CAMP CARNEY

What's Better.......

2012-02-17T23:03:00.001-05:00

The miles are adding up on my new van as I headed up the highway again this morning for some time with the little ones while Janice worked.

I arrived extra early and we had time to hang out and catch up before she had to leave. Brady and I played a few games and picked Olivia up at the appointed time from the bus stop. Off we went to the Tarantinos. I treated everybody to an afternoon splurge at Baskin Robbins....yum! Then back to the house for basketball and fun in the February warmth.

A Bi-Lo roasted chicken and sides made for an easy post-work day meal then back to Lyman for Grandma.

Lots of fun with the grands.....can't think of a better way to spend my day.....

Drizzle......

2012-02-16T20:36:00.000-05:00

Overcast and gloomy weather for this Thursday. Home bound for most of the day with just an evening walk when the clouds finally dispersed.

No headline grabbing events on this average weekday. Back to busy tomorrow.....

Opening Up.....

2012-02-15T20:54:00.000-05:00

I love when I am blessed to witness my clients lives regain footing and head in the right direction. Two girls came in today with their sweet babies ....gotta love CPC!

So, it was a good day and a wonderful time of prayer, worship and study this evening.

I will never understand how people can make it through the ups and downs of life without Christ and the promise of salvation. Where do they find strength and comfort?

Thank You Lord for knocking so long on the door of my heart, for loving me always and for the Holy Spirit's work enabling me to finally welcome You and give You reign over my life....

Yesterday And Today.....

2012-02-14T22:11:00.001-05:00

A plain ol' Monday. Then came Tuesday.

Lots to do at the homeless shelter this morning and I enjoyed my time chatting with Becky, shuffling files and auditing meds.

Back home for a brief lunch and the trip up the highway to Gastonia for a Valentine's Day dinner with the entire family. Time with the kids is always wonderful and precious and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the day of "love" then with those I hold so dear to my heart.

Thank You dear Lord for my kind and wonderful husband, My Valentine today and every day.....

Back And Forth.......

2012-02-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

Weeks ago I know I posted regarding the hiring of a new church custodian to replace the dear lady who retired after 41 years of service to our church. For some reason the personnel committee also had the responsibility of hosting a reception in her honor and today was the day.

Thom and I made it to early service. Thom taught his SS class this morning and I chose to take a break from my 4 year old group and join the adults. He did an excellent job as usual. We did a bit of shopping, had lunch and I was back at church once more to prepare for the festivities. Our guesstimate at the attendance was about 150 people....I think Ms. Edna was pleased.

Home again at 4:30, a quick salad for dinner and we returned to church for evening service.

Tired and ready for sleep.....

All Around......

2012-02-11T20:59:00.000-05:00

A long time friend of ours (and Thom's golfing buddy) purchased a new state of the art TV and generously offered his 55" projection TV to Jennifer. Thom and the Wylies gathered at 9:00 a.m. to load and haul the set to her apartment so we were up and moving early this Saturday.

Returning from his delivery duties we set out en route to the Tarantinos for an afternoon visit. A stop at my parents for Thom the plumber to repair the toilet and then my aunts for Thom the tech head to acquaint her with her new GPS. Finally, shortly after 1:00, we arrived at Stefanie's and had a fun time just hanging with the family. Stefanie and I took a very chilly walk and later Janice,Steve and Brady dropped by.

Everyone headed for the gym to watch Emmy's game followed by a one hour respite and Brian's game at 6:00p.m.. One victory, one defeat.

Headed home for tea, snack and slumber....

Resuming Normal......

2012-02-10T23:03:00.000-05:00

Feeling much better but a quiet day nonetheless.

A winter chill was finally in the air so my exercise choice was biking to nowhere which I accomplished between loads of laundry and my crafting projects. Thom spent a relaxing day catching up on his reading....good change of pace.

Our FLC was the venue for Thom's SS class Valentine's Day bash (I use that term loosely). The group of about 45 people gathered for a delicious Dickey's meal, laughter and conversation. These events are short lived so we were home by 8:30 and topping off the night with coffee and a little TV by 9:00.

Thank You Lord for wellness and the blessings of a church family......

Lone Painter.....

2012-02-09T20:51:00.000-05:00

My sweet husband made the trip to Gastonia on his own today to paint my parent's kitchen. I woke up this morning still feeling unwell and although I was not deathly ill I was more fearful of sharing some unwanted bug with my father.

While Thom worked hard I spent the day in the recliner napping, reading and sewing intermittently. I did a little minor housework and was quite a bit improved by evening.

Surely will be 100% by tomorrow. Not a fan of inactivity....

Tissues Please......

2012-02-08T21:35:00.000-05:00

My CPC day was one of mixed emotions. I shared a time tears and heartbreak with one client while later enjoyed the smiles and giggles of the 6 month old son of another sweet client. I am so blessed to be a part of these women's lives. I rely solely on the power of the Holy Spirit in those counseling room and I could feel His presence this morning. Thank You Lord.

So....it was a long day. An easy salad dinner and a quiet evening at home (not feeling my best so a shower and pj's seemed to be in order).

Out of ambition and interest....think I'll try and settle my tummy troubles with a good night's sleep....

A special request to my prayer warrior readers to lift up my client to the Lord ...

Another Beauty........

2012-02-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

We are wondering if there will ever be any winter at all this year. Thom and I were out and about with errands early this morning but allotted plenty of time for a nice long walk with the girls just loving the nice weather.

Thom took advantage of the sunshine and scrubbed the porch and all around the outside of the house. I would have preferred to join in his labors but unenthusiastically kept my commitment to Good News. Another insane endeavor.

Seems a typical Tuesday night.....Rangers downstairs....Biggest Loser upstairs...meet at 10:00 for joint programming....

A Yawn......

2012-02-06T23:14:00.000-05:00

An exceptionally quiet day for me. Thom played golf and was gone till mid-afternoon, I stayed put. I'm battling a case of the sniffles and hoping they don't morph into a full fledged cold so housebound was likely a good choice.

Lots of reading, some TV and work on the shut-in's Easter project completed a lackluster day.

Blessings none the less.....

Out In It......

2012-02-05T22:13:00.004-05:00

The thermometer read 81 degrees by early afternoon.....is this really February 5th?

We toyed with the idea of sleeping in and attending late service but I was pleased with our decision to go our traditional route and return home from worship and SS by 10:15. It was glorious outside! A bit of fresh coffee and we trekked around the block before lunch.

Thom parked in the chair to watch a golf tournament but when, motivated by the warm sunshine, I decided to hike the road again with littler bag in hand he chose to join me instead. Once again enjoying the springlike air we climbed on the trike after our cleanup and traveled the countryside for almost an hour.

It was just hard to come inside!

Finally the sun began to disappear and the cooler temps brought us inside for dinner and later the Super Bowl.

An amazing winter day and we loved every minute of it....

Games And Gab.......

2012-02-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

A 6:15 alarm got us moving. Brady's b'ball game started at 9:15 and we made it to Gastonia with minutes to spare. Olivia's game followed. It was so much fun.....don't know when we've laughed and cheered so hard!

Post game plan was lunch with my parents. It was a pleasant afternoon. My dad looked fairly well after having a rough week health wise. He seemed in good spirits and my mom served up a yummy meal. A few hours of conversation and we headed home.

Enough daylight remained for a nice walk before an evening of chilling....

The Pressures Of The World.....

2012-02-03T20:38:00.000-05:00

The wonderful winter weather had an extra bonus... additional staff was needed at the golf course today so Thom was called to work.....woo hoo! He scored enough extra cash for a Little Caesar's pizza. Actually, he enjoys it and I think misses being there during the chilly season.

I went full throttle again today with doors open and sweet fresh air streaming through the house.

Disappointment for the day.....Susan G. Komen backing off their withdrawal of funds to Planned Parenthood! I cannot believe an organization with such noble goals would be party to the promotion of full scale abortion factories. Like everyone else I would love to see the eradication of breast cancer and like most I was totally unaware that any affiliation between these two organizations existed. However, now that the link is exposed I will never be able to view a pink ribbon with the same hope and admiration. The cause remains valiant but another vehicle must be found to reach the cure! Stand up for life Susan G. Komen, in all stages!!!

I despise liberals. On that note Obama's speech comes to mind ....how dare he invoke the words of the Gospel to support his pursuit of socialism!

I think I may just explode!

Will calm myself and relax.....prepare for another day in the battle against secular humanism....Lord, give me strength....

So Many Choices.....

2012-02-02T21:22:00.001-05:00

Busy, busy morning around Camp Carney. My list had grown quite long and I tackled my chores with determination....didn't quite finish but that's okay.

Thom visited with Dave all day helping him with a few things and just providing companionship and conversation. Dave is on the mend but it is a slow process.

We reunited for a walk in the late afternoon then freshened up and met Jennifer and the kids for a birthday dinner at the Golden Corral. Usually birthday suppers are a home spun affair but this was a special treat for her 40th! So much food! Buffets are so great.....a little taste of everything!

An early night.....home and in our pj's by 7:30.....

Zero.....

2012-02-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

Still hard to believe that not one of my four clients kept their appointments today. Two of them called to reschedule, one called to say she was detained with a college class and the last was a simple "no show". Very frustrating! There are always blessings to be found when you are doing the Lord's work however, and I had a great day simply enjoying the companionship and conversation of the sweet friends I have made at CPC.

Thom picked up a Little Caesar's pizza on his way home from golfing so it was a labor free dinner then off to prayer meeting.

A good day wedged between disappointments....

Sleepy.....

2012-01-31T22:31:00.000-05:00

The alarm rang too early this morning and I languished among the blankets for 45 minutes getting up with just enough time to shower, dress and arrive on time at the mission.

Filing and paperwork filled the time in Becky's office with some good conversation thrown into the mix. Home for lunch with my hubby, a walk and then off again to my least favorite 2 hours of the week. Good News met my expected low standards....if these kids behave the same during school as they do with us they must learn absolutely nothing!

Home to a crock pot dinner(yum) and a headache pill. A calm evening....2 cups of coffee while watching Biggest Loser......hope I can sleep....

Sunny And Warm.....

2012-01-30T21:19:00.001-05:00

I could find a past blog that says "Thom golfed and I cleaned" then for today I could write "ditto".

Simple Sunday......

2012-01-29T22:23:00.000-05:00

We chose to attend late service this morning but still had to be at church before 9:00 to gather the early service communion cups and prepare the items for 10:15 worship. My condensed (due to construction) SS room was crammed with 8 little boys but we had a fun time and they seem to absorb much more through discussion and play. We cleaned the sanctuary and re-shelved the Lord's supper articles and eventually returned home close to noon.

Another beautiful day to share a hike with the girls and later run a few errands. A musical group was performing tonight (5th Sunday Singing)but we decide to pass on the event and enjoyed a late dinner. Thom did some arm chair cheering for the NHL All Star game and I just tackled some odds and ends.

A good Sunday....a blessing from the good Lord.....thank You....

Preparing.....

2012-01-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

Thom accompanied me this morning to church in order to set up for communion tomorrow. All went well and I now know where all the supplies are and will be more comfortable next time. We stayed a bit after to check out the food pantry but made it home in time for a walk before lunch.

Another day of pleasant weather prompted some outdoor work. I cleaned out my car and brushed the dogs, Thom washed both cars and worked in the shed organizing items needed to assemble a window sill extension needed for our grandkid picture display.

No Saturday date night for us old folks just a shower, pj's and TV.....fine with me.....

Cleaning Up.....

2012-01-27T20:52:00.000-05:00

What amazing weather for January! We were out in short sleeves and Thom actually had to mow the back lawn!

Our walk had a practical side this morning. We loaded our pockets with plastic bags and took the grabber. Policing only the nearest 1/2 mile to our house we collected 3 overflowing bags of trash.....the world is full of thoughtless slobs!

On the brighter side there were beautiful yellow daffodils blooming along the roadside. Could spring be that far away?

An active afternoon, dinner and a quick shopping trip. Nothing noteworthy but a great day none the less. This was the week of "non-events" that we needed...deep breaths and relaxation for a bit.....

Not Much.......

2012-01-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

Shame on me....too lazy to head back downstairs last night when I realized I forgot my daily update.

Oh well....it was a good day at CPC with 3 clients and time with friends. It always surprises me how much some of my clients share and how varied our discussions can be. I love that they feel comfortable and secure enough to anxiously ask for my input on their life situations and decisions. Obviously the Holy Spirit is at work in those little rooms!

Thoughtful subject of last night service.....temptation! Lots to mull over in that regard.

That brings me to today....stayed home venturing outside only for a brisk walk. Totally occupied with the mundane. Final Florida debate tonight....Rick was great!

Boring offerings on TV so off to bed.....

Wild Again......

2012-01-24T22:38:00.000-05:00

Temps hovered in the high 60's by 3:00 o'clock. Not bad for late January.

Thom took full advantage with a day on the course. I lounged in bed till after eight and spent a pleasant, quiet morning.

My afternoon was quite the opposite.....chaos at Good News! Things were looking promising after last week's club but the kids were back to "out of control" today. A number of leaders seemed to agree that we are closer to cops patrolling a beat then we are to adult Christians leading children to Christ. Ugh.

Home and dinner. I had done my bike time and climbed on the elliptical tonight to burn off some frustration and stress. Not sure how well that worked but I guess I shed a few calories and that's a plus.

Ready for bed....

Damp And Drizzling.....

2012-01-23T19:54:00.000-05:00

Rain cancelled Thom's golf game so other then a trip to Walmart, we spent the day indoors.

Thom downloaded turbotax and laid the groundwork for this year's return. As expected the GAO is slow to get us our documents but he was able to complete a considerable portion of the paperwork.

I stayed busy and the hours were full and evening was here in a twinkling.

Some TV, more biking and SS review on tonight's agenda.....

Don't Be Late.....

2012-01-22T20:06:00.000-05:00

Our little SS class is always the last to dismiss. The children's parents are attending SS adult classes (which of course is great) and after a bit of socializing they make their way to our room to retrieve their children. After my typical delay I was tardy for a meeting of the Communion Committee and the group had already dispersed when I got there. As a result.....I am now committee chairman! Ugh! Amazing how vehemently folks resist taking on responsibility ....no one was willing to volunteer for the job so now it's mine. I don't really mind I just find it a bit puzzling (and a little vexing).

We had a busy day at home with the usual lists of "to dos". I made a delicious chicken dinner and we were back in our pew at 6:00.

Pj's now and coffee.....thank You Lord for a blessed Sunday.....

Flowers Everywhere.....

2012-01-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

A sweet morning with the kids then it was off to Gastonia to return them to their rightful owners and enjoy the celebration of Olivia's 6th birthday.

Janice did an amazing job. There was an afternoon all girl "flower party" where the guests painted terracotta pots and made pipe cleaner bouquets. Olivia's cake was ,of course, a flower! The little ones all had a fun time and following that event I hitched a ride with Stefanie to Emmy's basketball game. Thom, sweetheart that he is, spent the time at my aunt's house working on her computer and her new TomTom. The stands were full of extended family and we all reloaded into our cars and were back at Janice's shortly after 4:00. She and Steve served up grilled hot dogs, burgers and delicious sides....yum! I contributed the second round of flowers in the form of cupcakes and there was another session of gift opening and singing "happy birthday".

A fabulous day, marred only slightly by the 3rd place finish of Rick Santurom in the SC primaries. Not to worry....on to Florida....victory is worth fighting for....

Change Of Plan......

2012-01-20T22:57:00.000-05:00

Well, the weather was uncooperative and with rain in the forecast for Columbia, we shelved our trip to Riverbanks Zoo. Substituting a full, fun day of basketball, hiking and bowling turned out just fine.

Politics 101 was the evening agenda. Over breakfast and during the day we had touched on the Presidential campaign and the issues debated by the candidates. Rick Santorum was doing his final "town hall" at a local restaurant and we decided to take Brian and Emmy. It was a great event....a packed house! He answered questions and spoke at length about his position on a variety of topics (a bit too long for the kiddies). I think they enjoyed the experience and being up close and personal with a man competing for the highest office in the land.

Emmy had a bit of a tummy ache so we headed home and grabbed Mickey D's on the way. She's fine now after some relaxing TV and a few games of cards.

They are sound asleep.....I'm following as I close this....

Running Out Of Time And Energy.....

2012-01-19T23:44:00.003-05:00

Wednesday is missing but it was a busy one at CPC followed by a busy one at home....sweet clients all day and sweets at night in the form of creating a birthday cake for Olivia's upcoming party. Too tuckered for an update.

Today was full of cleaning and readying for guests. After lunch I traveled the highway to Gastonia. I enjoyed some quiet time with Stefanie while the kids were busy with friends then off to hours of basketball practice and back on the road with Brian and Emily in the "way back". Tomorrow is a teacher workday and the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day or two with my grands.

Hoping the weather will cooperate with our plans for tomorrow....for now...bedtime....

I'm Tired......

2012-01-17T22:43:00.002-05:00

It's been a long day.

First stop Miracle Hill .....a busy morning of paperwork.

Pit stops....bank, gas and CVS.

Lunch.

Next....Good News......not bad today. K5 went to a separate room so there were 30 less children. Almost fun.

Quick dinner.

Personnel Committee meeting....3 more interviews and hours of discussion finally ending in a hiring decision.

10:00 p.m......finally home....coffee and bed....

Fireworks At Myrtle Beach......

2012-01-16T22:22:00.000-05:00

A home day of laundry and housework. With a full week of activities ahead this was the only free day and it was imperative I take full advantage of it.

Happily however, I did not have to prepare dinner. Jennifer had invited us to join them for supper and we had a nice evening enjoying a yummy meal and just hanging out with the Wylies. Thanks Jenn.

Home for the presidential debate. Although I am very politically involved these days, debate watching has never been my favorite thing. Tonight however the gloves are off and this is close to fun!Ron Paul is a total idiot and should be booted off the stage (along with his minions). Santorum is doing great! Go Rick!

Ready to chill....not long for bed.....

Fun, Fun, Fun......

2012-01-15T20:32:00.000-05:00

My two co-teachers in SS failed to appear this morning so I was on my own with 7 little boys. I was prepared however with activities for the hour and we had a fun time. We studied Elijah and how he was fed by a woman who had only a little flour and oil, how she made bread and the makings were never exhausted. To bring the lesson to life the kids cut out heart shapes (symbolizing God's love and care) from pieces of bread and enjoyed jam (sorta like oil?) spread on top with glasses of water. They loved it. Bible stories, prayers and games filled the time and it really was a successful morning.

Thom and I relaxed a bit and headed to Colleen's for dinner at 3:00. She made a delicious meal, we headed out for a long neighborhood walk and spent the evening with coffee and playtime. Excellent!

Ranger's once again for Thom....TV and whatever for me.....

Basketball X 4......

2012-01-14T21:08:00.000-05:00

Up super early for a Saturday.....6:15a.m.. We needed to be in Gastonia by 9:15 for Brady's first of the season basketball game. We arrived in time to join the crowd of family in the gym stands. After cheering on his team of tiny players we remained in our seats for Olivia's game beginning at 10:00. They both were adorable and although the activity only vaguely resembles basketball it was total fun.

From there we were treated to lunch at my parents house where we visited and Thom tackled a few items on their "to do" list. Mid-afternoon found us at Janice's just hanging out with the family. Near 3:30 we all loaded up and drove back to Bethlehem Baptist for Emily's b'ball game at 4:00 and later Brian's game at 6:00. This was certainly more like the real thing and we had a terrific time cheering on both teams. Brian and Emmy both played great....her team losing by only one point in the final 2 seconds of play and Brain's team gaining a solid victory.

Finally back home to TV football and hockey.....a total sports day....

No Nuts.....Nuts......

2012-01-13T22:18:00.000-05:00

Thom ventured out into the late morning chill for a round of golf. I headed to Karen's for a haircut and some catch up time with a good friend.

Reuniting in the late afternoon we ran a few errands and traveled to Byrnes High School for BBQ and a GOP candidate forum. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum were the only candidates who participated and that was fine with us. Huntsman is an "also ran" with a virtually meaningless candidacy and Ron Paul is a lunatic....neither worth the time spent listening to them speak. Romney would have been interesting but he was out of state campaigning in Florida already....has he dismissed SC??

It was a great event. Newt is sooo smart and amazing to listen to....right on target with many of the issues that concern us. Rick is still our man however .....his answers were in line with our thinking and he just has that persona that exudes confidence and trust. I'd love to see a Santorum/Gingrich ticket....a win-win in my book.

Home to coffee and pistachio overload (I could devour a million of those little gems)....

Jobs To Do......

2012-01-12T21:59:00.001-05:00

Thom had an interesting day "friendsitting". A long time friend fell out of a deer stand on Christmas Eve. It was an 18 foot drop and he sustained major injuries. Surgery to repair his shattered shoulder took place a few days ago and Thom spent the day keeping him company and tending to his needs while his wife went to work. For my small part I prepared a dinner that Thom delivered .....hopefully we'll have plenty of other opportunities to be of future assistance.

I had a busy but typical day at home and after dinner it was off to church to conduct interviews for the custodian position. Thom volunteered to be the "greeter" and usher the applicants in for their "inquisition". We talked with 6 prospects tonight and have 4 left for next Tuesday evening. Will be happy when a selection is made!

Thom and the Rangers....me and my pillow....

The Only Place To Turn.....

2012-01-11T22:38:00.003-05:00

A full day of clients at CPC.....lives full of problems. Sharing the strength that can only be found in the Lord is sometimes all I can do.

Praying for so many women.....

A Blur.....

2012-01-10T22:15:00.000-05:00

Unlike yesterday, today was a day on the go.

The homeless shelter is preparing for a Thursday inspection and my job today was to complete the medication audits. Even such a mundane task was enjoyable as Becky and I chatted while I worked.

I arrived home near 12:30 and Thom had already set out for an afternoon of ice skating at the rink in Greenville. A quick lunch and it was Good News time so off I went to Inman Elementary. I found Thom's exhausted body in the recliner when I got back at 4:30. The day could have ended at that point but the personnel committee was meeting after dinner and it was back on the road once more. Long meeting negotiating the salary and duties of the custodian position we need to fill....interviews begin Thursday....ugh!

Missed most of the Biggest Loser but caught the end......ready for a few minutes of relaxation and my husband's company then definitely bedtime....

Unwind......

2012-01-10T00:15:00.000-05:00

Inside day. Not much to report....

Not Such A Long Shot.....

2012-01-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

Early service resumed this morning after a few week sabbatical and it was good to be in church at 8:00 a.m.. A good SS class and back home near 10:30.

We did bits and pieces of things but relaxed for a while and early afternoon headed for Greenville to a Santorum appearance at a local restaurant. What a difference between today and months ago when we listened to him speak at the Beacon in Spartanburg. The place was packed with supporters and media!

Thom and I arrived early. Our strategy was to enjoy a nice lunch and get a great seat for his speech. It worked. Actually he spoke briefly and set about shaking hands and spending time with the crowd....chatting and posing for photos when requested. We have been present at 2 previous events but were surprised when he commented to Thom about how things have changed since the Beacon.....he remembered us! I got a picture with Karen (his wife)....a stinky shot of me but who cares. Hopefully it will be a remembrance of seeing the First Lady in person!

Home in the yucky chill of a rainy evening....pj's and football....now off to bed.....

New Motivator......

2012-01-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

Up and on the way to Sears for the opening of their doors this morning. We loaded our elliptical into the car and headed home.

Other chores and our walk took precedence over the assembly project but immediately following dinner Thom got to work and had it together in an hour. Sadly, my commitment to calorie counting for this day was history but tomorrow looms with positive promises. Our upstairs room resembles Gold's Gym/Playland and with so many choices to exercise I'm hoping to revive my New Year's resolution to tone, shape and drop a few pounds.

The debate is occupying our TV time and tomorrow we plan to go to Greenville where Rick Santorum will be making another appearance. Our 4th opportunity to see and hear him.....hopefully next November we'll proudly boast that we spent time talking with and getting to know our President!

Soon to bed....teaching my little ones in SS after service....lesson on how God cares for us....I learn as they learn. Such a blessing.

Eating Again.....

2012-01-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

A forecast in the mid 60's had Thom headed for the golf course for a day with his buddies.I took advantage of my alone time for odds and ends. It was a quiet, pleasant day.

CPC had postponed their holiday gathering till the seasonal confusion subsided and we all congregated tonight at Dickey's BBQ at the golf course. It was a great turnout and many of the husbands joined their wives for the event (meaning there was company for Thom). Dickey's provided the meat, volunteers brought the sides, staff made the desserts and the board of directors served up the appetizers. Needless to say there was an abundance of delicious food. A wonderful evening of fun and fellowship!

Thank You Lord for the blessing of Christian friends....

Hot Times......

2012-01-05T23:06:00.000-05:00

Cleaned inside and out today.....literally. Thom and I took our usual walk with a twist. We did almost 2 miles then retraced our steps with our "grabber" and a giant garbage bag and retrieved the collection of litter that was scattered along Lyman Lake Road. If we could only test for DNA and identify the culprits!!! Down the road we noticed a small unattended fire in the woods bordering a home; thinking the homeowner had simply left for a potty run or a quick drink we kept walking. Passing the same spot as we returned the flames had spread considerably. Thom knocked on the door and we were surprised to find the gentleman had no idea there was a prospective blaze encroaching on his home. He had dumped some embers amongst the trees when he cleaned his fireplace....obviously a bad idea! Grateful we had prevented a serious problem our walk ended ...Smokey Bear would be proud!

Pastor and Jan joined us for dinner and Sequence. We had a great time and it was so good to spend time with them again...it had been awhile.

Ready for bed....

Politics.......

2012-01-04T21:22:00.001-05:00

We felt compelled to stay awake till the final tally was announced this morning and we almost made it. I gave in to sleep at 2:15 a.m. and the GOP party chairman in Iowa announced Romney's 8 vote victory at 2:30 a.m......8 itsy bitsy votes! How close can you get? No matter how you slice it this was an enormous achievement for the Santorum campaign and we are hoping for the momentum to propel Rick to the top in New Hampshire and next to our home state of South Carolina.

The caucus results and repercussions were the subject of CPC conversation as Alexia is such a vital part of Santorum's team (and ours, of course). It was a wonderful day at the center and although exhausted I loved every minute of being there.

9:22 p.m. as I write this and headed for bed.....

Onward.....

2012-01-03T20:43:00.000-05:00

Back to the mission this morning. Lots of work to do and when I left at noon there was plenty for next week. Time there always serves to remind me of how blessed my life has been. The Lord has watched over me even when I chose to ignore Him. Thank You!

A full afternoon and an evening focusing on Iowa ....hoping for a Santorum victory!

Watching the Biggest Loser new season ....wondering who that winner will be also....

Unadorned.....

2012-01-02T20:22:00.002-05:00

We set to work immediately following coffee and breakfast and labored intensely till our lunch break. Still not done, we continued on and finally our "home sweet home" was returned to it's normal state and we were finished....and exhausted!

That was pretty much our day....

Done....

2012-01-01T22:18:00.000-05:00

The holidays are officially over....sad in some ways but beneficial in others. We had a wonderful Christmas season but Thom and I are ready for a return to "hum drum" .

Our new year began in the Lord's house.....no better place to be! I taught my SS class (7 little boys) and we had a great time. We had some time at home after church and started to dismantle our Christmas decor but soon it was back on the road to Gastonia. We all gathered at my parents for a New Year's dinner. The temps hovered in the mid 60's so we enjoyed the outdoors with the kids throwing around the football and riding their bikes.

Everyone was exhausted and the visit ended earlier then usual. Home by 7:30 and just pooped out in the recliner.

Far too much eating over recent days....like the rest of the world my self improvement plan for better eating begins tomorrow. For now bedtime.....

Another One In The Books....

2012-01-01T00:36:00.002-05:00

Welcome 2012!

We had such a busy day. Thom took delivery of his Christmas present from me.....a 55" TV and had it up and entertaining us in vivid color by early afternoon. We didn't have time yet to enjoy it as we worked our day away and guests arrived for the evening.

Our dear neighbors, Emmy and Bruce, joined us for an evening of Sequence, snacks and laughter as we welcomed in the New Year. We were too stuffed to even share a glass of "bubbly" when the ball dropped but did share hugs and kisses and wishes for a wonderful 2012.

Praying for a year during which the Lord will use me to bring glory to His name in all I do and rain blessings on all those I love and hold dear....

Felt Like Spring Cleaning.....

2011-12-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

Anticipating a large turnout, Thom was called to work at the golf course this morning. He was up and out before 8 o'clock. I started my day along with him and was inspired to do lots of closet cleaning and rearranging while my cakes baked in the oven.

Motivated by my accomplishments I continued after dinner organizing drawers and cabinets and even enlisting Thom to change the layout of our "play room" to accommodate the elliptical.

Satisfying day......

New Motivation.....

2011-12-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

We set out early this morning to search out and purchase our anniversary gift. We priced and rode any number of ellipticals at various stores and eventually settled on the same machine Janice purchased at Sears. Unfortunately they were out of stock so Thom received an assembly reprieve till next Thursday when the shipment will arrive. Looking forward having a new "toy".

Home by lunch, we munched and later enjoyed a walk with the girls in the woods.

New Year's Eve preparations start tomorrow. I can't believe I have more baking to do!

Till then......

Our Day.....

2011-12-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

Chilly but sunny weather allowed Thom to return to a round of golf with his buddies this morning. I did bunches of house stuff and headed out to Walmart for some much needed grocery items. On a whim I wandered into Cato's where I found a pretty gray skirt and 2 tops at seriously reduced prices....snatched them right up! I shopped leisurely through a few stores and returned home in time to do my self imposed biking and make dinner for my golf weary hubby.

Our Pastor is enjoying a much needed vacation so Thom filled his shoes at Wednesday night service. He presented an interesting lesson and handed out this year's guide to reading the bible in a year.

Home, showered and in my footie pj's....all is right in my little world....

The Final Christmas......

2011-12-27T23:11:00.000-05:00

Our last official celebration of Christmas began at 5:00 this evening as we all gathered at the Kahn's house. Julia and Ben, our sweet grandkids, were now present making the family complete. Janice served up a warm and inviting meal of homemade soup, salad and biscuits....yum! There was the round robin of gift opening once again and an evening finalized with sweets galore.

It was a great time! I will admit,however, I'll be glad to avoid I85 for a while.

Late and ready for bed.....

A Brief Pause....

2011-12-26T20:55:00.000-05:00

There was unloading and sorting, laundry, ironing, baking and mopping....all to be done on this day of unscheduled activities. All was complete by 7:30 tonight including time allocated to biking. Not bad.

Minimal energy left but a shower and coffee provided enough of a boost to add a few extra items to my accomplished list.

It will be an early bedtime as tomorrow we celebrate the Kahn Christmas followed by preparations for our New Year's Eve gala (I use that term loosely).

Down time is good.....

Sweet, Sweet Days.......

2011-12-25T22:27:00.003-05:00

Our night's sleep more closely resembled an afternoon nap. After only 4 hours in the bed the alarm rang and our Christmas officially began.

We had shared our gifts, gotten as spiffy as possible at that hour of the morning, had a cup of coffee and were on the road near 7:30 north to Rock Hill. We enjoyed breakfast and the frenzy of 5 kids (and a tiny baby) opening presents in a swirl of boxes and gift wrap then off to Sunday service at their church. A sweet way to get the day started. We headed for Gastonia and Round 2 ( I guess really Round 4).

As has become our tradition, Christmas was hosted by the Tarantino's and as in the past Stefanie and Nick did a fabulous job preparing and serving a delicious meal and making a wonderful holiday for the entire family. There were mountains of presents and Thom and I were lavished with all sorts of gifts. Loads of laughter and hours of pure joy with those we love.

Home.....stuffed and exhausted.....

There are no word grand enough to express my gratitude for all these blessings.....thank You Lord.....

'Twas The Night Before......

2011-12-25T00:35:00.002-05:00

Up early once again to help at church with preparations for communion at tonight's candlelight service. The task didn't take long and it was home again to put the final touches on for our evening plans and the day ahead.

We walked before lunch and shortly after our return the door bell rang and we were pleasantly surprised to see our neighbors bearing a tray of homemade goodies and holiday wishes. They visited for awhile and although we got back to our chores a bit later then planned it was a pleasant delay.

Colleen, Mike and the kids joined us for dinner at 4:30 and it was gift opening and goodies for the rest of the evening. Colleen made us a beautiful (and quite professional) Christmas wreath which will adorn our front door with pride. She also created a family photo album with great pictures of the years events...very cool. There were other gifts which we love and are so thankful for but mostly it was just the pleasure of their company and enjoying time with them and the little ones.....so excited about Christmas and sooo cute!

After cleanup we had a break in the action and "It's A Wonderful Life" enjoyed with a shot of caffeine to keep us energized for the long night ahead.

Candlelight service at 11:20 always awe inspiring and heartfelt....

Thank you Lord for another Christmas to celebrate the greatest gift ever given, Your Precious Son Jesus Christ, Our Savior, giver of life everlasting. For those who do not know Him or have not accepted Him into their hearts and received this glorious gift, I pray they will do so and make this Christmas the true beginning of "A Wonderful Life".....

Winter Warmth......

2011-12-23T20:53:00.000-05:00

The last few nights I have tossed and turned unable to get to sleep. With that in mind when I woke and glanced at the clock shortly before 7:00, I made the decision not to turn over and drift back to dreamland. It was nice being up as the sun rose and have some quiet time while Thom continued to snooze.

He arose near nine and set off for a scheduled golf game in this absolutely beautiful warm December sunshine. My activities are just not worth the time and effort to type and fill space.

We enjoyed a shirtsleeve walk when he came home and a restful evening.

Looking forward to company tomorrow and the joy of the little ones.....

Thankful It's Not Snow.....

2011-12-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

Another rainy day of typical pre-Christmas activity.

Chinese was the menu for our Christmas dinner with the Wylies and they arrived near 5:00 for an oriental feast. A brief respite between meal and dessert allowed for them to open their gifts then back to the table for an array sweets.

Thunder began to rumble threatening torrential rains to come so Jenn and crew departed earlier then planned hoping to avoid the inclement weather.

Thom relaxed to cheer on his Rangers. I got comfy and pedaled a few additional miles (attempting to offset those pumpkin square calories).

Something unique on tomorrow's agenda.....baking! Ugh!

Seasonal.....

2011-12-21T22:19:00.001-05:00

A long but excellent day. We were both up early....Thom to attempt a golf outing and me to get busy with mop and broom. I worked through the morning and Thom returned home before lunch unable to continue in the rainy weather.

Most on my list got accomplished and in addition I finished another SS lesson. We had a holiday service replacing our Wednesday prayer meeting. The youth presented a home made video/skit and we enjoyed special music. Santa and Mrs.Claus appeared to share the meaning of the candy cane and to distribute fruit bags to all present. It was fun and touching ....a reminder of Christmas truths through a secular format.

Home to coffee and something I have been longing for since the holiday season began.....watching "A Christmas Story". Wonderful as usual.

Bedtime approaches....thank you Lord for the blessings of children and grandchildren. I pray that each will find salvation through Your precious Son, Jesus Christ...

Overtime......

2011-12-20T21:44:00.001-05:00

Becky was literally going in all directions when I arrived at the homeless shelter this morning. Still decorating, planning meals and activities for the resident children while attempting to secure Christmas gifts for the few who had not been "adopted" by generous families. Of course she had also been called in early to settle a loud and disruptive dispute among the women....she is an amazing lady and a role model for anyone wanting to learn about leaning on the Lord for daily strength and wisdom.

I set to work on the monthly volunteer numbers and was put on a new assignment to audit the medication logs for an upcoming review. It was a blessing to be able to help and allow Becky more time for other matters. I stayed till almost 1 o'clock and after a brief "returns" trip to Hamricks and a stock up stop at the bread thrift store I headed home.

An afternoon nap induced by the rainy chill of the day gave way to a bit of rejuvenation. I tackled some chores and finished my 80 minutes of time on the bike. I am looking forward to getting our eliptical....just don't want to battle the holiday shoppers right now.

The usual on game night....dinner and a Ranger game for Thom....rest and reading for me....a cup of tea will hit the spot.....

They Say You Shouldn't......

2011-12-19T21:21:00.000-05:00

A day in the kitchen was on today's agenda. I just wish I could resist the batter bowl and spatula.....wonder how much cake and how many cookies I consume pre-baked?

Thom played mountain man as we trekked through the woods with the girls. Dozens of trees have fallen since we did any path maintenance and some have even blocked the trail. Today was the day to start the cleanup.

Laundry, ironing and dinner finished the afternoon and my evening has been dedicated to SS lessons for my month of teaching. Tuckered and ready to wind down.....

A Musical Day......

2011-12-18T22:05:00.000-05:00

I must be getting comfortable in Olivia's bed as I had a sound night's sleep.

We all scrambled to arrive at church for 9:30 service and Stefanie and Nick joined us there. Southminster has an interim Pastor and with all the wonderful music, the adorable children's presentation (Olivia was soooo cute) and an inspiring sermon it was a great time of worship. I headed home shortly after and spent a relaxing afternoon with football and pedaling.

Holston Creek participated in a joint Christmas cantata with 2 other local churches and the musical was presented at a nearby high school tonight. We enjoyed going and recognize the months of effort that it required but I'll admit we wished for more of the classic Christmas hymns.

Home and ready for bed.....busy days of baking and final preparations ahead....our family Christmases begin on Thursday!

Another Night At The Kahn's.....

2011-12-17T22:54:00.000-05:00

After a fitful night of questionable sleep I did odds and ends this morning before heading for Gastonia. Thom and I managed a pleasant walk before leaving so I fit in a little exercise. Keeping off the pounds during this season is hard!

I stopped for a little shopping and spent some time visiting my parents, finally reaching my destination and the care of my 4 sweet grands. We had a noisy but fun evening of crafts and cards then off to bed they went.

I'm not far behind as I'm spending the night to enjoy Olivia singing at church service tomorrow....

Cross Off......Add More......

2011-12-16T21:17:00.000-05:00

Janice called this morning to chat and was surprised that at 8:45 we were still sleeping. I was surprised too.

Christmas baking kept my morning busy while Thom spent hours blowing leaves into the lake.

Twenty or so boxes of donated food needed to be sorted into deliverable parcels so after lunch Thom and I headed for church to work on that project for an hour or so. While there we noticed that one little boy's wish list was still hanging on the angel tree in the hallway so just when I thought my shopping and wrapping was a thing of the past I was destined to continue.

Early evening we united with friends at Longhorn's Steakhouse for a delicious meal and great company. It was an early night and we managed our "angel" shopping en route home. Wrapped and bagged already.....yeah!

Thank you Lord for the blessings of sharing our abundance with others.....

Traditions......

2011-12-15T22:15:00.001-05:00

My first project this morning was peanuts. Literally. It takes hours to cook those little crunchy red and green treats everyone loves and I spent the morning and early afternoon doing just that. Between stirring and baking I worked on my SS projects and when finally done Thom and I took the girls for a hike in the woods. Good day.

We cleaned up and donned our fancy duds and off we went to the Piedmont Club for our SS party. Very nice indeed with good food and enjoyable company. Carolers came into our dining room to entertain us with holiday selections and the evening ended around the piano singing a few classics on our own.

Home to dvr'd debate and hockey game. Thom can't choose.....I choose bed and book....

No Spare Time.......

2011-12-14T23:04:00.000-05:00

Up and out for a full day of clients at CPC. So close to holiday time we usually have some "no shows" but not today. I was busy, busy, busy.

Thom had dinner with the "boys" from Village Greens at their annual employee Christmas party. While he dined on fancy fixins' I had leftover chicken mixed with a ton of romaine and was off to Wednesday night church. A personnel meeting had been scheduled for after service and I was surprised to see Thom's car in the driveway when I returned at 8:45.

Not much time left in the evening for chores and such.....

65 Degrees In December.....

2011-12-13T21:42:00.001-05:00

No work for me at the mission today but I woke early not knowing if Becky would need me. Off to a 7:30 start I accomplished a few items on my list and following lunch we got in our walk and then headed for Walmart.

The weather was beautiful so the dogs got a good brushing and the cars even got washed. Thom worked outside while I finalized my inside responsibilities.

Dinner and a few hours of SS preparation.....a little different than my adult women's class. Lots of cutting and crafting...

No major events today but a good one none the less.....

Staying Home......

2011-12-12T21:42:00.000-05:00

What a busy day....and I never even left the house. I had never fully caught up from my week away and there was cleanup from yesterday and well, just stuff to do. I also finally made time to get my butt back on the exercise bike....I lost a few pounds the last week or two and I'd love to keep them off.

Thom went back to Bethlehem this morning to claim our "salt shop" supplies. Don't know if our little operation will be in business on Resurrection Road but we may as well stay prepared. He worked around the house all afternoon and was back at church near 3:30 to help deconstruct the scenes outside the village and dismantle the manger. News was shared that our guest attendance was 3,900...more then we thought last night. Amazing! The rest of Bethlehem will remain standing till early January.

Some recorded TV, coffee and menu planning passed the evening. Time to work on my SS lesson and then sleep.

Thank you Lord for a great day.....

Grand Finale......

2011-12-11T23:38:00.000-05:00

I was especially blessed this morning when I was able to attend adult Sunday School for a change. The children were preparing their Christmas Program during the SS hour so I was relieved of my duties.

We spent a fairly quiet day and returned to Bethlehem at 5:00 p.m.. Stefanie, Janice and their families attended tonight as well as Janice's good friend from Gastonia with her family. To minimize their wait in the cold they arrived early and were the sixth group to tour the town. They had a good tour guide and I hope they enjoyed our "drama".

It was another attendance record bringing the weekend guest total to near 3600!It was another late night also, shaving only 20 minutes off last night's closing time. Sad to see it end it's "run" but anxious to see what awaits on "Resurrection Road".

Sweets and hot tea to end this day......

A Night For The Record Books.....

2011-12-10T23:36:00.001-05:00

After a very busy cleaning day preparing for company tomorrow we were off for night #2 in Bethlehem.

The crowds were gathering when we arrived at 5:20 and the town doesn't open until 6:00. That should have been a hint as to how the evening would progress. Near 9:00 friends came through with a group and informed us they had waited an hour and a half to get in....standing on line in 30 degree weather! Another not so subtle hint as to the number of guests.

Scheduled time for the Bethlehem Walk is 6:00 thru 9:30 ......we left the Salt Shop at near 11:00 p.m.! Holy cow! Hopefully this presentation has touched the hearts of some and reached them for Christ ... I'm sure the Lord had something special in mind to keep us so late.

Smelling of smoke and totally tuckered we arrived home for showers and bed.......

Soooooo Tired.....

2011-12-09T22:59:00.000-05:00

Brady bounced into my bed again this morning at 3:00 a.m.. I finally fell back asleep and managed an additional hour or two.

Olivia made it to school on time and near 10:00 a.m. Paul appeared to take over childcare duties. He'll have the kids tonight and Janice and Steve should return tomorrow afternoon. It was a great week and as tired as I will admit I am, it was a wonderful time with my grands!

I got home and had time to catch up on chores before doning my costume and heading out to the Bethlehem Walk. Tons of folks enjoyed the town tour and we ran overtime finally getting home shortly after ten.

Literally exhausted......

Final Night......

2011-12-08T21:26:00.002-05:00

At 4:00 a.m. the bedroom door opened and in scampered Brady. Without a word he climbed into bed beside me and was sound asleep before his head hit the pillow. I, on the other hand, was now wide awake and remained so till 5:30. Thirty minutes later the alarm rang and I was off and running for another day of "mommy".

All went fine and my two tiny angels are now sleeping soundly (and I hope permanently) in their beds. I will follow their lead in a matter of moments.....

40 Years ......

2011-12-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

Nasty weather made the day a bit gloomy but all went fine. Olivia had a good day at school and Brady enjoyed his few hours at preschool. While they were both absent I baked a b'day cake for Stefanie and refreshed with a hot shower.

Thom appeared about 2:30 and the 4 of us went to my mother's for Chinese and a second celebration of my first born's arrival. We had a fun evening eating and playing Uno closing with the standard "Happy Birthday". So hard to believe 40 years have passed!

Ready for another early night ....the end is near and as exhausted as I am I will readily admit my time with these two precious little ones is a joy to my heart!

Thank you Dear Lord for blessings as numerous as the sands of the beach....so undeserved....

A Minute's Worth......

2011-12-06T21:24:00.002-05:00

The parade was great and the kids had an absolute ball! Nick went with me and we caught up to Susan, Ryan and their kids along with Stefanie and Brian at street side. Emmy danced through the street about 20 floats into the event but sadly was in the middle of her dance troupe and we almost missed seeing her.

We walked back through the door near 6:00 and after dinner reviewed Olivia's daily work and completed her homework assignment. Games, crafts and snack leading up to 8:30 bedtime.

Surprised I'm still awake myself but surely not for long....headed upstairs.....

For Younger Folks.......

2011-12-06T13:15:00.003-05:00

A late return from the hockey came left little energy to post last night. I have been going to bed shortly after the kids ....this parenting stuff is definitely for the young.

Brady and I had shared a busy day of errands. The kids scrambled through showers to be ready for a quick dinner with Grandpa when he arrived then off to Charlotte. We picked up Emily and met Nick there along with TJ, Thomas, Tanner and Tristin Grace. The kids seemed to enjoy the experience although I think they had little interest in the game itself. Since it was a school night we headed home after the 2nd period and still they weren't tucked under the covers till 9:30.

They slept soundly through the night....unlike me. I awaken at least every hour....anticipation I guess. A good nights sleep on Friday will be welcome!

Busy day so far today and heading to the Christmas parade at 3:00. Emmy is marching with her dance class.....another fun trip keeping the little ones busy and amused. Trying hard to make their time fly so they miss mom and dad a bit less.

Missing Thom....

The Week Begins.....

2011-12-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

The little ones joined my SS class today and knew all the answers! They had a good time and were on their best behavior.

We filled the remaining morning and early afternoon with odds and ends and soon it was time to pack up and head north. A shopping stop and we were at the Kahn residence near 2:30. Brady was glad to be home to play his Wii MarioKart!

I took them both to church at 5:00 for Sunday evening activities and had a bit of quiet time ....nice! At 6:30 we were reunited and the remaining evening was quiet. School week starts again for Olivia and hopefully the time will fly past....they are beginning to miss mom and dad more each day. Kid time is hard.

Another blessed day and hoping for a peaceful night.....

Devoted To Christmas.......

2011-12-03T22:22:00.000-05:00

We hadn't been awake long before the patter of little feet could be heard on the stairs.That was a good thing as we had a relaxing breakfast before getting our main street parking spot for the Inman Christmas parade. It was a typical small town parade. There were bands and fire engines along with many churches and youth organizations represented. The kids had a good time and the weather although chilly was sunny and bright.

Olivia, Brady and I took our "trash walk" when we came home, cleaning the debris along Lyman Lake Road with our grabber...the little ones love doing it and what better way to spruce up our road from the thoughtlessness of litterbugs. A healthy lunch and a full afternoon preceded the arrival of the Tarantinos, my parents and my aunt. We enjoyed a big family meal and loaded up 3 cars for First Baptist North Spartanburg's performance of the Twin Living Christmas Trees. It was amazing to say the very least! Just a spectacular show that could compete on any Broadway stage with the best.

The kids were tucked into bed shortly after our return and I'll follow shortly....

Childcare.....

2011-12-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Time is beginning to blur. Up and out early again this morning. Thom was generous enough with his time to accompany me back to Gastonia where I got my last minute instructions before Janice and Steve left for vacation. Believe me when I say that although I love my grandchildren more then words can say, if this trip was not such an incredible value I am not sure I would have signed on for 8 days of childcare....I'm too old!

Brady was with us all day and once Olivia returned from school we headed back to Camp Carney. We had a fun day but bedtime is always difficult for the kids....they miss their mom and dad and it's the time they express it. Took over an hour to get them to sleep.....that said I'm on my way to bed....pooped....

Some Down Time Please....

2011-12-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

Another full day for the Carneys. Today was Holston Creek's workday at OCC and the bus was loaded and on the road to Charlotte at 10:00 a.m.. We were all on the workroom floor at noon and labored till 4:00 p.m. This time was slightly different as we were assigned to the "filler center" for the first 2 hours. Not quite as interesting but still a necessary part of the total operation and a blessing. Our final hours were on the line at a work station and everyone worked hard and had fun.

Thom and I had gone up in our car. Upon leaving the processing center we drove to Gastonia for a family gathering to celebrate my birthday. Sam's pizza was my requested meal and my mother provided the venue and a beautiful cake. Great gifts and loving cards.....a sweet and precious time.

Home....exhausted and needing a good night's sleep....tomorrow I begin my week of childcare.....I need all the energy I can get to keep up.....

Another Birthday In The Books......

2011-11-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

How many 63 year old women get outdoor basketball hoops for their birthdays? Not many I bet! My sweet husband purchased one for me and the wrapped basketball adorned the kitchen counter when I came down for breakfast this morning......yippee....can't wait to play around with it! Along with my sports gift Thom showered me with 2 pair of Mickey Mouse footie pajamas, a jacket and a generous gift card to Hamricks! A birthday bonanza to say the least.

A priceless day at CPC as well. Alexia and I share our birthday and she gave me a bag of holiday themed goodies....a sweet surprise. My clients kept their appointments and as a bonus I got a visit from a client I haven't seen in over a year. Thom and I decided to help with her Christmas shopping for her precious children and I delivered the presents today during lunch. It was wonderful to hug her again and share a little time. Once gone she texted me a heartwarming message reaffirming God's hand in our relationship and her gratitude to Him for guiding her days. Her words declare once again the reason God has lead me to CPC and allowed me the privilege of working in this ministry. Thank You Lord!

Home to a yummy dinner of Longhorn leftovers and off to service.

A wonderful birthday....thanks to all for the FB messages and kind words
....thanks to my sweet husband for , well, being a sweet husband
....thanks to our Lord for everything....

Happy 14th Anniversary To Us......

2011-11-29T20:55:00.001-05:00

Our anniversary was celebrated with a delicious dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse.....way too good!

The day was spent as a routine Tuesday: morning at the mission, shopping time, dropping /picking up car at the repair shop, daily chores. Thom surprised me with a new watch which I desperately needed and a beautiful card (gotta love those sweet words). The decision had been made to purchase an elliptical trainer as a mutual gift for the occasion and although we've checked a few out we just haven't gotten to the buying part....soon I hope, my workout needs a change up.

Quiet evening of biking (get rid of some of those prime rib calories) for me and Ranger game for Thom.

An excellent day....thank You Lord for a wonderful husband....

Rainy......

2011-11-28T22:10:00.002-05:00

Gloomy skies and heavy rains kept us in bed till almost nine....not a bad change in routine. After breakfast we headed for the store to accomplish our errands early. Back at cozy Camp Carney we each went our separate ways and had a productive afternoon.

Still a few projects in the works but for now the day is complete.....

Pleasant......

2011-11-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

Our outings for the day were limited to several trips back and forth to church. We attended early service and SS, returned mid-afternoon to check on our "salt shop", and made the trip a final time for evening worship.

Between trips Thom worked diligently at his workbench in the shed constructing a wall shelf for my parents. I tackled the laundry and related tasks.

Not an exciting day but joyful in it's simplicity....

Precious Gifts......

2011-11-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

Our plans for the day got us up and out by 10:30 a.m.. Traveling north on I85 we passed the outlet mall and stopped to polish off a few more items on our Christmas list.

From there we headed to Rock Hill where we got our first introduction to precious Taryn Eileen.....she's adorable. TJ and 3 of the other kiddies were paying mom and their newest sibling a visit and we lingered awhile enjoying our time together.

Off next to Charlotte for our annual family volunteer time at the Operation Christmas Child shoe box processing center. The Kahn's and Tarantino's met us there and our 4 hours of work time flew by. As usual we had a fun time ......this is one of my absolute favorite happenings of the year!

Back on the road for home.....a day of experiencing God's precious gifts....one small little bundle of joy for us and millions of boxes of joy for others. God is so good.....

2 Dozen.....

2011-11-26T08:40:00.003-05:00

I was sooooo tired last night I shuffled off to bed without my daily update.....and gee, the world didn't come to a screeching halt!

Black Friday took and unexpected turn with news of the birth of our 24th grandchild. Taryn Eileen Carney entered the world at 9:25 a.m. weighing in at 6 lbs. 15 oz. Thank You Lord for another healthy addition to our family!

The entire day (with the exception of our 2.5 mile trek) was spent decorating the house for Christmas. I love the finished project but will admit I hate the process. The final strand of tinsel was placed near 9:00 p.m. as the Christmas Express rounded the base of the sparkling pine. So glad it's done!

Bedtime was close behind.....

Stuffed......

2011-11-24T22:17:00.000-05:00

It was a hurry up and wait sort of morning. We got busy early and had everything under control with time to spare before company arrived.

Everyone was here promptly at 2:00 and the forage into self indulgence began. Lots of yummy appetizers with a huge meal following close behind.

Although the food takes up most of my time and I love watching my family enjoy their meal, the greatest treat is their laughter and the joy of being together (how trite does that sound?). The kids had a little creative time and managed to squeeze in some football and horseshoes. Almost everyone got in some fresh air....it was amazingly beautiful outside! We played some cards and dominoes and just generally hung out.

It was a wonderful day.

Like the rest of the world I many times need to stop and be grateful for all my blessings. Thank You sweet Lord for being so merciful to your child. Thank you for my loving family and for allowing me to be part of Your family through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ....

Let Me Out Of The Kitchen......

2011-11-23T20:05:00.000-05:00

Tuckered out from a day of continuous cooking and cleaning. But....it all got finished with a little evening relaxation time.

Thom golfed for the day and was kind enough to bring home Subway sandwiches for our quickie dinner. I had had enough of the kitchen by then!

Just a few final touches left for the morning then let the feasting begin.....

Yams.....

2011-11-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

My office work at the mission was replaced today with kitchen duty. A change of pace from yesterday as this morning I spent my time with tons of sweet potatoes instead of red skinned. Absent the crowd of volunteers it was quieter but just as hectic in the limited space. Unfortunately there was much left to do when I left near noon but the capable hands of residents and staff will work wonders I'm sure.

Thanksgiving preparations began after lunch and were interrupted only with our walk. So much to do!

Ryan had advised us that there was a special program at his church this evening and we decided to attend. It was so sweet to find him waiting on the church steps for us and chauffeuring us to the seats he had saved in the balcony. It was an amazing time of worship and music! We are so proud of Ryan as he has set out on his Christian walk. He rides his bike to church and has become a faithful and active participant in services and other programs. He will be an inspiring witness!

We didn't get home till later then expected so my plans for baking were shelved till tomorrow. Wrapped a bit but the day has come to an end for me.....

Spuds Galore......

2011-11-21T22:54:00.002-05:00

This was a scheduled "sleep in" morning but as should be predictable by now, one of Thom's golfing buddies disturbed our slumber shortly after 7:00 a.m. Ugh!

I guess it was just as well. We got busy earlier and took our walk allowing us some errand time en route to the mission.

Miracle Hill conducted it's annual Turkey Fry today. The Monday prior to Thanksgiving is dedicated to preparing a feast for the homeless throughout the upstate that are served by our mission network. 300 turkeys make their way to the deep fryers and tons of sweet potatoes, red potatoes and veggies are readied for the special meal. Our small part of this endeavor was 3 hours of spud peeling! We enjoyed our work and the company of other volunteers and are hopeful this repast will not only feed but also encourage those who partake on Wednesday. Thom actually made the evening news on channel 7....there he was: the professional peeler! The Lord has blessed us so abundantly and this event provides one more opportunity to share the Gospel along with delicious food. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate.

Home by late afternoon we enjoyed dinner and an active evening before finally settling in the recliners for "House" and "Castle".

Once again.....thank You Lord for providing means to serve in Your Name....

A Different Sunday....

2011-11-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

This morning I attended early service on my own while Thom stayed in the recliner nursing his shoulder. November is not my "teaching" month in SS and there were 2 adults present so I returned home after worship hour.

Thom remained stationary for the day but I took advantage of the extra time and did my Thanksgiving shopping then tackled and completed most of my extensive list of "to dos". Our church holiday meal replaced evening service and it seemed a wise choice to settle for soup and left over pizza and just chill at home.

I relaxed about nine and joined Thom in front of the TV. Nothing of interest though so looks like bedtime for me.....

Good Beginnings, Good Endings.....

2011-11-19T22:10:00.000-05:00

A young woman in our church has been battling a rare form of cancer for nearly 2 years now and the BYW have organized and hosted numerous fundraisers on her behalf as she continues her struggle. This morning we enjoyed a "before hours" benefit breakfast at Fatz in Inman dedicated to that cause. Great pancakes with sausage and fun company made the 8:00 a.m. trip worthwhile. The restaurant was crowded and hopefully significant funds were accumulated to aid in her care.

Back home to a chore list and a walk then preparations for our trip to Gastonia. We did some holiday shopping along the route but arrived at the Tarantinos on time. A yummy dinner, birthday presents for Brian and Emmy then cake and candles. A "Panther" cake for Brian....an "American Girl" cake for Emily. All the family was there to celebrate .....tons of laughter and just a plain ol' good time.

Home and pooped as usual.....such a crazy season of the year for us.....love it though!

Thank You sweet Lord for my precious and wonderful family....

A Grands Day......

2011-11-18T21:16:00.000-05:00

I was on the road by 7:00 this morning to care for Brady while Janice worked and Steve was out of town. He and I had a fabulous day.

We started with a visit to my parents where he and I played "War" while I shared a cup of coffee and chatted with my folks. Off to Walmart to make a few returns and shop briefly before picking up lunch at MacDonalds. We took our nuggets and fries to Gardner Park elementary and joined Brian for his midday meal in the cafeteria. He enjoyed the break from the everyday school fare and Brady loved being with his favorite cousin. An extra bonus came in the form of time for "Aunt Stefanie's" classroom tour and passing Emily in the hallway with a moment for a quick hug. It was fun for us both.

We got back to the house having time for a few games and some football practice on the front lawn. Janice returned and shortly after we met Olivia as she got off the school bus. Some sharing time and I was back on the road to Lyman.

Dinner, some baking and ready for bed.....totally wiped out tonight....

Non-Stop........

2011-11-17T22:52:00.000-05:00

I really needed an entire day at home to catch up on things.....that was not to be.

Last night we were notified of a food pantry need. This need was unique in that it required delivery, something we don't usually do. The woman sounded to be in dire straights (to our church secretary) so first on our list today was loading supplies from the grocery closet at church and finding this lady's apartment to make our delivery.

That done, we headed for Blanche and Don's house for a "sick call". Don had been recently hospitalized for pneumonia and we thought we'd stop by and say hi. Visits there are never brief....we enjoy the company too much! He is on the mend and after 2 hours of coffee and chatter we left for Lyman to retrieve Thom's car from the repair shop. He ran a few errands and I came home to finally get busy on Emily's birthday cake.

To my relief Thom brought home pizza for dinner and when I completed my project we downed a Li'l Caesar's $5 bargain meal.

Wishing for down time I readied myself to leave home once more and exited for a personnel committee meeting back at Holston Creek. After hours of discussion and debate we allocated all 2012 salaries and determined Christmas staff bonuses and I returned for the night.

Not yet done with my list I kept my imperative date with L'oreal and am now totally ready for slumber.....

Bring On The Rain........

2011-11-16T23:21:00.001-05:00

Today brought severe thunderstorms and driving rain....even tornado warnings throughout the area. Surprisingly, my dedicated clients kept their appointments and it was a fine day at CPC. Some girls are beginning to panic as Christmas approaches and are willing to do more "work" for more "mommy money" to shop in our Christmas toy store. I love that we can provide a means for them to earn gifts for their children while learning and growing in the process.

Typical shopping lunch break, Thom and I have "adopted" a family for Christmas in place of exchanging gifts with one another and I needed to begin crossing those needed items off my list. This is why I strive so hard to complete my own gift list early....frees up time to enjoy making these purchases.

We trekked through the downpour to Wednesday night prayer service ...messy but always worth the trip.

Long day.....

After Nine.....

2011-11-15T22:20:00.000-05:00

I don't like sleeping late. I feel as if I have wasted the best part of the day. I'm much more of a morning person (at least after I shed the cobwebs).

We did have a productive morning and once again we enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures. A pleasant walk preceded lunch and shopping and Good News followed. Club was a disaster in my humble opinion.....pizza and chaos!

It was good to be home and enjoy a relaxing dinner. An assortment of chores and the final hour of the Biggest Loser.

No high water marks today but a good one none the less....

Final Harvest.....

2011-11-14T22:14:00.001-05:00

A week or so ago Thom pulled up the residual tomato plants and we brought in the last of this year's fruit. Today the peppers were uprooted and we reaped our final harvest. Lots of veggies in the freezer for this winter....love it!

We had a busy day and enjoyed the early fall warmth with open doors. A yummy dinner preceded a trip to church for the first Bethlehem Walk practice. Kind of sad that this is the final year for our outdoor Christmas drama but I'm looking forward to Resurrection Road come Easter 2013.

Ready for bed......

Pretty Mellow.....

2011-11-13T22:10:00.000-05:00

I had to stifle a few escaping yawns at 8:00 o'clock service this morning but after a bit of singing and a good message I was awake and ready for our SS class. Only 4 little ones today and they proved to be not only adorable but attentive as well.

We walked after service and just had a slow paced afternoon.

Four individuals were baptized tonight including one adult. Seeing adults publicly proclaim their faith through baptism is always special. Having been there myself I know what an amazing blessing it is to have finally found that deep personal relationship with Christ. Amen!

Home,the recliner and Patriot/Jets game......they'll be no peace at the Kahn's regardless of the outcome.....

A Fabulous Forty......

2011-11-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

Although my first born did not enter this world until December 7th, her family and friends gathered tonight to commemorate the event with a wonderful surprise party.

Our day began with early preparations at the Kahns and cheering on Brian's football team to victory. We shopped a bit midday then headed back to the celebration venue to apply the final touches and ready the wide array of delicious food. There were about 30 guests crowded into Janice's darkened dining room when the Tarantinos arrived. "Mom" was ushered through the door first and her face proclaimed her undeniable surprise. Success!

Enough food and drink to feed an army, an amazing video slide show (prepared by Janice and Steve), a roaring fire in the pit on the deck,festive decorations, music and good conversation filled the house....a great time was had by all.

We exited and headed home satisfied that our efforts were rewarded with a happy "soon- to-be" 40 year old daughter.

Thank you Lord for all our precious children......how immensely blessed are Thom and I......there just aren't enough words....

Fine Friday......

2011-11-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

One more full and fine day here at Camp Carney. Nothing notable except that this Friday concluded with a fun visit to the Bishop's house. Had a great time with the kiddies!

Ready for sleep....Thom ready for the DVR'd Ranger game.....

Caked Out.....

2011-11-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

Another baking day...having so many grand kiddie birthdays within a few weeks puts a strain on my oven! I decided to do all the baking and decorate and freeze one at a time. Finally done with Part 1.

I also caught up on the remainder of unwrapped gifts. It was a good day for chores and exercise.

Early evening Jenn and Kasi dropped by. Thom did some necessary work on the car and we had some time to hang out and catch up.

Tired and have the hiccups....hate that....

Normal......

2011-11-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

Back in the swing today. I was off to CPC at 8:20 with Thom following down the road to his golf game.

It was a 50/50 day. One a.m. client, one p.m. client with time between allowing for Christmas and grocery shopping. Home for Italian food and off to church.

Thom busy with the debate (I'll get the highlights from him)and a recorded Ranger game. I'm heading upstairs for a little bike time and some gift wrapping (gotta keep on top of the holiday purchases).

A good day. Thank you sweet Lord.....

Lots To Do......

2011-11-08T22:17:00.000-05:00

I decided to stick close to home today and although I had previously warned of my absence I still suffered from a twinge of guilt. I managed to accomplish a lot and settle back into Camp Carney living. Losing 5 days this busy time of year stresses me and relieving some of the pressure is a blessing. Most likely there was little work this week at the mission and I'm certain there was an adequate turn out at Good News.

Thom and I enjoyed an over due walk in the beautiful fall sunshine. He worked most of the day outdoors, tearing out the garden and doing fall chores. I baked and decorated birthday cakes (a few are upcoming shortly), ironed, cleaned and did just regular stuff....busy, busy.

Tired and ready for bed......

Back In Touch.....

2011-11-07T15:59:00.002-05:00

A whirlwind trip up north came to an end as we pulled into the driveway at Camp Carney about 30 minutes ago.

Suffice to say we had a great time. Thursday was a travel day and we arrived at Cheryl's house in NJ noon time on Friday. The afternoon was spent celebrating our traditional October Christmas and enjoying the time with her and the kiddies. Back in the car and we headed to Long Island where we spent the night in the Hyatt Regency (a bit uppity for our usual budget but Hotwire helped with the price).

A fabulous day on Saturday with the Santulli family filled with games, a long walk, a zoo trip and capped off with an evening at the bowling alley and late dining with friends.

Sunday it was back on the highway returning to NJ for Charlie's christening and gala celebration which followed. Thom's brother Edd was able to join the festivities and it was nice sharing the day with him as well.

There never seems to be enough visiting time on these brief jaunts. We left the party near 6:30 and traveled 5 hours before finally finding slumber in our favorite Super 8 in Virginia. Back on the road near 8:00 a.m.

Chinese for an easy dinner.....unpacking and laundry for the evening....

Thank you Lord for safe travel....