To My Faithful Readers!!!

I have been out and about today after being almost housebound for the past few days with my back, except for Wednesday evening when I did go to church. Today I went for an adjustment at my chiropractor. Then I took a long backroad drive on the way back to Logan. I just love to ride on the backroads (paved backroads) when it is a beautiful spring day like today. I then stopped by my sister Debbie's and took her to lunch at China Buffet. We had such a good time! We talked about sister stuff and our kids and laughed and ate. I then bought some flowers and potting soil for Ed to plant this weekend. Okay, I might help him plant them if he waits until tomorrow. I got home at about 2:30 and took a much needed nap because I am getting ready to leave and take a van-load of young people to Middleport, Ohio for a Youth Rally! Hallelujah! We should be home by 12 or 12:30am. Then tomorrow morning I have to be at the courthouse by 10:30am to pick up the voting machines and other materials for election day. After that, the day is mine! I see a nap in there somewhere....*grin* I hope you are able to enjoy the beautiful weather and have a great weekend!
Oh and I would like to put a plug in for a young apostolic lady's blog that I just love to read! She put up an absolutely funny post about love that you just HAVE to read!
Anyway, I am out of here! I'll try to post again tomorrow and maybe have some pics of the rally! God Bless!!

My Wedding Memory Bear, at last!!!

Isn't she adorable??? This is my Wedding Memory Bear that my pastor's wife and good friend, Patsy Martin, made for me! I can't believe how wonderfully it turned out to be!

The body of the bear is made out of the suit Ed wore on our wedding day. The dark band on the hat and the bottoms of the feet are made out of the suit lining. Also, the bear's eyes, which aren't very visible in the pic, are the buttons from his suit. The dress is a miniature version of my wedding dress made from my actual wedding dress! The hat is made from material from my dress and Ed's suit! I am sooo pleased with it! I'll cherish it forever!! And to think that those clothes were just hanging in the closet never to be worn again!

Again, if anyone is interested in ordering a memory bear, just email me and we'll exchange the necessary info,k???

Enjoy this gorgeous day!!

How Could I Have Forgotten Her????

I am talking about our Grandkitty.....Roxie!!! Poor baby!! This first picture is of her when she was a little kitty and the second one is of her now!! She is the poor cat that is having to live with those three ugly dog sisters!! LOL (well, SHE thinks they're ugly anyway.) (*I don't, but don't tell Roxie,k??*) When Daniel and Erin first got Macie, the Jack Russell Terrier, Macie thougth she was just going to give Roxie a hard time until Roxie realized that she was as big as Macie and took off after her hissing and scratching!

Needless to say, Macie doesn't mess with Roxie much any more! *grin* Pets do make life so much fun and enjoyable!

I couldn't resist!

A friend sent the link to this video of someone imitating Pres. Bush to me today and it is soooo funny! I am just amazed at how people are able to impersonate other people in such detail!! I'll be interested to know what you think! Enjoy!!

The Three Sisters and a Tracker

Wellllll......Debbie asked me to take her to her new respiratory doctor yesterday (Friday), so I said I would, even though my back was killing me, but, hey, what are sisters for??? I mean, she just got out of the hospital, so I really felt like I should oblige, you know? So, I get to her house and she is sitting on the porch waiting for me. I crip out of my car over to her house and talk her into driving TO the doctor's office because I don't know if my back will take pushing in the clutch and all. Sooooo, we both kind of hobble over to her Tracker and crawl in. (It wasn't a pretty sight!)
Now, if you have never ridden with my sister Debbie, you don't know what you're missing! I don't know how the engine in that poor Tracker has survived! She goes up 33 in third gear and I'm tellin' her "Shift, Shift! Before you blow this thing up! You just wouldn't believe how she winds those gears out! Well, we make it safely to her appointment and once she is finished there, we call Bev (our OLDER sister....*grin*) and ask her if she wants to have some lunch with us and she said sure!! Soooo, I drive over to where Bev works. Once there, Debbie gets out and commences to climbing into the back seat of the Tracker so Bev can have the front seat. I mean, it's almost a given that "I" sure can't climb in the back seat of that thing! And wouldn't you know a humongous pick-up truck pulls up and wants to pull in where we are pulling out of? Well, Debbie is heave-ho-ing it up into the back seat, portable oxygen and all, and she can't make it, so she tells Bev to push on her behind! Well....that did it! We all started laughing and Debbie lost what strength she did have to pull herself in with and, well, we were a sight! Three gray-haired, chubby women trying to get into this vehicle, a little physically impaired and alot crazy!! Wellllllll.....we decided we had better give it one more try, so this guy could have my parking space and the third time WAS the charm. We got all settled in and drove over to Steak and Shake where we had a 'licious lunch. I just love a good old hamburger...er, uh....I mean, steakburger. (that's what they advertise, folks) I just think a big juicy hamburger and fries are so satisfying like nothing else! Anyway.....back to the story,a.k.a. adventure! So we finish up lunch, which alot of I end up wearing out of the place on the front of blouse, as usual. (my sandwich had some kind of drippy sauce on it, okayyyyy??? sheeshhhh!) Well, Bev offers to sit in the back and I'm thinkin', "REEAALLLYYYY????" I wanted to see this! Well, let me tell you, she hopped up in the back of that Tracker so lickity split that I felt a rush of envy! I couldn't believe how easily she climbed up into that thing! Man! I think alot of it can be attributed to the fact that she lives in a 3-story house and has to climb all of those stairs every day. Can you believe it? And she's the oldest! *sighhhhhhh* Well, we took Bev back to work and then all the way home Debbie kept saying, "Boy, Bev really jumped into the back seat, didn't she?" "Did you see how easy it was for Bev to get in the back seat?" "Can you believe how easily Bev got in the back seat?" "Yesssss, Debbbbiiieee, I saw how EASILY she got into the back. Yessss, that was really greeeaattttt. Jump might be a bit of a stretch, though." (All said a little sarcastically as I pushed in the stupid clutch in the Tracker with the back seat that Bev climbed into.....sooooo easilyyyyyy.)

Pictures of our granddoggies!!

My sweet daughter-in-law Erin just made my morning! She sent us pictures of our three granddoggies! What cuties they are!! It just amazes me how much they love eachother! From the left, they are Macie, the Jack Russell terrier, then Heidi, she's a boxer, and then Jasmine, she's a boxer/lab mix. All girls! These pics make me want to go see them, which we just might do a little later.



This, of course, is Jasmine on the left and Heidi on the right, and they are all cozied up together!







And this is the new baby girl, Macie! Can't you just see the energy in her? She is adorable and Ed wants one! Okay, I really, really love her but I'm not sure I want a Jack Russell Terrier in the house with Ellie. Poor Ellie would probably be traumatized, so I told Ed maybe he would just want to go visit Macie when he feels the urge to go get one of his own.

Springtime, Debbie and my car

Good evening, everyone, from southeastern Ohio! It has been such a lovely day today. I absolutely love spring! It has been a rather quiet day for me here in my little valley. My sister Debbie was admitted to Lancaster-Fairfield Hospital yesterday afternoon. She was having trouble breathing and also having chest pains. Well, they gave her breathing treatments, ran some tests, and also gave her a stress test. I am happy to tell you that she is now home and doing much better. Of course, she has not been able to smoke for almost two days. That is alot of her problem, if not most of it. She has smoked for so long and so heavily......the damage is done and is only getting worse, because she continues to smoke. I can only pray that she will quit some time soon.
I was not able to go see her because I am having car trouble. I drive a navy blue Ford Focus which I just love. Well, ever since I bought it, it has had a rattle underneath when I am driving on a secondary road like ours. Out on 33 it is noise free. Ed took it back to where we got it and they put it up on the rack and said the front spring was busted, BUT once they put it up on the rack and did whatever they did to it, it is REALLY noisy, so I have to wait now until they get the spring and then put it on, which will probably be Saturday.
Back to Debbie....I have called her several times and kept in touch with her and her children. I talked to her just a short while ago and we'll talk again tomorrow.....several times, no doubt. We do have a very close relationship and I don't know what I would do without her! I just pray that she can lay down those cigarettes in the near future!

Pollworker Training

I spent three hours this afternoon taking Pollworker training. We used these new machines for the first time last November in the general election. We always have to go through training before each election. This is my fifth year in working the voting polls and I must say that I didn't realize how much care was taken to make sure that each voter got the opportunity to cast their vote and then how much care was taken to protect that vote until I began participating in the process. At least that is the way it is here in Hocking County. It is painstaking work but it is important and necessary. Election day is a looooooong day, let me tell you! But first we go to the polling place the night before and spend approximately 2 hours setting everything up. The next morning we have to be there at 5:45am and that night we are usually packed up and ready to go by 8:00pm. Being a presiding judge, I have to take all of the equipment back to the courthouse before going home. It does make for a long day, but on the plus side, I work with some really wonderful people. Also, we carry in food and it is usually delicious and food that I don't ordinarily have, so that is a treat! I usually take a book and magazines, because I am such a reader and that helps when there is a lull in voting and in the conversation. So there you have it! My take on working the voting polls! :-)

Oh, and let me say this: I am one of the youngest pollworkers and I am 54, people! It would be so great to see more young people getting involved in this process. I tell you, I don't know how much longer some of these older people can go on, bless their hearts. So if you are a young person reading this, consider going to your local board of elections and volunteering to work the polls! You do get paid for this, too, so that is a plus!


Hope you are all having a great day!!!

Wanna Lose Some Weight????

The Pasta Diet
1) You walka pasta da bakery.
2) You walka pasta da candy store.
3) You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop.
4) You walka pasta da table and fridge.

And for those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all the conflicting medical studies:
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausage and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Memory Bears!

My pastor's wife and good friend, Patsy Martin, is making Memory Bears. For example, I gave her the dress that I was married in and the suit that Ed wore on our wedding day. She is going to make us a Wedding Memory Bear out of them! I will post a picture of it here as soon as she is finished with it. Pictured at the right are some of the bears she has made so far. I am not sure of the price. The bears come in large and small. If you are interested in one, please email me,k??? I can't wait to get mine!! (And I'm 54!!) I guess you're never too old for a teddy bear,hm??? :-)

They are also sometimes called grief bears because they can be made out of clothing that belonged to a deceased loved one. Elder Sis. Martin's daughter-in-law had one made for her out of her deceased son, Jerry's favorite shirts. She gave it to Elder Sis. Martin for Christmas and she just cherishes it! I think it is a precious idea!

Email me if you're interested! God Bless you one and all!!

Catching up here!!

Hello everyone!! I was reminded that I need to get blogging here and update everyone! (you know who you are, beautiful ;-)

First of all, I turned over in bed last night and wrenched my back.....grrrrrrrrr! So I have been in more pain today than usual and it has kind of gotten me down, BUT I press on! I slowly took more things out of the hall closet and sorted them in the spare bedroom that is right there next to it. It is just full of all sorts of little stuff, you know? I am thankful to be getting to it, at last.
Here is my closet pictured almost empty except for the very top shelf. It is a work in progress!! :-/

I had to lay down for awhile and rest my back. While resting, my niece April called to see how I was doing because I had just chatted with my sister Debbie on the phone and told her about my back and then she talked to April.....well, you get the picture! News travels fast! :-) My family is so sweet to call and check on me.

Yesterday, Monday, I drove Debbie to her doctor's appointment. We made a couple of other stops, had some lunch and headed home. Once you feed Debbie, she is no longer good for anything until she has her nap. LOL! So she dozed all the way home. I got home at about 2:30 and took a nap myself. I drove her Tracker and it is a standard shift. The pushing in on the clutch all day long didn't help my back any either, I'm sure.

Last night, several of us from church loaded up in the van and went to Bro. Monk's church in Millersport for a Section 3 prayer meeting for the UPCI General Conference which will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio this coming September. We had a wonderful time of prayer, intercession and worship. Afterward, we rode back to the church with Daniel's father-in-law, Bro. Lew Dunnells, who pastors the UPC church in Nelsonville. We had such a great visit. Lew calls us his "new in-laws". We stopped at Tim Horton's in Lancaster and had coffee and donuts and talked about the kids and everything else under the sun.

Oh, yes, last Friday I had lunch with my nephew Troy and my dear friend, Becky! If I had a picture of her I would post it here! (hint! hint!) I forgot to take my camera with me. We ate at Olive Garden and had a great time!

Friday night we had a youth rally at church for Section 3/Circle 2. Bro. Josh Carson preached and it was an awesome message and service. How wonderful to see young people worship the Lord and consecrate their lives to the Lord! We were invited to go out to eat after service, but I was beat. I had been in Lancaster all day, going to my chiropractor, to lunch, and running errands. I just wanted to go home.

I woke up soooo tired Saturday morning!!! But Ed and I got up early and headed for Athens to get groceries before it got too crowded. We stopped at Daniel and Erin's on the way to see their new dog! Yes, you heard me correctly, folks, they got ANOTHER dog! You see, Erin took her car to have ground effects put on it and while they were waiting, Daniel and she rode over by the animal shelter. (that was their first mistake :-/) The saw a little Jack Russell Terrier and now she is family!! Her name is Macie and she is so darn cute!!!!

It is like she has springs on all four legs! Talk about energy! And she really gets along well with Heidi and Jasmine, too! I told Daniel and Erin that they are not allowed within 500 feet of an animal shelter for the next 5 years!! :-)

Well, Ed and I went on to Athens and got our groceries. We were finished and back home by 12:30. We put everything away and I headed for the bed for a nap! I was exhausted. I slept for 2 wonderful hours! While I was asleep, Bro. and Sis. Martin called and invited out to eat, but Ed told them I was asleep. I called Sis. Martin later and told her that she was going to have to get her a younger, livelier friend! Thankfully, she laughed!

Of course, Sunday was Easter and we had a wonderful day going to the House of the Lord, worshipping Him and thanking Him for all of goodness to us! Truly He is so worthy!

I think I am caught up on the news of the past few days! Whew!! :-)

I have some other things I want to post, so I will be back soon!!

Helpppppp!!

There are just sooo many wonderful blogs to read! Where do I draw the line? I don't have time to read this much! My dear husband asked me last night......"how can you sit at the computer for such a long time?" Well, there are just so many good blogs out there! I do have to find a way to contain this. Any suggestions from those of you in blogdom???

I originally began blogging myself as a way to let family and friends know what is going on in my day to day life and that is still why I blog. Also, my dear, adopted son has a wonderful blog which he uses in much the same way and reading his blog is what got me started. But, in being introduced to blogdom, I find myself being drawn to first one and then another blog, most of them christian and most of them having wonderful insights and things to say.




Anywayyyyy.....as I said before......I have to curtail this blog reading, folks. And I am going to do just that right now because it is time for my wonderful Sunday afternoon nap! Ahhhh yes......so I will blog at you later!!




I pray you are having a blessed Easter! The Lord's best to all of you!!

Have a Blessed Easter, Everyone!

I "borrowed" this amazing picture from a blog that I read most every day. If you look at it for a few seconds, it seems that the clouds are moving. I just thought it was so beautiful. When I first glimpsed it, I was struck by how it depicted the "loneliness" Jesus surely felt that day as he hung on the cross, though there were many gathered around to watch. I am here because of His sacrifice on Calvary. Of that I have no doubt and I shall be forever thankful.

"In Christ alone,
I place my trust,
And find my glory in the power of the cross,
In every victory,
Let it be said of me,
My source of strength,
My source of hope,
Is Christ alone."

Sooooo.....did you hear the one about.....

the blonde who had new replacement windows installed in her house? Well, she did. A few weeks passed and the window company hadn't received her first payment. The salesman, who sold her the windows, decided to give her a little more time. A few months passed and the company still hadn't received a payment on her account, so the salesman called the blonde. "We have yet to receive payment on your account for the new replacement windows we installed a few months ago," the salesman told the blonde, to which she replied with a huff, "Well, you told me that after a while the windows would pay for themselves!"

(this is where you laugh now......uh, you're supposed to laugh at this part.......you are laughing, aren't you?...)

Here is a picture of Ellie basking in the warm afternoon sun yesterday afternoon. It was such a gorgeous day.







And here she is today, curled up in her/my afghan in the den, sleeping. She has a really rough life, hm? *grin*

Now....I ask you.....

.....does this look like a clean and orderly closet?? *big sigh* THAT'S BECAUSE IT ISN'T!! Noooo, I haven't cleaned out that closet yet! (i must be crazy...putting a picture of my cluttered closet on here....sheesh) And you thought I was kidding when I said I had just been shoving stuff in there for the past 6 months, didn't you? Well, here is the proof, folks, in living color. I don't know, maybe I am trying to "shame" myself into cleaning out that closet. Who knows. Time will tell. Stay tuned! *smile*

But yesterday wasn't a complete waste. I made ham salad with the leftover ham from our family dinner on Sunday. I looooooove REAL homemade ham salad. Also, I baked blueberry muffins and made cherry crisp. Then for supper, I cooked smoked sausage and cabbage! I also did two loads of laundry and my regular household chores. Soooo, I had a really good and productive day. I just didn't get around to the closet. *grin* Maybe today.

Well, my dear friend, Tina, is sick with a terrible head cold. I am thinking about taking her two rambunctious boys to the park and McDonald's for a while to give her a bit of a break this afternoon. They are on spring break this week and of all things, she has to be sick. Poor girl. So if I take the boys out this afternoon, that means: the closet doesn't get cleaned again! Let me see.....take the boys to the park/clean out the closet???? I just can't decide. I'll let you know what I decide.

Ed is once again at Erin and Daniel's working on their living room floor, so that means I have the house to myself! I am a little lonely today, though. Maybe that is why I am thinking about taking the boys to the park. I'm desperate for some company??? So much so that I am willing to take two of the most active young men I know to the park AND McDonald's? Who woulda thunk it??? lol

Well, I have to decide quickly what to do, so I am going to log off here (that's disconnect from the internet for all of you DSL people out there..har, har!...) and toss a coin! *smile*

Hope you are having a great Wednesday!! Your week is half over!! Rejoice!

Brace Yourself!

HAPPY EASTER!!

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves. "What are you doing in there?" she asked.

The rabbit replied: "This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?", to which the lady replied "Yes".

"Well," the rabbit said, "I'm westing".

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Four of my favorite men!!!

This lovely picture was taken about a month ago on Pastor Appreciation Day. We had a carry-in dinner afterward, and these four handsome men were gathered together so I took the shot. From the left: Donnie Ryan (I'm his adopted mom. I can call him Donnie, okay?? :-), Daniel, my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased! :-), my twin brother, Johnny (we look nothing alike...thank you, Lord....just kidding!! I think he's kinda cute!), andddddd *drum roll please*, my wonderful, handsome husband, Ed! (Did I hear gagging out there? *grin*) Don't they make a handsome group??? How can you help but love them???? *smile*

She's Healed!!!!

Happy Monday, Everyone!! The cat is healed!! How do I know this to be a fact? Well, when we got home last night, after a 12 hour absence, we opened the front door and Ellie shot out the front door like water out of a high-pressure water hose! She's back to normal, folks! Trust me on this one. My sympathy has lifted. Ed got her and put her back in the house and I told her, "Repeat after me: "I am an INSIDE cat....I am an INSIDE cat" LOL Have we become complete idiots over this cat or what? (I think we need to get a life *smile*) Noooooo, this is what happens to you when your only child gets married and leaves. (I hear some of you mumbling: My kids ain't never gettin' married and leavin' LOL) Earlier this morning Ellie stretched up and tried to claw on the corner of the potato bin and just kind of slid down off of it and laid down looking dejected, as if she were saying:"Well, that sure isn't fun any more..." Poor declawed, Kitty.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I got up early and put a ham in the oven, made rolls, and cooked noodles for our family get-together at one o'clock. We had it at church in the fellowship hall. Ed and I left home at about 9 AM. We had a really good service yesterday morning, then stayed afterward and got everything ready for dinner at one. We had a good turn-out and everyone visited and laughed and had such a good time. Bev and Bethany made like 90 filled eggs for an Easter Egg Hunt. Ed and Kevin, April's husband, hid the eggs in the side yard at church and the kids had great fun hunting for them. The party finally broke up at around 3:30, after everyone had eaten plenty and helped clean up. Ed and I just stayed at the church and went to the evangelist's quarters downstairs and rested for a short while. We had choir at 4:45, prayer at 5:30, service at 6:00. I was so weary, but once service started there was such a spirit of joy and worship I immediately felt rejuvenated. Pastor Martin's sermon title was "Shake, Rattle and Roll". It was awesome! He preached from Acts 16:25 where Paul and Silas were locked up in prison and how that even when we are faced with adverse circumstances, praising the Lord is the answer. It was just what I needed to hear!

Ed and I came home after service, where usually we go out for food and fellowship, but I was beat. After getting home, I felt a surge of energy.....believe it or not......and did dishes and put everything away from the carry-in dinner, took out the trash and recyclables, showered, burned some pictures to a CD for Sis. Martin and surfed the web for a short while, then finally took my tired self to bed! I just wanted to get of this stuff done so it wouldn't be facing me this morning!

My brother-in-law, Bud Schrader, has some of his photos posted at Shutter City and I took a look a them last night. They are very, very good. Go have a look if you like! Once you get to the webpage, you just type in his name in the little window on the upper lefthand portion of the webpage. You'll be pleased, I guarantee!


I am by MYSELF today! Just me!! I can't tell you how often this ever happens. Like NEVER!! But Ed and Jim Doughty are working at Daniel and Erin's house today, ripping up carpet and laying new tile, though they may not get that far today. You see, it is the original carpet in their house and it is old and dirty and just scrungy. The people that lived there before Daniel and Erin had pets and now the kids have two dogs and a cat. The carpet is beyond shampooing. I think it would probably just fall apart if you tried to clean it. Anyway, Ed and Jim are going to have to put down some subflooring before they tile it so it will take a few days to accomplish all of this but the kids are so excited about getting rid of the old carpet and I can see why. Also, they talked with April and Kevin yesterday (my niece and her husband) and they have an outside dog kennel that they are going to give to the Daniel and Erin for their dogs, which is great, because now they can get the girls (the dogs) outside without worrying about them taking off and so on.

Well, I need to end things here and get to work on my hall closet. Did I say that that was what I was going to do today? Well, it is. The hall closet is a castastrophe! I have just been shoving stuff and shoving stuff into it since way before Christmas and it shows. I can barely shut the door, but I haven't been able to clean it because of my back. Don't worry, I am going to take my time and be careful, so I don't hurt myself. *grin* There isn't anything heavy in there anyway. Just mostly small things that need to all be taken out and put back in an organized manner.

Enjoy the beautiful weather, everyone and I'll post again soon!!

I hate when that happens!!! Grrrrr!!

I tried to post three different times yesterday evening and just when I was ready to post..........THE POWER WENT OUT!!! I finally gave up! (did you all notice???? *feeble grin*)
Anywayyyy.......here I am, once again, and I am going to try my best to get a post up here, weather permitting, of course. It is still cloudy and we have had a rain shower or two this morning, but here goes nothing!!!

As for Ellie the kitty: She is improving daily though still kind of doing a prancing step still with those front paws. BUT....she has been doing things that she would not normally do. Like, yesterday morning I went looking for her and she was just sitting so prettily in my new chair in the den! She has never done this before, so I gently picked her up and told her that she knew better and put on the floor. After supper yesterday evening, Ed and I went looking for her and found her all stretched out on our bed, of all places! Now she KNOWS she is not allowed on our bed, except when I am napping and am covered up with "our" afghan. Sooooo, once again, I picked her up gently and told her she knew better! About the "our afghan" thing: My dear sister-in-law Cheryl made me an afghan many years ago and I cherish it, but since Ellie has come to live with us, she thinks it is HER afghan, too. I have no idea why. Go figure. She's a cat. Anywayyyy.....everytime I get MY afghan out, here Ellie comes kneading the thing, purring like crazy, and plopping her cute little furry body down on it. Most of the time, I accommodate her, I'll admit. I mean, we are taught to share from childhood on, are we not? *grin*

Now about Ellie doing things she doesn't normally do: I wonder if she realizes that she is being given special care and attention because she is "in recovery" and she is taking advantage of us??? Surely she isn't THAT smart, is she? What do you think? Could it be? Hmmm.....I wonder.....Should we be more stern with her??? But she is just so kewwwwttt!!!!!!

Now.....onto other things! :-)

How am I doing physically? Well, in all honesty, this has been a pretty painful week for me. Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday especially. Still, I have done my exercises through the pain. I believe that I am beyond most of my back problems and am now dealing with arthritis. I have been reading as much as possible about alternative treatments for arthritis and exercise is absolutely a must. Also, yesterday, I watched a bit of an exercise program on TV (isn't that what most of us do with those exercise programs?.....WATCH them.....heaven help us!! LOL) Anywayyyy.....there was one exercise that they were doing that I really feel would help me in one area of my body where I experience a great deal of pain and that is where my legs join the trunk of my body. I did a few of them last night and already I have felt some relief, I believe. The exercise is this: while laying on your back on the floor, you bend your knees, feet flat on the floor as if you were going to do a crunch. Pointing your toes, you lift your leg off the floor and bring it back to your chest, alternating legs. You don't quite bring your knee to your chest....not that I could anyway! lol Too much in between to do that just yet! My left hip and leg are the weakest, but I am really going to be faithful in doing this along with my other exercises. I have a tendency to want to just go gungho at anything I start, but I have learned to be patient and go in small increments as I have endeavored to work my way back from my back problems. I'll keep you posted!

Well, the day is a'wastin' and I have alot that I want to do! The youth are going bowling this afternoon from 2-5pm and I am cooking for our Easter family get-together tomorrow after church. I also need to put a few finishing touches on music for church and the lesson for class tomorrow. I am so thankful for the things the Lord has given me the privilege of doing for Him. May I never take them for granted and may I be able to do them to the best of my ability, for His glory.

I hope you are all having a good weekend. The Lord's best toeach of you and I will post more later, hopefully. Oh, and about the bowling.....not to worry.....I won't be bowling,k? I will be watching and eating pizza and having a good time otherwise!!! *smile* Until lata!!!!

Ellie and Ed (Her Daddy)

Here is Ed and Ellie. He is just petting and comforting her. Can you tell this kitty is loved?? *grin* She even purred a little for him!

Ellie's Home!!

We picked Ellie up from the Vet's this morning. Here she is laying on her blankie in front of the woodburner. She wags her tail ferociously when we say her name, but that is about all she is up to at the present time. Gosh, but I can't believe how it tugs at my heart to see her like this, but she is going to get better with time! Thanks for the sweet comment, Jeannette. *smile*

Survey Time!!

Okayyyy.....I just got this survey from the Survey Queen herself: Rebecca Ryan, aka, my adopted grandaughter!
I wouldn't do this for just anyone!!! *smile*

Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4 :
Max Lucado's "Grace for the Moment"
"or their children begging for food"
Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?
Absolutely nothing!! lol
What is the last thing you watched on tv?
Channel 10 Midday News
Without looking guess what time it is.
1:15pm
Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
1:09pm Pretty good guess, hm? *grin*
With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The ticking of the clock in the den.
When did you last step outside? What where you doing?
Approximately 10:45am and I was taking a short walk before we went to pick up Ellie.
Before starting this survey what did you look at?
A new blog I linked to from Donnie's blog: "
What are you wearing?
Black skirt, white t-shirt top, lavender/green/white overshirt.....my sweet daughter-in-law bought me this shirt! *smile*
Did you dream last night?
Yes, I believe it was something about taking some ladies to a retreat but having a terrible time getting them there. You know how that goes in dreams! *sigh*
When did you laugh last?
This morning, though I don't remember exactly what about. It was something said between me and my husband.
What is on the walls of the room you are in?
A needlepoint picture Leigh(my niece) made for me: "God Never Closes One Door Without Opening Another."
Two bronze multi-leaf wall plaques (Home Interior)
A fall-looking picture (Home Interior) that says: "In All They Ways Acknowledge Him and He Will Direct Thy Paths." Proverbs 3:6
Seen anything weird lately?
LOL There's isn't enough room here to put it all! Just kidding.....I don't believe I have. Oh, well, I was at my sister Debbie's yesterday and she has two dogs: Ladybug, a dalmatian and Emma, an English terrier, I believe. Well, they are both in heat.....AT THE SAME TIME! And that is all I have to say about that! LOL
What do you think of this quiz?
Well, it does have different questions from the usual ones, which is nice!
What is the last film you saw?
The last movie I watched with Becky when she was here. I believe that was "Gone With the Wind". Right, Becky? And it was just the first half.
If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Hmmmm.....this takes some thought. (you better appreciate this, Ms. Ryan! *grin*) Well, I would probably buy Daniel and Erin a modest home, being mindful of taxes and insurance. Then I would probably buy my sister, Debbie, a new car. Next, I would buy Ed a new tractor/lawnmower type dealie thing and have us a log home built here where we are.
Do you like to dance?
I love to dance! My brother Johnny and I were voted the best dancers in our senior class. (That was a few years ago!) But I only dance in the privacy of my home. (You should be thankful. LOL) Dancing is a great fun way to exercise! I just can't get too carried away.
George Bush?
Yes, I support President Bush, while I don't agree with all of his policies. When I think of Al Gore as having possibly been our president, I am totally President Bush.
Imagine your first child is a daughter, what do you call her?
If Daniel had been a girl, he was going to be named Emily Diana or Elizabeth Diana.
Imagine your first child is a son, what do you call him?
Our first child WAS a son and we named him Daniel Edward Cavinee!
Would you consider living abroad?
Only if the Lord called us to the mission field.
What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"Welcome home, my child, your journey is over."

4 people who must also do this quiz in email are:
Bethany Schrader
Becky Hopstetter
Troy Haybron
Pat Coakley
I love you four!!!! *smile*

Okayyyyyy.....now I have to go and do something constructive! Like wash curtains and blinds!!! Oh, joy and gladness!!! LOL

The Blogging Blues

I just haven't felt like blogging lately, yet I do feel a responsibility to post for my faithful readers. Especially those of you who EMAIL me if I haven't posted for awhile! *grin* (you know who you are!) I have been in quite a bit of pain the past few days, perhaps due to the weather, and that tends to dampen my spirit a bit. I was beginning to think that my back was much better and perhaps most of my pain now is due to arthritis, but then today, I am experiencing a bit of pain in my back. I do get tired of being controlled by the pain, you know? I mean, when anyone talks to me, the first thing they want to know is about the present condition of my back and the pain level. I know that sounds so mean-spirited but I surely don't mean for it to. I do so appreciate people's concern. It means so much to me. I just want my daily life to not be so dependent upon my level of pain, you know?

Anywayyyyy.......hopefully, I will find my way out of this little slump and get back to "normal", whatever THAT is! *feeble grin*

Psalm 139:1
"LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness
and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;
and my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."
Psalms 139:1-18

And another thing!

And as if taking her to the vet to be declawed wasn't bad enough! I had just walked into the vet's office and this lady comes in with a big, old hairy dog that was barking his head off! I mean, this dog was unkempt and dirty! She had to be bringing him in to be groomed! And in the back you could hear another big 'ol dog barking like crazy! Poor Elzie!!! She'll probably be traumatized for life!!! We'll probably have to put her on Prozac for kitties!!!

Ellie, Come Home!

Our kitty, Ellie, is getting declawed today. *sigh* It has to be done because she is ripping up furniture and carpet, but it was not easy putting her in the carrier and taking her to the vet. She made the most mournful sounds on the way. I just kept talking to her in a soothing voice. It is going to be pretty lonely around the house until she gets back. We will pick her up at 11am tomorrow morning. I know, I know.......you might say she is JUST a cat. BUT.......she is our baby girl. Is it right for us humans to get soooo attached to these animals??? I sometimes wonder........but they do bring so much companionship and joy into your life. Like in the mornings when we open our bedroom door, there she is just meowing, so cuddly and lovable, and so happy to see us. While I am putting on the coffee, she jumps up on the washer and just waits for me to come give her some lovins'. *smile* I know, I know, I make a complete fool out of myself over this kitty. She is also known as Elzie, Elzikins, Furball, Baby Kitty, Baby Girl, Floot Snoot.....are you gagging yet???? LOL Furball and Floot Snoot are Ed's pet names for her. Anywayyyyy......I got the job of putting her in the carrier this morning and taking her and leaving her. She will probably never come near me again. *SOB* But, let's face it, it would have been even more difficult for Ed and she does tend to be more HIS cat than mine. I mean, I take care of her but he plays more with her and cuddles her more and so on. Actually, we both have our own kind of relationship with her, I guess. Alright.......I'm done being a blithering idiot over Elzikins. I just needed to vent a little. *Big Deep Breath" Theeerrrrreeee.........I feel much better now! :-)

Our Canine Granddaughters!

This is a picture of our canine grandaughters, Heidi and Jasmine! Heidi is the one with her ears turned back. She is Daniel's and she is a boxer. Jasmine is the one in front. She is Erin's and she is a boxer/lab mix. Talk about energy....now these two have it! Even though it isn't very evident in this pic!

Boil, Boil, Toil and Trouble

Hey!! A young man in our youth group has a boil just below the knee on his right leg. It is scary looking, let me tell you!! Does anyone know of a good home remedy for getting rid of them? Well, short of cutting his leg off just above the knee, that is! We won't be doing that anytime soon. But this thing is really awful looking and painful for him. The info will be greatly appreciated! I'll post some more later, but I have to go get a shower and wash my hair. It's Saturday!! LOL

Hey, the Final Four is tonight, starting shortly after 6pm! My money (if I was betting) is on George Mason!

I hope you are having a great Saturday!! Later to you all!!