Another Class by Dawn!

Saturday morning I drove now to Tuckerton to meet Dawn at the One Little Spark stamping store. Before the class started we went to the local diner for lunch.

This time she taught a class on ATCs, Gothic Arches, and Moos. Arches I know about, but the ATCs and Moos I've never done. She also taught us some techniques on using alcohol inks. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of our creations.



I had a good time and enjoyed learning new ideas and techniques. I'm looking forward to next month. We will be making Cards for Heroes to send to the troops overseas.

Happy stamping!!

Relaxing Weekend

After picking DH up from the airport on Thursday afternoon we headed to upstate PA to visit our "outlaws", otherwise known as Pat & Jim (our SIL parents) for the weekend. It's about a 4-5 hour drive depending upon weather and traffic. Traffic wasn't too bad. Sometimes we get stuck in lots of it on the Northeast Extension but I guess since it was a Thursday night it wasn't too bad.

The further north we headed, the colder it got! When we finally got to their house it was below zero! Burrrrr!! On Friday afternoon when we headed to Montour Falls it was -4 and we had on our longjohns.

We've been here in the summer when the water is flowing freely but now it's frozen, though not solid because you can hear the water still running underneath. The picture doesn't do it justice because it's really pretty. It's amazing how all that running water can freeze.

Later on in the evening after dinner we played "Hand & Foot", ladies v men. Men won!

Saturday night we went out to eat at a cute little "oldies" restaurant. It's decorated with 45 records and pictures of people like Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boop, etc. There was entertainment, too. I forget his name, but a gentleman was there playing guitar and singing oldies, especially Elvis which Pat just loved because she is a huge Elvis fan! Huge in the fact that she really likes his music, not in her size!!!

After we got home we played Mexican Train. We didn't keep score but played until we got tired of it and then watched a couple movies on the Hallmark Channel.

It was a relaxing weekend. Quiet. No traffic, no dogs whining, no planes flying overhead. No work. Peaceful!

Driving up in our little Ford wasn't bad until we got just around the corner from P & J. There is a hill we had to drive up but we almost didn't make it!! We got near the top and starting slipping and sliding but finally got over the crest! Coming home, after we left their drive and started up a smaller hill on their road we didn't make it to the top! We had to back down and then hit the gas and pray no one was coming! But, then we had to go back down the first hill we encountered on our way in and, though it looks like a great hill for sledding, in our little car without any wheel drive, it looked scary but thankfully the road was clean enough that we didn't have any problems. After that, it was a clear ride all the way home.

Tomorrow it's back to work for me, though it's back to work for DH, too. Though his work will be here at home painting. We (or I should say he) is painting some of the rooms in preparation for putting the house on the market.

It'll be awhile before we have a chance to have another relaxing weekend. With getting this house ready for sale, packing and preparing to move and then going down to TN to clean the house and prepare to move in there, we're gonna be pretty busy the next few months. So, I'm thankful we had this weekend away.

God bless,

Linda

Book Review For Thomas Nelson Publishers

A friend told me about the opportunity to read and review books for the Thomas Nelson Publishers and I thought it would be an interesting thing to do.



For my first book I chose Rex a non-fiction book written by Cathleen Lewis, Rex's mother. Rex was born blind and autistic and, it turns out, he is a musical savant.

I actually chose this book because I've always had an interest in reading or hearing about savants. It's fascinating and wondrous to see or hear these remarkable people.

Reading about this remarkable young man and the things he accomplished just reiterated for me the fact that there is potential in everyone, no matter what their mental or physical capabilities may be.

Though it might not have been her intention, this book is about Cathleen Lewis just as much as it is about her son, Rex. This mother has done a great job of caring for and getting the care and teaching Rex needs. She deserves kudos for her love and all the hard work on behalf of her son. I think other mothers in similar situations can get strength and encouragement from reading about her struggles.

This is a wonderful, must read book of love, hope, inspiration, and faith. It shows clearly how God can take what man thinks is impossible and turn it into a world of possibilities.

That's It! I've Had It!

After sitting at dinner and eating two plates, albeit small plates, of spaghetti, I have had it with overeating and non-exercising! The whole time I was eating I knew it was not what I should be doing but I love spaghetti and just went ahead and ate it anyway.

When I saw my oncologist a couple weeks ago, I mentioned to her about my steadily gaining weight, thinking she'd sympathize and say it was the meds that was the culprit! Naaa! She asked me if I had tried dieting and exercise! :-) Okay!

So, finally after tonight's dinner, that is what I'm gonna do....try dieting and exercising. Since we have the Wii Fit and I haven't been on it since we first got it 128 days ago (I know because when I got on it tonight, it told me it's been 128 days), I decided I'd give it a try. In fact, it even told me I'd gained 2.5 lbs since then. Actually, it was fun, though DH says I will be sore tomorrow and I'm sure I will, especially after doing some of those Yoga exercises! After I got done with the Fit, I, of course, had to play a game of bowling!!

I'm writing all this to ask those of you who know me personally and see me once in awhile, to remind me of this post when you see me reach for that second helping or that candy or cookie or whatever food it may be that's not fruit or veggie or something good for my health. Thanks!

Gotta go, that candy over there is calling my name.......

God bless!

My New Toy!!!

I'm sitting here listening to my new toy....an iPod nana - opps that's nano -- which DS gave me for Christmas. When he first mentioned it as a possible Christmas gift I told him I didn't want one but later when I thought about it, I changed my mind but didn't say anything to him. After thinking about it, I realized it would be great to have while gardening or walking.

He just helped me set it up and taught me how to get some of the music on it I want. Right now I'm listening to my favorite....Twila Paris! In the process, I discovered she has a new album just out in November, which I will have to get. Of course, when I have to do this when he's not around I'm not sure if I'll remember! Must be getting old because I never had that problem before!

My poor family! They'll have to put up with my singing along but won't be able to hear anything else but me! Not that they're not use to that anyway! They accuse me of having a song for everything. It's funny, though, that the whole time I was going through treatments I didn't sing but one day someone said something and I suddenly had a song and I realized I must be getting better!

I do have a new book I want to start reading so time to put the toys away.

God bless,
Linda