Thursday, August 30, 2007
Friday Feast
Soup: If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose? I have never had the desire to live in an ancient city. I'm spoiled by the luxuries we have now such as electricity, indoor plumbing, etc.
Salad: What is the most exciting event you have ever witnessed? The birth of my children.
Main Course: If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt? I can't imagine being a celebrity and if I were I wouldn't want a bunch of publicity.
Dessert: What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child? I'm not sure I think there is an ideal age to have your first child. For each married couple it is different.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Friday's Feast

Soup:Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.) Okay I'm not good at this kind of stuff, but since Peanuts are my favorite. . . Put every anxious thought under the son.
Salad: If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose? I'd want to spend more than a week and I would want to be in a different state, but I'd like to go back to the 70's.
Main Course: Name a song that brings back memories for you. "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You." by Elvis Presley
Friday, August 17, 2007
Friday's Feast
Soup: In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old? At 41 I certainly don't think of myself as old. When I was in my teens that seemed really old, but the older I get the less age matters. I'm not real sure what I would consider old.
Salad: What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both? One of my goals is to be debt free. It's a long-term goal.
Main Course:Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately. It amazes me to read or watch the news concerning people leaving their young children in their cars and not realizing for hours that they left them there. I don't understand how someone doesn't notice they left their young child somewhere.
Dessert: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today? I'd say a 5. It could be worse but it could be better.
Friday, August 10, 2007
This & That
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Friday's Feast
Appetizer: What is your favorite kind of pie? Apple Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.Soup:Name something that made you smile this week. A conversation I had with Tom earlier in the week.
Salad:What do you do to cool off when the weather is hot and humid? Sit inside with the A/C kicking and a glass of sweet iced tea.
Main Course:You receive $1,000 in the mail with a letter that says you can only use the money to redecorate one room in your home. Which room do you pick, and what do you buy to spruce it up? The two bathrooms. I'd re-paint them a pale yellow, put tile in my bathroom and then buy all new towels, wash cloths, and shower curtains.
Dessert: Fill in the blank: My _________ says __________, but I __________. My heart says be patient, but I rush it.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
This is a verse that keeps coming to mind this week. I have struggled immensley to keep from snapping or in general having a bad attitude in when dealing with my children this week. Don't get me wrong we aren't screaming at each other constantly, but I find myself being short with them or snapping at them more than usual. Granted it may be justified, but I am the adult and I shouldn't be responding in this manner. I found a quote that speaks of this and it speaks to my heart.
"Children don't make you who you are, they REVEAL who you are"
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Friday's Feast
Soup: What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Since putting in the projection system at the church, David has been the one that runs it. If he is out of town we have one of the other youth, Josh, that runs it or I run it. On Wednesday night, I offered to run the projection system and give David a break. I got lost during one the songs, so David came over to me and said, "Alright, you stick to driving and I'll stick to running the projection system." It was good to see that he was laughing at himself concerning his accident.
Salad: Who is your favorite cartoon character? Winnie the Pooh or Tigger.
Main Course: Tell about the funniest teacher you ever had. Most of my teachers were pretty serious, except for my 9th grade literature teacher, Mrs. Brown. At the time I thought she was funny, but now realize she had a drinking problem. She would bring a thermos to school each day with coffee laced with brandy. I had her class the last period of the day, so to say the least she was drunk by the time our class started. I remember her reading Romeo and Juliet and acting the characters out. She was of course let go, but it sure made literature fun.
Dessert: Complete this sentence: I strongly believe that ______________________. I strongly believe that God is sovereign in all things.
Monday, July 30, 2007
It's Just a Car
I was on my way out of the office this afternoon at 2:30 when my cell phone rang and it was David on the other end saying, "I'm so sorry, I couldn't stop, are you alright?" I then could hear a man saying, "Yes, I'm fine are you okay?" The entire time I'm saying, "David, David, David are you okay?, David?" I never could get an answer from him so I hung up and immediately called him back. This time we could hear each other and I began to ask if he was okay and if his car was damaged really bad. His reply was, "I'm fine, but how did you know I was in a wreck?" I told him he had just called me but he wouldn't answer me and how I had heard his conversation and knew that he'd been in a wreck. He assured me he and the others were okay so I then began asking if anyone had notified law enforcement of the accident. He told me he was trying to call them when I called. We got off the phone, I made arrangements for someone to be at the house with Angela while I went to get him. While on my way to get him I talked to the officer on the scene and he assured me that David was fine but would be issued a citation and the car would be towed. Honestly all I was concerned with at that point was that he was not injured nor the others involved in the accident. I even offered to sign the title over to him now that he is 18, but he's not interested.
Dundee is a two hour drive from Clewiston and I couldn't get there fast enough. David chose to wait for me at a Hardees on the corner of the intersection where the accident occurred. He waited with his suitcase, laptop and a trash bag of dirty clothes. After seeing that he was okay I couldn't help but think that people walking in must have thought he was homeless or a runaway. I had to find some humor in the situation.
David explained that as he came to the intersection the light had just turned green so he pressed down on the brake to slow down as traffic in his lane was stopped but as he pressed the brake he noticed he wasn't slowing down. He then just pumped the brakes but still nothing happened. So he let completely off the brakes and gas thinking it would slow down more. When he realized he wasn't stopping soon enough he tried to turn the steering wheel into the left lane because nothing was in that lane, but his steering wheel turned without the wheels turning. He said at that point he pressed harder on the brakes but still nothing happened. He braced himself because he knew he was about to hit the Chevy truck ahead of him. The truck then hit a van in front of him. He said he was doing 50 in a 45 but he was issued a citation for careless driving.
We won't know for a while if his car will be totaled, but we are praising God tonight that he protected David from injury and the others involved. A damaged car and a ticket to pay are the least of worries. It's all nothing compared to David being able to walk away from the wreck with only a burn from the airbag and a few sore muscles from the impact.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Friday's Feast
It would have to be Barbie Dolls. I remember playing with Barbie and Ken one day with my little brother and when I went to change Barbie's dress he covered his eyes.
Soup - On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?
An eight. I'm basically a nosy person.
Salad- Where would you rather be at this very moment?
With David celebrating his birthday.
Main Course - When was the last time you learned something new?
Just this weekend when I was cooking hamburgers. I've always wondered why the oven door has a catch on it. Now I know. When broiling in the oven if you open the door to that catch and turn on the exhaust fan the smoke goes up into the exhaust and doesn't set the smoke detector off. Thanks Tom, for that cooking lesson.
Dessert - Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.
I have a to clean out my closet but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Did I mention I am a procastinator?
Happy Birthday David
Today is David's 18th birthday. As I reflect on the past 18 years my heart is filled with joy and pride. David, I had no idea what joy you would bring into my life the day the doctor told me I was pregnant. All I knew then was that I was scared and nervous about being a mommy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
"You sure Smell Better,"
After removing the bandages we put the stabalizer brace back on until she was in the shower, at which point it came off and the water came on. Taking a shower doesn't seem like much work to most of us, but for someone that has had surgery it is very tiring.We are so thankful that as each day goes by she is one day closer to being back on her feet. We are also thankful for friends that are willing to help out in so many ways.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Recovery
Angela's recovery is going well. Each day is a little better. She has been blessed to have family and friends calling to check on her daily. On Friday afternoon Kathy came to see her and brought her a gift card from Movie Gallery, her friends Breanna and Brittany came by to see her and brought homemade chocolate cupcakes and some books to read while she's recovering. Our friend, Tom, drove up after work to spend the weekend with us and brought her a pretty bouquet of flowers (and he even brought mom a rose). After Tom arrived, the two of us went to Movie Gallery to pick her out a couple of movies to watch after I cooked dinner. Once we were done eating, her friend Steven came over to watch movies with her and Cheyenne. Later in the evening when she got tired she began hurting pretty bad. She chose to sleep on the couch instead of my bed or her bed. After taking a pain pill, she finally got some sleep.On Saturday, Phyllis and Jim brought her some banana pudding to enjoy. She spent most of the day relaxing without friends and even took a sponge bath. The bandage can be taken off today but she isn't comfortable yet with the idea of getting in the shower because she has to take the stabilizer brace off to do so. Tom and I talked her into going to Beef O'Bradys last night for dinner just to get her out of the house for a little while. She seemed to enjoy it. Last night she slept in her bed and didn't need any medication during the night.
She is taking fewer pain meds and is learning to fight the pain. She opted to take Advil this morning instead so I think the pain isn't as severe as it has been. Her spirits remain positive and I can tell she is getting restless just sitting or laying around. Later today I will take her to Movie Gallery to get a few more movies and to get her out for a while.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
ACL Reconstruction
We got home around 11:30 on Thursday and she slept most of the afternoon. Around 6:00 p.m. the block began to wear off and she started on her pain meds. By 10:00 p.m. last night she was in intense pain even with the pain meds. Finally around midnight she fell asleep and didn't wake up again until around 2:00 a.m. for more meds. She has done better today but is still taking the pain medication as needed.
Her spirits are great and she is appreciative of everyone that has visited or called. Her best friend, Cheyenne, has been right by her side since she woke up yesterday afternoon. Continue to pray that she will not be in much pain and that her recovery goes well.
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.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Waiting
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
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Not So Quiet Anymore
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.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Welcome to the World Phoebe Grace Stowe
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Friday's Feast
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.
Monday, July 09, 2007
College Update
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.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Mile Marker O
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:
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog




