tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90400284006640206892024-03-14T01:52:40.057-04:00Dream Big20 years ago, I would never have believed you if you told me that I would BLOG someday. How cool is that?Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-8933472413942891092010-08-21T19:26:00.017-04:002010-08-21T21:26:48.018-04:00SHOP-shewana 2010About this time last year, our Shipshewana motorcycle trip turned into a SHOP-shewana trip when we ordered an Amish made kitchen table and chairs (<a href="http://kaysquires.blogspot.com/2009/09/shopshewana-trip.html">see this post</a>). So it only seems right and fitting that this year we should make a return trip for the matching kitchen bar stools! I smell adventure! It took 3 motorcycles and one 4-wheel vehicle to pick up 3 stools. Gas Hogs, Wild Hogs, whatever we are - we're good at it. Here's to the open road!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH1Dv0t0A9W36RFQYg08QsqM-Bv3UI3HfhzbjU2NOtNL4wXVKnLYeDfPCMlwDfGJHXJ2WR5Vq552JqwY2yz6YrjfFLWAp_M83jy3Nz3v8tBSunoR-XYuiVZKcl7_Adb43lg7qg2vMVNKv/s1600/OpenRoad.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012752012133970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH1Dv0t0A9W36RFQYg08QsqM-Bv3UI3HfhzbjU2NOtNL4wXVKnLYeDfPCMlwDfGJHXJ2WR5Vq552JqwY2yz6YrjfFLWAp_M83jy3Nz3v8tBSunoR-XYuiVZKcl7_Adb43lg7qg2vMVNKv/s400/OpenRoad.bmp" border="0" /></a>Rain spit, sometimes poured, but that's what rain gear, backward ball caps, and goggles are for! Rick and Karen are so stinkin' stylish! Isn't it a-stinkin-dorable that their rain gear matches their bike colors? I would notice that kind of thing.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxz-ZuhUMGiMhSGUE4w5_km39L69bzrnZUSER0lUvoJVUdqbrxe4Hkkq9liA4ao6FRPN_8TVSBEmtYN63f9LEFmv12oRiZ_mWRBMm7E7Cr9xdCPCzdr3liqjTM7gCmnVNPidZ-o0QX-Wwh/s1600/RickKaren.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012747007413410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxz-ZuhUMGiMhSGUE4w5_km39L69bzrnZUSER0lUvoJVUdqbrxe4Hkkq9liA4ao6FRPN_8TVSBEmtYN63f9LEFmv12oRiZ_mWRBMm7E7Cr9xdCPCzdr3liqjTM7gCmnVNPidZ-o0QX-Wwh/s400/RickKaren.bmp" border="0" /></a>Next, we have Kevin going down the open road. I believe that Kevin believes that I can read sign language while driving a car and taking a picture, but let me assure you that I do not do it very well. I dearly love the guy for trying to communicate though! I love ya too baby!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpxzXJ6W1AOTa64580UwJEYsxAgvV9Q0CJZozfZTd1QD2zeSbkGXw_XpVJs3EOWsKKXrhOx8ptjOe9hpeKK6418T5jtSm3BAZK2dlVYbLf2t1fTQLJFkjV1L1xykI1F71JFS51TQjTuBj/s1600/Kev-Bike.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508012738334393442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpxzXJ6W1AOTa64580UwJEYsxAgvV9Q0CJZozfZTd1QD2zeSbkGXw_XpVJs3EOWsKKXrhOx8ptjOe9hpeKK6418T5jtSm3BAZK2dlVYbLf2t1fTQLJFkjV1L1xykI1F71JFS51TQjTuBj/s400/Kev-Bike.bmp" border="0" /></a>Ron & Connie doing a little "food" shopping! Get a load of those store shelves! They contain <em><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>the</strong></span></em> most mouth watering goods lined on those shelves inside this little Amish store. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUOJ725NS8YsDfeRqpRFXCcZBp4xJjVrFbdEvMm55aqQjSGdOSCWGthkuaosiDH83DmyNte0JXeCwUVB7dsx-2yTyAhymo6zYwvZyYSNdMjvpojFwHVVyZofJOtpwH3mmKvlI2t5MXPor/s1600/100_4460.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508011031066336306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUOJ725NS8YsDfeRqpRFXCcZBp4xJjVrFbdEvMm55aqQjSGdOSCWGthkuaosiDH83DmyNte0JXeCwUVB7dsx-2yTyAhymo6zYwvZyYSNdMjvpojFwHVVyZofJOtpwH3mmKvlI2t5MXPor/s400/100_4460.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kevin & Rick are eye-ing the pie case! The lemon pie had about a jillion mounds of meringue piled high - and there is just the slightest exaggeration in that statement. No calories in there! :) I'm already feeling guilty for just <strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">thinking</span></em></strong> (not doing), just <em><strong><span style="color:#330033;">thinking</span></strong></em> about buying one of these pie beauties to enter in next Sunday's church pie bake-off contest! I did not. I only thought it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaj-dQV8YNeZ5iQLCgL6Ow3FxGxd7cVOIZ9BmFgKRU6ZhiE90ojrR3EeBn4Q-BrvTFZgbzKQeYPzF2VmAp3wWdzLBIgVPu7QqZ5VszrYMxZe5uaARtYEt5_tH4CcDN-3-CCxaJBDzLy2s-/s1600/100_4459.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508011028027030770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaj-dQV8YNeZ5iQLCgL6Ow3FxGxd7cVOIZ9BmFgKRU6ZhiE90ojrR3EeBn4Q-BrvTFZgbzKQeYPzF2VmAp3wWdzLBIgVPu7QqZ5VszrYMxZe5uaARtYEt5_tH4CcDN-3-CCxaJBDzLy2s-/s400/100_4459.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is what the <em><strong><span style="color:#330033;">men do</span></strong></em> when the <strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">women do</span></em></strong> what <strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">women do</span></em></strong> best ... shop! Oh, and you are probably wondering how - why - and when did Kevin come up with that neon bright colored construction vest?! Well, ... join the club ... we are wondering too! He said it was so we could find him when we went from shop to shop! Men have a funny way of shopping with us women-folk, it's so amusing!<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iWver-qY6sMLn1lJu03awdUXyiSUfo3lJ3NqmeOdXmNdhdNLpYFI2EybSTmLfg19dARbNCIoRJtETbEEpvvVh2oIqv55KyFz83jfzQ69MR2Oi4zNze5F-Vc9f7ugcwj89dGosDDy17Uf/s1600/100_4479.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508011018007037538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iWver-qY6sMLn1lJu03awdUXyiSUfo3lJ3NqmeOdXmNdhdNLpYFI2EybSTmLfg19dARbNCIoRJtETbEEpvvVh2oIqv55KyFz83jfzQ69MR2Oi4zNze5F-Vc9f7ugcwj89dGosDDy17Uf/s400/100_4479.jpg" border="0" /></a>Shop-shewana couple of the year 2010! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA_jX0nl7TZE6siZpjsL227MTziZoaTUguGMGIvT0ij48OhDjA8dP9mD78on91sGNsaufAfDHDqZ8Bk_E1QnL-Lqq-u_u9ECHqPKaOIx8G7RjM4D4YexC9nlkfZl74vV0F3kWpCmFZNtG/s1600/100_4462.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508010440020696930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA_jX0nl7TZE6siZpjsL227MTziZoaTUguGMGIvT0ij48OhDjA8dP9mD78on91sGNsaufAfDHDqZ8Bk_E1QnL-Lqq-u_u9ECHqPKaOIx8G7RjM4D4YexC9nlkfZl74vV0F3kWpCmFZNtG/s400/100_4462.jpg" border="0" /></a>This year's Shop-shewana gang -- Kevin/Kay, Ron/Connie, Rick/Karen. More aptly named The Wild Outlook Hogs (named after The Wild Hogs movie, combined with the name of our church, Outlook). I'm sure the new movie will be out soon. We're just wild about Jesus and each other! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nzqAIXTweHcMKeiYYA3ucDz9ORdfTIxTi9dCNiM917H9ZqF_7fO0AGkM0kG3ofCHc_fQLAs8SrxdQPAvTAu9OUXbfjLwgEos8O3j41CLiYHwtIgd7IAXwPSfdSzdSkFS-eaDWPVWFJZ/s1600/100_4461.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508010436197829298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nzqAIXTweHcMKeiYYA3ucDz9ORdfTIxTi9dCNiM917H9ZqF_7fO0AGkM0kG3ofCHc_fQLAs8SrxdQPAvTAu9OUXbfjLwgEos8O3j41CLiYHwtIgd7IAXwPSfdSzdSkFS-eaDWPVWFJZ/s400/100_4461.jpg" border="0" /></a>Time to stop and consult the map -- who said anything about directions anyway?<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DAudPgUVdUdlUts6sI1FjblZW5ia5zyOE6gfJCEhJU9gaUrr7Nx6Wd0iv1irbyLDwLRMtc0WSjWcYLqYIxacitSn4079N7AlOV5RikGGI5q0Q7-5oOHpauCKiAyUEM7IIlGYhy7mXKck/s1600/100_4458.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508010430333345330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DAudPgUVdUdlUts6sI1FjblZW5ia5zyOE6gfJCEhJU9gaUrr7Nx6Wd0iv1irbyLDwLRMtc0WSjWcYLqYIxacitSn4079N7AlOV5RikGGI5q0Q7-5oOHpauCKiAyUEM7IIlGYhy7mXKck/s400/100_4458.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wild Outlook Hog member Ron.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcCnURpx6WZIK7gc08AEyNCouwtdXKP0xxJugA5ylXGl-zwOk93vSIy3KANsNYJGFGwHEcaoq6yKwCvA04nnL0dJR4uLA1VMX7j3whS9RjHfcHlGulERY4SBjsqogvSYEOXtI6T7Y2y8B/s1600/100_4470.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508009933686216258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcCnURpx6WZIK7gc08AEyNCouwtdXKP0xxJugA5ylXGl-zwOk93vSIy3KANsNYJGFGwHEcaoq6yKwCvA04nnL0dJR4uLA1VMX7j3whS9RjHfcHlGulERY4SBjsqogvSYEOXtI6T7Y2y8B/s400/100_4470.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wild Outlook Hog Members Rick & Karen.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvwtjehsmJgZ5Ya4X-8Ew9oj1nVKCFEAWhvql2p0TKg_aoeDcxC9Pxk0n5U0LaQE-IZu6G2FyUnWXKxV_PnjJ8rWdsueRamzKxGF92Ac7wx-FkyfzwDwkEXXRloY7KVq2tR0fQEWnziqs/s1600/100_4483.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508009921829706690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvwtjehsmJgZ5Ya4X-8Ew9oj1nVKCFEAWhvql2p0TKg_aoeDcxC9Pxk0n5U0LaQE-IZu6G2FyUnWXKxV_PnjJ8rWdsueRamzKxGF92Ac7wx-FkyfzwDwkEXXRloY7KVq2tR0fQEWnziqs/s400/100_4483.jpg" border="0" /></a> Wild Outlook Hog Member Kevin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmj6k3hUOr4Df-8ElHxPX_246YFtrRQypxHWgwtAwZC4_OJojIld49XGRd50WtIreLLL0YSoIaRRRBkSiYM6ZEFo97jzhMIFi6xh_5Q5MI7yxorg6b3yBzLTIt8EzpbCqv8f8p73jaMLO/s1600/Kev1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508034420401251378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmj6k3hUOr4Df-8ElHxPX_246YFtrRQypxHWgwtAwZC4_OJojIld49XGRd50WtIreLLL0YSoIaRRRBkSiYM6ZEFo97jzhMIFi6xh_5Q5MI7yxorg6b3yBzLTIt8EzpbCqv8f8p73jaMLO/s400/Kev1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Card-playing was part of the SHOP-shewana experience ... and we learned to play <strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Hand And Foot,</span></em></strong> which should likely be renamed <strong><em><span style="color:#330033;">Think And Think Some More</span></em></strong> but our brains did good work and the women were victorious! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbcmuWdipfhHzgDiMFECrTK9KG5SeQ9QS7eIBI8rfm9JolRygx0ha1q1j32DPxoew-jDwNheb-ztJInW_0QFAWJwYU-PVIDwe3jWl9pgO_z7OpBCUvOhBkNLrkg589yVYB56r63_VO9KF/s1600/100_4464.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508032486958522706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbcmuWdipfhHzgDiMFECrTK9KG5SeQ9QS7eIBI8rfm9JolRygx0ha1q1j32DPxoew-jDwNheb-ztJInW_0QFAWJwYU-PVIDwe3jWl9pgO_z7OpBCUvOhBkNLrkg589yVYB56r63_VO9KF/s400/100_4464.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ron was the spokesmen for the men's feelings about being beat by the women. We women were not bothered by it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeChh3NCQvaC8nn7LNKlyupXRuWfEikvBqQ_E-DlL17ZzqaL0VDGLMwqB-fjRknF8R3iIYm2leQu3UkBstZeFZIVLrovslBni8VbAPMHaj3cnLIlno6k04a5-afEe7Fh67GzXYW5O0A7LZ/s1600/100_4466.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508033883586144850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeChh3NCQvaC8nn7LNKlyupXRuWfEikvBqQ_E-DlL17ZzqaL0VDGLMwqB-fjRknF8R3iIYm2leQu3UkBstZeFZIVLrovslBni8VbAPMHaj3cnLIlno6k04a5-afEe7Fh67GzXYW5O0A7LZ/s400/100_4466.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's a wonderful thing to smell adventure! I'll post pics of our new kitchen bar stools soon. I mean, after all they were the reason for the season. Lord have mercy -- I came home so happy after this little SHOP-shewana trip! Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of life. Because it is most definitely a gift! Thank you Lord for a community of friends where we can be serious and silly and maybe all on the same day!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-66123532318496343982010-07-28T08:53:00.002-04:002010-07-28T09:00:18.722-04:00Baby R is here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9YnqeDoLsZ8qJPUCGas9ORQ0DjhvueOrLkGctQo4GwUkBr_NxZvllNR4TJiTn5PxUSF5_mIK7C11wMELYa4ztfNHxUGP2asgAdPONl3tIytNPMCmOR4X8Gyj7cIT1HV7mWX15RmSbq-g/s1600/BabyR7-27-10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498939641812248514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9YnqeDoLsZ8qJPUCGas9ORQ0DjhvueOrLkGctQo4GwUkBr_NxZvllNR4TJiTn5PxUSF5_mIK7C11wMELYa4ztfNHxUGP2asgAdPONl3tIytNPMCmOR4X8Gyj7cIT1HV7mWX15RmSbq-g/s400/BabyR7-27-10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a report that I received from Grandpa Larry: <br /><br />We are pleased and excited to welcome Baby R into our family, immediate and extended. She arrived beautiful and healthy 7-27-10 at 8:15pm. 7lbs. 2 oz and 19 inches. Laura, Baby and Dan are fine. Rosalie will meet her sister in the morning. We know she will be excited, but she says she wants to go swimming first. She does not realize how her life is going to change. She has been practicing on how to take care of her sister. <br /><br />We wish we could tell you this beautiful baby's name but only the parents know, and we can't really say that for sure. Many of you have had input on her name and the stories will be told for years to come. After seeing her we know it is not the name that is going to make this baby special. She will make any name special. She has lots of hair and according to Dan good lungs. <br /><br />Love to all,<br />Larry & Joyce<br /><br /><em>And let me just add ... I'm downright happy to be an aunt again! The crowds at the mall better part like the Red Sea so we can get to some more pink! Rhegan & I will be on a mission, via the nail salon.<br />Love, Aunty Kay</em>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-33284694031088377632010-07-07T17:44:00.007-04:002010-07-07T19:37:35.942-04:00Upside Down Fun & Some Recipes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wUzhUvpisGVQ3sdUsgFI6SCj14EJr8GMXigZlcaEwJosRNFqfEeN03TLFWi9vSwh4PrGKhKktJy-WmyWd-AMbR9rZS1XMW9IzHV8XxtLJGWopKkCrWimdZkX93IkzSTH86i1T39W8unE/s1600/SH109955.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491283896951981714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wUzhUvpisGVQ3sdUsgFI6SCj14EJr8GMXigZlcaEwJosRNFqfEeN03TLFWi9vSwh4PrGKhKktJy-WmyWd-AMbR9rZS1XMW9IzHV8XxtLJGWopKkCrWimdZkX93IkzSTH86i1T39W8unE/s400/SH109955.JPG" border="0" /></a> I found this picture of upside-down Rosalie and thought it was so cute, I <em>had</em> to blog it! Rosalie is about to get a new baby sister very soon. We are soliciting "R" names ... any suggestions?<br /><br />Sister Joyce just left Norway, and is on her way to Ireland at the moment. Amazing how those cruise boats get from Point A to Point B! Larry is good about emailing me from the ship, but Joyce - not so much! Vacation is vacation, baby! Write that one down in the motto book!<br /><br />I asked Kevin to pick up a few things at the WalMart for me today, and he was happy to do it. Then he realized what he got himself into when he got <em>inside</em> WalMart! He said he spent 138,000 minutes looking for stuff, and besides, it was hot outside. I'm an appreciated woman for my many trips to Wally World for us!<br /><br />Okay, so Mrs. Lark asked me for the recipes referenced in my previous post. Ohhhh my gracious heavenly gallbladderless days ... these Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies were w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l, and did I mention they were wonderful? I have a disclaimer, however. The recipe calls for caramel topping, but I just happened to have this scrumpdillyicious <a href="http://www.riegsecker.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=73_77&products_id=348">Amish made creamy peanut butter</a> (click link to order it - it has marshmallow creme as one of the listed ingredients) so I used that instead of caramel. My brother-in-law ordered a case of it for us! Proceed at your own risk:<br /><br />Chocolate Peanut Butter (or Caramel) Brownies<br />(There are many layers of love in these brownies)<br /><br />3 large eggs<br />1/4 tsp salt<br />2 tsp vanilla<br />1/2 C butter or margarine<br />1 C chopped walnuts<br />1 1/2 C chocolate chips<br />3/4 C baking cocoa<br />1/2 C brown sugar<br />1/2 C sugar<br />4 oz caramel (ice cream topping) or 4 oz creamy peanut butter<br />3/4 C flour<br /><br />1. Beat butter, white and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add 2 eggs and vanilla, mix well.<br /><br />2. Gradually beat in flour, cocoa and salt. Reserve 3/4 C of batter. Spread remaining batter into greased 8" square baking pan. Sprinkle nuts and 3/4 C chocolate chips over batter. Drizzle caramel (or peanut butter) over top.<br /><br />3. Beat remaining egg into reserved batter. Stir in remaining 3/4 C chocolate chips. Spread evenly over caramel (or peanut butter) topping.<br /><br />4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely before cutting.<br /><br /><br />Salsa Cheese Ball<br /><br />12 oz cream cheese (Yes, that's what I said -- 1 and 1/2 blocks of cream cheese)<br />4 oz sour cream<br />2 C. shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)<br />3 chopped green onions<br />3 tablespoons salsa<br /><br />Mix ingredients together and serve as dip for crackers or vegies. Or spread on flour tortillas, roll up, slice into 1" pieces, stick toothpick in each. Makes a pretty appetizer!<br /><br />Gotta go -- I made myself hungry!Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-39456126355291908212010-07-02T15:11:00.002-04:002010-07-02T16:20:41.361-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvLgbmdQ5M6hbIoecGkTQiHnyE-ryIlVK1invml3STWCDFba7bGmYU05L9cQa-Lu7nhxPfedVoQPX253Yqqcr487Po4XJtim831jsfaePIU0QpfQnO5275HzpFpgajf4UIjF0mhmDyNk1/s1600/DoAnything.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489390835357190146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvLgbmdQ5M6hbIoecGkTQiHnyE-ryIlVK1invml3STWCDFba7bGmYU05L9cQa-Lu7nhxPfedVoQPX253Yqqcr487Po4XJtim831jsfaePIU0QpfQnO5275HzpFpgajf4UIjF0mhmDyNk1/s400/DoAnything.bmp" border="0" /></a> I've been busy doing <em>everything</em>. I don't know how it got to be July! Doesn't this quote really hit home with just about anyone? I did me. Today will be an <em>anything</em> post. <br /><br />I've had a bunch of doses of inspiration lately in the following categories: family togetherness in Amish Country <em>(and yes, I ordered the matching bar stools to the Amish made kitchen table and chairs we got last summer)</em>; summer-time Harley riding with hubby & friends; a few new recipes including chocolate peanut butter brownies and salsa cheese ball. Isn't it impossible to pick a favorite inspiration? And I didn't even mention the crafty cards I've made lately! Or Rhegan's twirl (and fall) down the Barbie Doll Runway! <br /><br />I'm enjoying a new stove and refrigerator. Isn't it wonderful that the kitchen floor "accidentally" got scratched up when installing the new frig ... so we'll have to get a new one? Been looking at floor samples. Oh ... and we just <em>happened upon</em> an updated bathroom sink/counter. I LOVE when one thing leads to another ... in this instance! AND ... a silly crazy wonderful piece of info along these lines is this: we got a true-to-life, bonafide, in-the-flesh handyman! Be still my heart! God sent him. First, He sent him to my neighbor's house, then to my other neighbor's house, and then to mine. (Note: he did not install the new frig! LOL) I love our house, the neighborhood, the location. It just needed a handyman! I see new light fixtures in our future too.<br /><br />I miss my mom. The days have been ticking by since she went to Heaven. Healing is ushered in over time, nothing you can do to speed it along. Kinda good that God designed it that way, so we don't feel rushed or nothing! Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. Part of my doing "everything" lately includes filling my heart with memories. In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing. <br /><br />I don't want to talk about life without a gallbladder. I don't need it back or anything. It would probably be totally complicated to do so.<br /><br />One more week and then we'll be heading to Florida. I just know it's gonna be hot (duh!). The Keatster is having knee surgery, and we're gonna make sure that doctor knows the waiting room is a house of prayer! And then I'm going to take Keaton home and give him drugs. <br /><br />It's time for a 3-day weekend! Happy Birthday America! What are you most looking forward to this weekend? A hot dog? fun fun fun :)<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.</span></em>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-46057921250061435912010-04-29T17:18:00.004-04:002010-04-29T17:56:16.112-04:00Road Tripping & 30 Years!1. <span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Road trip</strong></span> this weekend to Circleville, Ohio for our niece's college graduation. Lots of rain in the forecast, but I've learned that the best thing to do when it rains is let it rain. Jane will be along with us ... God love her Alzheimer's soul! Will be fun to celebrate with Lynnea on her graduation, and see the big (?) town of Circleville. <br /><br />2. <span style="color:#999900;"><strong>Road trip</strong></span> next weekend to Greenville, SC for our nephew's wedding. I've got a new hair cut going on, and a basic black dress with pearls all set for the bash! Lark & Tracy are the bomb - a perfect match. I want to thank them in advance for getting married and giving us a reason to get away. Kevin & I are going to drive our little selves into the sunset and laugh our way to and from!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">30 Years!</span></strong><br /><br />1. Last weekend was our 30th wedding anniversary. Oh my heck, where has the time gone! 30 years sounds like a long time, but it doesn't feel like it unless I actually take the time to figure out how old I am in relation to how old the kids are! <br /><br />2. I don't know how we got this old, but I do know that I'm keeping Kevin. On Sunday after church service, we set off to eat lunch out with the church gang as usual, but when I arrived Kevin had about 30 of our closest friends & family there to surprise and celebrate with us! <br /><br />3. How did he pull that off? <br /><br />4. Better yet, let's think back 30 years ago and wonder how did he lose his checkbook on the day of our wedding?! <br /><br />5. I don't care what you say, I'm still keeping him!Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-1752282145600666312010-04-17T22:45:00.004-04:002010-04-17T23:20:48.272-04:00Five ThingsI have not done a list in a long time, so today's the day!<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Five Things I did today:<br /></span></em></strong>*Shopped at Steinmart with my sister, Joyce. Bought a summer purse. Color is "bartender beige"! Who thunk that one up?! It's kinda pink and kinda peach. It's definitely cute.<br />*Laundry - lots of it. Kevin says thank you!<br />*Visited with Dan/Laura/Rosalie at Rosegate, and enjoyed Rosalie's beautiful 3 year old head full of bouncy blond curls.<br />*Rode the Harley with the Hubby<br />*Texted with the Keatster, who is in a wedding this weekend in the Jersey area. Wondering if he will learn to talk like a Jersey boy?<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#009900;">Five Things I am Excited About:<br /></span></em></strong>*Neice's college graduation - roadtrip trip to Ohio. <br />*Nephew's wedding - roadtrip to Greenville, SC. <br />*Our 30th wedding anniversary!!<br />*Working out our summer bible study plans<br />*Spring!!! Minus the allergies.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc6600;">Five Things I Read today:<br /></span></em></strong>*Book entitled "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore?"<br />*Menards online windows & blind treatments<br />*Turning Points devotional magazine<br />*Q-doba Menu<br />*Super nice handmade card I received from Lori<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;"><em><strong>Five Things That Made Me Happy in the last Five Days:</strong></em><br /></span>*Manicure!<br />*Visiting with dear friends, Debbie and Debbie (yes, I meant to say two Debbies, it is not a typo! LOL)<br />*New revelations about the love of God - His mercies are new EVERY morning!<br />*8 hours sleep, 2 nights in a row<br />*An email I received from pastors at churchKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-87035846508086278372010-03-31T21:57:00.004-04:002010-03-31T23:15:41.790-04:00This is How I Feel About It ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HaxH0cN2b-Om1zyfnZoy3dpZ2CowvI4PPLJvvIKOOE2SRxMjpb0zRI3K83jBI-yh2llOAbWQmonKDWX9wps7WuW-8yNNRheLU-ufd8Wz5Jt17PVGTGTPTTiV7vSP31_wl73QTV57jcOM/s1600/Spring.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454982419993032674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HaxH0cN2b-Om1zyfnZoy3dpZ2CowvI4PPLJvvIKOOE2SRxMjpb0zRI3K83jBI-yh2llOAbWQmonKDWX9wps7WuW-8yNNRheLU-ufd8Wz5Jt17PVGTGTPTTiV7vSP31_wl73QTV57jcOM/s400/Spring.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today was <em>that</em> kind of day ... the kind where you tie a knot and just hang on. I laughed, I cried, I hurt, and I loved. It started with a great morning bible study and <a href="http://www.grace4today-kay.blogspot.com/">blog post</a> for this week's lesson. It gave me a real boost. He knows its hard to be us. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Now. I don't allow myself to get down very often about my oldest kid's choices. I try to focus on the hope I have for him instead. I love him. I love him unconditionally. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that there are days that it doesn't hurt like the dickens (is that a real a word? What's a dickens!). Today happened to be one of those days. I try to keep it real here on the blog and sometimes that means admitting that everyday is not a party. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div>It doesn't really matter what the trigger was, that's not the point. Just sometimes, stuff brings me to my knees. I love my son, I just don't love his attitude sometimes. But it's not even that - not really. Because quite frankly, I live and breath for my faith, husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. What this is really about to me is having a close relationship even if he lives 1000 miles away. But our differences in religion, politics, lifestyle, and even food just make it kinda hard for us to relate and there are days when it just plain hurts. Today was one of those days. I love him anyway. I remind myself, and God reminded me this morning, that He knows its hard to be us. Enough said.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>If you can't forgive and forget, pick one.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Can anybody say Spring Break?! The last two days and nights Kevin has been busy being a grandpa. He and Clayton whooped up the town in Chicago - they hit the Museum of Science & Industry, Shed's Aquarium, took a spin thru the downtown sights and on Lakeshore Drive, and then stopped at a dairy farm on the road trip back home. I got some Havarti Onion and Asiago cheese as a souvenir, yay! But don't let me breath on you, cuz you might get knocked down.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>So when's Rhegan's turn? I'm so glad you asked ... cuz grandma (my sweet self!) is picking her up this Saturday. We've got a waaay better agenda than the boys ... we're gettin' manicures and going shopping and eating pizza! See what I mean? <br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Keep busy and stay positive! That's been my mantra for the last 2 months. But there are days when I just miss my momma. Just miss her, I tell ya. I want to know what she is doing now, what it was like to die and enter the presence of our Lord, and what she would say to me now if she could. Isn't that crazy! Like it would change things or something. It was such a blessing to participate in celebrating her life. It was an uplifting and inspiring funeral. I came away wanting to lead a better and more exemplary life. I've come to better understand that it's not what you leave to your children, it's what you leave in your children that matters most. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div>And now it's back to normal life here at home. I've got my to-do lists (tax prep, meeting planning, bill-paying, notes to write and creations to create) and I'm teaching the women's bible study next week so there's a lesson to work on. Happiness! Today, I'm feeling quite inspired to be a better me. I'm finding joy in the love of the Lord and my family. I am blessed. And ... He knows its hard to be us.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><em><span style="color:#cc6600;">When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.</span></em> </div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-16702219367089461552010-02-09T22:41:00.003-05:002010-02-09T22:45:03.933-05:00Long Winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT9_b-dF9e0isdFJjpeloLyEQ4Xjfjiy6nfuNFPdzisHLIX7NTT_qj_l2ym_LauRVnZ9Gk5VXi5U-zRbCno3E4drEjuScWzBvp2oIAR29GOTrasrXmGTqeE8USMZaRo9diz0-etsQ5RPH/s1600-h/100_4257.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436455477321359650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT9_b-dF9e0isdFJjpeloLyEQ4Xjfjiy6nfuNFPdzisHLIX7NTT_qj_l2ym_LauRVnZ9Gk5VXi5U-zRbCno3E4drEjuScWzBvp2oIAR29GOTrasrXmGTqeE8USMZaRo9diz0-etsQ5RPH/s400/100_4257.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpotSM9vLMBQESYJMkfum9LoiiE3PCsm__vfrwXC3bloOm7Z6VKTAs-tQ3Jr_5RVNaqzDx-yVBAfNe3vK1HPV3_vRPFz8hzAmMGwSaae8xnZig0NfeTimM5R0472zN_mZ1iq7AEClADPA/s1600-h/100_4259.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436455465957763682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpotSM9vLMBQESYJMkfum9LoiiE3PCsm__vfrwXC3bloOm7Z6VKTAs-tQ3Jr_5RVNaqzDx-yVBAfNe3vK1HPV3_vRPFz8hzAmMGwSaae8xnZig0NfeTimM5R0472zN_mZ1iq7AEClADPA/s400/100_4259.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi74p294mPSHrzxb-7X0P5lh5GQS24FzStH1dBu2zkTTZE3qi22jyyComy_hybLRDAdPx6nXYox0tTPqRQVVo_KTx4fMsh_yLs5c2Dx7c4DNTR748pZ9NKE2PcpiDKRP9HgciroJk7VWem/s1600-h/100_4260.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436455456850101346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi74p294mPSHrzxb-7X0P5lh5GQS24FzStH1dBu2zkTTZE3qi22jyyComy_hybLRDAdPx6nXYox0tTPqRQVVo_KTx4fMsh_yLs5c2Dx7c4DNTR748pZ9NKE2PcpiDKRP9HgciroJk7VWem/s400/100_4260.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"> Rise above the storm, and you will find the sunshine.</span></em></strong>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-65136440482072816332010-02-09T12:34:00.005-05:002010-02-09T12:57:27.607-05:00No. 2 is okay<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Regarding The Colts</span></strong>: Okay ... so the Saints came marching over the Colts. Superbowl Sunday wasn't so "holy" around here ... but then again ... I believe it was! I mean, it was the <em>Saints</em> forevermore! Who couldn't love Drew Brees and his buds?! Now mind you, I still love our Peyton! Thank you to both teams for a great season! My friend reminded me about the importance of a No. 2 pencil. You are asked to use it when you take a test. It's okay to be No. 2. Enough said.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AMp5ip-dSleCvkAVOLARc0L-8ZDFSYlpSQl6LFVNkDl7cXj0pALvWl1KnzPOi_wie3_Q3bvpgfRSgyPSRrXD6ytXxtv5HbOTdpZ2fDN0c90jMl78IxkQM6EPfjtnjOmqiwkmP5TnNGe6/s1600-h/100_4272.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436299132214087410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AMp5ip-dSleCvkAVOLARc0L-8ZDFSYlpSQl6LFVNkDl7cXj0pALvWl1KnzPOi_wie3_Q3bvpgfRSgyPSRrXD6ytXxtv5HbOTdpZ2fDN0c90jMl78IxkQM6EPfjtnjOmqiwkmP5TnNGe6/s400/100_4272.jpg" border="0" /></a> So this was our <em>Colts Party in da Hood</em>! Nice neighbors Brent & Eleanore hosted a "holy" feast (after a minor mishap with a pizza in the oven, a valient effort to burn the house down, but we chose to laugh at the smoke-thick rooms and just open all the doors and windows instead)! <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_F3DQCyISFDblnbSMm21-r_jl06LzPKJvibQiLSkxeuV0PRuWW6kWzGjc7XPc9DQquDc89KeQk7u-ouR0KyZYIb-INb1ZpLTTl083Yq85CBDfsFgf01UHaCIeQiF9IyGuGNCuOdENWvc/s1600-h/100_4271.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436299130045516546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_F3DQCyISFDblnbSMm21-r_jl06LzPKJvibQiLSkxeuV0PRuWW6kWzGjc7XPc9DQquDc89KeQk7u-ouR0KyZYIb-INb1ZpLTTl083Yq85CBDfsFgf01UHaCIeQiF9IyGuGNCuOdENWvc/s400/100_4271.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Praise loudly, blame softly.</span></em></strong></div><div><br /><div></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-74252171849548987032010-02-06T20:06:00.010-05:002010-02-06T22:38:20.457-05:00Celebrating Momma - Florence K. Stiller<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtgdYZpRBZp41d4pxHbaaU5pUl_deozDmAobfjziTaNq3Maunv7kruB0B6b18dCpSOzXpS7GzeleAQhRy87EwlMCSWcWbxz-8sXi9nV1WGe4Pqc3NSnoUzXP8dNpv1DhENf83gAaOV9ld/s1600-h/100_4049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435336933751399074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtgdYZpRBZp41d4pxHbaaU5pUl_deozDmAobfjziTaNq3Maunv7kruB0B6b18dCpSOzXpS7GzeleAQhRy87EwlMCSWcWbxz-8sXi9nV1WGe4Pqc3NSnoUzXP8dNpv1DhENf83gAaOV9ld/s400/100_4049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciaI3d-BE89j54f_d0-8X5wnMREhgk5TP60MXsuh1XFW2vRG0v9jAUoNDfyPZggxcbMPmfQ8glzj5QRaLmBWtKQlgtyCR47GsN2X5B8eN3Zt-m_l3v4Q-s4AhRyH6ukU_It-7w3wWm2Qh/s1600-h/Bicycle.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435302107036743762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciaI3d-BE89j54f_d0-8X5wnMREhgk5TP60MXsuh1XFW2vRG0v9jAUoNDfyPZggxcbMPmfQ8glzj5QRaLmBWtKQlgtyCR47GsN2X5B8eN3Zt-m_l3v4Q-s4AhRyH6ukU_It-7w3wWm2Qh/s400/Bicycle.bmp" border="0" /></a> <div>This was how my mom lived her earthly life --- she kept moving --- she was never, <em>not</em> doing <em>something</em> for <em>someone</em> --- she carried with her the Grace of God --- with fierce determination to reach her eternal destination. Which she did --- on January 28, 2010 --- peacefully, in her sleep, God called her name. And she said "I'm gone!" She was 87 years young. A sweet, beautiful, spunky loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. And I will miss her like crazy, until we meet again in the heavenlies.</div><br /><div></div><div>Since dad's heavenly journey almost 7 years ago, Kevin & I have tried to care for mom with as much grace & love as she so beautifully exemplified to us, doing whatever we could to reduce any stress. It was <em>Pure Joy</em> to watch her enjoy life! From moving her out of her home, into independent living at Rosegate, to crashing widow-hood card parties, and attending veteran dinners on her behalf to honor her naval service. To lunching together, shopping, and crafting the day away, giggling like two girlfriends.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Dealing with death's details isn't easy, but celebrating mom's earthly christian life was a piece of cake! She and dad gave me EVERY opportunity to witness a servant's life well-lived, and I will be forever grateful to be their child. If I can offer but a small piece of that to my kids and grandkids, I will be humbled.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Ladies, enjoy your beautiful daughters. Be good daughters to your moms, as I was to mine, and your daughters are to you. But most importantly, remember that we are all Daughters of the King!</div><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;">God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled.</span></em></strong>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-80906654235645556972010-01-20T08:10:00.004-05:002010-01-20T08:26:33.060-05:00Jeanne Acheson-Munos Enjoying Heaven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKVO_gZvN3gO789GCtS7AtUlcTLeiohKtj56PCxs9a9FoPHLKwvHVKoJMx__1k30QpAxJiuHwlOuvy5-Vkjrm-n2MSQLAx2SbyAvkJnnxQInKr2NXGsZyaqPks8dZB927YkDsZGHnz6l/s1600-h/Jeanne-Munos-150x150.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428810345929205090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKVO_gZvN3gO789GCtS7AtUlcTLeiohKtj56PCxs9a9FoPHLKwvHVKoJMx__1k30QpAxJiuHwlOuvy5-Vkjrm-n2MSQLAx2SbyAvkJnnxQInKr2NXGsZyaqPks8dZB927YkDsZGHnz6l/s400/Jeanne-Munos-150x150.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Been an emotional week around here after the Haiti earthquake last Tuesday. Upon learning of it, this is an excerpt of an email Kevin & I sent:<br /><br />Friends,<br />Kevin & I are asking you to please help us pray …. Our former pastor (Nazarene Church) landed in Haiti 2 hours before the earthquake. The Nazarene church has a very big presence there. J.K. is unharmed. But our very dear friends were living there, and Jack has been found and has been transported to a Miami hospital. But Jeanne is nowhere to be found, and their apartment is in rubble. Please please help us pray to our amazing God for an amazing miracle! Jack & Jeanne Munos-Acheson. Haiti hospitals are in rubble. My heart is broke. Just so broke. Thank you.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>The days ticked on ... then we sent this follow-up email:<br /></div><div></div><div><br />Friends:<br />Regarding Jack/Jeanne --- we received a report yesterday afternoon that when the anticipated heavy equipment arrived on Saturday, the Bishop could not convince them to dig at the site where only Jeanne and 2 others were known to be buried. Hard to swallow, but understandable in the ever emerging crisis … that all equipment should go to the places where the most lives can have a chance at rescue/recovery. We know that a memorial service was held in Haiti on Saturday afternoon by the church where she/Jack served. You can watch an excerpt from her funeral service here:<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://www.helphaitiheal.org/2010/01/rev-jeanne-acheson-munos-merle-west-and-gene-defour/" href="http://www.helphaitiheal.org/2010/01/rev-jeanne-acheson-munos-merle-west-and-gene-defour/">http://www.helphaitiheal.org/2010/01/rev-jeanne-acheson-munos-merle-west-and-gene-defour/</a><br /><br />Kevin will be going to Florida later this week, and plans to visit Jack who remains hospitalized in Miami. We picked up a beautiful (almost full size!) crocheted blanket from Ron/Connie’s house yesterday, and we know it will mean a lot to Jack since he has nothing – nothing left, except his faith. Thank you Connie! Jack/Jeanne’s best friends were in the process of selling everything they owned and planned to join them in Haiti to partner in their efforts. They, along with Jeanne’s brother, are now in Miami to help Jack through his recovery until the time he is able to travel back to Indianapolis. It is anticipated he will then live with our friends, Dan/Patye Bridget for an undetermined amount of time.<br /><br />Since Kevin will be flying to Florida before our next Sunday School class meeting, would you all commit to pray “over the prayer shawl” for Jack/Jeanne Acheson-Munos, and their friends/family? We have established a specific prayer time for this Wednesday, 8pm, and ask that each of you, individually --- will join us collectively in prayer. God will honor our efforts and speak peace to the many hurting people left behind. I know that a revival is/can happen and pray that it does!<br /><br />If you can spare one last tidbit – I think you’ll find this a blessing. When state-side, Jack/Jeanne often went around and gave their “Haiti” shpeel to welcoming churches, to raise awareness/funds for the place they loved and God laid on their hearts. She pinned buttons on any living thing that said “Haiti for Christ.” And yesterday, her dad (Rev. A) said: “I imagine by now that my Jeanne has pinned one of those buttons on Christ, and He’s proudly displaying it in Heaven!” AMEN to that!<br /><br />Thank you for indulging Kevin & I, for ministering to us and loving us so effectively. Know that we cherish each and every one of you.<br /><br />Jeanne Acheson-Munos ... Enjoying Heaven!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><em><span style="color:#cc6600;">“Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God.” Philippians 2:17<br />When we face struggles, we often wonder, Why? Years from now, though, we may realize that it was those struggles that taught us something we could not have otherwise learned—that there was a purpose in our pain. God’s purpose is greater than your pain, and he has a greater purpose than your problems.</span></em></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-20873187682299809052010-01-06T21:06:00.004-05:002010-01-06T21:20:36.057-05:00Goodbye Ms. Bladdie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5utXqRdQn64XlwcW1iwaOOmQAR4b8UicwjHWF14SIgCNIoW5u6PEQ5-QQ5AlH5w6JnMeuuHGwWLMxmWZ5Lw3fqlfDiCrF6R28YvV425YNwpVitToyb0z1YCPoj0IXv1Ddb73KSt3fE2T/s1600-h/this+day+will+never+happen+again.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423816633735246450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5utXqRdQn64XlwcW1iwaOOmQAR4b8UicwjHWF14SIgCNIoW5u6PEQ5-QQ5AlH5w6JnMeuuHGwWLMxmWZ5Lw3fqlfDiCrF6R28YvV425YNwpVitToyb0z1YCPoj0IXv1Ddb73KSt3fE2T/s400/this+day+will+never+happen+again.jpg" border="0" /></a>So here I am, coming to you live ... gallbladder-less! The surgery was originally scheduled for 2pm today, then it was bumped up to 11;30am. And then, just yesterday, they bumped it up again to 10:00am. I told Kevin at that rate, it could be out by the evening! LOL! Well, as God would have it, today's surgery was indeed orchestrated by the Great Physician Himself and I can honestly say I feel better <span style="color:#660000;">right now</span> (just <em>hours</em> post-op!) than I have felt in the last several months! This pain is nothing - natta - lower than low! They even gave us 4 sequential pictures of the <em>inside of my guts</em>, showing <em>all</em> the parts & pieces! That's just too much!! Scrapbook material?!? Ha Our Sunday School class pretty much had a party in the waiting room. And now that they've seen the pictures, they can honestly say they know me inside and out! So --- the parting was graceful, and although I appreciate everything she did for me while we were together, it's goodbye Ms. Bladdie. Rest in peace.<br /><br />Kevin & I truly do appreciate you praying us through. Anyone who might doubt the power of prayer hasn't been hanging around with us enough! Of course, it's not the power of prayer. It's the mighty miraculous power of God sought <em>in</em> prayer. I praise Him to the <span style="color:#660000;">highest heavens</span> for His generosity! Not once did I feel apart from His tender care. Not once. N-o-t o-n-c-e. He even granted us an opportunity to witness (of course, we did that all the live long day), but a <em>specific</em> opportunity to talk with my nurse about Jesus and to invite her and her husband to join us at church. I think she will -- Cindy, God is anxious to prove Himself to you! He loves us so much, and He is all the time arranging details to let us know He's there. This, I k-n-o-w!<br /><br />I'll be crafting again soon! It might be my most inspiring creations to date! Amazing what a good gallbladder surgery will do to ya! Thank you again family & friends. You are loved. You are never forgotten. Never overlooked. My heart is completely stolen by God over each of you, with bleary eyes.<br /><br />If you can spare one last prayer, my <span style="color:#660000;">very very very</span> dear friend, Eleanore, is having lens replacement on her eyes starting tomorrow. And we are expecting a snow storm as well. Please pray for her surgery to be perfect, and her pain to be tolerable, and their safe travels. She was <span style="color:#660000;">very very very</span> instrumental in getting me the medical attention I needed so quickly (she's kinda a big shot at the hospital, but you'd never know it. Especially since she's a short tiny little speck of a thing!). We have been <span style="color:#660000;">very very very</span> close friends for like-ever (23 years) and she is precious. Thank you for remembering her and Brent.<br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;">Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by.</span>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-29829176838292655742010-01-03T20:20:00.003-05:002010-01-03T20:30:08.746-05:00New Year's Eve -- 2009So ... will it be Two Thousand and Ten, or Twenty-Ten, or just Ten?!<br /><br /><div><embed style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px" name="flashticker" align="middle" src="http://widget-db.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3026418949633379035&site=widget-db.slide.com"></embed> <div style="WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3026418949633379035&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-db.slide.com/p1/3026418949633379035/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3026418949633379035&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-db.slide.com/p2/3026418949633379035/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3026418949633379035&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-db.slide.com/p4/3026418949633379035/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" /></a></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-21981749601350019952009-12-31T12:27:00.003-05:002009-12-31T12:32:43.946-05:00Three Words ...Happy New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMJsKh9DtcszbfTe7v6KxxXPtOqRapHAfBDsM9vr-LfBPCYbDE9t9tS2Di6wMLP2GqNZe6V2iCXMun_ksCV21gq9A6daJmUA4vHcbXYi2a7iZO_umR3agzp9yW2qQjRt4LwvR-S8WDEhb/s1600-h/100_4022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453275034718674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMJsKh9DtcszbfTe7v6KxxXPtOqRapHAfBDsM9vr-LfBPCYbDE9t9tS2Di6wMLP2GqNZe6V2iCXMun_ksCV21gq9A6daJmUA4vHcbXYi2a7iZO_umR3agzp9yW2qQjRt4LwvR-S8WDEhb/s400/100_4022.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Kevin & I have had <em>the</em> most amazing Jesus Year! Our family has been SO graced with His love. If you want to have a Jesus Year {and I know you do!} then I offer this to you my dear ones ... no matter what happens, good or bad, stay in the living breathing word of God! It truly is the bread of life! Blesssings to you and yours, bring on 2010!</div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-49922929527688712892009-12-31T11:42:00.005-05:002009-12-31T12:26:14.380-05:00A Little More Picture Fun ....<strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">HAPINESS IS:</span></em></strong> <br /><br />....playing in the food pantry closet with glow in the dark sticks.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNBZ5dxVjhKTu89Mn9_DA9oLkHXv7OXTiPt_G2F7pKyaPFhyphenhyphenWIy29vDt5SYd4D3yBhdVWboDaV2IeInAUUzUX9tKTOjB-JGtMStI8Mqx45agCWpO6Hs5DqNyjdea7ym5JVp0M8knbxtvg/s1600-h/100_4087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421444089257192482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNBZ5dxVjhKTu89Mn9_DA9oLkHXv7OXTiPt_G2F7pKyaPFhyphenhyphenWIy29vDt5SYd4D3yBhdVWboDaV2IeInAUUzUX9tKTOjB-JGtMStI8Mqx45agCWpO6Hs5DqNyjdea7ym5JVp0M8knbxtvg/s400/100_4087.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...Grandma's mustache!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR5JuFhSjIGUrj7Y0hgLe_mdPYONf34EQTKI9_Ig2Gp2CnghX5nAF-OB7X2tF_iLaWr4lPciQNmdeH_ZgebAkuFlc3heEDizPuLtIhxMI1z7tzf8gTAzwNGwVVyMXzeFNy8LL_qXCvCtU/s1600-h/100_4085.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421444085382653026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR5JuFhSjIGUrj7Y0hgLe_mdPYONf34EQTKI9_Ig2Gp2CnghX5nAF-OB7X2tF_iLaWr4lPciQNmdeH_ZgebAkuFlc3heEDizPuLtIhxMI1z7tzf8gTAzwNGwVVyMXzeFNy8LL_qXCvCtU/s400/100_4085.jpg" border="0" /></a>... Keaton's fat lips!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJIT0XQ8EIAJF9iN8NLkwGIR1qIbhnDZJFVoPMrCxFHvtW0NLPyTg1jC_ABESejhoj5Dq-T84Yw-QL5azKq8FevqstRsFfjx7K2ilFgYkB1NgL-8t6t3fEx5fmAxiv_KpuhBuEjLA70ep/s1600-h/100_4088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421444076184973218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJIT0XQ8EIAJF9iN8NLkwGIR1qIbhnDZJFVoPMrCxFHvtW0NLPyTg1jC_ABESejhoj5Dq-T84Yw-QL5azKq8FevqstRsFfjx7K2ilFgYkB1NgL-8t6t3fEx5fmAxiv_KpuhBuEjLA70ep/s400/100_4088.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div>... a really stinkin' cute lunch tote and photo wallet for Andrea - my favorite (only) daughter. <em>{Note to Boys - daughter-in-laws are welcome and encouraged.}</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIs3r1ZUH8MafCxAs2rFaIci4CsjIVn0vjf1PgpTRv_0Gq4Slym5wncUMeJn58JJ2_YeHxypVibcuu624rtwptiX6LucyymeME2DAqxjL0twZFd0pA4nanqCieruMYz8tnMDh78w8T0A22/s1600-h/100_4082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421442343922479250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIs3r1ZUH8MafCxAs2rFaIci4CsjIVn0vjf1PgpTRv_0Gq4Slym5wncUMeJn58JJ2_YeHxypVibcuu624rtwptiX6LucyymeME2DAqxjL0twZFd0pA4nanqCieruMYz8tnMDh78w8T0A22/s400/100_4082.jpg" border="0" /></a> ... a book for Clayton. Any book will do. But a really <em>good</em> comic book kind of book is the bomb!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJRg2BRq17BZU26g2wB719x7ANtb1W-bjrg4P-gJCMlEsLS797a5ldm3kmyPQRQ5qBKYlRgXu3KXvW0v_1U86NO6COYb951odmzvNNLFAvMdRYBy_xqwfY-NQimuTN_tUIz6bomGCbnw/s1600-h/100_4080_00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421442341208144562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJRg2BRq17BZU26g2wB719x7ANtb1W-bjrg4P-gJCMlEsLS797a5ldm3kmyPQRQ5qBKYlRgXu3KXvW0v_1U86NO6COYb951odmzvNNLFAvMdRYBy_xqwfY-NQimuTN_tUIz6bomGCbnw/s400/100_4080_00.jpg" border="0" /></a>... Scooters for Clayton & Rhegan! Need I say more?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfnItMb1_8l3OJ_QhQultD3rNfMU3FNsiJQr4mYVfFS6LDlvVnqrHBfhhBcJ3cFhCKrWSgbHuzRB5XwFMsiEahCGiM_9lzx2JzoR_2KbO4NH7CFtFaq-37WYGXU6k67mxiwM0clp_8A51/s1600-h/100_4069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421442335675148034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfnItMb1_8l3OJ_QhQultD3rNfMU3FNsiJQr4mYVfFS6LDlvVnqrHBfhhBcJ3cFhCKrWSgbHuzRB5XwFMsiEahCGiM_9lzx2JzoR_2KbO4NH7CFtFaq-37WYGXU6k67mxiwM0clp_8A51/s400/100_4069.jpg" border="0" /></a>.... Uncle Keaton, Math Teacher Extraordinaire' is really a big kid in disguise. Probably, a daughter-in-law is not adviseable at this time, unless she has the patience of Job, and enjoys a stand up (fall-down) comic.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIz0h8OTskxW4T9elmBnA32xpjnKJzpBo6P8ifMpCCe1I3V__xP7rfOLXxnlGcGUD4a1HgRNGRuyO89AMG-AxRGK26N5YzWpuz6ST3YidJKAam_5PmNBsZuhANELKZ9wnEDHOIrNpCe_fd/s1600-h/100_4081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421442326903642882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIz0h8OTskxW4T9elmBnA32xpjnKJzpBo6P8ifMpCCe1I3V__xP7rfOLXxnlGcGUD4a1HgRNGRuyO89AMG-AxRGK26N5YzWpuz6ST3YidJKAam_5PmNBsZuhANELKZ9wnEDHOIrNpCe_fd/s400/100_4081.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">HAPPINESS IS a way station between too little and too much.<br /></span></em><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-30204175997311539182009-12-29T11:27:00.002-05:002009-12-29T11:37:16.357-05:00Colts Fans Are CrazyWe went with 40,000 of our best friends to the <span style="color:#3333ff;">Colts</span> game on Sunday. The boys were excited to see Lucas Oil Stadium. We walked several blocks in blinding wet snow to the stadium, joined the hype happiness inside and rode escalaters to the ceiling and back down again, and then we left the boys on their own to go "discovering" while Kevin & I found our seats. These pics are the result of their adventure. Do boys <em>ever</em> grow up??!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XFBepJJPyvRCMFsyp5ZVuFbHw__3MVzMPXO_RI0lVu2EB7fCCOfLBD3sx49a6Fceov86jTKCXTWrNvUcfPo-gkQnFaSrfiQn2hlsIn5lBbhD_i71EqE8km4wlDyOX7Lovczc_0dft4C/s1600-h/Keaton-Colts+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420695795277692034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XFBepJJPyvRCMFsyp5ZVuFbHw__3MVzMPXO_RI0lVu2EB7fCCOfLBD3sx49a6Fceov86jTKCXTWrNvUcfPo-gkQnFaSrfiQn2hlsIn5lBbhD_i71EqE8km4wlDyOX7Lovczc_0dft4C/s400/Keaton-Colts+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowxu8uOWf0TeOiQctZkNQHpg2cECak9XaFY07Ru2tgwvAtZGz6WMVvn-4qWK6WQTNQWYovKbolU814o-iEMFN_cWzqb7Bea9TzL774oT8oR1zcRtFj0m4HHMWzBlOFKZ7GT3UY5-rXEKC/s1600-h/brandt-colts+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420695792177877570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowxu8uOWf0TeOiQctZkNQHpg2cECak9XaFY07Ru2tgwvAtZGz6WMVvn-4qWK6WQTNQWYovKbolU814o-iEMFN_cWzqb7Bea9TzL774oT8oR1zcRtFj0m4HHMWzBlOFKZ7GT3UY5-rXEKC/s400/brandt-colts+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a>Peyton and his buds gave us a good show most of the game ... until the coach took him out and THREW THE GAME!! Oh my heck, the fans were mad. Mad might be a mild word. The poor quarterback who "tried" to pull it together for the rest of the game's offensive plays was met with BOOS from 40,000 of our closest friends. Fans literally got up and left the stadium. Our undefeated season record was bombed. Trash-ola. Nix. Nadda. <br /><br />Do you think we'll get over it? Playoffs --- here we come! <span style="color:#3333ff;">BLUE</span> is still my color.Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-49560136164941006112009-12-25T23:05:00.002-05:002009-12-26T00:00:34.266-05:00Indulge Me - Holiday Highlights 2009Church Program --- starring my favorite (only) granddaughter, Miss Rhegan!<div><embed src="http://widget-c5.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3314649325784448453&site=widget-c5.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3314649325784448453&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c5.slide.com/p1/3314649325784448453/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3314649325784448453&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c5.slide.com/p2/3314649325784448453/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3314649325784448453&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c5.slide.com/p4/3314649325784448453/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Highland Springs Luminary Night and Santa Visit<br /><div><embed src="http://widget-50.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3170534137708578384&site=widget-50.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137708578384&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-50.slide.com/p1/3170534137708578384/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137708578384&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-50.slide.com/p2/3170534137708578384/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3170534137708578384&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-50.slide.com/p4/3170534137708578384/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Christmas Day Presents<br /><div><embed src="http://widget-94.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3530822107898231956&site=widget-94.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107898231956&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-94.slide.com/p1/3530822107898231956/bb_t011_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107898231956&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-94.slide.com/p2/3530822107898231956/bb_t011_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107898231956&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-94.slide.com/p4/3530822107898231956/bb_t011_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-26848373753936069402009-12-25T10:13:00.002-05:002009-12-25T16:00:40.798-05:00Merry CHRISTmas 2009It's THE day! Christmas Adam has past. Christmas Eve has past. And it's THE day! There is no white snow, only wet dreary rain that has absolutely no bearing on the joy of this day. Today is Jesus' birthday, and we are going to celebrate in style!<br /><br />Thoughtful Christmas presents, wrappings all around, O'Malley jumping through it - tugging at the ribbon strings. Then it was Christmas omlets, al-la-chef Brandt, while Kevin's taxi went to collect Mom & Jane. Brandt took charge of cooking potatos while Math Teacher Extraordinaire' Keaton cleaned up the messes ... all that was left for me to do was take a shower! Ohhh the joys of adult children! LOL<br /><br />Dinner is done and everyone is like an overstuffed pillow. Time to relax, reflect, and remember why we celebrate this day. I could not make it through the singing of Silent Night during Christmas Eve worship service last night ... it was one of my dad's favorite songs (as if the wonderment of Christ's birth isn't enough!). When I was growing up, my family <em>always</em> went to Christmas Eve service and dad <em>always</em> made sure me and my lighted candle were doing well together as we sang Silent Night in the flickering light. It's a precious memory to me.<br /><br />What's a precious Christmas memory of yours?Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-40038344700203907742009-12-23T10:21:00.002-05:002009-12-23T10:47:57.770-05:00Precious Precious HolidaysWell – I am on <em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Christmas Holiday</span></em> for 2 full weeks (starting today!) and I’m looking forward to enjoying time with family & friends! We’ve already had our annual luminary in our neighborhood --- the night when we host a get-together for my extended family and Santa comes around in a sleigh with gifts for the little ones. My dysfunctional bunch runs amuck throughout the house, while the snow falls, and there is food and fellowship in abundance! Last weekend, we also had the pleasure of attending my granddaughter’s Christmas program at church and she was the most magnificent 5 year old in the bunch (did I mention she’s my favorite (only) granddaughter?!? LOL)! Rhegan did her part in the play and sang her songs to Jesus, with the gusto of a hurricane and made Grammy and Papaw smile! <br /><br />Our boys are beginning to arrive ---- Keaton flew in yesterday from Florida. I SO love that boy! He & I are somewhat kindred spirits, we’ve been through much together, and his wit & humor make every minute of everyday a picnic! He is getting his weather wish – coming from warm, sunny Florida, he always wants us to have snow so he can get a taste of winter! And God delivered on that one! We have a light covering on the ground right now, and a winter storm is predicted within the coming days. Keaton may not be so enthralled with the glistening white wet stuff when he drives 2 hours south, later today, to pick up his brother! LOL<br /> <br />Brandt is traveling from DC. He is riding with a buddy to Louisville and Keaton will pick him up. Then Brandt will be home for 5 days, staying through Sunday so the four of us can go to the Colts game, and then he will fly back to DC on Monday morning. We LOVE our Colts! We go giddy, along with the rest of the 40,000 fans when we are at the stadium! <em><span style="color:#3333ff;">GO BLUE</span></em>! <br /><br />We will all attend church on Christmas Eve and then some friends are coming over to join our family for an evening meal. Then on Christmas day, my mom and Aunt Jane will join us for dinner. (A family can NEVER have too many Christmas meals!) LOL On the day after Christmas, we will meet up again with my daughter, son-in-law, and the grandkids. I'm praying that Child Protective Services will not apprehend my grandchildren before that day .... did I mention 2 out of 3 of them have had "mishaps" with "N"th degree burns lately? Ouch. (It's okay Andrea ... you are still the world's greatest momma, and this too shall pass!) <br /><br />I’m hoping to have some craft time the week after Christmas. Lately, I’ve been smitten with a mixture of shabby chic and vintage designs! My creative streak longs to dip lace in tea, and wrap beautiful fibers around creamy white cards full of glitter and bling! I did get a chance to make some Christmas card/gift sets lately – and if you’ve seen <a href="http://www.creativityisgood.blogspot.com/">my other blog</a>, you saw the mini notebook journals that I whipped up for the Women’s Christmas Tea. SO very fun to do! <br /><br />I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! May God’s favor shine especially warm and tender in your family this holiday. May His mercy be served up to you fresh and new each morning, in just the exact amount needed for that day, and again the next day and the next in just the right measurement. All this – because Jesus the Messiah was born. Born to save us. <br /><br /><em>Grace! It's my "word" this past year. What's your word for 2010 going to be?</em>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-16766217446420081232009-09-26T17:09:00.002-04:002009-09-26T17:52:07.148-04:00In Memory of HaroldMy bloggin' days have suffered any updates, but I'm moving past that guilt. Praise His merciful, faithful name, God was unsparing in His presence among us at Harold's funeral!<br /><br />Harold died on Sept 21, following a 3-week struggle resulting from his stroke. <em>Jesus saw he was getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around him and whispered, "Come with Me." </em><br /><br />Thus starts the funeral procession before the funeral procession. It only took me 3 hours to pack up Kevin's sister Jane (who suffers with Alzheimers). Jane did okay with the travel and funeral, etc. But even as we left Kentucky, she thought we were leaving the family reunion and wondered if that was Harold/Viv in the truck ahead of us!<br /><br />Kevin did an AMAZING job at giving his brother's eulogy. Everyone was blessed. Everyone. It was like being at service, and then ... oh yeah, you remembered you were at a funeral. God covered him as he spoke. He tied in the good, the bad, and the ugly as only the touch of the Holy Spirit can do. Is it any wonder? It is such a privilege to live under God's faithfulness!<br /><br />At the service end, I joined my Harley Hubby at the casket to greet the line of final goodbye's. It made me do what I HATE to do in public: the UGLY cry. Geez, I hate that! Nobody looks good doing that. But after Kevin delivered the absolute best message to document and celebrate a life lived, there was no hope of gettin' out of the UGLY cry. <br /><br />Kevin has burned up the highways making 4 trips to KY to see his brother. His knee hasn't had any time at all to properly heal, and Kevin has certainly paid the price. But again, I'm reminded who paid the ultimate price! <br /><br />I've learned that it is no coincidence that we were dealing with so much personal stuff lately. Isn't it wonderful that God is IN our lives, and not just there at the END of our lives? He is SO worthy of our trust in every stinkin' detail! In the end, it's BLISS. Forever BLISS. But until then, we can dang' well decide how we're gonna "deal with stuff" till we get there! Dealing with stuff is just a stepping stone to holy!<br /><br />This past year I have said this 1000 times and I'll make it 1001. You will never meet another face on the planet that has been graced more than me! One thing I am taking home with me from Kentucky is loss. Harold will be missed. And for this season-of-time, I am going to shout to whomever will listen to my face, there is no such thing as serving in obscurity when you belong to Jesus. He is attentive to your labor. He is attentive to your CRY. It MATTERS.<br /><br />Sweet peoples, there is NO ONE on earth God notices more than you. He knows that the situation you are in is not the easiest place on the planet to serve Him, but He sees you doing the thing day-in and day-out. Thank goodness we have an example of a man after God's own heart. <br /><br />Good Bye Harold. Forever BLISS is yours!Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-29923870733317499372009-09-20T14:44:00.003-04:002009-10-11T20:35:04.354-04:00SHOPshewana TripI've been meaning to post some pics from our August motorcycle trip to Shipshewana, which turned into <span style="color:#663366;">SHOPshewana</span> after ordering a new kitchen table and chairs from the Amish Furniture Shop! Still waiting on our order ... <em>oh darn</em>, we will <em>have</em> to go back with our <em>trailer</em> to pick it up! Mercy me, what<em>ever</em> shall we do except make the drive ... <em>sigh</em>!? (<span style="color:#993399;">wink wink</span>) Here, Lynn is talking to Mr. Ed .... I think.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLPhiYaOfGnuuWtt5FsXppKUORUM5_4cmXEcf2gC1OaGSgRU7jvIXARAeidzFiGBTO_c0zFi0yjiuvwTt44ekbn2A-wN9N7LGAdDlj7atrHnYIg4HOAEbO1E47EeecuEnU-1YO1T_f1CT/s1600-h/IMG_0239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383624056212438258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLPhiYaOfGnuuWtt5FsXppKUORUM5_4cmXEcf2gC1OaGSgRU7jvIXARAeidzFiGBTO_c0zFi0yjiuvwTt44ekbn2A-wN9N7LGAdDlj7atrHnYIg4HOAEbO1E47EeecuEnU-1YO1T_f1CT/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" border="0" /></a> A 3 hour trip took 5 hours (but who's counting)! This was a necessary stop - DQ! Smiling bikers! Lynn/Bear ... Rick/Karen ... where's K&K?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY-bnt8ZphjGF8RTRNr-PEJgOcN-XEy_Os4TWBm7k8DFY_clYYGJlw1Z5T4hATScRbOJ2Of0yKY_r2LJztaTCdaIZV2CKwhgKqd2P1fHgL3zTIq_sWEEhJT73QvtFTpxVY-6VVva9Up8w/s1600-h/IMG_0223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383624048036244450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY-bnt8ZphjGF8RTRNr-PEJgOcN-XEy_Os4TWBm7k8DFY_clYYGJlw1Z5T4hATScRbOJ2Of0yKY_r2LJztaTCdaIZV2CKwhgKqd2P1fHgL3zTIq_sWEEhJT73QvtFTpxVY-6VVva9Up8w/s400/IMG_0223.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mr. K ... checking into the hotel ...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtT2L_6HAonVN1mcL-bCJLIqHY8koYa-FVX9DFchRlrTRMkgiglrHwUG5KQvhCTQ5p7uqW_-FicoEcD64PV3wCeB3hBwkDnx1fUPa-4oCbQO-jFc2WtVpynaAyqlD_dVANMnqLfREsVbM/s1600-h/IMG_0225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383624038214393554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtT2L_6HAonVN1mcL-bCJLIqHY8koYa-FVX9DFchRlrTRMkgiglrHwUG5KQvhCTQ5p7uqW_-FicoEcD64PV3wCeB3hBwkDnx1fUPa-4oCbQO-jFc2WtVpynaAyqlD_dVANMnqLfREsVbM/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" border="0" /></a>Tired and hot biker babe ...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkETTAIEozmPFpTmqXMHCCAuCfbkLjy_QZwSgwI4uN64P79-l7Ll1dFVFZst0lQvj5mRYxAa-zNCoVYLcaqPchqA0YtOWizgK-oxxTPhAFnZa-8bQEjdo5ReKjNdAyTteczPCMhzdE0AL/s1600-h/IMG_0226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383624038049858930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkETTAIEozmPFpTmqXMHCCAuCfbkLjy_QZwSgwI4uN64P79-l7Ll1dFVFZst0lQvj5mRYxAa-zNCoVYLcaqPchqA0YtOWizgK-oxxTPhAFnZa-8bQEjdo5ReKjNdAyTteczPCMhzdE0AL/s400/IMG_0226.JPG" border="0" /></a> Refreshed after eating at the BlueGate. Did anyone say Beef Manhatten, Fried Chicken, and all the fixin's? Naw ... I just heard someone say AMEN!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUVjsnetH-FU16FdgLpmW5vfIAQRGoh_JQCze52_yzZrwOIAsk2HIwsj0mEPbP4xllDRys-_A7zNhsdXVKZ3Btrdvk5EtXnqpOxvoo6z07aaRDMuAtus-s5NqCZqL2mo9xJw9tCKB_ZWb/s1600-h/IMG_0234.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383623743770864018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUVjsnetH-FU16FdgLpmW5vfIAQRGoh_JQCze52_yzZrwOIAsk2HIwsj0mEPbP4xllDRys-_A7zNhsdXVKZ3Btrdvk5EtXnqpOxvoo6z07aaRDMuAtus-s5NqCZqL2mo9xJw9tCKB_ZWb/s400/IMG_0234.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lynn had a chance to visit with her bro .. who lives a hop skip and jump away. Nice little family reunion!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTEKdiocX0hvuel8egm4s1iYGMjqpQbblRUgwGUUE7rzch3wiT-j_Uc-XskXTWNYqVIegTB250YW9ZY6zvz98nZi4JkbSG6ItCKLVK8bTp2WWFJFfcWiDx-91nXfm1oh9nh1OvHDGdAbP/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383623735316198594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTEKdiocX0hvuel8egm4s1iYGMjqpQbblRUgwGUUE7rzch3wiT-j_Uc-XskXTWNYqVIegTB250YW9ZY6zvz98nZi4JkbSG6ItCKLVK8bTp2WWFJFfcWiDx-91nXfm1oh9nh1OvHDGdAbP/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" border="0" /></a> God's green thumb ...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBUjUzrWNHNahN8K9YDhRgoffKL4HvL1-ozZzTjoFv0wIbIlntdE7degugFjnxzjDtHQRRWYDQLo_k8zVuOKYoLHL9yoyZY0kADuQ02cGMoVxK6YNr56TV6o4XNw05Dxz2tYYG7_mqg25/s1600-h/IMG_0231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383623727009245474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBUjUzrWNHNahN8K9YDhRgoffKL4HvL1-ozZzTjoFv0wIbIlntdE7degugFjnxzjDtHQRRWYDQLo_k8zVuOKYoLHL9yoyZY0kADuQ02cGMoVxK6YNr56TV6o4XNw05Dxz2tYYG7_mqg25/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" border="0" /></a> Happy biker Chic's ...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJh3kMfR2ImpEw6-wtfnqRANd-EOLXh2O5vpkvpm2YSyNuUR016a7WLaX4CkS01dqfU_eavkviZePeigorA6R-7Wv1xne4Ly5KYdluvPbccSDDlJxWNaEXvUpB4Db9wd-C7bavh2Q-MgA/s1600-h/IMG_0236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383623717477421874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJh3kMfR2ImpEw6-wtfnqRANd-EOLXh2O5vpkvpm2YSyNuUR016a7WLaX4CkS01dqfU_eavkviZePeigorA6R-7Wv1xne4Ly5KYdluvPbccSDDlJxWNaEXvUpB4Db9wd-C7bavh2Q-MgA/s400/IMG_0236.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me & my honey, walking thru the "tunnel of luvvvv"!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGowiiqtKevfQfxlKYPSf1XanoF4Xm4Oc3BFfN-AHd-X1zls9oUJdhxmKj0S0pUMoRenPZdsRaBCyZ2Tth1EryXZuB2CahHBOKtfy8YdKDaBD_mBvC9JdmaOsu6Mm6DDXwT9cQqfSe7HAe/s1600-h/IMG_0237.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383623709494807314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGowiiqtKevfQfxlKYPSf1XanoF4Xm4Oc3BFfN-AHd-X1zls9oUJdhxmKj0S0pUMoRenPZdsRaBCyZ2Tth1EryXZuB2CahHBOKtfy8YdKDaBD_mBvC9JdmaOsu6Mm6DDXwT9cQqfSe7HAe/s400/IMG_0237.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-33079114832044535412009-09-04T21:13:00.002-04:002009-09-04T22:31:31.528-04:00Wordy Words and Inspirational WordsIt's Friday night, and I'm ready to snuggle with my foam pillow here in a little minute so I can start a 3-day weekend fresh as a daisy! I decided to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blogaroonie</span> a bit before I hit the hay, because I love ya and my head is full of Wordy Words. <br /><br />1. Today I'm reminded how much I enjoy my intimate friends. To qualify for intimate friendship you must care, for example, about very important things like whether or not she is using a new Bath & Body cream or if she wore almost the exact same shirt as you on a given day. It could just be my imagination that Karen & I showed up at work today in such a predicament. But in case you are wearing a shades-of-blue tie die shirt today, then I'm afraid we are indeed intimate friends. I'm hoping it's a two-way street here!<br /><br />2. I’ll have you know that yours truly was FORCED to finish off the remaining Chocolate Zucchini Cake this week! A simple cake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">doesn</span>’t even begin to say thank you for all the love we received throughout Kevin's surgery, but I offer it humbly! Mr. Stubborn continues to do too much, but we did get a good report from the doctor earlier this week. They took x-rays and showed us a before/after comparison and WOW, what a difference! I don’t let him off the hook though --- I tell him that just because his knee “mug shot” is good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">doesn</span>’t mean he has free reign to tear it up again! God did not grace Kevin with a subtle wife. So the next day, he went to work. And yesterday morning, he drove himself to Bowling Green, Kentucky ….<br /><br />3. I will list this one as part of the Wordy Words, but it is not light-hearted. Kevin's brother, Harold, is not doing well following the massive stroke he had a week ago. They were able to do surgery and remove the clot, but he is non-responsive and paralyzed on his right side. His heart rate and blood pressure is not stable and he is struggling to breath. Kevin wanted to get there. We had planned to leave Saturday and take Kevin’s sister (Jane has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Alzheimer's</span> and we take care of her). So Kevin went on by himself, and I will bring Jane down on Saturday. Not sure if we’ll be going to the hospital or to a funeral. Only our Heavenly Father knows. I’m glad Kevin made it. <br /><br />Oh my heavenly mercy! It's almost time for me to say good-night to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">O'Malley</span> the monster cat and snooze in preparation for my 3-day weekend. I know you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">prolly</span> feel cheated that I can't go on, so how about a final word of the inspirational type.<br /><br />1. My nose has been in the precious word of God, because me and my intimate friends (that means you too) have endured pain in our lives. In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah did this. She went through an excruciating personal journey in infertility and the relationships in her life were chaos! She prayed so hard, Eli thought she was drunk! That is sad because he judged her. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Isn</span>’t prayer the best way to react to situations in life? We should seek God’s face with passion and emotion! Well, Hannah poured out her heart – just like Kay is doing. It’s okay to ask for healing of the body against disease. It’s okay to plead with God to mend a crushed heart. Praise God that we can take our griefs to God – He can handle it! Well, God remembered Hannah and blessed her. I’m SO thankful that God included Hannah’s story, to bring us hope when we pray and cry out to Him. I have been praying and crying out for my own situations! We HAVE to remember to keep it real with our lives, just like Hannah did! <br /><br />2. I am learning that worry is just another way of saying that God can't handle His job.<br /><br />3. Our "Chaos" bible study begins next week and I can't wait to hang with the gang again. I'm sure God has big plans for "Finding Calm in Life's Chaos" by Becky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Harling</span>. Calm sounds good to me right now. Where on earth would we be without God and His word? Lord, have mercy! Honestly, I believe with all my beating heart that God wants us to talk about our fears, solutions, and taking chances for God. That, my intimate friends, will keep us busy and smack dab in the middle of each other’s business!! <br /><br />Okay, I'm snoozing. I pray that our very big wonderful loving God of all the universe will do something very big wonderful in your 3-days of labor-rest, perhaps something with Wordy Words or perhaps something inspirational inside your sweet self!Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-7664032051227413472009-08-30T18:03:00.004-04:002009-08-30T18:28:38.919-04:00Hubby Harley Goes To Surgery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2AGEMAQW11zKwquzyG-FNlE1E_DxxX69Bw-0X2RgWGybiUMf17t4Nyg7B-aFgW2nPdBbu3SUJMDnfpfzYykqVMKfRK4IhuZ4Cmghxh5lZphNok7-wEKzHsO7z5eyxyrOeMiZDQhGUUAO/s1600-h/100_3845.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375881093593971730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2AGEMAQW11zKwquzyG-FNlE1E_DxxX69Bw-0X2RgWGybiUMf17t4Nyg7B-aFgW2nPdBbu3SUJMDnfpfzYykqVMKfRK4IhuZ4Cmghxh5lZphNok7-wEKzHsO7z5eyxyrOeMiZDQhGUUAO/s400/100_3845.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is my hubby on his Harley just 6 days after knee replacement surgery! And he is <em>not</em> just sitting pretty either ... Kevin zoomed off into the sunshine with his cane inside his saddlebag. I'm not sure if my sweet self is recovering from his surgery as well as he is!<br /><br />We believe that you will never meet another set of faces on the planet that has been graced more than us! Throughout the time leading up to, during, and after surgery, a wonderful support system of family & friends showed us buckets of love. So many prayers, visits, calls, cards, emails, and help ... too numerous to count. <a href="http://creativityisgood.blogspot.com/2009/08/cheerful-heart-is-good-medicine.html">Click here</a> to see a little project that Nurse Kay put together for sharing with our church family this morning.<br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">A little bit of rambling:</span><br /><ul><li>Dr. VanMeter prays with his patients before surgery, and we had to hold hands "or it won't take" he says!</li><li>Kevin tried to convince the young nurse to marry our son, but I think she's scared of being his daughter-in-law.</li><li>Although I was technically on vacation for 3 days, suffice it to say billable hands are happy hands.</li><li>I've been meaning to blog about attending the Women of Faith conference, it's on my radar. It was wonderful and overwhelming and full of grace.</li><li>3-year old birthday girl Rosalie called me on the telephone and said clear as a bell "Thank You for the gift Aunt Kay!" Can anyone say precious? <em>I loved it!</em></li><li>I'm a little bit tired, but don't plan to be 10 minutes from now.</li><li>There are more angels carrying me than I will ever understand.</li><li>Some of my friends in blogaroonie land will never know how much I appreciate them.</li><li>Football season is starting - YAY! The Hood is prepared for a little thing called Super Bowl. Go Blue!</li><li>Kevin's Sarah Palin glasses broke. So much for Alaska.</li><li>I broke out the pots & pans recently, and remembered how to use them!</li><li>Keaton, Math Teacher Extraordinaire', is back in full swing, only this year he's working on his Masters and tutoring kids on the side. The gift of youth!</li><li>Good friend Debbie P. sent a singing get-well-soon card that made us laugh.</li><li>Kevin is smokin' hot! I want to send a paper plane to my Harley Hubby and say "I Love You"! </li></ul>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-33296789999250837502009-08-22T22:18:00.004-04:002009-08-30T18:03:05.118-04:00The Man Cave<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD451-4JCYKGeI0bO5RneFpUI7a1tuUKhzZXWfCnl-amDa8bcaLHKGRslZmSSSzXByi-HtfNMngXOejAnMFvdDRLF-ECqdNs0jOaHdVaM0pSyguiOLvgp2Jj-bGZF2mj8vFvLbj3cSvuyG/s1600-h/100_3840.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372978065663168386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD451-4JCYKGeI0bO5RneFpUI7a1tuUKhzZXWfCnl-amDa8bcaLHKGRslZmSSSzXByi-HtfNMngXOejAnMFvdDRLF-ECqdNs0jOaHdVaM0pSyguiOLvgp2Jj-bGZF2mj8vFvLbj3cSvuyG/s400/100_3840.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is the new "Man Cave" in my living room, appropriately named in preparation for hubby's upcoming knee replacement. We shopped and we shopped (like we huffed and we puffed) and we blew the budget with this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oversized</span>, overstuffed, overpriced piece of fluff, more commonly known as a recliner. I call it a sleeping pill, but Kevin calls it Clifford, the Big Brown Chair. The shopping part was easy (funny, that's <em>never</em> been a problem for me) but the getting it in the house part was the real story! <br /><br />First you must understand that I plan to ask the hospital to label his wristband "Mr. Stubborn" which might be worth more than a 20% tip. So when this massive piece of fluff arrived at the warehouse and Mr. Stubborn went to load it in his trailer, the nice people at the furniture store loaded it. Fast forward to when it was sitting in our driveway. Mr. Stubborn hobbled inside after a long day at work, and first sat down to eat a couple of chicken salad sandwiches, compliments of my famous cooking (and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sams</span> Club). That's when the doorbell rang. Very good friends & neighbors Bear & Lynn had that huge recliner ON our porch and said "Furniture movers here! Where would you like it?" Thanks seems trite, but I offer it humbly.<br /><br />Thus, the Man Cave! The Miracle of the Man Cave!Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040028400664020689.post-65295047999734456282009-08-20T07:11:00.002-04:002009-08-22T21:53:59.474-04:00Ohhhhh'Malley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDsxmkqJLxPn_J1OQToN0feQIyqsrlGZmDKwnIXuJCt_nvixEz5T4z9EUs_ikhdm77C56rM2vwcS-at7ky95d5SSyY33gSeekORm799kDh4SrPRLbDiKbbhQmFPGKI1wWnufx9Ap8ZOJx/s1600-h/100_3829.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372002484098615250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDsxmkqJLxPn_J1OQToN0feQIyqsrlGZmDKwnIXuJCt_nvixEz5T4z9EUs_ikhdm77C56rM2vwcS-at7ky95d5SSyY33gSeekORm799kDh4SrPRLbDiKbbhQmFPGKI1wWnufx9Ap8ZOJx/s400/100_3829.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He's a monster! O'Malley <em>used</em> to be tiny and cute and he <em>used</em> to be sweet and innocent and he <em>used</em> to make me dash home and purr with him. That was then. This is now! Look at those devient eyes! Arrest the cat! And don't post bail! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijht_DTlRL9n1IE-qYiUw6goy9Dsbptk-sJeCkGr37vFwovKY96XDP4rklLUVBnNoeFSCB0QR9JQXDFHoqCKLo742Mrugiah_8UNqnxiDTUXt2oRh5Y2sM3N8Yd73v26C8tRLwiZQf2H9z/s1600-h/100_3826.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372002475456399234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijht_DTlRL9n1IE-qYiUw6goy9Dsbptk-sJeCkGr37vFwovKY96XDP4rklLUVBnNoeFSCB0QR9JQXDFHoqCKLo742Mrugiah_8UNqnxiDTUXt2oRh5Y2sM3N8Yd73v26C8tRLwiZQf2H9z/s400/100_3826.jpg" border="0" /></a> One morning last week, we came downstairs to find that O'Malley had simply helped himself to my ribbon/yarn drawer and had a <em>ball</em> with a <em>ball</em> of yarn! It is wrapped around and around and about the dinning room table and all six chairs, six ways to Sunday! He should sleep for a week! There's no getting this mess untangled without scissors! <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT7PCP17cB8LozU19NwNZYqmagNUk13kNHwTV1rqgc_3pt_QRQrgF0Gtf_S6JxON4pADYVIxXm0t2RGsL5d-uXQ21gx_n5n5K6OOT2iTiMSVBrDyeUVHBRg1YuJi0z6dPkbQFEIQRz44m/s1600-h/100_3827.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372002464382806898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT7PCP17cB8LozU19NwNZYqmagNUk13kNHwTV1rqgc_3pt_QRQrgF0Gtf_S6JxON4pADYVIxXm0t2RGsL5d-uXQ21gx_n5n5K6OOT2iTiMSVBrDyeUVHBRg1YuJi0z6dPkbQFEIQRz44m/s400/100_3827.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Right at this moment, O'Mally is sweetly curled up in his sheepskin bed right in front the computer monitor telling what to type. Sigh. He's SO darn cute. That was then, and this is now!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818348014014164025noreply@blogger.com0