ARGHHH!

ARRRRRGH!   Yup, you read/heard right!   I am in the process of trying to go back and put labels on older posts...just starting the chore, and not sure I like it.  In fact, I know I DON'T like it, so we'll see if it actually gets done!  Maybe knowing how much fun it is (NOT!) to go back and do it later will help me to remember to do it when I actually create a new post.  Ya' think?!!

SUCCESS!

Success....well, limited success, anyway!

TROUBLES....

Okay....so I was trying to update our blog with a Christmas "look" this morning, and nothing was working.  Consequently, we're back to a very basic look until I get it all looking the way I want it....just hope it's not 2010 before that happens!!

BABY PHOTOS....

BABY PHOTOS....gotta' love 'em.  For those of you who haven't seen the latest photos of baby Lucas....thought I'd share just a few.  BTW - these were taken by a friend of Janelle's to mark the fact that Lucas is now one month old.

 

Little guy has been holding his head up from birth....think he'll be rolling over pretty soon at this rate!

And I love this next one...he has started smiling at his mom.....

And to end the baby-fest.....

What a sweet baby face!   How can anyone doubt God's existence when He creates a miracle like this?!

This last week was a very busy one....at times....and a very slow one...at other times.  Monday morning we left Talladega and arrived (after a safe and uneventful trip) in Chapel Hill, TN.  Tuesday morning we made our way to Jon's new home in Franklin to await the delivery of appliances and to get ready for the move-in that night....accomplished by quite a few of the members of Jon's team at DR.  As it turned out, the appliances didn't arrive until Jon was already home, but I took advantage of the time to make chicken enchiladas for "the movers"....much appreciated by all, it seems!  The guys even got the piano upstairs over the garage with only a very minor ding in the wall....amazing.

On Thanksgiving Day Willie and I headed up to Madison and took Mom and Dad out for Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrel.  I must say, it was a good value and the food was good, too!  More importantly, they really enjoyed it, and we enjoyed spending time with them....another thing for which we are thankful.

One of the things (among many others) that we are enjoying is the view....this picture was taken from Jon's bedroom window a couple of mornings ago.  There were actually six deer in this group, but I only "captured" four of them.

They were very active and having a lot of fun...so it was a treat for us to watch them!  A view of some of God's creatures enjoying themselves always "makes my day", as the saying goes.

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving season, and that you are preparing for Christmas in a way that will bring honor to "the reason for the season".

God bless!

HISTORY....that's what this project at Shocco Springs is...history!  The project came to an end yesterday afternoon, and we started saying our "see ya' later's" to both old and new friends, as the Millers headed back to their farm and many responsibilities.  Then this morning we said, "So long," to the Johns, Whites and Stokes.....leaving our group considerably less in number than we were this time yesterday!

It has been an awesome project, with a lot accomplished amid lots of laughter, game nights and good times gathered around food (thank you, Mariam).  This is the largest group for which we have been group leaders, and they made it "a walk in the park"!   Thanks, guys!

Back to what was accomplished....let's see

• Continuing renovations in Oakridge
• Painting of bunk beds in Choctaw
• Installation of new lights in several buildings at the Adventure Camp
• Preparation and distribution of new phone books
• Assistance in food service
• Cataloguing and labeling photos
• and as always......LAUNDRY!!

And so, as we get ready to say our farewells to Shocco and head north on Monday, we leave you with a picture of Willie being......well, Willie!

Have a wonderful weekend.....and be thankful for the blessings in your life!

FIELD TRIP!   Last Friday our SOWER group toured the Alabama Industries for the Blind facility here in Talladega.  As always, it makes us so grateful for ALL of our senses, and of course, there is Robert (a blind gentleman who has worked there for many years) .....a real showman!

His zest for life, smile and laugh would brighten the gloomiest day.

One of our SOWER friends attempted to do Robert's job....I think we will let Robert keep his job and find something else for Rog!

This time as we toured the facility I was struck by the different shapes and textures....guess it must be that "aware of senses" thing...something that so many individuals working there can't experience the same way we do.

 

 

 

 

BTW - if you purchase any Skilcraft product, you are purchasing an item made by one of the many Industries for the Blind.  Some of their products include brooms (think Lions' Club), mops (ahoy, ye swabbies), paper products, and many items for the military including helmet covers, flight bags, gear bags and ALL military neckties! It definitely makes for an interesting tour!

Today was the day set aside for our "Ladies' Day Out", which we started at Cafe Royale on the square in Talladega....yummy.  Tho' I must say most of us were still rather full from the delicious cinnamon rolls that Marion (one of our SOWER friends) made for our break this morning.  For those of you who have experienced "Mimi's", you will be saddened to know that it was a victim of the recession....so no more mile-high cheesecake or other delectable goodies on the square.  A sad day, indeed!

 

Back to our LDO - after lunch we made our way to Pell City for some thrift store shopping....a huge America's Thrift Store and Elijah's Barrel.  I also happened across a Rexall....not a drug store....but a soda fountain....think 50's and 60's.  No drugs here, unless you count the caffeine in the fountain drinks!

And as always, my eye is caught by a pretty flower here and there.

 

And I want to leave you with one last photo of the fall foliage....

 

the next time we are here, there will be no leaves on the trees, and the only flowers blooming will be the winter cabbage and pansies!

 

But I am so grateful for color in all of the seasons....each one is special in its own way

just as each one who touches our lives is special!

CHALLENGED....that's the way I felt after this morning's service at Brook Hills.  Dr. Platt challenged the church to a radical experiment for the next year....hopefully, the lessons will  be posted on the church's website, 'cause I would love to be a part of it, even "long-distance".  I have missed being a part of a small-group directed Bible study....one of the drawbacks of being "on the road".

Yesterday Willie went with some of the group to the Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham....mainly motorcycles....but there were a few cars to pique Willie's interest, along with hundreds of motorcycles....

 

 

Then they headed for the new Bass Pro Shop in Birmingham.......a fun day for them, all in all.

As for me, well, I took advantage of the time to get some scrapbooking done, so I really enjoyed that.....as always!

Tomorrow is our Ladies' Day Out....lunch at Cafe Royale, and then a trip into Pell City to hit the thrift stores....we'll see if we can find some bargains!  And, yes, we will get some work done in there somewhere!

Have a blessed day, and be sure to spend

some time in the Word tomorrow....it WILL make a difference!

Today was a beeeauuuutiful sunny day, little on the cool side, but wonderful, nonetheless.  So, of course, I had to take my camera out and about with me to get a few more fall color pictures.....enjoy!

 

 

 

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty with which You
have surrounded us.....what a gift!

SHOCCO SPRINGS.....I'm here!   I do believe Willie and Daisy were more than a little happy to see me when I arrived on Sunday afternoon.  It was heartwrenching to leave Gulfport....but it was time to be back with my little family.

We have been very busy here.....the guys have been working on renovations in Oakridge while the women have been doing a variety of things from laundry to clerical to helping in the kitchen.  Oh, and a couple of ladies got to deliver phone books around campus today while I worked on cataloging and labeling photos.  (Photos of some of our efforts will be posted later in the week or this weekend.)

The group has enjoyed a variety of times together...eating out together, touring the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory, playing lots of Slough, devotions, dessert at Buster and Mary Taylor's (director of Shocco Springs), and lots and lots of laughter.  This Friday we will be touring the Industries for the Deaf and Blind, and on Saturday some of the group is going to a motorcycle museum.

Oh....and I mustn't forget....last Saturday was a special time for Willie.  He went to Talladega Speedway, along with most of the volunteers, to watch Buster as he enjoyed his birthday present.....driving in the Dale Jarrett Driving Experience.  Through a series of fortuitous events, Willie was able to do a ride-along....three hot laps.....at 175 mph!   I think he still has the smile on his face, and it will probably be there for quite awhile!   To say that he was thrilled is a huge understatement.....see for yourself......

Yup....one happy rider/camper!!!

I thought I would also post some photos that I took around campus today.  I had thought that I had missed all of the changing colors, but no....as you can tell, there are still some pretty sights to be seen....

 

 

 

Doesn't God paint an absolutely beautiful canvas?

Have a blessed day tomorrow, and don't forget to share God's love with those around you.

Just so you know.....Lucas is not always the perfect angel....especially when he's hungry.....

That is the face of one unhappy little guy.....he's staaaaarrrrving!

And when he's hungry....he is NOT patient!  A little bit of carnality showing??

Well, tomorrow is the day that I head up to Alabama and leave Mississippi behind....not without mixed emotions.  I can hardly wait to be back with my honey, and I'm looking foward to be able to work two weeks on the project.  It will be hard to leave Janelle and the Triple Threat behind...especially since Lucas is suffering from colic....not much fun for her!

On another note...yesterday was my dad's 88th birthday.....he had a couple of days of celebration, and we are blessed that there are others that were there to help him celebrate.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, DAD!!

THE FACE OF INNOCENCE....

Aren't newborns the picture of innocence?  I love the look on Lucas' face when he is totally relaxed and at peace.  Won't it be wonderful when we are all at peace that way in the presence of our Lord?!!

A quick update on things here and then I'll give you a "second-hand" update on the project.

GULFPORT....Lucas is doing fine...and mom is much better now that the spinal headache has passed.  Boy, that was a rough couple of days, but God is good, and she is up and around once more.  In her words, she "feels like a mommy again."  The boys are adjusting well, tho' yesterday was a very rough day for Nathan.  Due to his Asperger's, he doesn't comprehend the concept of time at all, and has a hard time refocusing.  He had in his mind that he was "going to class" yesterday, when in actuality the paperwork was begun and it will be a couple of weeks before he actually starts.  That precipitated a downward cycle, and the day didn't get much better!

Zach had his last baseball game of the fall season, and has been recruited for a tournament team for the spring season....he is excited.  I'm not so sure about Mom.....she's thinking of all those nights of practice and games....more commitments of time and energy (something that seems in short supply at the moment).  What we don't do for our kids!

If things go as planned, I will be driving up to Talladega on Sunday to join my hubby (whom I miss like craaaaazy) and the project.  It has been good to be here, but it will be good to be back "home"!

PROJECT UPDATE - There are six couples (this is the first project for two of the couples), in addition to Willie, and everyone seems to be really enjoying both the work and the fellowship.  Some of the guys are refurbishing one of the older housing buildings, while a couple of them are doing some carpentry work on a house that was purchased by the Center.  They have already enjoyed good game nights and will be going as a group on a tour this week, along with lunch at Buttermilk Hill.  (I'm told it is great....Willie has promised that I WILL get to see for myself before we head up to TN.)

Have a wonderful day and allow the Lord to work through you in any way He sees fit....He may just surprise you!