On the Road Again...well, kinda

Well, I am sure this will shock most of the people who have known and loved us for awhile ;-}, but we are moving again. Not far - less then 10 minutes from where we live now. It has come time to find something with more room to move around in, and to try to get a tax break, if we could.

It is a nice 'little' house (I use the term loosely, it is little by most standards but is about 2x the living space of the house we're in now). It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a nice family room. All of that plus a nice little surprise out back...take a look:

The house from the front:

The Living (or Front) Room (And no, the Yorkie is not included - believe me, we asked!):

The Dining Room:

The Kitchen / Breakfast Nook:

The Family Room:

The Master Bedroom:

And the little surprise out back? well....here it is:

We're moving in the weekend after Thanksgiving, Lord willing. We are trying right now to get things together - working hard, and none of it includes packing as yet. The Lord knows how much I LOVE to pack. Anyway, we are very excited about having space to move around, to entertain, and to SWIM!

PS: Still going to put on photos from Victoria - just need to find the time!

Beautiful Victoria, BC

Well, it's hard to believe that we are more than half way through our trip to Canada. It has been beautiful here in Victoria - the weather is in the fifties, and the sun has been shinning the whole time we have been here. It is glorious here.

We flew into Seattle on Monday, and went to dinner with a friends brother-in-law who lives there. It was a wonderful seafood dinner overlooking Tacoma - breath-taking views, delicious food and good company - can anyone ask for anything more? Well, we did, and we got it. We took the Victoria Clipper to Victoria on Tuesday, where we were able to see more beautiful mountains,and even some whales swimming in the distance. We experienced some turbulence in the boat, but nothing too terrible.

We are staying in downtown Victoria, just a couple of blocks off the harbor. We are situated about a block from the church, and anything else we could need. We have found several great restaurants. We are eating too much, and enjoying every bit of it.

We have spent a good amount of time catching up with old friends, and making new ones. It has been better than I could have imagined. One thing we have noticed since stepping foot here, is that service, and in general, the Canadians seem to be a very nice, gentle, and rule-abiding group of people. Even the "Goth" kids don't cross the street until the sign tells them they are allowed to go. The pan-handlers politely say "thank you" when you tell them you have no cash - because you don't. And for those who know me, I will be bringing back a Canadian accent - I'm already hearing it now.

I am spending some time in the room this afternoon - while others are in meetings. It just seemed like a good time to catch up with myself. We will be here for 2 more days - leaving on a ferry Saturday evening. There is so much we want to do, we are having difficulty deciding what we will do with our time here Friday afternoon and Saturday. No matter what, we will be sad to go, I think.

I am taking pictures, and will be posting them once I am home. I hope that everyone is doing well - or are doing better, for those I know to be not feeling well. See you all soon!

As Time Goes By...

I am sorry to be gone so long. I owe you all a post on my parents party, but that will come later. For those who haven't heard, I've been sick for the last several weeks, and am just now beginning to feel better.

While we were in VA, I had a fast-running cold. As usual with me, it turned into a terrible cough. But I was doing better by the time we got home, and I thought I was out of the woods. Then the following weekend and into the next week, I really went back and fourth not feeling well, being sick to my stomach (and other places). I eventually went to the doctor and got something for the stomach cramps and got to feeling better. Yep, I was definatly out of the woods...or so I thought.

Last Saturday I started having terrible pain just under my ribcage that went around my back. If any of you have had a gallbladder attack - it was EXACTLY like that. Only my gallbaldder was removed 4 years ago. I went to the doctor (the appointment will be the subject of a later post) on Tuesday to find out that the muscle that is just under the rib cage was irritated (by the virus, being sick with the virus, coughing, picking something up or moving funny - pick one, there is no way to say which it was) and pressing on a bundle of nerves that goes around to the back. I am currently on drugs to reduce the swelling, and stop the pain. When I am on the drugs, I am feeling GREAT. When they wear off, I am still hurting. Apparently it will take a while to heal.

So I have spent the last 3-4 weeks feeling not-so-good. I am on the mend, but taking it easy. So that is why I've been quiet, not really doing much of anything. I am hoping to get into the sewing room, finish some other projects I've been working on.

Have a great week!

Song Sung Blue...

So, we're back. We had a wonderful time, and my parent's anniversary party was a great big success. I will write more about it in the next couple of days...(and I have lots to tell - meeting Jasmine for the first time, seeing a long-lost cousin for the first time in at least 10 years, visiting with family and friends - it was a great vacation!)

She-who-must-be-obeyed was VERY glad to get her parents home. I still have some time off, so I will spend that loving on her and her sissy and getting the laundry done - among other things.

My post-VA depression as officially kicked in. I told some friends it was good that we left the girls in Memphis, otherwise I am not sure Keith could have gotten me back here. I really miss it all - the family, friends, places, memories - and the pace of life (but not the traffic - definitely not the traffic). Sumerduck is QUIET - you forget, living in the city, just how quiet it can really be.

That said, I will be happy to be back at St. James on Sunday. I missed it terribly on Sunday - we went to St. John the Divine in Warrenton, VA. It was a beautiful church and a nice service, but it was no St. James! And I will get back to my life here in Memphis, which I enjoy - I head back to work on Tuesday and school on Wednesday, and I will enjoy friends who are like family and who make living 16 hours from home a little easier.

Good Night!

Tuesday, once again...

It's Tuesday. I do not have much to report. We are getting ready for our trip to see the family. It's all very exciting. Lots to do this week in preperation.

Last weekend Bishop Morse came to St. James for his episcopal visit. We had him over for a light lunch, then the vestry all met at The BBQ Shop on Madison for dinner with the Bishop. Finally, we had a wonderful service Sunday Morning. We had (at last count) 132 people in attendance - a record for our chruch. There were 2 baptisms, and 6 confirmations. All of that, and we got to receive communion, too! After the service, we had a nice luncheon. The only problem encountered all weekend was locking myself out of the house. Keith had gone on a hosptial visit, and I didn't realize that he was gone, or remember to have him leave the house unlocked. So, I hung out in the church watching Andy Griffith (E left her cd's there, TBTG!). It was a nice way to pass the time until Keith got back.

So this week will be busy, and exciting all at the same time. Need to get the hair done and maybe my nails. We are leaving the girls home. I will miss the little one terrible - mostly at night when I bug her while she sleeps. But it is best for them and for us, so...

No other news to report! I'll be back soon, and I hope to have lots of pixs from VA.

As Time Goes By

Well, how the heck did we get to August 2nd? Gosh, I hadn't realized how long it has been since I was last here. Sorry about that! July was busy, but I can't tell you with what...maybe work, and VBS (helping to set up for it - not working it), and school.

My class is going pretty well, and I have - for the first time ever, I think - started my project early. I am hoping to have to basically done tomorrow, be we ALL know how that goes.

And speaking of school - I have, from the beginning, had difficulty with Keller. There have been customer service issues (not all together a surprise here in the Bluff City), problems with financial aid, and we can't forget the whole "we can't find your file, you'll have to reapply" discussion. While things have been worked out most of the time, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. SO, I started looking around, and the University of Memphis has a program that is in the neighborhood of 1/3 the cost of Keller. It is much closer to home (within walking distance when it is not 99 flippin degrees at midnight!), and has a pretty good Business School / MBA program. I have decided to apply there this fall, continuing my classes with Keller in the immediate. If I am accepted, I will try to move over to UM in January. That's the thinking right now - but I have to get past the GRE first (this may be the thing that dictates exactly what I will be doing.)

We are looking forward to our trip to VA. I am actually beginning to make lists and put things aside to take. It promises to be great fun, and I can't wait to get there. Look out Fauquier - here we come! Axia and Carlos - we are looking forward to visiting with you! You too, Ann!

In the mean time, we have our annual Bishop's visit. We are looking forward to seeing Bishop Morse. This year we have 2 Baptisms and several confirmations. It is a very exciting time in the life of St. James. Last week we had the VBS presentation, as well as a vote on if we should purchase the church property we have been renting for 4 years (including the house we live in.) The result was almost unanimous to purchase it! All of that and we had 101 people in church!!

Today we went to the Gylfe's home for a cookout, and swimming (for the kids). We had a great turn out, and a good time was had by all.

I had a hole in my tire, but it was quickly repaired to the tune of $16 - much better than the cost of our tire issues from a year ago! Keith was weed-eating the church lawn a couple of weeks ago and it picked up a rock and flung it across the parking lot into his rear window, breaking it into a bazillion pieces. So now he is driving a whooptie which has plastic covering the window until we can replace it (don't ask - it has to do with the aforementioned issues with Keller.) And I won't go into the fight Keith got into with the basketball hoop pole (using my car, of course!). Really - there was not much damage - just enough for me to keep giving him a hard time!

Well, that's the long and the short of it. What's up with you?

PS. Jasmine turned one - can you believe it? I hope to get pictures up soon.

...and we're back!

Good Evening everyone! I hope this finds you well.

I am sorry I have been gone so long. School kept me busier than I had imagined - but I did well in all my classes. I have been out of class for over a week, but was just too tired to spend *one more* evening writing something. I am taking an accounting class, which will not require a big paper at the end - which I am happy about.

So here is what I've been up to:

* School, of course
* The BIG ole bible study (which has not gotten the attention it deserves - I may be held back!)
* Planning for - dreaming of - my trip to Virginia in August!!!
* Hanging out with friends - and having a great time doing it!
* Quick trip to Jonesboro to see the Honey-hams, and Fr. Foos who was with his school choir visiting from CA.
* Quick trip to Jonesboro for what was, hands down, the most eventful funeral I have ever attended.
* Co-Teaching (or more or less) Sunday School
* buying all manner of used books at used books stores and used book sales.
* finding a really cool bag pattern which I am hoping to begin working on soon.

Doesn't seem to be quite as long as I imagined or it felt...

I found a book at that book sale that I thought I would put in the church library. You never know - someone might like it. Well, I picked it up the other day and started reading. The book is called: My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun by Mother Catherine Thomas. It is about a young woman who is called to the vocation of a Carmelite Nun in the late 1920's.

I am completely taken with this book. Now, don't think for a minute that I want to be a Carmelite nun, or a nun of any flavor for that matter. I am just finding the story, and her insight, captivating. I believe the word is convicted...

I am not done, and I am sure I will need to read it at least one more time to really appreciate it - but I've already started marking in it!

This poem is included in the book:

My Beloved is my Bridegroom

And my Lord - O what a joy!

I will henceforth all the powers

Of my soul for Him employ;

And the flock that once I tended,

Now I tend not as before

For my only occupation

Is to love Him more and more.

I have gone away forever

From the haunts of idle men

And a sharer in their follies

I will never be again.

They will say, and say it loudly,

I am lost; but I am not;

I was found by my Beloved,

O how blessed is my lot!

St. John of the Cross

Beautiful, no? I believe that St. John of the Cross was a monk, or brother. I also believe that he wrote this about going into the contemplative life. But even so, I find it speaks to me. I am just using this to contemplate my own relationship with Christ - which is what, I believe, Mother Catherine Thomas wanted when she wrote this in 1955.

Cheers everyone - I'll try to be around more!