Catching up

It has been way to long since I updated here. Honestly, nothing big has happened but I'll catch up on a few details. Mike and I went to Myrtle Beach with friends in late July. We had a nice time although the surf was rough and we were only allowed in the ocean up to our knees. It is just nice to get away. Once we came home, it was August. That is when I get in my back to work mode. I accomplished a few things around the house but it is never as much as I plan. Lindsey and Scott bought a house and they are all moved in. She is teaching at her old alma matre, CMHS, this year! It was always her dream so here she is! Her job is four miles away from her house. Jenny & John are good too. No big changes there as of now. I am back to work and already have the UR crud I get every fall. I'm sure there is a trip to the doctor in store this week for me.

The picture is of Seneca Rocks from about 3 years ago. (I had no new pictures to post.) I should be heading back to the mountains in October so I will take pics this year and post some!

4th of July Weekend

It seemed to me that we were on the go constantly this past weekend and I have a few pics to share. The cookout is at the Canfield's house. Greg was being so very nice in the background by holding an umbrella over Chris (the chef!) while he grilled in the rain. At least there was no lightening so the kids and yes, my grand dog Frida could swim. It was Fridas first time in a pool and she is pictured here swimming to Lindsey. On Sunday after church, a group of us went to Famous Dave's to celebrate Kathy's birthday. The pic above is of Mike F. after he finished ALL he could...... Burp!! We had lots of fun, were really tired, and would do it all again; well, next year we will hope for no rain during the party!

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Summer Bible Study

These are the girls that met tonight for our first summer Bible study. We had such a good time. We are joining Beth Moore's summer study on her Living Proof Ministries blog. We are excited to have six weeks this summer growing closer to God and each other. Please pray for our group; we are praying for others as we meet and talk every two weeks.

So, these are our friends, Debbie & Greg. The picture is from when we traveled to Alaska last summer. This year (actually next Friday) we are headed to the Smoky Mountains with them! Believe it or not, Mike and I have never been to the Smokies. We have both been to Europe, Mexico, and the UK, but never to the Smokies. We are excited and looking forward to getting away.

We love to travel and we love at least one or two trips a year which include Debbie & Greg. Summers off just have to include travel.

Nascar surprise

Mike and I go to the Coca Cola 600 every year. We go on a bus through his job. While working at school, I have met Samuel (on the left) who knows everything there is to know about Nascar. His brother Matthew, is at school this year too and I am getting to know him! Anyway, we invited their whole family to go to the race with us this year. We have all kept it a secret from the boys until today at 5pm. This week was state testing and we knew Samuel would not be able to concentrate if he knew. So, today both families (accident/NOT) happened to have dinner at McDonald's. Halfway through eating, we pulled out color copies of six tickets.........six! that is way to many for Mike and me so we better take the boys and their parents!!!! You can tell by the pics we made sure the boys were prepared...........they both got shirts, hats, and even coloring books!! They were both excited but Samuel was beside himself. He didn't even finish his dinner!! He was SSSOOOOO happy; he said it has been his dream. The moment he realized that we were ALL going was absolutely PRICELESS!!!!

Flat Stanley

I have a friend, Nick, in my Awana class at church. Nick goes to Milton Elementary where they have been reading about Flat Stanley. Nick asked me to take Flat Stanley to Altizer Elementary where I work and let him visit. Of course, I took pictures to document Flat Stanley's day! I showed Flat Stanley our recycling bin, he found books about himself in our library, he got a phone call at the secretary's desk, and he even got weighed at Weight Watchers after school! He had a nice day and was very tired when he got home.

In flight

When asked to provide a picture of something in flight, I knew what picture I would use. It is a bald eagle! We saw quite a few of them last summer on our tip in Alaska and this particular eagle was soaring around looking for food. Yep, babies in the nest! So, I'm posting an extra picture of the eagle sitting in the nest. The picture was taken through a telescope. It was all from Icy Strait Point and the town of Hoonah, Alaska. We saw our first bears here and were actually a little to close for comfort without protection around us. The way of life there in the winter is like something from way to far back for me to remember. Food ( all the beef) has to be flown or floated in and is very expensive for the residents.

Round Robin Challenge: By the Numbers

My entry for this Round Robin Challenge is the numbers I see each day at work. I work in an elementary school and enjoy this picture in our pre school and kindergarten hallway.

That hall at school is always cheerful and pretty!
The other picture is from Alaska. It is a sign with numbers telling the mileage from the Alaska pipeline. Maybe the reason we have so many pictures of this pipeline is because Mike works in the oil industry??

Happy #26

This is what happens when an adult child still has a key to your house (for emergencies only, of course). Actually, it made my entire week when I came home from work yesterday to this surprise! The poster was on the wall in the living room and I saw it as soon as I went up the stairs. The dining room table was all decorated and the gift basket is from wonderful grocery stores in Cincinnati. Our bedroom was decorated with streamers all over the ceiling and red balloons that covered the bed. AAAAAHHHHHHH Isn't that sweet?? We loved the surprise and the thoughtfulness and time spent in doing it. Jenny and John live about 40 minutes away so they even had to drive a ways to get here.

Thanks a bunch, you two!

First attempt

It is time once again. I believe it is Jan's fault. Now I feel the need to participate in these photo challenges. Why? I ask myself this; because it is yet another challenge. Here is my first attempt.
The picture above is what is left of the house where my grandmother was raised and lived until she got married and left for America. The house is in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Today, the land is till owned by relatives of mine. The old house is surrounded by apple orchards as far as the eye can see and the largest greenhouses I have ever seen. I touched the walls of the house. I cried when I was there. It was an emotional tie to my past. My guess is that the house is at least 150 years old.

Esther

For two weeks now, I've been involved in a new Beth Moore Bible study. As you can tell by the title, it is on the book of Esther. I've joined my friend Ruth at her church, Altizer Baptist for this. I am totally enjoying and learning. One of the best parts for me is that I am learning from quite a few new women! So far, I have a whole new idea of reasons not to be a queen: way too many pressures there for me. And the idea of being in a harem to be picked from, no way!
I look forward to other new insights. What am I the most surprised about? Mike!! That's right, Mike has joined us in this study. Ruth's husband is the pastor and he wanted male support and invited Mike so he goes with me. I am very proud that Mike is open minded about this and willing to learn from a female who has very female views. I guess since Mike has lived with all females for 24 1/2 years now, he's had no choice. This is another way for the two of us to grow closer to God together.

Old Cabin

This old cabin is also in Lindsey's backyard and slightly up a hill to the left. You have to cross a creek to get to it. Mike was brave and went over to check it out. There is an old bed frame inside and a couple other items but I forget what. I never even knew it was there for about 2 years because I was always there when the leaves blocked the view. I was shocked when it appeared for me last winter. I bet if someone let us know when they were coming this way for a visit, we could take said visitor to the cabin!

Old Barn

My friend, Jan, loves barns. So, Jan...... check out this barn. It is in Lindsey's backyard!!!!! She and Scott live in his great-grandmother's house. I'm not sure exactly how old the house is, but the bathroom was added in the early 70's I think. I peeked inside but did not go in. I love the old stuff too but I prefer for someone to go in before me and check things out first. I'm even OK with critters when I know they are there. I do not like to be surprised by them under my feet.

Thoughts

When Mike and I visited Ireland in the fall of 2007, we climbed the side of a hill by the water to see buildings from many, many years ago. There we found what is in the picture on the left. I was amazed. So, of course, we did not bother the cross, but I think of it often. If you could see the "houses" people lived in so long ago and to see the faith they had in God and how they expressed it is amazing! I think of our modern inventions today (cell phones, microwaves, etc.) and wonder what we would do without all these things. (I know, many of us are old enough that we have done without them).

I thought of this picture during the day today at work and knew I would share it when I got home.

A wonderful, shining example of a Christian man and a member of our church lost his short battle with cancer last night. Our thoughts and prayers (and hopefully yours) will be with the Grass family.

Back to Work

It was back to work (school) today. The students were on a two hour delay. This really confuses some parents; we got lots of calls asking what time the kids have to be there if it is a two hour delay. It is good to see the kids happy to be back at school. I realize for some, school is the best place for them to be most of the time. I worried last week when we were out all week if everyone was eating at home. It was the end of the month so I'm sure some were hungry. Everyone knows this happens but I had no idea it was happening within 10 minutes of where I live. Weight Watchers began again today after work. I'm heading to my first Zumba class in about 30 minutes then to a meeting at church. We will be celebrating 200 years at church next year so we have lots to plan.

Trapped

I told myself NOT to do this, but here I am.
I love reading other blogs but knew it was not for me.
So, I am home because of snow again and I guess all the whiteness and cold got to me.
My life does not seem nearly as busy as other blogs I read but here I am to share my life. Mike and I became empty nesters about a year and a half ago. Both girls and their husbands live close so that is the best part. We travel a lot and I catch a lot of grief from others about that. I just love to go and see other places and parts of the world. When I return home, I appreciate where I live more than ever. We are active in church here and that is our family!