watched "Luther" and this year it snuck up on us.  Plus, when you're the only one you know that celebrates this holiday it's kind of hard to do a carnival or some such other Medieval theme.  So tonight we feast on smoked turkey, popcorn balls, caramel apples, root beer for the children and a yummy Kansas City brew... "Boulevard" for Shane and I, all while we finish watching "Luther".  (We began last night).

On the Math note...we have been struggling for some time on what to do for a formal math program for our boys.  Bubba used to LOVE math, but 3rd grade Horizon's soured him last year.  Little Bit LOVES math and both are very good at it.  We've been having Bubba read through "Exploring the World of Mathematics" by John Hudson Tiner and then reviewing it with him.  And Little Bit has been doing a workbook that is beneath his level while we decided what to do.  Of course, we've been doing math as it came up-- you know in measuring and such. 

So this morning things weren't going so well.  I talked to Shane and decided to order Rod and Staff math for both boys, at that point not caring whether they ended up hating math or not...  Okay, so while I was looking for R&S I ran across a post on my Bluedorn yahoo group about Developmental Math.  Shane and I had actually looked at something similar a while back, but it was an expensive upfront output and we didn't want to invest in something we weren't sure about.  So I printed out the placement test and off we went... Bubba is probably starting in level 6 (at least level 5, but I couldn't get the placement for level 6 to print, so Shane is bringin git home) and Little Bit is starting in Level 3...  This is right on target for where I think they should be, so I am very excited.   I ordered 3 levels for each boy...  hopefully it will work very well, and at $75 including shipping for 6 levels, I'm pleased with the price too.  Now if it will work...

Oct. 27, 2008 - Funny, and Other Stuff

Don't ya just love these titles lately... my creative juices are flowing... duh!  I was getting ready to write about how disguisted with the entire election thing and how concerned how I am with Obama and McCain.  However, I have the funniest children ever, so I have to change my perspective.  It's much more pleasant to talk about anyway...

Sweet Cheeks hates and I mean hates shoes and socks.  She not only pulled her laces out of her boots, but she tore them apart.  Tonight it is supposed to be 27 degrees (see Diane, it's not even November and already have the long pants out and I'm in my flannel jammies).  I mention to Shane how chilly our Liberian furnace (a.k.a Sweet Cheeks) felt this morning and tell him about some snuggly p.j.s she has.  He finds some with feet in them and puts them on her:

Sweet cheeks says "Daddy toes" while she is tugging on the feet in the pj's trying to get her toes out. 

Then she sighs deeply and says "daddy, just forget it"

Bubba and I are just alike.  We watched the conclusion of "My Fair Lady" tonight and he was frustrated at the ending, because the writers do not tell you exactly what is going to happen.  I remember a time when I was about 12 when the same thing happened to me, although the movie wasn't "My Fair Lady"... can't remember the movie right now.  But I could not for the life of me accept that the lead characters would live happily ever after without seeing it for myself...

Connie, we took your suggestion and Caspian is now Cassie, much better IMO.  

I would really like to go to the Above Rubies retreat in AR in November but I'm not feeling peace about going, so for now I'm staying put.   

Oct. 25, 2008 - Too Funny and Other Happenings

Bubba has been persistent since his hamster, Laura died, that he wanted another little critter. We tried some gerbils from the evil place, that bit all of us at least once and some of us 4 or 5 times before they made the trip to the pet store.  Bubba's kind of like me in that respect (yes, sweetheart go ahead and laugh, cause he's ALOT like me in that respect). 

A couple of weeks ago, he started mentioning snakes, or similar creatures, so I thought it was best to move forward with something besides a snake, because there AIN'T gonna be no snake in my house!  (yea, I revert back to my southern roots when I get adament about something like that).  Anyway, as I was searching for a Suburban, I found someone with two Guinea Pigs.  After I called and made arrangements for us to pick them up that evening, I get back on craigslist and find a cage.  Free Guinea's and a $15 cage large enough for two.  What a deal.  Oh these gals are so sweet.  Yes, I'll take a picture soon.  One is long hair, Fluffy, and the other medium haired, Caspian.  (yes, Caspian was a boy, but oh well, she'll never know the difference). 

So tonight, Shane said something about the "hamsters, I mean gerbils"  So I laughingly replied, "Honey, they're guinea pigs"  

BTW, we found a Suburban too.  Shane bought it and I didn't even see it until we went to pick it up this morning.  It''s green with tan interior.  Seems to be in excellent condition for a 1995.  Hey it even has a 12 disc CD changer, of course we had to figure out how to work something that fancy. 

On a sad note, our dear friends that have property down the road are travelling home tomorrow.  We won't see them for probably 9 months... It's been a very fun several weeks. And we will miss them a bunch...  Shane and her were in Liberia at the same time, nearly 2 years ago.  Things will sure be quiet around here.  They are surprising her husband as he has a few days off work and doesn't know they are coming home a couple of weeks early.  Please pray for their safe travels. 

Oct. 19, 2008 - Hotmail Funnies

For many, many years we've had a hotmail account set up.  I use it for those places that want my email address, but I know they'll sell my addy.   I certainly don't want my main email overrun with junk mail.  So today I visited and found over 2000 messages in my inbox.   It's always interesting to see what's there:

1) I can meet the man of my dreams on eharmony.  DUH!  I already live with the man of my dreams.  (On a side note, I am SO disappointed with eharmony, it was started with such great intentions and has stooped to spamming for business--yuck!)

2)"Jane" wants me to join myspace.  Who in the world is Jane and why isn't she with Dick?  You know "See Dick run.  See Jane run.  See Dick and Jane run".  Oh I've got it... maybe Jane ran away with someone she met on eharmony...

3)  I've had a paypal dispute for about 6 months now... and every email from them (not really paypal) is urgent.  Boy they must be desperate.

4) One word  "Viagra" 

5)  Of course I've won a new car, and a new house and home improvements on said new house, and can get a "free" walmart gift card among other things if I only click through. 

6)  My account at   insert banks name  has been frozen-- funny I don't have an account at that bank and never have!

7) I can learn how to make money using craigslist.  Maybe it's the same way some fool tried to convince me to "buy" his 2004 Suburban listed the metro, for $4500 but he lives in Montana and the VIN to the burb actually belongs to a dealer that has pictures of the same car on their website for sale in TX.  "Oh just send me your name and address, and I'll set up the ebay account"  Yea right!  I wasn't born yesterday!  Then I posted that it was a scam and got flagged!  Yea I know, take it to the forums,  but I didn't want someone to actually fall for the duuuuuuude before it got flagged off.

7) and among those almost 2000 scam spams, I received an offer for identity protection.  Yeah! Now I can contact all those idiots with the "offers"and I'll be protected!

8) Oh and I can't believe that I almost forgot... a "free" trip to Vegas, Cancun, and Alaska!

Ahhhhhh! The internet... prosperity for all at the expense of other peoples stupidity!

Oct. 9, 2008 - The Rest of the Story...the Car Buying Story That Is

So, after the weekend passes, I'm still looking on craigslist, the KC newspaper, ebay etc.  for our new 'burb.  I see that the one that we drove Saturday still has no bids and ends Monday afternoon.   (For some reason, the cars in this area that I've looked at on ebay don't tend to sell as well as, say Texas or Florida--go figure, maybe they want a vacation while they're picking up their new car?).  

It is a 9 seater, rear air, 4x4,  not white (almost every one I've seen is white for some reason), and has 157,000 miles on it.  The fluids looked good, tires were good, car was clean, ran well, etc.  It is a no reserve and the bid starts at $1999.  I email Shane.  For that money, it might be worth picking it up from the whacked out couple to get a good deal.  The cheapest ones we've found are around $2500, and the air doesn't work, or they have nearly 300,000 miles on them or some such other issue.   

He says watch it, if no bids 2 hours before ending, we'll run the carfax and really consider it.  So we keep a watch on it.  Still no bids... I order the carfax.  It was a fleet vehicle, but only for 3 years when it was new... the lady hasn't owned it for as long as she said... but like we said, she was kind of strange.  That was all...oh and of course that this lady has an angry husband.  But, we also figured that had we not test drove it, we wouldn't have known this, although we probably would have called with some questions and her telephone skills certainly were lacking.  

So we bid on the 'burb with the angry owners... and won!  I paid the deposit a couple hours later and emailed and told them we wanted to pick it up Tuesday afternoon if possible.  Shane took the number in the listing... called and called.  No answer and voicemail was full... couldn't pick it up.  Wednesday, same thing (just so happened me and a friend were going to be in town and she could drive our van home and me drive the burb and we would not have to take the children).  Perfect, right?  No-- still no answer.  The number she had called us from the other day was different, we tried it... no answer, but Shane was able to leave a message.  Finally, last night about 8pm she calls.  (whew! we were beginning to think that I might have to research how to file a complaint on ebay and how to get our 500 bucks back).  So hopefully, we will be able to meet them at the gas station and pick up our new 'burb Friday morning, so I can take it to the shop when I'm in town for my monthly lunch with a friend.   We'll see...

Will we have a new burb,  or won't we have a new burb?  THAT is the question. 

Oct. 5, 2008 - Interesting Test Drive Story

I have really been meaning to blog more, but we've been too busy having fun to take the time.  But I think I might have to start a new category...

"Strange car buying stories" or something like that. 

We are still looking for an inexpensive, reliable 8-9 seat Suburban to replace the mini-van.  We really do need more room.  

So yesterday morning I was looking on ebay and found a Suburban in the metro that might be worth taking a look into.  We were going to be in town at the Fall Festival at Missouri town, so maybe we could go look at it after we were done.  So I emailed (somehow, missed the number in the listing, or we would have just called) .

After we were done at Missouri Town, we made arrangements to meet her at a gas station nearby her house.  Yes, we thought weird, but went anyway.  So we're looking at the 'burb.  Trying to visit with her, etc.  Things are a little weird, you know like, she never even told us her name.  She did mention something about liking our van, and wondered if we would be interested in trading cars... I'm thinking, "that might work" both are probably worth about the same... cool... let's see where this goes. 

After a couple of minutes she tells us that we can take it for a drive.  We decide to take turns since we had the children and carseat, etc.  I went first.  Liked it, found a few minor things, like a knob missing here and there, but it drove nicely and the price was right.  Shane said I was gone for about 5 minutes and she started acting funny... like did I know my way around Raytown and was I lost, etc.   So then Shane takes it out.  Her husband calls her as he's leaving and wants us to go across to the high school, no biggie, but strange.  She hops in our van and off we go.  So they are selling another car that someone bought off of ebay there.  I stay in the car because I don't want to be rude while they are making that transaction. 

So, the people with the other car are gone.  I hop out to get a snack for Sweet Cheeks out of the back of the van, and hear part of a strange conversation between them.  A few minutes later, they are still in this strange conversation, only it's getting louder.   I look up at they are beside my car, and I can tell the conversation is not a good one.  Apparently he wasn't happy that we were test driving their car.   They move away but his voice is gettin louder.  I lock the doors-- sorry lady, but I ain't involved in this and I got 4 children to protect from your angry husband.  A couple of minutes later, he's yellin at her and I hear a few choice words and something about "she's in her car and could drive off, and he's got our car" Time to roll up the windows and call Shane to let him know what's going on.  Fortunately, he pulls up before I can get him and hears them arguing before he gets out.  The man walks off.  Shane gives her the keys back and we scoot out of there. 

Nice car,  strange lady, angry husband  NO DEAL even if they were interested in trading.  Yikes!  We didn't know car buying could be so weird. 

Sep. 25, 2008 - Twins??????

Marsha has some sweet pics of her three boys on her blog post today.  She mentions that people actually think that Tank and Dash are twins sometimes.  So it reminded me of my funny "twin" story"  (Okay, it's really Shane's funny twin story, but since he's not here, I'll claim it for my own). 

It was the about 2 months after Little Bit came home.  He had just turned 3 and Bubba was 4.  We were at a huge church conference.  We had purchased a connector that holds 2 umbrella strollers together, so the boys could ride together.  Usually Bubba didn't ride in a stroller, but this conference lasted several days and we were there from 9ish A.M to after 10 every night.  Oh, and I had dressed them  both in red polo shirts and blue jeans.  

So, as Shane is going through one of the doors, a lady tells her friend "Wait, I have to hold the door for these twins" 

Apparently, this woman didn't look to closely, because it is quite obvious that my boys look nothing alike.   

Sep. 14, 2008 - Neat Contest

This looks like a fun contest. You can enter it here.  The theme is "Things  I like from England"  Included is a box of Maldon sea salt because it tastes great.  I'll have to pay more attention to the taste of the different kinds of sea salt now.  I am definatly intrigued...

Aug. 23, 2008 - Grandpa's Movie Projector

Since we are childless today, Shane is finally getting around to looking over the Super 8/8mm movie projector he got from his Grandpa several weeks ago, so he can see what he has to work with for his new business.  Wow, do we have a treasure.  Taking the projector out of the box, Shane found the instructions,  in one language-- English.  Imagine that.  It also included a one year warranty-- hehe.  I think that's just a little past date. 

Then, he found several pages of notes.  Grandpa has logged every reel that he filmed.  Including 8 hours coverage of the 1980 Republican National Convention, a trip to Hawaii they took while Shane's dad was stationed there in the Navy, before Shane.  And many other treasures. 

He's going to be working with them, to put some of them on CD's for Christmas presents for the family, and to learn the technique. 

In other news on the business, we have the ability to convert 8 tracks to CD's, videos to DVD's and also have the ability to scan your valuable documents to a CD for safekeeping.   I also found a small screen yesterday afternoon at the thrift store for $3.00. Shane also discovered that he got a real deal on his computer he purchased a few weeks ago, so I could have his old one.  Well, it has Adobe Creative Suite on it-- the deluxe version.  After googling, he found that the software alone retails for $2500.00 and he paid only $500 for the computer with the software attached.  I believe God is blessing this venture... now we only need more business so he can come home! 

Another quick funny.  Shane was working on some things while Little Bit was spending the night at Grandma's a while back.  As Bubba was telling LB goodnight, he describes a record to Little Bit the other night... they're  big and black, well, ummm, they're kind of like a giant black CD. 

Aug. 21, 2008 - Carey-- Peter's Mom from Liberia

You didn't leave a way for anyone to contact you .  Yes, Kellie and I are good friends.  I would be happy to forward your info to her.  Please click the "email me" link in my sidebar and email me so Kellie will have a way to contact you.  

Aug. 19, 2008 - For the Girls Only

Okay girls, I have hesitated posting this because of the subject, but I figure that if some of you can post your birthing stories, I can post my undergarment story.  (Princess would be so embarrassed if she knew ).  But I'm not gonna tell her, so here goes...

A few weeks ago, Shane's mom had the older 3 children and I met Shane in town for dinner and after some discussion, we ended up at Victoria's Secret.  So Shane and Sweet Cheeks took a walk while I got sized and tried on.   I am probably like many of you.  I usually buy inexpensive Walmart bras.  And I was well overdue,.  But like many of you I put that off for things for the hubby or the children. 

It has been several years and a few pounds since I've been sized, and what I had been wearing was way off...I have to tell you it took all that is in me to spend $40 on a new bra, but I have to tell ya'll I LOVE it!  I know it's silly that a bra could do so much for a woman, but it has.  At 43 years old, it is nice to have a bra that gives me a little lift, and excellent support.  And it just feels good to have a bra that fits.  What was recommended to me is "Body by Victoria" it is lightly lined and shaped.  After I bought one,  we went across to Macy's and I bought 2 traditional type bras, and I wish I would have went ahead and bought a 2nd from VS and bypassed what I got a Macy's.  I did buy a 2nd one on ebay, but it's not the same style, so it fits a little differently. 

Now I don't want to wear anything else but my VS.  In a couple of weeks I'll have enough extra money to buy another. 

So that's it! My undergarment story

Jun. 25, 2008 - Fun Birthday Wishes

One of my best friend's husband's 40th birthday is today.  Tammy decided to "bless" him with birthday greetings from friends and family via internet during today while he was at work, with "Depends" coupons, old people jokes, etc.  Maybe it's just me,I am his wife afterall, but I thought Shane came up with a very clever email that I thought I'd share: