Friday's Feast

Appetizer -On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television? Depending on what the sport is. . . if it is college football or baseball I would give it a 10.

Soup-If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick? I have no idea.

Salad-What is your favorite breakfast food? Eggs, bacon or sausage.

Main Course-Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00. Rent a movie. Watch little league baseball or go to a soccer game here in town. Things I can do that doesn't cost anything. . . spend time with my friends in their homes or my home.

Dessert-How long does it usually take you to fall asleep? Most nights in less than 10 minutes.

Waiting

Have you ever stopped to think how our society is a "I want it now" society? I admit that patience is something I struggle with daily. I notice it when I'm driving (and Clewiston isn't a metropolitan area by any means), when I'm standing in line at Wal-Mart checking out, when I'm at the drive thru of a fast food chain, or any given moment. I am part of that society that wants things "now" and waiting is not something I enjoy doing. However, it is clear in God's Word that he desires us to wait. There are around 135 references regarding waiting in scripture. I don't know about you, but when I see that many references to a word in scripture it tells me this is important subject matter. As I've thought about this today I found this quote:

Wait on God and He will work, but don't wait in spiritual sulks because you
cannot see an inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our own
spiritual hysterics to wait on God? To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but
to learn to do what we are told." ~ Oswald Chambers

So I leave you with this thought: Since patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, time must be a special quality of the character of God himself. I find that remarkable - - even God must wait patiently for the fulfillment of his own plan for Redemption. So who are we to grumble when we are told to wait? My prayer is that I would wait, and find joy in the waiting. Too many times I've had to learn over and over the lesson of patience only after I've spent all my energies and manipulations trying to do things in my time instead of God's time and God telling me yet again,"It's not going to happen the way or the moment you want it to. You must wait."

Not So Quiet Anymore

I spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this past week alone. David left on Sunday afternoon to visit friends in Orlando and Angela left on Wednesday afternoon to spend a few days at Ft. Myers Beach with girlfriends. Everybody knows I don't cherish time away from them and how miserable I am when they are away. The house is eerily quiet without them. I counted the days until they returned and called them daily to see how they were doing. I know I'm pathetic, but they are my life.

With them gone I found things to do with girlfriends that kept me from being alone. On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to help prepare a meal along with my friend, Kristene, for a member of our church that recently was hospitalized. We took the meal we had prepared to them and visited with them for a while. After ministering to their need we returned to Kristene's apartment for dinner and wonderful conversation. Kristene was a gracious hostess and sent me home with a full stomach and several books that I look forward to reading.

On Friday night, I picked up Phyllis and Jessica after work. The three of us drove to Palm Beach to have dinner and watch a movie. We had dinner at Olive Garden and went window shopping at the Wellington Mall before going to see License to Wed. The movie was a great comedy and just what I needed!

David got back yesterday and Angela got home today. Everything is as it should be again. I enjoyed cooking for them today and just hanging out with them. It's great to have them home.

Welcome to the World Phoebe Grace Stowe

Congratulations to Sean, Diana & Hannah Stowe on the birth of their daughter and sister Phoebe Grace Stowe. She weighs 8 lbs 7 oz. and is 21 1/2 inches long with blue eyes. We can't wait to meet this precious little girl!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer-What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon.

Soup-Who is someone you consider as a great role model? My parents. The taught me so much about life and how to raise a family.

Salad-If you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose? It's actually an hour and a half, but I'd spend the night in Miami Shores. It's one of my favorite places to go.

Main Course -Name something you do too often. Talk. . . I should listen more.

Dessert-Fill in the blank: I really like ___________ because ____________. I really like it when my kids are at home because I'm lonely without them.

College Update

After much pray and trying to figure out the financing of college there has been a change of plans concerning David's college education. He will not be enrolling at Full Sail, however he will be attending Palm Beach Community College. David and I have realized that at this time it just isn't in God's plans for him to attend Full Sail. Yes, he was disappointed at first but has come to understand that sometimes things just don't go the way we would desire them to go, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue our goals. So, he is just going about those goals in a different way.

He received several scholarships but even with those scholarships and the loans that he was eligilbe for we still had to come up with a significant amount of money to finish paying for the tuition not to mention living expenses. That in and of itself played a major factor into deciding to attend Palm Beach Community College. His Bright Futures Scholarship will pay 100% for his two years at the Community College whereas it would have only paid 25% at Full Sail. The scholarship he received from the Lion's Club he can use once he enrolls at a University. We are still in the process of checking on the other scholarships he has received to see if he can use them at a later date.

He is up in Orlando spending a week with Debbie and Hope who moved there a few weeks ago as well as visiting Abi for her birthday. He drove up on Sunday afternoon and needless to say I was on edge until he called to say he arrived safely. He will return home on Saturday. Next week he will talk with the advisor at Palm Beach Community College and enroll for classes.

Although I know how much he wanted to go to Full Sail and move out from home, I am happy that he will be living at home and going to school. I just wasn't eager about him moving 3 hours away. He will still obtain the goals he has set for himself and I pray that he continue sees God's hand at work in his life.

Mile Marker O

On Thursday morning David, Angela and I headed out for our family vacation. They both invited a friend to go with us (Tommy and Cheyenne) and we were thrilled they were able to go. We drove to the Florida Keys to spend 2 nights and 3 days. David and Angela had been to Key Largo when they were Elementary School, however I had never been. We had a safe trip down although a frustrating one. Some where along the way I got lost and we ended up in downtown Miami lost. Being a female I was smart enough to stop and ask for directions. Once we were back on the road headed in the right direction the trip was more enjoyable. But like Tommy and David tried to make me feel better by asking, "What is a road trip without getting lost?" Personally I could have done without that part of our trip.

We arrived at our beachside resort in Grassy Key around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. After checking in we were all starving so we drove 15 minutes into Marathon to eat and pick up snacks and drinks. Once back to the room we changed into our swimming suits. David, Angela, Cheyenne and Tommy went out in the kayaks while I laid in the hammock reading a book. Later that evening a friend of Tommy's (Gracie) from college that lives in Plantation Key came by the room to visit with us and we all drove to Islamorada for dinner at Outback Steak House.

The following morning we drove to Key West for the day. Driving over the bridges that connect all the different islands (there are actually 39 islands connected by 43 bridges) was breath taking. One of the bridges is actually 7 miles long and the water is beautiful on both sides of the bridge. While driving through Key Deer the kids saw a Key Deer but I missed it because I was driving. Once we arrived in Key West we purchased tickets for the Conch Train Tour where we toured the island while hearing the history of Key West. After the train tour we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. From there we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. The kids enjoyed the museum however I wasn't thrilled with this attraction. Once we left the museum we walked along the famous Duval Street until time to board the Discovery Glass Bottom Boat. Once aboard the Discovery we arrived on a reef where we got to see the colorful coral, exotic tropical fish, and a variety of marine life. The glass bottom boat took 2 hours round trip but was well worth the time. Back on shore we walked around the island just people watching and browsing the shops until we all were ready to eat again. For dinner we choose Guy Harvey's Island Grill. After dinner we went to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration. Each night prior to sunset people gather at Mallory Square to watch the sunset as well as various performers and arts and crafts show. On this particular night we saw an escape artist, a fire juggler and a dog performing tricks. Once the sun set we traveled back to our room for the night.

On Saturday morning, Angela and I watched the sunrise on the beach while everyone else slept. We then made everyone get up and we packed the van before heading back to Key West before driving home. We went to the Ship Wreck Museum and then went to the Key West Aquarium. At the Aquarium the demonstrator tried to get Angela to put her finger in a hermit crab's mouth and amazingly she was afraid to do it. So I hesitantly took her place. By the time we finished the two attractions we were hot and hunger so we went to Dante's for lunch. Dantes has a pool that is open to the public as long as you order drinks or food. Needless to say we changed into our swim suits and enjoyed relaxing in the pool before heading to the Pirates Museum. Tommy wanted to see the Pirates Museum so we headed out and I was actually amazed at how interesting it turned out to be. Once we exited the museum it was time to head home. Before leaving the island we drove down to the Southern Most Point in the United States to snap a photo of all of us.

The drive home didn't take as long as the drive to the Keys because I actually took the right highways home instead of taking detours and getting us lost. However, 20 minutes from home I was pulled over by a Palm Beach Sheriff along with another blue van with a Hendry County tag. I knew the other van was the one speeding but as the officer explained he had to pull us both since we were side by side when he clocked us on radar. Thankfully, the other driver was honest and told the officer he was the guilty one.

We enjoyed our time in the Keys but as with all trips we were glad to be home. Here are some pictures from our vacation:
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Friday Feast Courtesy of Mike

Appetizer - What was the first job you ever had?

I worked at Hardees for one night.

Soup - (Taken from Bravo’s Inside the Actor’s Studio) - Name a profession you have always wanted to try. Social Worker

Salad (also from the Actor’s Studio) - Name a profession you would NEVER want to try. Anything in the medical field. I'm too squeamish.

Entree - (also from the Actor’s Studio) - What is your favorite sound in the world?
First my children's voices, then it would have to be the sound of waves breaking at the shore.

Dessert - (and from the Actor’s Studio) - If there is a Heaven, what would you like to hear from God when you arrive? "Well done thy good and faithful servant"

We're Back

We're back from our mini vacation. We arrived home tonight around 9:30. I'll post later about our adventure. Until then check out the Friday Feast courtesy of Mike.

On Friday evening I got together with a friend from church, Kristene Petersen and her friend, Anna Jo Springfield, for a girl's night out. We drove over to West Palm Beach to see the movie "Evening" with Meryl Streep and Glen Close. The best thing I can say about the movie was the scenery was beautiful. After being very disappointed in the movie we ate at Olive Garden in Wellington and enjoyed wonderful conversation with each other.

On Saturday afternoon the kids and I drove to Miami to see the Marlins vs the Braves. Thankfully the rain stopped in time for the game and stayed away throughout the game. As we got onto 595 in Ft. Lauderdale we encountered a downpour. David had planned on arriving at the stadium in time to watch batting practice, however due to the heavy rain we opted to eat instead. Following the game, which the Braves won 6-5, we stayed to watch the fireworks display and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in concert. Even though it made for a late (we got home around 1:15 a.m.) it was worth enduring the drive in the rain and the lack of sleep. I love watching David at a baseball game. There is nothing he likes better than watching a game.

Friday Feast

Appetizer - How many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days?
Usually it's just 3 - earrings and a ring on each hand.

Soup - What is your favorite instrumental song?
Unchained Meldoy.

Salad - Who has a last name that you like?
Not something I've given any thought to.

Main Course - Name a popular movie you’ve never seen.
American Pie, Shrek 3, Spiderman. The list could go on.

Dessert - Fill in the blank: Nothing makes me ___________ like ____________
Nothing makes me feel hurt than when people I think are friends don't keep in touch or people use me.

Friday Feast

Appetizer: Name a funny habit you have. Can't think of a funny habit, just the annoying ones that I have. So I'll just leave it at sucking my teeth.

Soup: If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick. The guitar.

Salad: How long is your hair? Not even to my shoulders. This afternoon it's getting cut again.

Main Course: When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it? This is a tough one. I can't remember when or who. Now I'm wondering if there is someone I need to forgive or wondering if I'm getting better about forgetting when I forgive someone. I pray it's the latter.

Dessert: What is your favorite kitchen appliance? My coffee maker. I couldn't go without it.

Surgery Scheduled

After waiting for Dr. Shannon's office to call us to schedule surgery for two days I finally gave in and called them. We now have a date. . . Thursday, July 19. We aren't sure of the time yet, because the hospital handles the time not the doctor's office. They will call us at the beginning of that week to let us know what time, go over health history and let us know if there is any pre-op. Angela is anxious to get it done and was disappointed that the date wasn't sooner than that. They only fear she has expressed at this point is having an IV inserted.

Thumpin' Thursday

With summer here we are having Thumpin Thursday's for the youth at church. Mike and Terri Ingram are opening the youth hall on Thursday's from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. for the youth to play games, fellowship, eat and a devotional. This past Thursday the youth went bowling in Lake Placid and then to dinner at Pizza Hut. There were 7 adults and 15 youth that went. Everyone enjoyed the night laughing at each other bowl. None of us are pros at bowling. Here are some pictures from our night out.

Surgery Pending

Today Angela had her knee x-rayed again to see if her growth plates were closed. She has anxiously been awaiting this appointment since November of last year when Dr. Churchhill her that the plates were not closed. All the waiting has payed off and she was thrilled to hear that her wait is over, the growth plate is closed. Dr. Shannon (one of the other orthopedic surgeons in the group) came in to consult with us about the surgery since he will be the one to perform the surgery. He explained to us both the procedure of the arthroscopic reconstruction of the ACL. It will be a same day surgery followed by 3 months of therapy. I have never seen someone so excited about having surgery. Dr. Shannon's office will call us Monday to schedule surgery. Angela has already told them she wants it ASAP.

Friday Feast

Appetizer:
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is that it is only 89.7 miles from where my best friend lives. I wouldn't want to be any further away.

Soup:
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).
Stink Away.

Salad:
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?
iTunes.

Main Course:
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?
Most likely to help a friend.

Dessert:
What two colors do you like to wear together?
Black and white.

How Does This Happen

I was looking at Wink News website this morning and came across this headline, "Baby dies after being left in hot car." Turns out that a 22 month old girl died from being in her parent's car that was parked in the hot Florida sun.

As I read the news article I was horrifed to find out that the parents had been painting in the garage while their four children (ages 7, 6,5, and 22 months) played outside. Appartenly the 22 month old child likes to ride in the car and loves her booster seat. It seems that the child got in the car without the parents knowing. They didn't discover her until the mom went out some 30 minutes later to go to the store with two of the older children.

Here are the questions that I find myself asking:

1. How do you not miss a 22 month old child for more than 30 minutes?
2. How did that 22 month old child get in the car by herself?
3. Why haven't they been charged with neglect?

Things like this an unfathomable to me. I'm trying hard not to judge, but where were these parents?

Miami = Good Times with a Good Friend

Angela and I left Friday when I got off work for a fun filled weekend in Miami. We got to Tom's at 6:30 p.m.; actually 30 minutes sooner than I thought we would arrive. After unloading the van and visiting with Tom for a while we all decided to go grab a bite to eat. Tom treated us to his favorite seafood restaurant, Captain Jim's Seafood. The food was awesome. Tom told us before we got there that they actually sell fresh seafood there as well as having the restaurant. While eating Tom and I had a good laugh at Angela's expense. She and Tom were discussing something about Central America (can't remember exactly what it was) and Angela said, "Yeah I know they serve it in New Orleans." Meaning that New Orleans is located in Central America. After dinner we returned home and enjoyed relaxing (as our bellies were stuffed) before heading to bed.

On Saturday we went to Publix and then headed back to cook breakfast. Tom cooks some of the best scrambled eggs you will ever eat. After eating and watching television for a while we went to see a movie. When we got to the movie theater we had just missed the start time so we ended up just window shopping in the mall waiting for the next one to start. This was torture for Angela because I had left my purse at Tom's. Prior to embarking into the mall Tom told Angela to led the way because he doesn't do malls to which she quickly replied, "I don't do malls without money." She was a trooper though and made it through the entire mall without complaint. We still had time to waste so Tom treated us to milkshakes at Johnny Rockets. They were awesome. After the movie we returned home where Tom baked potatoes and broiled some pork chops for dinner while Angela enjoyed the pool for a little while.

Sunday morning came too quickly and we spent the morning enjoying the beautiful weather on the pool deck while Angela enjoyed the pool. Once again the pool followed another great breakfast. While out on the pool deck, Tom noticed a huge spider had built a web in the corner of the screen. He searched for bugs to feed him, but none were to be found. I've never seen a spider that huge and was thankful that while I was taking pictures of him he didn't decide to move or else I would have landed in the pool.


It was a very relaxing weekend and we hope to do again soon either down in Miami or in Clewiston.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?
Barbeque potato chips or ice cream.

Soup: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name?
I had no idea so I googled it. Found out my ex-husband's last name (the one I am stuck with) it is not very common in the US. However, my maiden name is more common.

Salad:Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why?
Andy Griffith because his character was honest, compassionate and trustworthy. Things I respect in people.

Main Course:Do you shop online? If so, name some sites you like to browse for goodies.
I occassionally shop online. When I do it's Old Navy, Amazon.com or Christian Book Distributers (cbd.com).

Dessert: Fill in the blank: I think ___________ should be ___________.
I think employers should be required to give their employees a nap 2 hour nap after lunch with milk and cookies when they wake up.

Surprises

My friend and owner of Common Grounds Coffee Shop, Lori Williams,is one of the sweetest women I know. She always has a positive attitude and on many occassions has shared Scripture that God has put on her heart during her devotional time. It's not unusual for her to tell me when I stop by for coffee in the mornings that she'll be praying for me throughout the day or say, "something woke me up last night and just felt a need to pray for you." She is such a lovely person and I treasure our friendship.

Today I had run some errands for the church and returned to the office to find a message on the church phone. It was her telling me to return her call A.S.A.P. Instantly I wondered if something was wrong and called her back. She was only calling to tell me to stop by the shop before 2:00 p.m. because she had something for me. As it turned out I had planned to eat at the shop for lunch.

This is what she had for me. . . .

The shoes actually match perfectly with the white capris and red tunic that I am wearing today. Thanks Lori for completing my outfit!