Living Life's Journey to the fullest......and taking time to enjoy every moment

Labor day weekend

2010-09-08T15:16:00.003-05:00

This weekend was such a great time. Friday night was painting therapy with Janelle. Where we changed the two toned green nursery into a princess ice pink bedroom for Mady after Janelle had already transferred Adrian into a shared room with Jayden.

Saturday was a busy day killing spiders, sweeping up dust and old bugs and cleaning windows at the cabin. Then Saturday evening was fun hanging with some great friends chilling and laughing and eating and playing apples to apples.

Sunday was so good with a great sunday school discussion and great sermon comparing two Psalms one of desperation of feeling alone and abandoned by God and the other at the height of elation and feeling God has delivered in on all his promises. And that God wants us to cry out to him with our heartfelt questions and to keep coming to him. That afternoon someone spoke to a group of us sharing of this small car accident that crushed his cervical vertebrae making his completely dependent on others and that we have a gift --- each new day. How we chose to embrace it and look at each day will change how the day goes and what we get from it. But God gives us each a gift. And it stirred me to be thankful for my youthful energy and excitement about life and to look for each wonderful thing He gives me.

That evening was good walking in the park with perfect temperatures and hanging with a friend. I am so blessed by the people God puts in my life. But was saddened to see another friend hurting.
Monday I was blessed to only have to work a half day and then get to spend a final day at the pool with my neice and nephews and hang out with the Wilder family for half the day and dinner together. We also had fun trying a round of miniture golf until the little one got sick repeatedly. We will have to try that again sometime. :)
Here are a few pics

Loving life at the beach.

2010-06-19T20:28:00.004-05:00

This weekend I went to Hilton Head Island. What a great get away and refreshing time doing the things I love. Watching the sunset, taking pictures, watching a lightening storm blow onto the beach, wind in my hair, sand between my toes, salt on my lips and sun on my back, hours of swimming, fresh fruit, cold drinks to chase away the salt and heat, time relaxing with my feet up people watching, time reading a book, time laughing, and nature watching. I really have had so many of my favorite moments in the last two days that I feel like a new person. I need to remember its worth it to run out of town even for the weekend to have fun and new experiences. A few pics

Life truly is great at the beach. We've had great weather all weekend and have been blessed. Time to head home tomorrow but what to do before that? Hmmm haven't decided yet. Should be fun :)

My beautiful day off.

2010-06-07T21:48:00.001-05:00

My day off. Here are a few pics. I had a great day off today. It was beautiful. I got a chance to get organized a little then decided to go for a hike. Since it was already noon I couldn't go far so I decided to hit Paris Mountain State Park. It was beautiful and I enjoyed just getting out on the trail with my camera. Then was able to make it back pick up groceries and go for a walk at the Park with Donna. It was such a beautiful day and great to decrease my stress. Click here for a link to the pictures.

Time...

2010-06-05T16:42:00.002-05:00

What is time...
Today I spent time praying, time working, time drinking coffee, time eating and time chatting while laying in the sun by the pool.

Sometimes I take time and plan every last minute.... today was a reminder that the most enjoyable moments are those left with no planning.

Its amazing how a few minutes in the sun can revive you.

Emotions... hope... delight

2009-12-29T21:30:00.005-05:00

Emotions...
As a female I at times get blown away by my emotions.

I've been trying to take time to try and take every thought and make it obedient to God. That means my emotions too... This week I was so burdened with some prayer requests and with my own life expectations that have not happened before the century closed I sat praying and journaling about how to deal with these emotions. God gave me freedom to verbalize the emotions on paper and leave them before Him and I felt his direction to seek scripture to replace my thoughts and emotions with truth. I felt like he showed me to focus on the word Delight I searched scriptures and focused in Psalms. The thing that struck me as I searched it in biblegateway.com was that many times David spoke of taking delight in scriptures. (Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law does he meditate day and night) Do I delight in following God's requests and truths? I enjoy knowing truth, but it's work to follow His commands, and at times demands sacrifice. Am I ready to delight in sacrifice? I hope to one day to be mature in my faith to be able to say that with truth and emotion....

Until then, I focused on
Psalms 147 -- Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit... the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love

Psalms 18:19 He brought me out into a spacious place he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Psalms 37 Do not fret...Trust in the Lord and do good...Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart...Commit your way to the Lord .... be still before the Lord (this chapter put together many truths that friends have been sharing with me -- it's interesting how God repeats himself until we hear him) If the Lord delights in a man's way he makes his steps firm.

I've been rereading these for the last three days...storing them in my memory

Today I went to bible study... what did I hear? ...
Isaiah 62:1-5
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah, [Means my delight is in her]
and your land Beulah [ means married] ;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.

5 As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons [c] marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.

So there's His emotion for us.... he takes delight in us when we follow his ways, repent, and allow him to mold us to follow his commands and guidance -- he delights in us and will be married to us - he will commit to loving us for life. He does delight in us -- he wants us to follow him.
Wow -- I bring delight to the Creator, Designer of the universe, Master of time and space, the Beginning and the End the Creator of love -- this Being delights in me when I follow Him.... now that's some emotion I need to focus my hope on...

Life changes

2009-10-02T21:48:00.007-05:00

So things have rapidly changed in the last few months. I have found a church to get plugged into and have made many new friends and gotten involved in a singles ministry at church. We've had so much fun making new memories from fun out eating to going downtown to watch a movie on the big screen in the park. I've really been blessed with some great Christian friends.
Fun times

1

2

3

4

5

I have also been offered a position in a family practice office as a PA so I will be leaving Shriners Hospital next Friday to start in the Powdersville family practice -Crossroads site.

And I can't believe how quickly my nephews and nieces here locally are growing up. Adrian is now 2 months, Madelyn is 18 months and Jayden will be three in a few weeks. Wow how time flies and how blessed I have been to have been a part of their lives as Janelle and Josie raise them up into great kids. Pictures

And I can't forget to mention I got a chance to go with Sonya and watch a Clemson game. Starting to feel like one of the locals after watching the game and having a blast cheering them on (despite the 2nd half of the game being a downpour of rain). Go Tigers....

My sister's in the house

2009-08-29T21:52:00.002-05:00

So life is spinning by these days. My youngest sister, Kristin is in town with her baby Bryce (4 months old already)to spend some time with my younger sister Janelle and her three children. Adrian is now 1 month old and its the first time for the cousins to meet each other. I picked her up from the airport and we had dinner with the
Wilder family. The kids got to interact a little then got bath and bed time and got Kristin and Bryce settled in and time to chat.
I'll fill in more later as the week goes on.

More pictures

What was your focus today...?

2009-08-20T20:32:00.002-05:00

So I have to admit. I've spent the last four days reading the first three books in the Twilight series...what can I say... I'm a romantic with a love of sci-fi why wouldn't I end up reading it? But I gotta say these books are big and I was letting it consume all my time while dishes sat in dishwasher, laundry sat in the hamper, and mail piled up. Its just a few days I thought and with an eye infection I should't go out until I've been on antibiotics for 24 hours. I had fun but I realized I had lost focus and spent some time cleaning and restoring order to my place and getting back in touch with my priorities and time with God and was checking some email and this came up... I modified it a little

Work as if it was your first day.
Live as if it was your last day.
Forgive as soon as possible.
Accept God's love beyond our understanding.
Love without boundaries.
Laugh without control.
Dance without end
and never stop smiling

the kids are soo cute

2009-08-09T22:25:00.000-05:00

Kids are sooo cute.... a few pics of the week

a few more pictures from today...

2009-08-03T21:08:00.002-05:00

Here are few more pics with captions

My close up shots with Adrian

2009-08-01T21:34:00.000-05:00

I love taking pictures and kids change so much in the first few days. Today Adrian had his professional baby shots so we did some pics after they were done. Here are a few and some more with the siblings and family. Click here for more shots

The kids introduced to the new baby

2009-07-31T21:46:00.004-05:00

Here are a few pictures of the kids first introduction to their baby brother. They did a great job. Jayden was enjoying hold Adrian with some mild assistance. He and Mady were great being gentle and enthusiastically interested in their little brother

Here are a few more pics

Adrian Judah - my nephew has arrived

2009-07-31T13:23:00.003-05:00

So Adrian Judah arrived this am at 8:08 weighing 8 lbs even and 20 in long with 14.5cm head.

Here are a few pictures below

Here are a few more pics

A day in the park

2009-07-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

Saturday I got to spend a day in the park with the Wilder family.

Here is Jayden being brave standing on the bridge alone posing for a picture of him with the waterfall behind him. He is growing up so fast and is still so sweet...

A few cute shots of Jayden, Mady and Janelle walking on the path
a standing on the bridge.

A moment the kids with their daddy -- ahhh

Its so much fun spending a few moments with the family and the weather was unbelievably beautiful...
Here are a few more pics

A summer of weddings and births

2009-07-15T23:05:00.001-05:00

This summer seems to be a summer of weddings and births.
I have had the opportunity to attend my cousin Marissa & Nick's wedding in Dallas Texas and take tons of pics

I also had a chance to go to Pittsburg PA to be at David & Karen's wedding.

Here is the link to more pictures of Marissa and Nicks wedding
Here is the link to pics from Dave & Karen's wedding

and a pic of my nephew Bryce... can't wait to meet my final nephew due in two and a half weeks

Time with the niece and nephews.

2009-07-02T23:18:00.003-05:00

So I spent the week with my nephew Bryce and flew back today. I just had special time with my niece and nephew this evening also. But had to laugh at the moments of caos that develop within the house that contains two toddlers. I thought I would share a few moments with the two older ones as well as a few pics of the youngest. Wish I also had time with the oldest three. Miss them too..

Doting on my new nephew.

2009-06-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

So we all survived the heat in Dallas at Marissa's & Nick's beautiful wedding ceremony and had a great time seeing the family. I'll post pictures later from that.

I just had to post a cute picture that Kristin took of Bryce and I on the way home to her place.

Memorial day weekend

2009-05-31T15:10:00.005-05:00

I got to go hang out with Janelle and the kids on Saturday and then Sunday and Monday I spent the day up at the lake. It was a humid day with intermittant rain but so beautiful.

I love sitting by the lake and watching people. Its a beautiful sight empty too. This weekend it was all about the clouds. Beautiful... but I had to take my Northern raised self inside to take breaks in the air conditioning to cool off from the humidity. And its not even August yet (yikes)

I love looking at honeysuckle. Its beautiful in its strength and details but who doesn't love that smell... (Lilacs and honeysuckle bring lots of spring/summer childhood memories to mind)

I enjoyed checking out the nature around the place while Robert worked during the days.

the mountain laurel out did itself this year

...but I was still drawn back to the lake and its views. The color contrasts seem to sparkle after the rain.

Camping....

2009-05-31T14:11:00.007-05:00

The vital parts to camping consists of...
good preparation...
good attitudes...
good food...
a dry place to sleep...
and the best trips are the perfect weather...

Ahh yeeeaaaah we were blessed with all the above.

This weekend, the Wilder family, my self and another couple with two under the age of three Alissa, Justin and their two sons came to camp at Lake Jocassee. The weekend was fun to get out and enjoy nature.

The sunrise over the lake was a beautiful moment to soak it in... These are the moments worth breathing for.

The guys decided to take some time for bonding... and why not try some fishing.
Jayden and Josie both enjoyed it.... especially when the bob on the line disappeared.

The men defeated nature... and caught fish.

We had fun at the beach. We built a sand castle and squirted some water guns and waded into the cool to cold refreshing water...

And the two youngest had fun playing with these stool ... if they only had more skills with balance..... but check out that great attitude..

But it was good to get showered and back to my routine too.

Here are a few more pics

Trip to Boston

2009-05-03T22:17:00.003-05:00

This weekend I went to Boston for two days. It was packed with fun, education, work and networking. I will fill you in more but thought I would post a few pics. I took tons of the city because its such a history book to walk through that often contrasts with the mirrored walls, concrete and metal structures of sky rises.
see more pics

Time with royalty....

2009-04-19T11:47:00.002-05:00

This week I've spent tons of time with my neice and nephew while Mom has been babysitting and my sister is in Louisianna helping my youngest sister Kristin and Matt with the birth of their first baby boy -Bryce Caden born April 15, 2009.
Here are a few pics of our time

Some time to get out...

2009-04-11T22:59:00.004-05:00

Today Robert took me on a hike to yellow branch falls... what a beautiful day and a great way to get away from the stress of finishing my final projects for my Masters program and the stress of uncertainty about job security and to get out and enjoy the sun....

Spring is definately here with a bang...
With severe thunderstorms and rain the night before (not to mention tornado warnings and watches about 10 miles to our south east) the sky seemed to be washed clean and all the more sparkling and bright and cheerful after the overcast and darkness of the previous day....

It's great to spend time someone who makes you feel special when life is stressed. And what a beautiful day and memory.

And the force and beauty of the water cascading down the falls was beautiful. God creates such beautiful places for us to enjoy...

It was a great day to get out and develop new perspective... to look at another part of the world and get out of my small focused perception lately...

More pics... click here

Happy Birthday Lindsay

2009-04-11T22:55:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lindsay....
Have a great one...

Updates....

2009-04-11T22:48:00.002-05:00

So for those of you who keep up with me through blog life... I work in a pediatric orthopedic hospital that provides all the care to families for free and is funded by savings placed in the stock market and overseen by Shriners. In specific I work at the Greenville Shriners Hospital. They have recently taken enourmous losses -- they have lost so much that all the hospitals may have to close and to save some they are chosing to sacrifice a few. My hospital being one of them on the agenda. They will make the final vote in July with unknown closure dates to follow after the meeting if its confirmed by vote....
what does that mean?
I may be out of a job in July and the kids may be forced to go to Florida or Kentucky to seek treatment....
So in the meantime I am job searching. I am first focusing in Greenville and then will expand back to North Carolina since my house still is not sold. Please pray for God to open the right doors and to provide insight and guidance as well as networks appropriatly to be at the right place at the right time.

thanks guys...
Karla

Madelyn's birthday and the Whitcomb's visit

2009-03-15T16:15:00.004-05:00

This weekend Tim & Lindsay & Sammy Whitcomb came to visit. It's been a while since we have been together. Sammy is getting so big. I can't believe how much energy he has and how smart he is at figuring out things. Since it was overcast and rainy over the weekend we had to improvise activities and played indoors. One day we went to Janelle's place and played at the playground with the kids. On Saturday we went to Madelyn's first birthday party. Robert got a chance to meet them and came to Madelyn's birthday party also. We had a busy weekend filled with rain....but despite the weather it was nice to catch up with friends.

Here are a few pics from the park

Here are pictures from the birthday party

Its snowing -- in Greenville this time

2009-03-01T19:45:00.006-05:00

Its raining.. its snowing...
Finally we got some of the pretty white precipitation here. About 2 in in the last two hours... Here are a few pics from the first 30 minutes snowing before it got dark.

Yeah. I love the snow... here are a few pics

I couldn't help myself. I don't have a place to sled but I had to make a snowman... Isn't my snow man cute I think I'll call him Snow Blue Eyes.

Valentine's

2009-02-15T19:53:00.005-05:00

It was such a nice experience to have Valentine's plans with someone special. Robert took me out to eat Friday night and we got dressed up. It was fun. Saturday we went for a hike to Rainbow Falls... a new trail at Jones Gap... its a beautiful water fall that comes out in a bit of a canyon. The water falls off a cliff and becomes a mist of water at the bottom to turn back into more intense short falls. It was a beautiful day with a mild chill in the air that warmed up as we came back down. It was a great hike and good exercise. It was fun to head back and have dinner (which he made for me). Two thumbs up for the romantic and thoughtful gestures... I haven't had a Valentine's date for several years... it was worth the wait :)

more pics

Baby shower

2009-02-12T17:08:00.004-05:00

This weekend was Kristin & Matt's Baby Shower. It was a great time for the couple and for others. Several friends and family flew or drove in. Matt and Kristin drove up to Greenville SC from LA and their friends Prena, Aasheesh and Sepna flew in from Michigan, Cheryl from DC and Uncle Blair and Aunt Debbie from TX, Mom and Dad from PA, his Mom and Dad from Georgia, and his Uncle and Aunt from TN, and our Cousin Dave and his fiance from NC. That's nine states represented... pretty impressive... and very special for the couple that so many came from their homes to share in their excitement as this new baby boy is about to arrive.

Here are a few more pictures

My brother and his family couldn't make it. He said he doesn't even pass a block to go to a shower -- let alone several states.... hehehe

Snow in South Carolina

2009-01-19T18:48:00.004-05:00

We got snow in South Carolina

-- in the mountains that is...

I was up at Lake Jocasse and got to enjoy the first snow with Robert...

yeah... I'm such a kid when it comes to snow. I love just walking around and enjoying the beauty.... hope you all get some too... here are a few more PICS.. stay safe

New Years Day 2009

2009-01-02T12:12:00.001-05:00

What did you do your first day of 2009? I thought about options and decided to get out and enjoy the day. I went up to Raven Cliff Falls in Ceasar Head. The sun was bright the sky was blue the temperature was 32. What more could you ask for? Well I could name a few (a few degrees might have been nice) but I still totally loved it.

Can I share a few pictures of the day. The most fascinatingly beautiful thing was the ice along the trail as I headed in. There were fragile beautiful miniature ice stalagmites you might find in a cave found along the edge of the trail. The beauty alone was stunning, but it got my curiosity too. How did they form and why? And in the moment realized that this is an amazing world. At times God gives us beautiful fragile moments in time that we may miss if we don't pause to notice them. If I hadn't paused when I saw a flash of sunlight on the edge of the trail I may have missed them. I stopped to admire them closer and took a few pictures but couldn't truly capture the sparkle of light that danced off the ice as the sun hit it or the depth of the light refraction that came off the individual fragments. As I came back the trail they had dissolved into the dirt to become mud. And I smiled in the secret knowledge of having had a brief view of the beauty that has disappeared for the moment. It was a good reminder to take time this year to thank God for the brief moments of beauty He creates for us.

Later I made it to the observation deck for the falls. Again a moment of awe of the beauty of the sight. I followed a trail called "dismal" trail. Why its called that I'm not sure, but along the way was a area of boulders that gave another view of the falls. I stopped for a few more pictures and a few minutes in the sun. It was a beautiful day. I took a few minutes to think and read. Till the coldness started to seep in.

It was a nice day getting out alone to take time to enjoy life's little beautiful surprises along the way. That's what this life is about... enjoying each moment and day along our journey of life. One of my secrets of joy is to take a moment to totally enjoy the time and moments that make up the journey and change the focus from the end of the journey to the moments that make up the journey and how they can change our perspective and life. And to take time to give God the glory for those moements....

Here are a few pictures

2008-12-26T23:12:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of me with my nephew this Christmas.

My sister Kristin and her husband Matt came to town. She's so cute pregnant. I didn't take nearly the number of pictures I usually do but I got one with her. The new news.... Janelle is pregnant again. She just found out a few weeks ago. The new babies are due in April and August. That should be fun. :)

Pictures

A laugh about the lighter side of the holidays....

2008-12-13T23:26:00.001-05:00

Okay I had to laugh. Check out this blog from my friend with children who love well lit christmas light. http://meandering-thru.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-heartfelt-thank-you.html

.... a falling star....

2008-12-13T22:25:00.003-05:00

Last night I saw a falling star.... Wonder when my wish will come true? I still believe in magic (or at least God's blessings that surprise us) do you?

What blessings have you experienced lately. I'd love to hear you all share...

2008-12-07T22:10:00.004-05:00

This Thanksgiving was fun. My sister Kristin and her husband Matt came to town. One morning we took my nephew to Disney on ice. We had fun and he had a ball. We also had some great meals. My sister Janelle and her husband Josie and I had a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I made the turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole and she made the sausage stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie and pumpkin chocolate bread. The next day she did a pumpkin chicken soup that was great. We had a nice relaxing several days and we both took the time to put up a Christmas trees. It was fun to have the sisters together. Missed having Mom and Dad and Larrian & Teri and Justin, Joshua and Walker here...
Here are a few more pictures of Thanksgiving and a few more pictures from Disney on Ice

My reflective fall object lesson..

2008-11-11T21:15:00.008-05:00

The sheer beauty of fall. It catches me in moments of awe at His excellent creativity and color. I haven't taken time to wonder in His design this year until today. I delayed it with busyness, but today I got off work an hour early and decided to take a moment for enjoyment. I had to share in the wonders of His hands.

It still amazes me that God creates these images for our pleasure and for His glory each year for but a few solitary moments or days. If He has the power and creativity to do that in nature -- what kind of creativity does He use for my daily life and the work He wants to do in it every day... And I love the object lessons we can learn from taking moments to stand in awe of His order and design...

Have you ever taken a look at your life and thought -- I'm not like everyone else my age or in my association... I should change -- maybe not-- sometimes God uses our differences to make us dependent on Him for guidance and to show the beauty of His variety...

Or,, have you ever gotten self conscience of your spots -- you pain or your weaknesses or your mistakes or your failures in life... - ever wanted to hide that part of your life from others.... I have... But that too can add to your beauty and your individuality and at times God uses it to hightlight things - sometimes right before a big change... are you ready to be used?

The pain of change can be beauty in and of itself to someone else. At times we experience the pain and try to run or hide, but the beauty of our vulnerability is the strength from Our Redemeer

And isn't it interesting that we at times feel stripped of those around us to support us. And yet my Creator is still in control and gives us the strength to hold on...He has a perfect time for each of us.

And then there are times when we feel the blessing of His hands in our life. We are overwelmed daily with the things He provides for us. And amazed by the beauty in the life He shares with us.. He gives us bouquets of beauty... like these bouquets of color...

Our Father is such an amazing God. He loves us deeply and creates things for our pleasure. Thank you Father for our beautiful moments in your hands and in this life you have given us. You amaze me!!!!

Salsa Halloween

2008-11-01T18:57:00.001-05:00

So it is fun to dress up at times and hang out with friends...

Here are some more pics-click here and for the party pics -click here

Trick or treat

2008-11-01T18:48:00.001-05:00

I got to see the joy of children last night. Finding out they can ask for and recieve and thank their friends and neighbors for candy while dressing up like their favorite character. It was a nice evening to walk and chat with Janelle, Josie, their friends Alyice and her husband Justin and their two boys--Sammy, Jonah, Josie's mother and his two cousins. Its was a great night for a walk. The temperature was great and it was fun chatting with Alyce and Justin who I would consider to be quality people. I enjoy time with quality people who are stable and enjoying their walk with God in a daily way. There is something comforting and encouraging about being around people that are secure and stable. Hope you had a great time with your friends and family.

Click here for more pics

My dolphin sighting actually caught on camera... YEAH

2008-10-15T21:22:00.006-05:00

Okay so there I was minding my own business... enjoying nature.... watching hermit crabs scatter and butterflies flutter by and what did I hear? A puff of air like an blow hole -- on the back side of a barrier island in the shallows off the coast of Charleston.... as I looked up the second time I see the dolphin spin and head back to the coast... A WHAT .... A DOLPHIN... I can't believe it.... And yet I can. Just one more sign of God's great design, creativity and curiosity and desire for contact... a dolphin who came up to say hi and dart away. I stood in awe before capturing myself and trying to take pictures as it swam away. The first picture is the small area of water I was looking at. The next is the water swirl left behind the others are close ups I shot to try and capture the moment... For those who enjoy dolphins as much as mine.

This is my fish story and I'm sticking to it...

Kiawah Island CME trip

2008-10-14T12:54:00.004-05:00

I went to Kiawah Island this weekend through Tuesday. Most days were spent listening to dull lectures. Friday through part of the day Monday it rained -hard. I tried to go to salsa under the stars in Charleston twice but the rain stopped it both nights. I was able to make a phone connection with Yaennette in Charleston and find their Friday evening dance but found it slow to a visitor. Saturday night Adalia and I hit Harbor Grill for dancing but it was slow getting started after a wedding and only stayed for a while and had fun memories trying to drive/float back through flooded roads to the island for a few hours of rest before getting up for more conference lectures. I did get one afternoon and evening without rain to hit the beach and found some beautiful nature spots along the way and later watched the sunset....

Here is a link to the video if its not working... click here

and a few sunset pics are HERE

Myrtle beach Salsa Congress

2008-09-28T23:54:00.002-05:00

Hi my name is Karla and I'm a salsaholic...
Myrtle Beach Salsa Congress was this weekend. It was a great time getting to dance with people and learning new things including a good reminder in staying positive...

Check out some pics. I'll write more later... click here

Since a picture is worth a thousand words...

2008-09-09T19:49:00.003-05:00

I'll upload a slide show. Those are fun and reveal more of the story.

We have been blessed with great weather so far :) And had some beautiful days. We've been so blessed.

Hilton Head Island

2008-09-08T01:03:00.004-05:00

So we made it to the beach..... ahh. What a life. :)

Of course we had to check it out after unloading the cars, getting groceries -even if it meant eating PB & J sandwiches for supper. After talking about the beach for weeks Jayden was too excited to wait. So we went out and found a few shells and and went out in the water. Jayden was brave and took splash after splash with a few blinks and a nod yes that he was okay along with a "ahunh".

I believe I've enjoyed my role of aunt. I even got to build sandcastles with Jayden today. He later enjoyed using them as a stump to sit on. :) And his Daddy helped build a "monument" (that would be the the two layered sand pile in front. I decided it must have been a monument to our two castles and moat :)

Maddie has enjoyed splashing in the water and jumping up and down with assistance with balance. She definitely is going to be a water bug like her big brother. Well I gotta get some sleep since I'm done with home work. Ill load a few more pics tomorrow (or later today that is)

Priceless weekend

2008-07-28T21:59:00.002-05:00

This weekend was great...... Sun, surf, attempting to sit,lie, and balance a 8 foot surfing board. The sheer physicality of balancing a board while sitting on it in the surf was an interestingly amusing task... Let alone learning the power to paddle and catch a wave. (okay so I didn't get to brag that I could stand up), but I had a blast trying.. Then good seafood, good conversation, great salsa then a few more hours in the sun and surf before heading home.

A weekend full of refreshement, relaxation, doing what I love, trying a new adventure and swimming in the sun.... the sheer exhaustion and ache of sore muscles but the satisfaction of working hard at all the fun things of life..... priceless
Here's a few more pics

salsa Congress in Orlando 2008

2008-07-06T19:41:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I didn't take my good camera to Orlando Salsa Congress. This weekend was to throw myself into Salsa -absorb as much as possible and leave all the stress of day to day life -- at home... And get away. Ah you gotta love it... Its just hard to blog all the fun moments afterwards. How do you put into words the thrill of getting down a routine, of learning a new lead or of spinning so many times you loose count on the floor, or the feeling of floating like a beautiful princess with one guys lead and change it up with the next lead who teases you into showing everything you've got.

And the fun part of salsa conventions -- you meet people from all over -- the US and outside the US -Romanian, Hungarian, Italian etc.

--- Special shout out out to Kansas City-- Lauren -- you were so open and friendly-- it was great fun hanging out in the classes and getting pointers from a styling Salsera who is newer than me, but could easily put my shines to shame... It was great meeting you. You go girl!!!

-- A second shout out to the amazing instructors -- thanks for breaking down the routines and giving so many different ones. All the little pointers about leads was great. And the moments of humor to break up the fatigue were well appreciated. As was the laughing at my own inadequacies at times. -- sorry to the guys I hit with my elbow. And laughing about others inadequacies -- my big toe felt its own retribution, when one guy backed up on me in class and the mutliple hits to the top of my head during complicated cross body leads.

-- A third shout out to the great male dancers who were way above my league and made me smile, flirt, laugh and spin controllably with delight. Its great to get out of town and meet new friends.

-- And finally a fun shout out to the friendly crowd from home -- it was nice hanging out chatting with people and getting to know more about you.

And for those who have never gone to a salsa congress -- its a weekend packed with classes all day and social dancing at night into the wee hours of the next morning (usually around 3 am)only to get up the next morning to start all over.

This year was nice to have our share of restaurants across the street -- I got to go to a BB King Bar/ Restaurant and listen to a live blues band one night and got to listen to and participate in a traditional "Opa" Greek dance and watch a belly dancer routine who was also a fire eater. All around entertainment every which direction. And even a few minutes to put my feet in the spa jets of the pool to soothing my throbbing feet.-- Orlando provides a great packed weekend.

... One video from class -- most instructors asked us not to put it on the internet and I will respect that --but this instructor from Kissimee Florida didn't care -- he does it for the fun of salsa. Here is a clip of a laid back routine he taught us.

Some cute video updates of Jayden

2008-07-06T18:02:00.004-05:00

Okay, so while babysitting I caught a few video clips. One of Jayden counting... and then bored when I asked him to start again so he tries to change the topic then tries to whisper and then in frustration yells it for me...

and later at bedtime while reading one of his favorite books-- a cute book that he loves to act out, I couldn't help but video him again...

Delayed gratification..... two parts

2008-06-12T20:36:00.004-05:00

Part 1.
So the pastor talked about something Sunday. It struck me then, and tonight I took time to go back over it. I needed to reread it and let it sink in further. He challenged us to "develop the art of delayed gratification". That is a weakness of mine... and I dare say its a weakness of my generation. He challenged us to learn to delay gratification for the proper time. (reading from my notes) --a quote that struck me specifically was "Don't eat today what God has planned for tomorrow" -- "do it right, now, so that you don't have to re do it/ fix it later". So often I don't keep that in mind. I see a piece of clothing and want it now -- put it on credit. I see a piece of chocolate -- it sounds good to me. The examples abound, but do I take a moment to try and practice patience or self control -- not often...

He challenged us to have more self control and diligence. He particularly identified that diligence is something you do every day for a long time. He went on to share some vs that confirm God's desire to see these things to develop. And he shared that often God blesses us for our diligence -- you don't get blessed for quitting. That message hit me on so many levels... I wanted to share it with others and let it encourage others out there...

Part 2
Recently my aunt sent me a fun scuba diving map. She challenged/encouraged me to dream of having a dream vacation --scuba trip to Maui Hawaia in the future. A dream.... why is it that I don't easily allow myself to dream of big dreams. Am I too much of a realist to allow myself to have big dreams? But tonight I was challenged to dream big and expect God to bless me with special times, places, people and moments to refresh and encourage and surprise me. And then it struck me...

Part of dreaming big dreams -- delayed gratification. (My weakness). To dream big or have faith or expect big things... AND... be willing to wait for it to happen.

The bible is full of delayed blessings... the land of Isreal to the slaves -only after 40 years in the desert, Jonah's release from the belly of the fish -- after three days in the cramped dark claustraphobic area (imagine falling asleep only to awaken wandering "what is that thing swishing past your leg?"), Joseph being raised to second in command after years of being a slave and being imprisoned, Esther became a queen after being orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordecai.

So this week even when I fail I am going to retry at diligence and self control and dreaming big and wait to see what God has in store for me...

Maddie at 3 months & Jayden at 20 months

2008-06-09T21:54:00.005-05:00

I got to spend some time with my niece and nephew. They are growing up fast. I have fun playing the papparazzi but must admit since going digital I am way behind on printing any pictures. I made my first scrapbook for Jaydens first few days and weeks and he is almost two. I better get started on Maddies... I had a share a few pics. Jayden and I played in the pillows and played hide and seek. Later I gave him his bath and made it a bubble bath. He had so much fun exploring the bubbles and even was brave enough to put his face under the bubbles -- so that he could come up with a face full of bubbles. I can't believe how verbal he is getting. Here are a few mored pics -- click here

Yard sale finds...

2008-06-09T21:36:00.004-05:00

I love a bargain and I love artwork ... problem is, I can't afford to buy many pieces. But I found the answers -- yard sales in nice neighborhoods of Greenville. Janelle and I set off at 7am on my day off. There were bargains to be found and we were out to get them. We hit paydirt around 9am. We both noticed this set of oil paintings and agreed to get them and decide after we got home who would get them. After running it by Josie and find two other small pieces we agreed I got these two and Janelle got two more for her kitchen. I love the big one. Its the kind of picture I want to plan my living room around. The sail boats in the background and the blue ocean that you can fall into. -My perfect get away... just imagine the wind in my face whipping at my hair, the rippling of the sails, and the slicing noise of the boat in the water. The instant freedom from distractions. Ahh I love this beautiful world and can't wait to explore it more.

2008-06-02T18:04:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics from a two weeks ago. I can't believe how difficult it is to get a toddler and an infant in one pictures.

This weekend I spent a night out with the girls then went up to Hendersonville for Saturday to get some work done.

Ownership now also includes manhandling large half broken limbs out of tall trees onto the roof top. Followed by rolling it (since its too heavy and bulky to pick up)off the roof. Then one must remove it from sight and since I don't own a chainsaw (half from fear of injury to my own limbs -- after fixing many limbs from the same self induced injuries and half because then its one more piece of equipment for me to try to maintain) ((and I mean try as I seem to fail more than to suceed at the maintaining part)) -can you put an aside inside another aside? Continuing on... I then had to drag said limb 20 feet into the woods. An easier task on superficial statement... problem is.. the limbs catch on all the underbrush which required tramping through briary underbrush in shorts to lift pieces free to drag it further into the woods. Some times my noisy smoke smelled apartment is easier (even when you observe cops breaking up females fighting in the parking lot from time to time).

I got a chance to hang out with the Foskey family. They are growing up so quickly... It was fun hanging out with everyone and playing on a trampoline.

Then I went salsa dancing late Saturday after eating a fresh strawberry pie (made from melt on your tongue strawberries from my garden) with the Wilder family.
Only to make it home 4 hours before having to make it up for church to dance. And worship was amazing on Sunday. God is doing some amazing things. Can't wait to know what he was working on freeing up... I realized the last chapter in my life was on Identity. I believe this next stage of my life is going to include vision and purpose....
Gotta run -- salsa calls

Birthday party with the dance team from RWOC

2008-05-13T21:32:00.003-05:00

Pammy's birthday brought the team together for dinner at Cesear's Resturant. We had a nice time chatting and laughing and sharing time together and blessing Pammie with some gifts. Here are pictures

A collage from the weekend

2008-05-12T22:23:00.003-05:00

Fun with cameras

2008-05-11T22:58:00.004-05:00

I still laugh at this one... I turned the viewfinder to the front of the camera with Jayden... He could see himself while I recorded. It was his first experience seeing himself. He was so confused/amused he would run in circles away from the camera....

this weekend was full and fun...

2008-05-05T19:44:00.010-05:00

In the last week I have been crazy busy and neglected uploading some pictures. I went to Virginia and had birthday parties for Sammy and for Lanicia.

Then, this week I spent several nights at church - some great insights .... I may share more later...

I had a great time hanging out and catching up with friends.

And enjoyed watching kids be kids....

this weekend I enjoyed catching up with Janelle and Josie and helping out with Jayden and Madelyn. So here are a few pics...

Jayden is such a fun subject to take pictures of...

He loves the swing... so much is hard to convince him to get out of the swing

And he is a great big brother

And then they got a great box to play in. I cut a hole for a door and two for windows that open and close.

He had a ball, and decided to start using the larger window as an exit and entrance site.

Downtown

2008-04-13T21:15:00.001-05:00

I spent this afternoon enjoying downtown Greenville. I thought I would share a few pictures of the beauty of the day and the architecture around the city.

my day in the sun/ time with family

2008-04-13T20:04:00.001-05:00

Ive been tagged....

2008-04-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

I've been tagged by my friend Crystal. Crystal & I know each other from a Virginia. She's been the queen of blogging despite the fact that she is the mother to five of the smartest and most beautiful kids. So I will try to pass on this game as I find it fun to find friends who are in common who are blogging..

The rules are as follows...
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Random Facts about Karla:
1. I've lived in three different states in the last three years -- VA, NC now SC
2. My top 3 favorite activities begin with the letter "s" (although two are expensive and I don't get to do them very often) Can you guess what they are from reading my blog?
3. My middle name came from being named after my grandmother.
4. I love looking at colors in nature -- like sunsets, rainbows or light dancing on water.
5. I want to sell my log cabin in the mountains of NC
6. My current favorite verse is Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me...
7. I now work with kids who have orthopedic problems.

Seven friends tagged...
1. Lindsay
2. Kristin
3. Gil & Nel Marie
4. David
5. Janelle
6. Marissa
7. Kim and Laura

2008-03-30T19:18:00.001-05:00

A few pics from the salsa congresito in greenville, sc.... More details after I get some sleep 35 hours without sleep is catching up with me. Sometimes life goes a hundred hours a minute, and I don't want to miss a second.... good friends, buying groceries, seeing family, SALSA dancing, dancing in church, more salsa dancing and then laundry and a peek at the pics... gotta run....

Spring and new things abound...

2008-03-21T19:00:00.005-05:00

Spring is here. Traditionally I go and take pictures to prove it... but the proof exist in the blooms that fall off the pear trees, the tulips in bloom, the daffodils, the birds chirping, and the beautiful 60-70 degree days here. I am slowly adjusting to life in Greenville. (I know, "rough life" you say from all my northern friends yearning for the warmth-- except I am very aware of the possible skin melting heat I may face this summer)

I love this time of year. And I love being where God has planted me. And looking forward to the anticipation of what is about to blossom open in my life. I pray that I follow his plans. And can't wait to see what He has in store for me.

The new job is mentally exhausting grasping all the new syndromes children can be born with and learning all the logistics to the specialized pediatric orthopedic care they provide. But luckily the staff is great and encouraging and helpful at educating. I am learning and enjoying it.

And how are other things?...
-- trying new things like the worship/dance team at church
-- trying to switch from late nights to early mornings-- 5:30-6:00 am to be exact
-- still looking for a great Christian man and learning to not let my expectations/standards slip -that God knows I'm worth it and now I realize it too :)
-- trying to learn to salsa dance smoother
--enjoying being an aunt to Jayden and now Madeline -- as of note we gave Jayden and easier version of my name to say and now he proudly says "hi" and "byebye" to "Lala" (missing my other three nephews - Justin, Josh & Walker)
-- enjoying chatting with new friends and hoping to start having energy to hang out more in the next few weeks
-- itching to go scuba diving -- anyone interested in a trip let me know...

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....still loving life to the fullest, living every moment, treasuring every new memory, giving all I have, sharing my love,taking moments to look up and enjoy those beautiful sunrises, falling down and getting back up to dance again..

My new neice is here....

2008-03-14T13:02:00.005-05:00

Madelyn Jane Wilder
entered the world March 14, 2008
at 8:40am
at 7lb.4oz and
19.5 inches long.
Mother and daughter doing well...
more pics to come....

okay click here for more pics

2008-03-09T17:51:00.002-05:00

Okay for those that read my blog for lighthearted stories or pictures you may want to skip this.

For the others... my thought today was of truth.

Truth shines light/knowledge/awareness in our life.
Why is it that we fear the truth?
how often do we fear to hear the truth?
how often do we fear to speak the truth?
how often do we run from the truth?

How often do I chose to continue to run in the darkness away from the light?
How many times, and for how long will I stumble, wound, and scar my life in running from the truth?
What is it about the light that we fear?

Is it the glow that will expose my true self?
What is it, that I fear, in unveiling myself?
Is it the glow that reveals my motives and heart?
Is it the knowledge that I've allowed things I want to change to remain unchanged from neglect, fear or lack of discipline.

Is it the glow that reveals the others I have chosen to have in my life?
Is it fear of recognizing their true nature and being disappointed...
Is it fear of being rejected if I know their true intent?
Is it the awareness of things being less than what I want -that people disappoint me or intentionally hurt me?

Is it fear of acknowledging that the circumstances I am living in do not meet my expectations?
Is it the fear of scarred and unhealed areas that we have fought to hide?
Is it fear of the full knowledge of my life, because, then I need to acknowledge weakness/sins I have continued in or areas that I left unhealed.

Why is it that I fear knowing what needs to be changed in my life.
Especially when God has given my power to change things in my life.
Why is that I fear awareness of the fact that people in my life have disappointed me or intentionally hurt me.
Especially when I know that I like those in my life are not perfect and have done the same to others. But that God has blessed us with Jesus' blood that covers mine and their shortcomings. And that He loves us enough to want us to have authority to demand and require respect and to set boundaries with others.
Why is it that I fear a knowledge of sins I have continued in or areas that I have left unhealed.
Especially because God does not expect me to be completely sinless or un-scarred, but He provides the love and anointing oil to heal me and his blood that covers my sin.

Today I hope that I have learned from the truth He revealed and pray that He will bring it to completion in my life, to bring Him glory, and helps me see the treasures He gives us and to be blessed with the fact that God blesses us with time. Time is a but an illusion/perception that wee see our lives through...

An interesting quote I hear this week
Time has a mysterious kindness. It always gives back to us what we have lost, through wisdom and memories.

Scriptures tell us about truth. And that God shines his light in our hearts to help us understand Him and how He is working in our lives...
II Corinthians 4:6-10, 17
6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed....

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

babysitting with Jayden

2008-02-29T20:37:00.003-05:00

So I've enjoyed my first week at work. I've had tons of reading to keep up with things and have even more to do. Mid week Dr Davids recommended a book that's been very helpful with the physical exams. I have so much to learn.... But I am excited to do it. I have to sit through hospital training and miss out on clinic on Monday and Tuesday. I am still praying for my old bosses to sign off on my reference letters and get them to the board. Their secretary said I should get them on Monday or Tuesday -- please pray that they finish this. I've been bugging them for about a month to get that in...

But tonight I spent some time with Jayden and gave Janelle & Josie a chance to go out to eat to dinner together. Probably one of their last dates before baby girl Wilder arrives in 2 weeks. Jayden and I had a blast together. I can't believe how talkative he is getting. He went to saying up and Mama and Dada to a huge vocabulary. He is growing up so fast. Check him out and they are doing a great job teaching him to clean up after himself...

the journey begins in South Carolina...

2008-02-25T21:30:00.007-05:00

They say a pictures worth a thousand words.... So here are a few pics of my temporary housing for the next few months.

A nice convenient apartment for the next few months, while I wait with faith for my house in Hendersonville to sell. Tim & Lindsay and Sammy came to visit and help with the move. I can't believe how big Sammy has gotten. Janelle, Josie and Jayden also came over to help out. I have two bedrooms -- with one being my guest bedroom, office/ storage area. I really am excited to be back in civilization - closer to church, social activities and even the little things -- like grocery stores with a variety of choices and brands. Tomorrow I start my new job and after work I am going to start with my first practice with the worship/dance team at church. What a great way to start my journey in Greenville... and I got a chance to go to Flava invasion 3-- a salsa convention in Atlanta that consists of classes and social dancing this weekend. I shared a room with Tia and had fun chatting and hanging out and getting to know her. I learned a little more about mambo style of salsa dancing while there :) Still not good at it, but I'm intrigued with the styling that can be done with all the turns in mambo vs LA style salsa dancing, which makes me want to learn more... I also had a chance to stop in and visit and have some good bonding time in with Becca while she did my hair. I really have been blessed to have a warm, safe place to stay, a new job, time and resources to go have fun, new friends and old ones.

MOVING...

2008-02-15T18:40:00.002-05:00

Moving ... again.... this time to South Carolina.... can't wait to start/finish. So I used a company --2 men and a truck -- great workers, polite, hardworking guys who did a record breaking move for me. They took about 2 hours to load and an hour to drive and another 1.5 hours to unload the truck at the apartment. Those guys can carry a lot of boxes. Considering I have my fair share of medical books in those boxes... I could only carry one file box at a time... these guys were carrying 3 or 4 behind them on their backs... I was impressed.
I have never rented in an apartment complex. I always did duplexes apartments in the past, so this should be interesting...
First thing I noticed... My kitchen cabinets space is limited especially without a pantry.
2nd thing -- there is no microwave -- I need to get mine from the house tomorrow.
3rd thing -- the indoor pool is very warm-- great for relaxing stressed muscles (great benifit to apartment complex)
4th (but should have been first) I have great friends/family who made setting up here a breeze. -- Josie and Tim had the washer and dryer up and running in no time. Beds in place and framed even faster and table assembled despite the fact that two toddlers where attempting to crawl into the table repeatedly during that project. -- Thanks friends and family (especially Janelle & Josie who brought drinks and ordered pizza and all around helped despite fighting illness in their house for a week. And Tim & Lindsay & Sammy who drove 6 hours to help out) I love the additional help of family and friends -- especially when assembling things like a heavy table or things like chosing the layout of kitchen cabinets.
5th -- I am so excited to have such a larger selection in grocery stores... being in a larger city-- that made me smile while getting a few basics last night.
6th --now I don't have to get up so earlier to go to church... of course since sammy's nap time didn't smoothly correlate with first service --we put off going until 2nd service. :)
The list could go on... I am just so blessed to finally be where God wants me and to have all the advantages of a small city. Thank you God!!!

Moving....

2008-02-09T14:08:00.000-05:00

So here is my current storage room of boxes ready to be moved next weekend....
Oh the joys of moving.... are there any? Yes -- and the excitement of a new place, closer to friends and loved ones, new friends, closer to church and closer to social settings is what motivates me to pack once again. These last few years have been strange. Moving as often as some change car leases. -- Well let me tell you moving is one way to spring clean a place. It has been very good to purge some final things that I've held onto.

I spent Thursday getting a trailer and filling it and taking it to the dump and returning the trailer. And let me tell you -- for someone who is spatially challenged -- backing up a trailer is a large challenge. And worth more laughter and frustrated "ughs" followed by long arduous sighs and more laughter. And it feels great to get organized and get rid of clutter. (And to conquer the task of moving a trailer) I've also spent time giving things away to family and friends and making a run to goodwill.

And of course, time for salsa, to de-stress and stay motivated. I've been blessed with time to salsa for several nights. And loving learning more - even when I don't get it ... just trying over and over again is fun. Especially with partners willing to forgive or try it again. And being with friends who enjoy something in common is a great thing. And I love meeting new people.

One more week and I will be in Greenville (if things work out with the apartment complex-- pray for that if you would -they left a message wanting more time to replace some carpet. I can't wait :) And God blessed me with getting off an hour early tonight and as exhausted as I was I must admit I skipped out to get home and relax. Well I'm off to bed. I'll post pictures of my room of boxes where I am storing everything for the week. Here are a few pics before packing

Hope you are all feeling as blessed by God's joyful hands in your life protecting and providing for your needs.

House preperations -- Who knew it would be so shocking?

2008-01-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

Why is it that all the house fixing up projects make me laugh. I did not think I would turn out to be painting so much at the end. My third bedroom/bonus room now is officially done (except for replacing the outlet covers and removing paint parofinalia). I finished door frame painting in the last two days and now just have the hallway and laundry room to finish painting. But the job just couldn't get finished without some laughter at my own expense.

So what was I laughing at you ask... Well let me set the scene. I worked 12.5 hours to come home at 11pm tired but satisfied and wanting to knock out two house projects. -I just wanted to finish two doorways getting their final layers of paint and install my light/ceiling fan fixture before going to bed. No problem right. Well about midnight I got to the light/fan fixture. Following previous protocol (learned the hard way after shocking myself during a previous installation) I turned off the braker and arranged a flashlight to shine upwards as installation began. I proceeded to drop about 15 screws while attempting to attach the intiial parts to the ceiling. Each time looking down for the screws to only be momentarily blinded by the flashlight shining straigh up towards the celing, while simultaneiously trying to step down off the step stool to find the screws in the dark on the floor.
Finally I attached all the wires and decided to flip the breaker and check if things were properly wired prior to installing the final screws. (I was so proud to have remembered that from a previous attempt.) And thankfully learned I had incorrectly wired the motor and was able to change it with no need for additional screw exchanges. But somewhere in the process the breaker was switched on and off until I achieved proper wiring.

It was now bordering on 1am and I was tiring out and reconsidering this late night install on numerous occasions. But finally success!! Everything worked!!! Tim had trained me well enough and wired in the box properly so that I was able to do it. And with only minor adjustments. The pride and excitement flooded me with enough energy to decide to complete the task. In my excitement I moved the motor to install the base, and a wiring nut came loose. -- What to do -- why just grab that wire and reattach it now right? -- Well thats when it struck me.--literally and physically. The wire was live -- and did I get a jolt of electricity. To add to the misfortune.... I was standing on a metal step stool and didn't really ground until I let go and stumbled off the ladder only to see the motor start to swing wildly above my head as I scrambled to the breaker to flip it off and back to the motor to try and stabilize it back on the hook before it could come down on my head. I began to laugh -- my arm was still feeling the buzz and tingle of that shock, but it could have been worse right? -- I could have had that motor fall and hit me on the head like in the cartoons. One more homeowners lesson -- remember to rethink touching wires and doing electrical installing while physically exhausted. Time to craw into bed by 2am and get some sleep

It's official..... I am blessed!

2008-01-25T21:58:00.001-05:00

Okay, the last blog I hinted at something while saying God has opened up a door for me. Its now official so I can explain.... I got a new job!!! In Greenville, SC!!!
Okay so for those who know the details I decided to break it down so you can skim what info you want... I am going to share details to explain how God has provided for every little detail.. I feel like a princess who does what she is suppose to and things are working out so smoothly for me.

Background info. My younger sister lives in Greenville with her husband and son and is due to deliver her daughter in mid March. I have been going to Greenville for a year and a half to go to my church down there and became a member a year ago.

Since December 2006 I felt like God was promising to open up doors to move me to Greenville and to introduce me to special people in my life (including my future husband -- okay so let me say I wouldn't normally say that but I am learning to speak God's promises so that when He answers those promises He gets the praise). I told some close family and friends that I felt he was promising to have me working and living in Greenville by the end of February or beginning of March 2008.... Fast forward....
Decemeber 2008... I spent the summer mailing out resumes and tracking any future jobs that would follow my prayer requests for a healthy lifestyle (weekday hours without holidays and weekends -- very rare to find in medicine) By December my anxiety was climbing... I had been doing everything I could to make contacts for jobs and interviewed for one only to be disappointed with the job situation and salary offer. Nothing I did was working. And I began to struggle to have faith for God to follow through with His promise. I admit I am still weak. But still speaking and praying for it as much as I could. I knew that it would probably take about 2 months to get my South Carolina license and I calculated that I needed a job offer with a physician's signature to even start the process. So I had calculated that I needed a job offer by the end of December. I again sent out about 70 cover letters and resumes. Still no response. December 31st came and I grieved my lack of knowledge about what God was going to do in the upcoming year and questioned if I was hearing God's voice correctly....but God filled me with a peace that night that He had things in hand and made me wander how.

ENTER GOD'S HAND... One of my drives to Greenville one day I heard a message on Faith. And the pastor challenged people to spend time recalling what God has done for you in the past to help you build your faith for future things. Since that was were I was struggling I heard it deep in my spirit. And I remembered that the last time I had searched for a job God did it at the last possible second and gave me direction to apply for the right position and opened the job and offer and sold my house within a week of it being on the market. All things on a much faster time table than normal and I felt a sudden revelation -- God can work things out much faster than the world's typical time expectation. And He has waited to do that with me in the past to put me in a place of sheer desperation and dependence on Him.-- One reason it forces me to grow in my Faith and Second -- He gets the glory. I felt like He was wanting me to remember that. That same week I was doing one of my daily web searches for a job and I saw a position at Shriner Hospital working for a pediatric orthopedic group in Greenville. I emailed the HR person my resume on Friday January 4th. I left him a voice mail requesting some further info on Saturday. Monday the 7th he called me back and let me know he forwarded it to the physicians but that it may be another week until I heard further from them and they would interview for a week or two probably before making a decision. My heart was hopeful, but I started calculating and still could notnlogistically see how this job would fit God's promised time frame. That same afternoon, I recieved a call requesting to arrange an interview. I interviewed on January 9th, for the position and requested if they were interested in hiring me to allow me to observe in clinic one day. They called me on January 10th to try to arrange for me to observe in clinic the following Tuesday. (Just to explain -- I was scheduled to be off work for the interview so I could do it easily without raising any questions, but I was scheduled to work Tuesday, Jan 15th) I prayed about it and called the other PA to request the first half of my day off on Tuesday and prayed he wouldn't ask for details. -- He was willing and didn't ask for details. So I went to clinic on Tuesday. I really enjoyed meeting yet another physician and thought I would enjoy the job. Now I was getting excited. They seemed genuinely interested in me and it was a Mon-Friday job - no weekends, no holidays right in the middle of Greenville. Working with kids with special needs in a setting where all the medical expenses are covered by the Shriners group. I prayed to hear a job offer by Friday even though I knew they were still interviewing others. Thursday night around 5:45 pm on January 17th I got the job offer. I accepted the offer and was blessed that I had the following week off to make arranging all the paperwork needed to get my hospital priveledges and state license in order as well as get my health screen and drug test and meeting with the HR department underway. Still while remaining confidential because I didn't have a start date and didn't want to reveal things to my current job. I was down there daily this week. While down there I started looking into apartments this week still praying for early March for a start date. Thursday, January 24th while in the new office, my new boss announced that they can hire me to start immediately since they want time to have me observe and educate me about all the specialty care that they provide-- prior to getting my license. So I told him I need to give my current job 3-4 weeks notice..... Guess what that means?... I can start the last week in February..... GOD DOES FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS PROMISES... So thankfully I had checked out several apartments already since I wanted to move in before I start. I put in my application for an apartment today to start to move February 16th. I also arranged to meet with a realtor to help sell my house for next Saturday. I have spent this week trying to furiously pack and paint downstairs to get this house ready to sell it. I still need to finish painting and have tons of packing. But as God has answered all my requests to this point. I have enlarged my faith and am praying for my house to get a contract within a very short time (I am praying and beliving for the impossible in a difficult market -- to get a contract within the first 2-3 weeks of being on the market). I am also praying to finish painting this week (while continuing to work 10-12 hour days) and to get a chance to get organized with the stuff I want to give away. An exhausting task. Tonight I stopped and got tons of free boxes from Barnes and Noble-- thanks to the friendly employee who said I could help myself. I love it when God arranges things for free-- even the little things like boxes. (having moved in the past I've learned to ask and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't I checked two places and got tons at Barnes and Noble. And I am also praying for assistance with a move. So anyone who wants to come out and help move the weekend of February 16-17th please let me know -- the more the merrier -- and the more the easier.

Okay so I am excited, and blessed and glowing with excitement and anticipation to see how God will take care of each of the future details. But I just had to testify to God's amazing hand of provision and to acknowledge that HE HAD TO DO IT. Because when was the last time you have heard someone get a job offer within 2 weeks of applying and offer to start within 4 weeks of applying. Let me tell you, in the medical world that is unheard of. How crazy and wonderful it is to be a child of God.

LIFE IS GOOD

2008-01-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

I prayed for snow while I was still here in my log cabin -- Guess what~! God is good and blessed me with 3-4 inches. It was so pretty I ran out in my scrubs and stocking feet to take a few pictures. After the wet and cold set in I decided to trade my wet socks for a pair of shoes and kept trying to get a few pics. Until the snowy breeze and falling sleet began to cause a chill. I love that feeling.

Its winter and beautiful. The snow and ice capturing details and freezing them in an encapsulated crystal sheath. It brings light and details to even the most ordinary things. Have you ever noticed how beautiful a simple brown branch, barren for the winter, can look encased in an icy layer? Or the pines of an everglade? The sunlight glittering off it. Highlighted in its mundane form to be admired now because of the accents of light. God does such a great job at creating beautiful moments.

And I have more good news. God has opened another door that I've been praying for. Now I need to pray for organizational skills and for all the details to make walking through that door smooth. (more details in the future :))

David Welcome to NC

2008-01-14T17:35:00.000-05:00

DAVID -- WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA!!!!

Here are a few facts and a picture of the flag for you. I learned a lot checking out this info.
Hope you settle in well Cous -- See ya around

Capital: Raleigh

Motto: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem)

State symbols: -- I didn't know they chose so many symbols

flower dogwood (1941)
tree pine (1963)
bird cardinal (1943)
mammal gray squirrel (1969)
insect honeybee (1973)
reptile eastern box turtle (1979)
gemstone emerald (1973)
shell scotch bonnet (1965)
historic boat shad boat (1987)
beverage milk (1987)
rock granite (1979)
dog plott hound (1989)
song “The Old North State” (1927)
colors red and blue (1945)
fruit scuppernong grape (2001)

Nickname: Tar Heel State

Origin of name: In honor of Charles I of England

Selected famous natives and residents
David Brinkley TV newscaster;
Howard Cosell sportscaster;
Ava Gardner actress;
Richard Gatling inventor; (I had to look this one up -he invented agriculture things but is known for inventing the rapid firing gun (gatlin gun)a precursor to machine gun)
Billy Graham evangelist;
Andy Griffith actor;
Jesse Helms politician;
O. Henry writer;
Floyd Patterson boxer;
Richard Petty auto racer;
James K. Polk president;
Randy Travis musician;
John Scott Trotter orchestra leader;
Thomas Wolfe novelist.
Sugar Ray Leonard boxer;
Dolley Madison first lady;

A new year...

2008-01-05T23:14:00.000-05:00

As I've started this year I've been yearning and furiously praying, hoping,and believing (especially after a challenging word from friends, family and pastors)for alot from this year. I am believing that my Father will supply my needs, knows the desires of my heart and has led me to have these desires... And I want to say at the beginning of this year... I am thanking God for every need he has supplied already. I am going to speak into words my belief that he will continue to bless me -- meet my needs above and beyond what I deserve. He wasn't surprised by my earnest requests and He has already put into place the things He needs to happen to supply for me. And I just want to thank Him already for his blessings he has done for me, and is doing, and will do for me...

As I was praying tonight and searching scriptures for more words to strengthen my faith I decided to check out a different translation (after reading some verses from it on another friends blog.) May it encourage each of you, as it did me, as you begin this new year, and consider the year ahead of you.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (The Message)

17You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

18-21Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Salsa is so much fun....

2007-12-28T21:49:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned that I have become addicted to salsa? So I still am having a blast and can't wait to learn more. If you would like to see some of the fun. Check out the link for some pictures from Bongos last night. Susan brought a cake and candles to celebrate Milton's birthday from earlier this week. And he got the typical salsa birthday dance. (The girls circle around him and take turns to dance with him during a song). We had a great turn out and it was great to see some show up who haven't been there in a while. There were still many others missing -- probably due to holidays. But we did get several new faces as well. Its great to hear new people coming. A few of us are going to Atlanta on Saturday for some workshops and a social dance -- I can't wait -they have awesome dancers there. Here are some pics

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T18:28:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I pray that God bless each of you with a new awareness of the love that God has for YOU – EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. He desires to be able to speak with each of you so much that He sacrificed a part of himself – his son – to come and live far from him and bear the weight of our sins and failures and insecurities that have kept us separated from him. And now we can celebrate in the joy of being able to communicate directly with Him. And may we all be startled once again with the special knowledge of how precious we each are to Him and how amazing and huge His love is for us….

May the true spirit of Christmas be real to you tonight….

Christmas in the Carolinas

2007-12-24T19:03:00.000-05:00

We had Christmas this weekend with my parents and sisters families. Unfortunately my brother and his family didn't make it. :( We still had a great time eating, cooking, opening gifts, taking pictures & playing games together. Mom and Dad drove in as did Kristin & Matt. They got in on Friday and enjoyed hitting a favorite Thai restaurant in downtown Greenville.. unfortunately I missed out having to work. But I got off early at 6:30-- Praise God and made it to Greenville by 7:45.

Saturday we got to open presents -- big ones

funny ones (like the tickle me Elmo from Mom to Jayden)

small ones

We had great meals. We all jumped into help... from preperation and eating

to clean up afterwards... even Jayden jumped into the middle of the mix to enjoy in the socializing

And then we got to go to church at Redemption on Sunday morning together. The Wilder's stayed home as Jayden has been fighting a viral Upper Respiratory infection. Ron talked about being in the right environment to live to our fullest potential. And that God will open up the doors and provide us with what we need to be in the environment that He has designed for us. I believe that He will provide for my environment in the near future too-- Thank you God for knowing what we need before we even know it.

Sunday night Matt & Kristin came and visited me at my cabin in the woods. We chatted til late -- like I do every time I am visiting with loved ones. It was fun to show them the house. If you would like to see more pics look no further

I took a picture of me in front of my tree at the house

"Thats the way she always eats!!!!

2007-12-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

When is the last time you made a face like this for fun?

This week Tim, Lindsay & Sammy have been visiting. We've had fun making new recipes for meatloaf with carrots, sick as sin if you eat it chocolate cake, quiche -- one tomato and fungus infested (as Lindsay described it) and one broccoli & sausage (chicken sausage -- trying to cook in a healthy way to balance out that chocolate cake), & orange and rosemary chicken, spicy rosemary shrimp, twiced baked potatoes to name a few. Since Trevor has the two oldest kids while Kendra is in Florida for her grandfather's funeral with her mother and youngest child Kyrie, the remaining Foskey's have been stopping by to hang out and have dinner with us each evening. Its been fun.
The other night as I broke out the chocolate cake, Olivia (2 year old) became coated in chocolate within about a minute and Trevor chose to remove her dress to have something clean to wear home. And Asher, her 4 yo old brother, found it confusing that we were laughing at his clear intentions -- easier clean up. And trying to explain it to us... loudly announces "That's the way she always eats". Which just made us adults laugh all the harder. Life through the eyes of a child is always so interesting.

Now you see why she is easier to dress after she has eaten....

The spicy rosemary shrimp was a good dish -but super spicy -- maybe thats because I couldn't find red pepper flakes in the normal spice section but found them in the Mexican/Spanish spice section of the storen -- we had to revert to eating the twice baked potatoes, drinking milk or eating an apple...

Asher did a great job eating 3 servings of his broccoli but didn't care for the spicy shrimp. He did enjoy the ice cream.

Tipsy figured out where to hover under the table for dropped scraps -- the two year old who often dropped little tidbits on the bench or on the floor.

bragging about my nephew.... and praising God

2007-12-03T00:11:00.000-05:00

I can't get over my cute little nephew who is growing into a handsome little toddler. So I thought I would catch you up on the activity of this little one. I took a few pictures a week ago. He just doesn't stay still these days.

He is so much fun to take pictures of...

He is walking and starting to do that run and catch me moves.

Say cheese... or just bring out the camera and he knows what to do...

And he loves to be held and loved ...

I spent some time with him this weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. And he warmed up to me again. He has me wrapped around his little finger. All he has to do is run to me with his arms out to hug me goodbye, purse his lips and fall into my face with his kiss. Then back up and scrunch his hand open and close and say bye bye and blow kisses to me. That melts my heart like nothing else can. And my heart melts now just recalling it. I can't help but be proud of my sis and brother in law in the way they encourage their son to develop in a creative, learning and loving environment.

And feel blessed to have a loving family who care and want to stay connected despite the thousands of miles between us from PA to LA. Problems and all we still are a family. And I am blessed to have a brother and two sisters to turn to to pray with, get sound advice from, laugh with and grow with. And I find that I am amazed with where I am these days. God is still developing me into the loving beautiful well rounded woman that He has created me to be. And daily, I am curious to discover more about who I am and to explore life with God and those in my life. I ask for those to pray this week for a special offer from the interview I had in Greenville. And I thank Him in advance for his blessings and for all He continues to amaze me in how He provides for all my needs. And I praise Him for the perfect job, perfect hours, good income, housing arrangements, networks of good friends, church family and personal relationships.

Thanksgiving in the Carolinas...

2007-11-22T16:37:00.000-05:00

This picture is from a random moment stopped to enjoy the beauty of color last week. I just had to show you the glory of God that I got a chance to enjoy.

This was my first taste of sweet potatoe pie, made by Myrana, everyone liked it...

My holiday feast provided and shared with co-workers.

I experienced my first Thanksgiving in the Carolinas.
Last year I did the road marathon to visit friends & family in VA, MD & PA which was wonderful, busy and the first time I've participated in so many Thanksgiving meals in one extended weekend.
This year I took my turn, on duty in the ED. It was steady for the first half of the day but slow in the afternoon.

Our charge nurse got organized and had everyone sign up to bring in different food to have a holiday meal here. He made turkey and sliced it up nicely for everyone. At his request I cooked ham and made a pumpkin pie. (Side note: Let me tell you -- those plastic baking bags that you can cook a turkey in -- they work well for throwing a ham in and baking it. I was able to throw the ham in the oven and go back to sleep for another hour. :) A great thing since I got off late last night and then went to the gym and got home around midnight & had trouble falling asleep last night.)

We had a variety of foods -- turkey, spiral sliced ham, mac&cheese, mashed potatoes, greenbean casserole, fruit tray, bread, italian wedding soup, cranberry sauce, and for desert pumpkin pie, sweet potatoe pie and a bundt cake.

I have never eaten sweet potatoe pie before. I think it tends to be a tradition of the south. Recently I was talking with someone who said that sweet potatoes pies and casseroles were a must have tradition as part of the southern Thanksgiving. I tried a piece and it was fabulous --It was very moist and lots of the same flavors of pumpkin pie. And I had to laugh that it was one of our registration girls, Myrana who made it for us. She moved from Ecuador last year and knows how to make this southern dish already and I don't. She did an excellent job so I asked a few questions.
Now I can say I have experienced a traditional southern/ Carolina Thanksgiving -- sweet potatoe pie and all...
I pray God blessed you all with special moments and good food today & safe traveling for all those on the roads and in the air.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

2007-11-21T00:06:00.000-05:00

Its time for the Holidays... I figured why not continue my previous year tradition of sharing my lessons observed in the ED for a better holiday experience.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

#1 Wash your hands often and especially before that special family meal or food prep- you don't know where those friends and family hands have been -- wiping kids noses or scratching skin coated with MRSA (okay I had to throw in that word :) to spread more paranoia - You all must realize by now that we almost all have probably been exposed by this point)-- But seriously -- wash with water and soap but the key is the friction of the rubbing the hands together for 20 seconds or so.

#2 Avoid unnecessary cuts ----Stop opening cans with knifes or fingers -- what is it with trying to use hand held can openers that don't work completely so I will try to pry it open.... (famous last words let me tell you)

#3 Drink more water -- it helps you stay hydrated while traveling -helps give you energy to deal with additional stress and helps your immune system fight new germs and may help avoid hangovers for those who dip into alcohol

#4 Don't leave the turkey thaw on the counter or in the sink and please please please refrigerate left overs-- let me introduce the concept of food poisoning and not leaving the bathroom for the next 24-48 hours... enough said.

#5 Watch out for the pranksters... there's always one funny one in the group -- make sure the chair is there before you sit etc...

#6 Watch for uneven pavement and unexpected steps in homes while visiting family or friends especially when our parents and grandparents may be around and need more help with stability-- they have a way of jumping up and knocking people down

#7 Be careful if children are visiting homes with dogs that they are monitored as old dogs may not tolerate tails being pulled or untrained dogs may not tolerate children near their toys or food. A dog bite is traumatizing to everyone involved.

#8 Remember to plan for time to kick back and have some quality time with friends and family. These are opportunities to build relationships and memories -let go of little things and use your time wisely. Love your friends and family and chose to use this time to "Encourage one another daily"

#9 If you get talked into the traditional family games such as basketball or football -- remember to have fun -- but warm up and stretch to avoid injuries.

#10 Take time to thank God for the good things in life (you can always find bad things but I think everyone can find at least one good thing and its amazing how focusing on the positive can change your attitude and stress level -- Like -- Thank God I have a job (despite the fact I have to work Thanksgiving). Thank God I have friends who take pity on me and bring me food and co workers who creatively plan ahead to share our own holdiay meal.

-- And my prayer is that you all have a great Holiday season and it does not involve visits to the ED.

Whether to come...or Whether to go ... Weather for sun .. or ... Weather for snow.

2007-11-15T15:37:00.000-05:00

I SEE SNOW!!!!!!

Flurries that is.

Weird... considering I was sweating in a tank top while weed wacking and raking leaves just yesterday. The temperature was in the 70s yesterday. At least this year I learned to clean out my gutters before it froze.

It feels like winter....

Where can wisdom be found?

2007-11-11T15:04:00.000-05:00

Last night I was praying for guidance. I really want to have the ability to know the future and therefore make wiser decisions when it comes to life... But little do I really comprehend that burden. Instead God guided me to pray for specific guidance and for me to come to him for each of the decisions in my life. And gave me peace that He would provide me guidance at the times when I need it most. And to trust him when I don't know what to do. He is faithful in all ways. He can recover any lost ground and lost opportunities when He desires it.
Today I was scanning some verses on Bible gateway at work. I was filled with annoyance at a patient who was not faithful in taking meds prescribed to them. They even had the meds in their possession that would probably cure their ailments. What do they not understand about that?
It made me reflect back on my life. How often do I make decisions that do not help me? And how often do I forget to go back to my resources (the scripture) highly available in my own life. The Word that brings life. When I am searching for wisdom why not go to what God has already given me?.... Maybe I am more like that patient than I wish to be. "There but for the grace of God go I" was a fitting statement. And as I looked I found this beautiful scripture.
May it encourage you as it did me.

Job 28: 12-28
"But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?

13 Man does not comprehend its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It is not in me';
the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed in silver.

16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or sapphires.

17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.

20 "Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds of the air.

22 Destruction [c] and Death say,
'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,

24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.

25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,

26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,

27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.

28 And he said to man,
'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.' "

Saturday Night at Clave Brothers Party

2007-10-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

Clave brothers Nakia & Milton hosted a Halloween Costume party in Simpsonville Saturday night. It was amazing the quality, variety & quantity of costumes. From dancers, police women, nurses & demons, grim reapers and nuns, french maids & prisoners, from Disney to Renaissance. You think of it, you could find it, in the room.

I really enjoyed getting time to chat and get to know people. Many of which I see regularly at Eastside & may have danced with, but never got the time to get to know. I enjoyed how many people were willing to mix outside of their typical circles to get to know others. And it was interesting to see the wide geographical patterns from Simpsonville to Spartanburg from Inman to Tryon to Hendersonville.

And everyone was kicking back & relaxing and enjoying hanging out. Food & drinks for all. The house was laid out perfectly to allow people to circulate. And of course I enjoyed catching shots of the many people there. Take a look at the fun photos. If anyone wants me to make a copy or email them one just let me know...

Haloween Salseros

2007-10-26T14:33:00.000-05:00

Costumes are fun

... It's fun to see the creative sides of our natures. For some the masks are applied before they will share another dimension of their creativity, while for others the masks come off and the bravado is flashed. What I enjoy most ... celebrating the individuality that exists for those few moments in costume.

One interesting thing to attempt is to wear a costume while dancing. There are difficult challenges -- headdresses requiring further reaches, shoes or boots that are difficult to dance in, or ears that fall off during turns.

During this years contest the top six -- construction works, dracula, geisha girl, Carmen Miranda, Carlos the free gynecologist and the pineapple lady. The winner of the night was Alex the Dracula. Check out the fun pics from the evening. Click here

Jayden's Birthday

2007-10-13T19:53:00.000-05:00

Jayden's first birthday appeared to be a success. :) Janelle did a beautiful job decorating. Tons of family and friends showed up to watch and share in the celebration. Janelle used a theme of ducks and now Jayden has several stuffed animals- including ducks that quack,dogs and cats as well as a few puppets. He has his own leap frog laptop and elmo phone, several puzzles and tons of books- several with noise squares to push, two riding toys, two tonka dump trucks Jayden liked to turn into riding toys, blocks, several cute outfits, some baby einstein videos, duck slippers, tadoodles, a basketball hoop to name a few.... There was tons of food. It was nice to see so many come out to celebrate. And several other children who played well with Jayden. Jayden did well and I am sure is blessed by everyones generosity...

Jayden's Birthday pictures

Sushi and salsa and church in less than 24 hours

2007-10-02T01:03:00.000-05:00

I got a chance to go to a salsa/hibachi restaurant on Saturday and then went salsa dancing later that night. Here are some pics from sushi.Its been fun getting out and doing things. It was such a blast at La Montana dancing with a crowd we knew from the other club- Eastside. I stayed out way beyond late that morning. And then got up after only a few hours of sleep to go to Church. At church the pastor challenged us to stop trying so hard to fit in and hide our uniqueness when God created us to be unique. He challenged us to stop caring about what people think and more about what God thinks -- especially when it comes to evaluating our life. And especially not to allow others attitudes or interactions with us to stop us from the work or destiny or harvest that God has called us to. (for example --when we are surrounded by others who are failing in our lives choosing to fail at something in order to fit in and not be isolated by being so blessed with success instead of living in the blessing God intended)

Time with the Wilders

2007-10-02T00:46:00.000-05:00

I haven't had time to hang out with the whole Wilder family in a while. I got to babysit Jayden Friday and then hang out on Sunday. Jayden is so sweet and growing up so fast. And it was fun to hang out with Janelle and tag team shopping -- helping find things we both needed - in this case shoes. And chilling with Josie who pampered us by running out for pumpkin cappuccinos. Check out some of the cute pics and the kitchen colors in the Josie and Jayden pics and the dining room colors with Jayden and the ball pics.

My first video in a while

2007-09-19T20:44:00.000-05:00

I had a great time at the beach with the Foskeys & the Whitcombs. I especially love my dawn and sunset walks on the beach, collecting shells, laughing at the childrens screams of delight/fear, scuba diving (super awesome :)) and playing with the sand with my toes and splashing in the surf.

Homeowner tasks & blessings

2007-09-18T23:16:00.000-05:00

I must say. Last year I worked on trimming my shrubs and forsinthye bushes with the hand powered trimmers. This year I borrowed an electric hedge trimmer. They turned a three day project into a four hour task. Motors are a great thing... And I love to see them look neat again. I even had time to stop and smell the flowers. And time to go visit with Janelle & Josie prior to salsa class.

Shell Alley just off Sunset Sandbar

2007-09-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

Tonight I chose to walk along the beach. I walked further than I have in the past. I came upon this area of beach full of shells. I was so excited. I decided to name it Shell Alley. I found a small conch shell about the size of my thumb. And I found several olive shells. ( A lettered olive shell is the South Carolina state shell. One of the other ladies along the scuba trip on Wednesday gave me one. I also found two dead sand dollars about the size of my hand while scuba diving on Tuesday.) Then I started to wade out into the water to take some sunset pictures. It was low tide and the water stayed below my knees for a long way out. I got to go out and take lots of cool sunset pictures out in the water. I decided it should be called Sunset Sandbar. It was beautiful tonight because from our area of the beach you really can't watch the sunrise, but this was a little harbor or river. I took a few pictures of my shell pile because I was so excited about what I found.

Sun, Sand & Surf -- who needs anything more?

2007-09-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

The beach is great!! I did not get to go scuba diving Tuesday because they didn't have enough people signed up to go out on the boat. It got rescheduled for Friday. I got to go out today. I was rusty and this was my first small boat dive with swim lines. We didn't go very deep -- staying around 65 feet. It was a good practice dive. They had an old barge they sank but it turned on its side. They originally built it with concrete beams with activities like triangles to swim through etc. Unfortunately when it turned on its side, it left lots of debrie with not much to do or look at. So they took some old tanks(APOs -I think they called them) and gutted them and allow you to dive straight through or go up the manhole opening. The water was 82 degrees so I didn't need my wet suit. I just used my new SPF/surf shirt and tankini. This was fun but I did scrap my leg as I tried to turn to quickly coming out of an opening. It was superficial luckily. It was so great to get back in the water and scuba!!!!
Thanks to all who prayed that we get enough divers because we only had 6 which is the minimum number they will take out. They have enough for my second trip on Friday but the low pressure developing off the coast is suppose to cause some good wind. Bad enough that they probably will not go out Saturday, but they think they will be able to take us out to Sherman which is only about 5 miles off the coast. Its an old civil war frigate that sank and broke apart. Nothing to practice penetrating (going down into the wreck) but it should be exciting to see it. And its another day out scuba diving.

On another note. I have the place to myself for the rest of the week. I really enjoyed the time with two families and enjoyed playing nanny at times. It seems so quiet. Trevor & Kendra needed to go home early for some work Trevor needed to get back and do. Tim & Lindsay had and unexpected death - Lindsay's grandfather passed away and they had to pack up early to go home for the viewing and funeral. I am going to relax tommorrow and hopefully scuba. And I will play it by ear if I go home on Friday or Saturday. I had fun tonight with the tripod taking some pictures of myself on the beach. Did you know its difficult to take pictures of yourself doing a flip? It was fun trying :) I also decided that without the tripod I will be taking pictures of my feet in the places I've visited since my arms aren't long enough to get good face shots. :) Check out the web album for more pictures

Relaxing at the beach

2007-09-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

The water was perfect/tepid temperature. Asher (4 yo), Olivia (1.5 yo) & I were the first to hit the beach with excitement. They were ecstatic to find a reservior of water about 5 inches deep where they could splash and dig their toes into the wet sand. They were hesitant to go into the water but with big eyes of anticipation helped me find shells since it was low tide. I am greatly enjoying it. I will update more but here are a few pics

Weeds weeds and more weeds

2007-08-23T14:32:00.000-05:00

I seem to have a huge list of things that need done around the place. One of which, has needed work for about 2 months, was weeding. I must admit I don't mind weeding when you know you are helping plants to grow b u t when the weeding goes on and on and on again... I struggle to even start it. So I decided the vegetable garden will go unattended and I will weed wack and then till it under at the end of the summer. The flower garden unfortunately needed weeded. Its a part rock garden and therefore you can't rototiller it up. So the last two days I worked on pulling weeds. It was in the 90s yesterday and I could only tolerate about 2 hours. Today I started earlier and it was only in the mid 80s. So I was able to finish it. I ended up with five piles of weeds. I forgot to take a picture before pulling weeds but I have the after pictures. I also have a few pictures of the embankment that goes onto my neighbors part of the land. It shows the intense height and depth of weeds I had to fight. Keep in mind those are not planted trees in there. I hope to get a few more flowers to put into my garden in the near future and a bench to put at the end of the garden.

We're going hiking now...

2007-08-18T22:30:00.001-05:00

"Are you kidding me?" Were the words out of my mouth as I looked at the trail head. Janelle & Josie had told me I could join them in their planned hike. But she told me it was listed as moderate and was short - only 1.2 miles. Next time I will ask for more details... like expected time to hike, and elevation changes. What I didn't realize was that we would climb 1000ft in less than a mile. Keep in mind that means about 50 steps were not at a 45 degree incline and about 50 steps were down hill.

Now ordinarly if I had known I would have been more prepared. Josie luckily managed to get Jayden up hill most of the way in and I helped backpack him out, until Jayden needed to stretch out and Josie carried him the rest of the way out. But I must admit backpacking Jayden down was easier than carrying my backpack with my water, first aid kit & heavy camera. So when Josie and I switched I had the better end of the bargain. And I got a better work out hiking than I did working out on the treadmill at the gym yesterday or dancing with friends over the last few days. Check out some pics of the hike

What a great week... what great opportunities to learn

2007-08-10T22:43:00.001-05:00

What fun....

I went hiking with three other girls to Oconee National forest to the hidden falls. It was one of those heat advisory days. But check out that picture. Its a spiders web that holds water. It was built along one of the boulders in the water fall. Only inches away from the water, why would a spider want to hold water in its web? Any ideas? Sometimes I find the most amazingly beautiful things but wonder why? Why did some one or something work so hard for something so unusual. Is it a way of God showing me to think outside the box when looking for what to do with my life. Or is it God's way of showing me that sometimes I work so hard to do something in my life that if I look outside of my small view point of the world I would see that God has already provided for that need? At any rate, it is an interesting thing to ponder.

Can I also say I am so excited I got rid of the ugly mustard yellow color on the exterior windows and doors. No more ugly yellow !!! Now its white. And now the 9+ yellow jackets nests have been treated I may use the porch again. Check out the pics I think some areas my need a third coat. We'll see.

On Thursday after hiking I got to spend some time with the Wilder family. We had dinner together and Josie and I went to Lowes to return some things with the SUV. Jayden is moving so fast. And he is so cute. I love getting to watch my nephew grow up. And J2 are such an encouraging couple.

And did I mention I got to go to church on Wednesday? It was awesome and so much to ponder. He shared about Gal 5 about the acts of sins listed vs the fruits of the spirit that reveal the attitudes of the heart. And interestingly enough one of his points was a word of caution that we can all have problems with our actions. But the big caution is to be aware that the actions are easy to clean up. The attitudes of our heart are much more dangerous and more important to correct. Although he did caution that sins of action are often related to bad relationship choices. And he specifically cautioned us about II Cor 7 and not be yoked to the wrong things or people in life -- whether its friends, or a male/female relationship. He cautioned us not to marry projects hope that they will change. And not to fall back into wrong relationships that God has brought us out of. And to guard our hearts for out of it springs the well of life. And specifically cautioned women not to spill their lives over a cup of coffee. That in our desperation for companionship we often open ourselves up to others allowing them to have opportunity to use us or manipulate us or just have improper authority to speak into our lives. -- All stuff I needed to hear.

Later I got to go to Salsa. It was so much fun. I had my new Salsa dancing shoes to try out. Turns were so much easier. I had so much fun. I really appreciate how the guys do ask you to dance. There are a lot of really good male dancers who know how to lead. I was successful for the first time with double and triple spins with me new shoes. YEAH... I love spinning. :) And I really appreciate dancing with someone who leads smoothly. I still need to work on my bachata and meringue. What is it with my white girl stiff moves that can't get those hip movements? But each week I learn more and more and appreciate those who try to teach me new things and I am going to keep learning. That's one of the things I love about dancing.

Work hard.... & play hard

2007-08-08T00:24:00.000-05:00

So I have spent the last few days doing repairs and maintenance around my place. One of the joys of ownership. I have recently learned a few things. I learned how to replace the inner workings of a toilet. (although one is not completely functioning -- luckily I have more than one) I have figured out how to rip out those ugly glass doors for the shower. Unfortunately I didn't have the strength to fix my dysfunctional shower head. (hopefully I can get someone to help with that in the future.) I have also learned how to change the water filter for the house. My neighbor helped me manhandle that device open. Even he struggled to get it loose. Thanks Mr Davidson.

I have also spent the last two days in the 90+ heat painting the exterior of the windows and doors. Two coats and considering a third coat on some areas. One window required using my collapsable ladder extended to its full 17 feet and standing on the second to the last step. (thats a long way down)Mrs Davidson helped me maneuver the ladder -- thanks guys!! And thank God for providing help when I needed it most. I have sprayed to kill about 7 wasps nests around my porches -- so far without having been stung. I also began to sand the ceiling in my basement bedroom tonight. It had about a third of the ceiling replaced after a leak and had the first coat of mud put up. After about 30 minutes of sanding I had to call a break secondary to inability to see and breathe. I did decide to use the old bed frame from the guest bedroom for my room. Its nice to have a bed with headboard and foot board. It's starting to feel like a grown up bedroom instead of a college dorm. I have also changed out the linens and curtains to a beige color which is pretty while feeling mature. The room still has completely unmatched furniture -- but it does have furniture...

Then I wanted to try something new again.

This seems to be my week to do new things. I went to swing dancing for the first time. I took a lesson with about 100 other people in a room that began at about 80 degrees and became unbearable by the end of the first 1/2 hour. You were sweating just sitting watching others dance. About an hour later they found a fan and started circulating a little air. At the end of the evening I was finally getting the rhythm -- step, step, rock-step with the turns and close holds. It was fun. I ran into several faces from salsa which was fun. At about 11pm walking out of the place into the 87 degree weather I found it was basically cooler outside than inside -- even when only 6 or 7 dancers remained. Hopefully it may be cooler and a smaller group the next time I can go. Entirely different muscles needed for swing than for salsa. And with a concrete floor I can feel the impact on my legs. It was fun and I hope to go back again.

This week has been satisfying in regards to getting some work done thats been on the list for about a year. I still need to work further with that bedroom ceiling. But must admit I'm not that motivated. And all my flower and vegetable gardens have become weed infested areas as I put household tasks ahead of them. One girl can't do it all is something I am learning well with this large place. But I am amazed at God's faithfulness and his assistance when I need it most. I have needed some social outings and have enjoyed this week. Well now I must get some rest. May God bless you and your activities this week.

How did you spend your day off ?

2007-08-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

What do you do on your day off? Well now, why not plan an afternoon to be in a swim suit floating down a river on an innertube with a big group of complete strangers. And then have a picnic with them. -- worked for me. :) I decided to join a "Meet Up" group that does hiking and outdoor activities. I met them around 10am at Kay's cabin in Saluda. That's only 30 minutes from my house. She was hostessing the event. It was a cabin with a beautiful stream that ran behind it. You could sit out on the swing, around the home made picnic table, or kick back in a rocking chairs and enjoy the sound of the water as it tumbled across the boulders. Some of the gang showed up and ran back to town to grab a late breakfast since tubing wasn't available until 12:30. At noon we hit the road to drive down to the Green River Cove to rent tubes and hit the river. Apparently they release water from a dam around noon which helps create more current. We took the 3 mile trip which took about 2-2.5 hours. It was about 90 degrees outside. As we stepped into the water it felt a little too cool at first, but after sitting in the tubes for few minutes. It was the perfect temperature to keep us cool. David took the first splash into the water as we got started. In total we had 14 people in the group. Let see if I can remember everyones name -- Michael, Micheal, David, Steve, Tim, Brad, Shelton Teri, Kay, Tania, Charlotte, Janice, Wendy and I. I found it interesting how the current carried you at different speeds allowing you to chat with different people. Everyone was very friendly and willing to talk. Afterwards we drove back through the switchback road and made it to the cabin and had a picnic. We all brought food. Steve made a great spinach dip and brought panera bread. We also had toppings for hamburgers, a veggie tray,potatoe salad, & cheesecake. I really enjoyed chatting with everyone. There were so many different personalities and everyone had such varied backgrounds. I love learning about people and had so much fun. What are you doing on your next day off? Here are some pics of the picnic I hope to learn swing later this week....

My weekend

2007-07-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

I had a fun weekend with friends and family.

Late Friday night Tim and Lindsay came down from VA with their 3 month old son Sammy. We sat around and chatted until late.

Then Saturday, Janelle & Josie came up from Greenville with Jayden. He got to meet Dassah & Tipsy -two dogs in one day. Jayden seemed to enjoy watching Tipsy. We played dominoes for a few hours. Later the Fawleys & Foskeys came over for dinner. We had fun hanging out and chatting and holding the new babies and older ones. We had 8 day old Kyrie, 3 month old Sammy, 18month old Olivia, and 4 year old Asher, 5 year old Christian. There were 8 adults to help keep track of all the kids. It was nice to sit around and chat.

Sunday we slept in and enjoyed chatting and hanging out over a late breakfast. Then Becca spent the day cutting and coloring our hair. Thanks Becca! You make the world a beautiful place. And I got to spend the weekend taking some pics. Check these cuties out.Pics of this weekend

A water pitcher... and a whale and God's perspective

2007-07-16T23:31:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how good it feels to follow God's guidance. I am not perfect in hearing His guidance or being obedient even when I do hear it. Good thing for me, God created this thing called Grace & Mercy. This week I am living within his mercy and feeling so blessed right now. I listened and obediently stepped out in faith tonight. And can't believe the anticipation He is stirring in my heart for the future. It is bright tonight -like the twinkling stars on a dark clear night. It has captured my imagination to know His leading is endless like the universe around us and He has no limitations when planning our lives.

On Sunday, our pastor shared a reminder from Jeremiah when He used clay on the potter's wheel. And shared that God is the potter, we are the clay and God uses circumstances in the world around us to be the forces that help create our shape (like the wheel). At times it feels harsh and we may not appreciate the pressure. But having thrown a few things on a wheel I know the more equal the pressure on both sides the more control and the more defined the object will be.

In the past I felt God say he shaped me from a cracked bowl that was loosing its water and changed me into a vase. I liked that, I was someone that would display beautiful flowers. I would be someone that others would enjoy and held special sentimental value. This week I felt like God said he had re-molded me into a water pitcher.

At first I was disappointed to be changed from something that had honor and held beauty to such an ordinary object -a water pitcher. Then God said that the difference between a vase and a water pitcher is death. And I said "what?" God said a water pitcher can pour out water and maintain life to a whole garden if used properly. It brings nutrients that bring growth, development, fruition & blooms /beauty-- life to a garden. A vase holds the temporarily stolen/cut short blossoms that are beautiful but short-lived and if overlooked decay and die quickly. And he wants me to be willing to pour out what He has blessed me with to others in His timing. I am uncertain what all this means in the natural, but am excited to see him work it out.

The pastor also shared that God has blessings He wants to give us. And the resources for these blessings aren't far from us right now. Which I feel had significance for me. I can't wait to see what that means in the spiritual and in the natural.

He also shared that at times we don't see the big picture that God has for us regarding the specific blessings he wants to give us. We settle for Willy the Whale who is visible to us and we settle for it despite the fact that it is not exactly what we want. God isn't going to repaint the whole picture. He is just going to removed Willy the Whale and then our vision/view point will be restored. Tonight He removed one whale and now I can't wait to see the whole vision he has painted for me. And I really am praying for the whole picture -- job, relationship, friends, social settings, discipling roles, Barnabas friends and mentors.

Thank you God for Your Grace and Mercy. And for your continued desire to bless us, love us, and pour out your best on your beloved children despite our weaknesses, lack of follow through, disobedience etc. We are honored to have Your love.

Oh yeah and Congrats to new parents Kendra & Trevor on the birth of Kyrie - a beautiful baby girl
& to new parents Heather & Jake on the birth of Jake Jr and healthy boy -- my cousin. They both had their children on Friday

I'm celebrating!!

2007-07-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

I can't belive it!!! I have every weekend off in July except for the last Sunday. I can have a life! This week has been great. I got to enjoy the the afternoon of the 4th off with my family. Later that evening I got to hear a symphony, meet several interesting people, watch two different displays of fireworks or three if you count the few someone else set off near us. Life is good.

And guess what! I am so excited to be able to take a series of salsa classes because I have them all off! What a great blessing! I am so excited about the salsa classes because I am looking forward to learning more -- especially styling which I don't know anything about. And I would love to learn a few more moves. Salsa has been so much fun to learn over the last few weeks. There is always so much more to learn which is what stirs up my curious and competitive nature.

Thank you God for weekends off! And I get to go to church and socialize and praise and worship with others-- several Sundays in a row! YEAH. (sigh) I've missed church the last month or so. Being out of town for births, funerals and support of friends and then work has been pulling me away from church and I can't wait to go this Sunday.

Destiny....

2007-06-26T17:24:00.000-05:00

I looked up the definition destiny today. It was defined as "an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future". I've often wandered what my destiny is. I know what my destiny is, I guess what I've wondered about, is, what will happen in the near future. I know that my destiny is with my Father in Heaven. And I am thankful that my grandfather's destiny is there also. One thing that struck me was a memory my Uncle Lynn shared at the viewing with us. He reminded us that Grandpa would end prayers with something like "...and when our work here on earth is done, bring us all home to You without the loss of even one. Amen" I am thankful that despite our failures and the sins that have hurt us in our families that God's presence has existed. And I am thankful for the legacy that Grandfather and God did inspire in his children and grandchildren. To know God. If I didn't have a working knowledge of God's love I don't know how I would get through the ups and downs in life.

Some days I wander what course of events are in my future towards my destiny? When I was a child I would wander "Why does life have to change?" I always strugged to want change when things were just getting good at a social or work setting and having to start in a new setting -- a new school, or job, or city. Why did things have to change? I would wonder when I had a trial, like -- when a young boy I knew was killed, when I had to work with ladies who gossiped about me behind your back, when I had to change adult diapers for a job, when I had a miscarriage, when my dreams of a perfect marriage dissolved into a divorce, when I watched young people die or worse yet be forced to live in a body of shell kept alive by grieving family and machines. At times I still question why life has to change, but have come to accept that it does. Recently I started reading a book called the richest man who ever lived. It is about King Solomon's life. It challenged me to consider what visions and hope I have for the future. And to consider breaking down the vision into steps. These are steps of change to bring about your vision. It was a good time to remind me to be proactive about pursuing my future....

Here are some pics of the funeral

Reminder

2007-06-22T23:05:00.000-05:00

Grandparents day is Sept 9, 2007.

Moments with Grandpa

2007-06-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

It's almost Father's Day and I thought it fitting to write about my Grandpa. He's with our Father in Heaven now. I am happy for him and yet mourning his loss. As I crawled into bed tonight I couldn't help but think back on moments with Grandpa. So I thought I might share a few...

Some of my earliest moments I remember where of time spent during corn harvest at the farm. Hours spent in fields picking corn -- or should I say hours playing hide and seek in the fields as the adults picked the corn. Those rows were enormously tall to me and went on forever. I remember the sharp paper burn caused by the corn leaves as I ran. And if I got lost being able to call out and be directed back to the adults by their voices. And then hours husking, silking, splitting, boxing and freezing corn. And the incessant "Are we done yet?" that continued to flow from my lips. It was met by smiles, winks and at times that stern look quickly followed by a wink or a smile from Grandpa. And that mechanical contraption that would hold the corn and silk it for you that Grandpa made. He should have patented some of those inventions.

Then my mind slips to the times I used to help shovel and sweep out the pig pen. What fun! After working to clean out the barn, Grandpa would spray and spray and then brush out the floor. After a few more rinses, then the fun began. I was in boots up to my knees about 5 sizes too big and I would say "okay now, Grandpa?" And he would say "Just a minute", "Okay now!" He would spray water and I would run and then slide across the floor. And he would spray more and I would slide again - so fast the wall would come up too quickly. And then slide again - spinning this time. Until my world would be dizzy and the water was splashed everywhere, even up in my hair. I was laughing and covered in water. Dizzy from the pure pleasure of the sheer freedom of sliding and splashing in water that every young 4-5 year old dreams of. And he would let me continue until I tired from work, fun and laughter. We would tramp back to the house, hand in hand, because I was too slick to make it up the drive alone, and into the back porch. To be met by Grandma's voice "What in heaven's name have you two been doing" Only to be met with my giggles and Grandpa's hand squeeze to remind me to keep it our little secret. And then I was directed to the bathroom to remove those stinking, sopping wet clothes and straight to the shower to become a respectable girl again.

And then my mind skips to times sitting on Grandpa’s lap. "Read it again grandpa". He had one of those laps a child could just curl up in. And sure enough he would read what ever beloved book we had brought to him. Over and Over and Over again, without complaint.

Then my mind wanders to the time the grandchildren were all allowed to run the farm in freedom, during get togethers. Ah the fun of hiding in that old wooden box in the pasture while playing hide and seek. Ah, yes, we hid a little too long. The adults came frantically calling our names. While we debated revealing our location, Grandpa reminded them there was only so far we could go. There is no way we would get too far, and not to worry. So, on we played in our great hideaway house/box for a few more hours.

Then there were the drives down to the cabin. I often rode with Grandma to pick up Grandpa at GM and then on to Virginia we would go. During those trips Grandpa taught me about sun dogs, the sailors warning about red skies. Grandma taught us the joke about "some-er cows" one trip. She said "look, do you see those summer cows?" And I said, "How do you know they are summer cows?", "What are summer cows?". She said, "You just have to look, see -- some are white, and some are brown. They’re some-er cows." I must have repeated that joke to Grandpa about a hundred times during the next hour. Every time we passed a farm. This at that time was every mile. And each time Grandpa would give a hearty laugh at the correct time and smile.

When we reached the cabin, the first item of the day was to find each of the keys on the key ring to unlock the big door. Grandpa would describe them and let me try to find them, even if it took a few minutes, unless I gave up. And sometimes he would lift me up and let me turn the keys. Then, as Grandma unloaded groceries, Grandpa and I saw to the second order of business. (Meaning I would shadow Grandpa -- an important job you know.) Checking under the porch to see if the water line and the breakers were turned on, and the next order of business. A very important task indeed. We (meaning Grandpa) would carry the watermelon down the path to the creek and find a small pocket of water to float the watermelon. Mind you as Grandpa carried the watermelon down the path, I either skipped ahead or slid down behind him, grabbing his belt to stay upright nearly knocking him down on several occasions. I would be given the task of finding a spot where it couldn't float away, but would get cold fast from the water flowing off the mountain.

And I can still hear him and uncle Laben sitting on the porch whistling to the whippoorwills until they came right up onto the steps certain another whippoorwills was calling it.

And then there were the times of teasing him when you found him snoring asleep on the recliner or the rockers. And even mocking him as a young child pretending to sleep with the loudest snores we could muster and breaking into laughter together.

Later, there were times when he just took you aside. And would say "I am so proud of you" or "I want you to know that Grandma and I support you and are praying for you" Or "We miss you" or "We love you". I particularly remember when he took me aside during one of my breaks home during PA school. He just said "I know you can do it. We are so proud of you. We pray for you. And we know you are going to get thorough this".

And the stories he would tell... some sad, some funny.

And the twinkle he could make appear when you would catch his eye across the table or room.
Even one of the times I drove up and was in his room at Menno Haven. The other adults were talking about something. I had tuned out and thought Grandpa was asleep. I was just covering my yawn with my hand, when I saw it. Grandpa stealthily opened his eyes and glanced around and saw he wasn't seen by anyone, then felt my eye on him. His eyes met mine, then laughter flickered across his, as he saw I was yawning at the conversation. He smiled with a twinkle to the eye, then raised his index finger to his lips, with a silent "sh sh" and nod and closed his eyes again. I started to silently laugh. I laughed so hard I choked up a cough to cover the laughter. Which drew the eyes of the adults toward me and away from Grandpa. He opened his eyes again with a twinkle and snapped them shut quickly before the others noticed or could draw him into their conversation. When that conversation finished he perked back up again and got involved again. He was always good at making me laugh. And when he wasn't, I could usually make him laugh.

I also know he struggled at the end. It made me cry to see him struggle to lift his hand or his foot. The sheer frustration at not being able to deal with daily tasks with his own abilities was such a hard thing to watch. It made me wonder how gracefully I will handle that. Probably not very well, but then would I want to give in. One thing Grandpa had in abundance that I gained was his stubborn willpower. I am glad to know he is finally at rest, and will have a functional new body and new found freedom. I am sure he is pestering God with tons of questions, because I fully expect to be filled in when I reach his side in the future...

Did you see that sunset?

2007-06-11T22:53:00.000-05:00

I love taking time to watch the sunset. Tonight I spent it flashing by the window as I prepared to do some stitches. Summer time has begun, as the campers floated by me today for cuts and sprains. The sunset contained the most brilliant red and pink colors after the rain shower. I wish I could have sat and just soaked it in. I never tire of seeing the colors slide shade to shade and then into shadows.

After noticing the sunset I was struck by the sweet open nature of two of my patients. One, a child seperated from his family who was so brave through stitches. With a sweet PA who held his hand while I injected the numbing medicine. And the other a beautiful young girl with the deepest green eyes. And realized the young girls innocence mirrored in her eyes was such a large part of her beauty. Ah to be young, I would have loved to be at camp this week. Unfortunately I am covering the other PA's vacation time and am stuck inside most of this week. Other than Thursday, which I have off and am preparing to go salsa dancing again. (thank God for per deim staff who can pick up at least one shift.)

Well, after working almost 13 hours I am ready to get some sleep. But I am excited we finally got our first rain since I planted the garden. It needed it. Hopefully things will start to grow better.