Talking

Conversation with a friend yesterday went something like this.
"I'm such an introvert but when I spend time with you and Anne I feel energized."
my response was,"Why do I always feel so anxious about calling and setting something up?"
she said, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way."
"It's very comforting." I said.

Friendships take  a lot of time and effort and when you have antisocial tendencies it makes it almost impossible.

Susan and I after our quick trip to the beach on the fourth....walking back to the car we were given free Jimmy Johns.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?” 
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Not done yet

Ready set.....

Yesterday was supposed to be districts for Middle School Track and Field but it got rained out...which meant....I got to meet up with two lovely ladies at the indoor gun range!
My sister said I was getting all redneck on her but my gun totin friend said we were going gansta!
I really enjoy shooting the beebee gun in the back yard and thought this was going to be loads more fun... but it was really loud and the casings were flying at me and when I fired the gun it was a whole lot brighter than I imagined and, and, and..I sound like a nimkapoop. The best part of course was just hanging out with Shanel and Evie.
Why am I telling you this? I don't know, just thought you would like to know. I haven't posted anything in over a week, though there have been blog posts floating around in my head...

• my birthday...got a hubcap

• the maid came and her husband pulled everything out of her bedroom while I was at the first girls and guns get together where we learned about gun safety.

• learned last months bible verse really quick and could have learned another but I didn't
• haven't posted this month's Bible verse...I thinking something from John 15
• the visual that went with last week's Sunday school lesson was really good, it involved candy and money
• I hate my hair
• I love my husband...we don't want to go to the marriage conf. at our church though
• found some great books at the library this week, and oddly enough one is about marriage...Love and War by the Eldridges...the other was Sewing Green...
  
• I miss you and wish I could have lunch with you

John-Thomas just called and said Districts is set for today at 5. He's done great in the hurdles and that will be the only thing he will compete against 7 other schools today. I think I will bring a book. I hope Josh can get a better picture of him jumping the hurdle than I have.

John 13:17 "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Inaugural Easter Egg Hunt

Since the boys are getting too big to participate in local Easter Egg hunts I decided to have one at my house and invite some friends. A while back Gloria gave me some kite kits and potato sack race bags that we put to good use along with over 150 eggs of our own. The Pierson's and Billman's joined us as well as Yohanna and my mom.

That was yesterday...I started the post and then never finished it.

Today was off to a good start. Woke up on my own at 5:30, so even though my plan was to only serve cereal this morning, I had time to make Resurrection Rolls for the kids and some awesome scrambled eggs with sweet peppers, onions and feta cheese for Josh and I. There was time to prep the Ham Loaf, wash the dishes and be out the door by 8:15 to pick up Yohanna's dad on the way to church. After the wonderful Resurrection Service there was a Continental breakfast.

Side note time....

Remember when you were 12 & 1/2 and no one understood you or played by your rules and nothing could make you happy...well that possessed my son through one of the danishes after church today and kept possession of him all through the day.

Fortunately my friend Susan brought her Easter Pinata over today and all sorts of Easter Funness. My friend Tracy and my mom also joined in our Easter lunch, each bringing something yummy for us to indulge. Tracy brought Corn Souffle, my mom brought Asparagus, Potato Salad and Strawberry Pies, and Susan brought some fresh Turnip/Mustard Greens. I provided our family's traditional Ham Loaf, deviled eggs and Broccoli Salad for the kids.

So, Tavia, here is my lovely Easter picture.

Emmett is finding the whole thing amusing because he isn't the one in trouble. Stewart is making a note to self to not be possessed by evil danishes while Josh is trying to do the exorcism. Elise isn't in the picture because she went to church with my mom so that we would have room in the car to bring Yohanna and his dad to our church.

Beware, your time of silliness may be replaced by strange danish possesions (aka hormones).

Robin, do you have any pictures like this yet?

Do not be conformed

Susan called Thursday to say her Bunco group needed an extra person Saturday night, and Tracy (our Monday night walking friend) would be there. Knowing that Josh had a commitment right after work Friday and a class all day Saturday I quickly said yes w/out thinking it through. Tracy has been a fill in before so she knew the Bunco lingo, cheering the other ladies on to roll the right number (like that helps?) And high-five-n when a Bunco was rolled (like they had any control over it).

At some point in the evening a rule was declared that you had to dance when you rolled a Bunco. Fortunately I didn't roll a Bunco. But the last girl did and busted out with a wonderful rendition of 2 Legit to Quit. Hilarius!

That song came out about the same time Carmen was touring. I can't believe none of you had anything funny to say about that, okay I know you lead very busy lives, sick kids, traveling, Blah, Blah, Blah.

It's interesting to see what will bring a comment and what doesn't. I certainly don't post a comment every post ya'll make. Don't be mistaken, I am reading them ALL, and I love every one.

Oh, the balance of being yourself and not conforming to what others think you should be or do.

I am trying to read through Steve Brown's Scandalous Freedom. Something I read last night was to the effect that you should be yourself and not put on (spiritual)masks...that non-conformity can get you into a lot of trouble unless the person you are nonconforming around is nonconforming in the same way and then are you really nonconforming.?

Oh my.

Happy Monday

God Rest ye merry Gentleman

We had planned to go to Sebastian for Christmas but in the craziness that was the week before Christmas we opted to stay at home all by ourselves and it was such a relaxed day. I stayed in my pj's until 11 and in between our one present an hour marathon unwrapping I fixed our lunch/dinner. Around 5 my mom poped in for a visit...she didn't know we had stayed in town and we didn't know she was home either so the kids only thought they were done with presents. Tonight Gloria hosted a get together for our highschool gang. I remembered to take my camera but didn't remember to take it out until Tavia had already left...that doesn't sound right...but that was just how it happened. Jenette, Gloria, Tavia, Ron and myself all still involved in church and working out our faith...if someone would've told me that in Highschool I would've said of course we'll all still be belivers but seeing people come in and out of the faith over the years makes me grateful for God's abounding grace in our lives. Now I just wish I could add a picture w/out distorting it.

Friendship Friday

Alliteration there but I wanted something to correspond with Weigh Wednesday so I will have to segue to get to my point. Robin is a very dear friend and I have joined her on this weightloss plan. I didn't weigh on Wednesday (too many brownies not enough exercise) but I stepped on the scales when I ran into Publix tonight to pick up some Cinnamon Raisen Bagels and antibiotics for Josh. I did gain a 1/2 lb. I will confess. Which oddly enough is encouraging because it doesn't mean I've fallen too far off the bandwagon. So maybe if I go out and buy some progesterone cream to calm these raging hormones I can actually get off my duff. Point 2 in Friendship Friday: Katrina and her 4 charming children stopped by today on their way to the chiroprator and it was such an encouragement. She shared her struggles with bad attitudes during family devotions and solicited prayer. What better avenue to pray for my fellow mothers than devotions. Hmmm, guess there is something else I have been slacking on this week...on to number 3 of Friendship Friday/failing friday...Susan called and said she passed up offers to see Bourne Ultimatum or whatever the 3rd one is called so that she could see it with me and she even said she would join me on the drive to Daytona when we meet Josh's parents to drop off the older two boys. And to continue the segue, what about the picture in the blog? Plants are my friends, took this picture while at the downtown library yesterday. I really enjoy plants and I would love my plants to look like these. And more on friends, I need to go be Josh's friend.

I love to eat

Susan who reached her goal weight with WW loves food. We discussed this on Monday while we were powerwalking when the boys were doing swimteam practice. I love to eat. The whole time I was eating my salad at lunch today I was eyeing the kids box of cheese-its. I could just not bring the stuff in to house but the boys are so skinny they need some empty calories in their meals! After yesterday's lunch of tuna and small portions at Beach Road chicken I went to Panera and had a cobblestone. What was I thinking! Susan has told me about nice little 0 point or 1 pt foods. Hearts of Palm for the salad and caramel corn cakes as a snack. Unfortunately the corn cakes are too good and I always end up eating more than one. I know I need to up the exercise and everything would be better. Susan runs everyday. The photo was taken when we went to the Cummer Museum of Art in 2005 shortly after she moved here. I'm so glad she moved to Jacksonville.