Spring is here in Florida (March)

Can you believe March is here and almost gone?! Now the weather is beautiful and it does feel like March is here yet it seemed to have sneaked up on me. I guess with all the excitement of the end of February....time just flew by.

My dad is doing good. Slowly recovering. The doctor says he needs to walk more ....so, mom has a schedule for him to follow. I talk to him every day and he has totally enjoyed the cards and phone calls. I know mom has appreciated them as well.

The fire in the back yard has not rekindled again...yet the air is very smokey. Many places in Florida are on fire. It is so dry right now....sorta scary, especially after having our back yard on fire. The last two weekends Niel has worked in the back yard cutting away the trees that had been on fire and getting rid of some brush that would be good fuel for another fire. Last weekend Brian & Chelsea were here for the weekend. (Brian still has not found a job) So Brian helped Niel bring stuff to the road; this weekend David helped in the yard. It is surely a two man job. Per Niel, he really needs a few more weekends like the last two to get a handled on the yard.

Myself...I have been busy at work and taking care of the house. At work we have had testing, which always interfers with my AP classes, so I have been having to do double time to try to get my students all the information they need. Not to mention the time I missed going to Ocala to be with my mom during my dad's operation. I have great students and they too have been working hard to stay on task.

At work, there are still talkes about layoffs and cutbacks for next year. It is just an added stress on teachers...something we truly do not need. As it is, there is never enough hours in the day to get all we want to get done. I can not remember a weekend I did not bring work home to work on. I even brought stuff to the hospital when we went to Ocala (which did make time fly by while waiting for my dad's operation).

David has signed up for his senior year classes. I can not believe he will be a senior. Time flies and knowing next year will be his senior year...that will fly as well...that year seems to go faster than any of the other. We are in the process of putting together a trip during Spring Break to look at Florida Colleges. He still is unsure on what he wants to major it or do for the future. Maybe the college tour will inspire him. We were hoping that church or school would have done a college tour like they did when Mark was a junior...but no such luck.

Speaking of Mark...he is on the road right now for Florida. He left Oklahoma yesterday afternoon....he is homeward bound. His plans (per him) is to sleep in his own bed and go to the beach. I guess we do live in the perfect spot for SPRING BREAK...20 mintues from the beach.

Continue to pray for my dad's recovery and Brian finding a job. I will say...the past month has been stressful but it did not seems as bad with all the prayers and Niel by my side. He is a tremondous guy and I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Jan. 25th , 2009

First we have been really busy since Christmas has been over. Niel gave me livingroom furniture for my Christmas present so during Christmas break I took wallpaper down in the entry way and the livingroom. We then ordered the furniture and then painted the livingroom. I also took the wall paper down in our bathroom. So this weekend I painted our bathroom.

The livingroom furniture was delivered Friday....so we started setting up...I had already boxed up stuff that I wanted to go to a yard sale and stuff I still wanted to save...it is amazing how we get so much stuff in our life....I think I have too much stuff still but I am learning to perg. We are not quite finished with the bathroom so I will wait to take pictures of that, but my livingroom is done. Enjoy the pictures:





BARNEY THE CAT


Well....we get so attached to our animals...they are always here to welcome us when we come home from work and they are always glad to see us. Barney was no acception to that rule. He was a good cat. Sometimes I think he thought he was a dog, in all truth, he was the alphadog at this house. If you went for a walk, so did Barney. He loved hanging with people..if you moved from one room to another..so would Barney...but he was a CAT and loved his independence. He loved to roam outside, he loved to guard our yard from other cats, and he loved to hang with the boys. I think he thought he was one of the boys...I guess after 16 years, he was one of the boys. He would wait for Niel to come home from work at night and walk in. When Niel took the garbage to the road, Barney would follow him but expected Niel to carry him back, which he did. This weekend, our beloved Cat died. He had not been feeling well these past few weeks, I thought he did not like the cold weather we had been having. Well, on Saturday, he perked up...he helped or supervised David working in the yard, he was helping Niel in the garage and he helped Niel put my new curtain rod in the livingroom. He was helping me unpack books that I had boxed up during the move. Well, a few minutes, he walked into the kitchen..then I heard weird breathing...he was laying on the floor...I went to get Niel, he was still acting strange and less then 5 minutes he died. He went to chase mice in the beyond. So, here are some pictures of our beloved cat...he is now buried in the flower bed he loved to lay in. He will be greatly missed by this family.

Happy New Year

Christmas came and went so fast this year, but it was a wonderful Christmas. We had 13 for dinner for Christmas Eve..I will say it was a housefull but a nice get together. We ate at 4 so Mark could meet up with Janel's family for another dinner at 6ish. After dinner we were able to attend a Christmas Eve service. Brian & Chelsea were even better, they stayed up an attended Christmas Mass, Chelsea played her violin at that Mass. Me...sorry, a tad bit too tired. It was nice this year, Niel's dad Stoyell was able to spend the evening with us.









Christmas morning does not start as early as it did when the boys were little, they all started getting up at 9 am....I made a breakfast casserole, a frenchtoast casserole, and sausage balls. I think the smells woke them up. We ate our brunch and then tackeled the presents. I will say we all had a wonderful Christmas. Brian & Chelsea headed out about 11 ish to spend the rest of the day with Chelsea's family. Mark headed over to Janel's. The rest of us....we got ready for the 1 oclock movie: Marley & Me...which is a wonderful movie. I highly recommend it....you will laugh and cry. I think Brian & Chelsea have their own Marley...who goes by the name of Throttle:




Now...it is New Years....personally I do not know where the time went, between Christmas and now. I know one day I took down Christmas (Saturday), church was Sunday....Monday we did head down to see Neil's brother Eric. Please pray for Eric, we are also trying to get him transfered to a nursing home near here..that way we can visit him more.It is a whole day trip...3 hours down there, visit time and eating, then 3 hours back....makes for a very long day.

I am remodeling my livingroom. On Tuesday, Niel & I went furniture hunting...we had decided we needed more seating in that area (especially at Christmas) and besides, the furniture in this livingroom is my yardsale furniture...so, it is time to make it a real livingroom. But, once you decide to change the furniture you have to paint, take wallpaper down, etc....so yesterday Niel & I went and got paint and I took down the wall paper in the entry ways and packed up all the nicknacks that will now sit in the attic (need to de-cluter when you change things up as well). Niel also put another outside outlet by the pool area.....So, now thanks to Niel, this house finally has outside outlets.

Mark picked up three Chinese students yesterday at the airport...they are down to enjoy the wonderful time of Florida weather. Brian & Chelsea came over last night to enjoy New Years as a family. David...ditched us for a Youth Campout. We had a quiet evening at home (noone invited us to any parties..if anyone was having parties..we were not on their invite list) .....the kids (Brian & Chelsea, Mark & Janel, & the Chinese students, all went over to the youth campout for awhile and then they came back and joined Niel and I....Brian shot off fireworks and we all sat around the firepit and watched them.The midnight campfire..was really nice. I will say it was really nice. Family time is always really nice. Time with Niel is always really nice. Niel had also built four benches for the firepit....so it was nice to sit on these nice benches. We had the tiki-torches on and a fire in the pit and fireworks in the sky...could not have asked for a nicer evening.



Well...today...looks like we will be painting! Getting the room ready for its makeover.



Happy New Year Friends & Family!!!!

Pre-Christmas

Tis the season to be busy. Let's see: December: David turned 17 on December 4th...he sang at Epcot on the 7th. The above picture is of Chelsea and Brian & then Niel and Me, we all met at Epcot to hear David sing. I must admit, I love Epcot at Christmas time...they have all the different Santas from all around the world there near their country (guess the north pole is empty during this time...because they are at Epcot)...Well, below is a picture of me and the French Santa:


While at Epcot we ate at the Land....it was wonderful. It was country diner type of food and it was all you can eat. I will say, Brian really liked the place. When you have a child in the concert, to guarantee a seat to watch the performance, you need to purchase a meal & ticket deal from Epcot. You do need to eat but it is a gimick. But it is nice to have a nice meal and then watch the show. So it was worth it. Again this year, I sat in the perfect seat...David walked right by me again.



We have been busy with Christmas parties: Niel's work party was on December 5th; our Churches Christmas party was on Dec. 13th (my parents came down and enjoyed that with us); my work Christmas party was on Dec. 20th. So...every weekend we were holiday out. ;o) I will say my favorite was Niel's....we got to eat with some of our friends and it was a nice time. Niel's Christmas party is more eliquent than the rest, everyone dresses semi-formal and it is really nice.

Mark flew in on the 19th....which he turned 20.Can you believe, Mark is no longer a teenager..he is now a man. Where did the time go? He was suppose to fly in on the 18th but the fog in Dallas had their planes in Oklahoma City grounded...so, to get another flight, they drove to Tulsa and flew out the next morning and arrived home on December 19th @ 2:30....I had him balloons and a welcome home sign. If he had made his first flight, I had arranged for a bunch of his friends to go to IHOP at 12:30 am on the 19th ...but that did not happen...but it would have been cool. Instead he got to choose where he wanted to go to dinner. He chose a place called Grills at the port. A very nice fishy place.

School is closed for winter break. We had our exams the 16th - 19th, as well as David. So, we are finished with school until January. Myself, well, I will be working on my AP Government class....they start up on January 8th. It is a very demanding class but I love teaching Government, so it is also fun. It is wonderful to totally enjoy ones job.

Brian & Chelsea arrived here yesterday evening. When they got in at 9 pm...all three boys and their girlfriends went to the movies together. They sure do have a great time together. I love having all three boys home. The house seems so alive when they are home. They love spending time together which I love to see as well. Yesterday I was able to spend time with Mark and David....it was wonderful.

Everyone seems to be stressed about the Christmas season, especially in these economic times...everyone looking for the perfect gift to give to those they love. Well, the perfect gift does not cost money, the perfect gift is your TIME. Yesterday, just having time with the boys was wonderful. TIME is the perfect gift.

Today my folks arrived in town. We all went out to lunch ...the boys love spending time with them...since I no longer have the van, we had to take two cars. PopPop road with the boys...he sure does love his boys. They love spending time with him as well. This after noon we made Christmas cookies...yes, I made Christmas Cookies...it is fun and everyone seems to like to eat them. Now mind you, they will not win any awards but they sure do taste good. Yes, we also ate cookie dough while we made the cookies.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas...take time to enjoy each other's company.Spend TIME with each other..that is the perfect gift...your time with someone else. That is all everyone really wants....is time together. Tomorrow I will have about 13 friends and family for Christmas Eve dinner...it will be wonderful...TIME together. Enjoy your time with your family and have a Very Merry Christmas. Expect more post after Christmas with pictures.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Wow...I feel totally stuffed...guess that is how one should feel after Thanksgiving.

We had a quiet weekend....Thanksgiving Day was full of friends and family. (Myself,Niel, David, my folks, Niel's dad, my friend Mike and his son Mark Tim, and Brian & Chelsea) We had 10 at our table this year. We ate about 1:00...sat around afterwards talking and watching football. I believe some took cat naps but noone admits too it. Brian and Chelsea had to head out for another meal. Around 7 pm we went to see a movie: We saw Australia....good movie but long (at least David thought it was long). Oh...almost forgot the special guest....Throttle, my new grandpuppy.


Before we ate (we had turkey and ham...for those that really want to know, and yes, I did the cooking). Everyone stood around the table (nicely decorated with paper products)and said what they were thankful for. I had so much to be thankful for, wonderful family, friends, good health....the list can go on. I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and 3 wonderful boys. My boys are very blessed to still have both sets of grandparents still around. It was nice having my parents and Niel's dad with us.

Before people came over on Thursday I was able to get a few of the Christmas Trees up (2 out of 4)--> Niel thought I was a tad bit on the crazy side but I knew it had to get done and why not during some down time.I got the den decorated for Christmas and my bedroom. I saved the Kitchen and livingroom for Friday.

The Den:




My Bedroom's tree:


Friday morning I did not get up at the break of dawn. I slept until 7 and then headed out for a few sales. I went to Lowells, Kohls (total mistake...too many people and not really that great of deals), and then Walmart. I got a few things accomplished but not as much as I truly wanted to. When I got home, after having coffee and pumpkin bread....I worked on turning the living room and kitchen into Christmas central. Tree is up and cupboards decorated in the Kitchen, decorations and tree is up in the livingroom. The tree has lights on it but we will not decorate it until Mark is home from college. Niel and my dad had already started putting the outside lights up. The outside of the house looks like a living candycane (red & white lights).

Saturday My parents headed back to Ocala and I spent the day cleaning out the closet(finding gifts I had bought and forgot about) , looking at my Christmas lists, and wrapping presents. Basically we stayed around the house. Niel fixed some of the lights that were not working. He is also coming down with a cold. We then went out to dinner to celebrate Chelsea's birthday with her family....we had a great time.

Now...it is Sunday...Brian & Chelsea have just left for Tampa, David is writing a paper (okay, he is suppose to be writing a paper), and Niel is watching football...the house is too quiet, I know I am strange....I love the commotion of the house full of people.

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the holiday weekend. Even when things are bleak, we always have something to be thankful for. God is in control and He knows the big picture.

Family Weekend in Novemenber

Well...it is Saturday morning and the weekend in full swing. Last night David's football team had a game under the lights. Now to most people this seems normal, but David's team's field does not have lights, so usually our games are at 4 pm. But last night, being senior night (last home game, you honor the seniors) so they rented or someone donated these lights for the field. So, we had a game under the lights.

This game was great, nice cool weather (another thing we usually do not have at our Florida football games). But this game was even more special. Now, we have the lights, the weather....what more could there be...well....in the middle of the game, at 7:50 , the refs stop the game so we could see the shuttle go up. It was amazing, the glow in the distance and then the glow flying through the sky. Did I mention the sky was a beautiful background for this shuttle.....clear sky, moonlite night.

THE GLOW IN THE SKY IS THE SHUTTLE:


Still....that is not just it to make it special. So, we have the lights, the weather, and the shuttle....what more could make it special.....well, Family to watch the game. David had his own cheering center. Bob & Denise came down from Virginia to watch, Brian & Chelsea came over from Tampa, and of course David's favorit fans Niel & I were there. It was amazing sitting together and watching the game (Even though I think we stood more than sat...something you do when you watch football).Now....those that are my friends and know that my divorce with Bob totally hurt me (usually happens when someone you trust cheats on you) and those that know that, know that Denise is the one that he ran off with. So most think, how can you sit with her. Well, God is good, and we must move forward in our life. I have the most wonderful husband now who adores the ground I walk on (okay...I will not go that far because you know, I am who I am. But in reality, life is too short to be angry and upset. We need to forgive and move forward. Is that not what God tells us to do? Is that not what my faith is all about? So, that is what I am trying to do...learning to forgive and moving forward. Now, I will admit, at first when I see her, I do get a hurt in my stomach, but I will say, each time is less than it was before....I am a firm believer if you turn stuff over to God and if you do not hold it in and you talk about it to someone, you will be on the road to recovery.(this is important...you can't keep these hurts inside, you have to talk to someone about your feelings..the more you get it out, the faster you will heal)

Now back to the football game and the family weekend news:
Niel even used his Major Robbins voice to cheer some, which totally blew Brian away. I don't think Brian realize what a major in the army sounds like when they use their army voice. You should have seen his eyes,he was looking around to see who had that roaring voice. Now mind you, since I am David's number one fan and I sit next to David's number two fan....I have heard the major roar before; but I will admit that when I first heard it, I too looked around to see where the large cheering voice was coming from. Because those that know Niel, no he is soft spoken with such a tender heart...who would know he had these large sounds inside him.

Here is a picture of David, Bob, & Brian after the game.



Now, since this was senior night. After the game they had a BBQ. So we were all able to get some BBQ and sit down as a family and enjoy more one on one time with the football player. You know the coaches don't let you have one on one time with the players while they are playing. It was just an amazing football night. Oh...for you football stats guys...we lost the game, 13-12. One of those nailbiter games, we lost in the last 4 seconds of the game. Per Niel and the paper, the early turnovers is what killed us during the first half. Another factor, the team we played is one division higher than us. We might have lost, but it was a great night for Merrit Island Christian Football.

The game is over...so what is in store for this Saturday...yard work, NO, house work, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?...okay, I know those are normal weekend things we do around here...but this is FAMILY WEEKEND....so we are heading to Ocala today to visit my mom, she is 78 today.





I wanted to show you David's hair...yes, he is bald. Even though Mark was not at the game, he was still part of the family weekend. Seems like the boys are always conneceted..which is a good thing (most of the time). This week David went to see his brother in Oklahoma and to see Oklahoma Christian College as well (where Mark goes). Well, Mark, his friends, and David thought it would be cool to give David a Mohawk. Yes a Mohawk....mind you David goes to a Christian School and can not have weird hairdos (which is a good thing)...so when David got off the plane from Oklahoma he looked the picture below....hence why he now has a bald head, the pictures above:

Nov. 2nd

It is a nice rainy Sunday today. Does not seem like it is already November. I will have to admit, I love autumn. It has always been my favorite time of the year. I remember my days in Maine, raking leaves and of course jumping in them. I remember my high school days at Dublin...hay rides and making

As I read the paper, watch Meet the Press, I like every American know that in two days history will be made. We will either have the first African American as President or the first women Vice President. I will have to admit that it has been an exciting year to teach government but I will also have to admit, I am ready for this election. I will not tell anyone how to vote but I would like you to vote. I try to stay neutral when I teach my students but I am passionate about people not giving up their right to vote. Yes, I have voted (I am one of those that do vote early) and I will stay up and watch the elections on Tuesday nights. I will be excited or disappointed when the outcome does come, but I will say, no matter who gets in office, I will dedicate myself to pray for that person.

Niel's dad moved down to Florida this past week. Niel was able to help him unpack his pod on Wednesday. It is amazing how we hold onto so much stuff...even when we move. I try to pudge so much of my stuff yet, I look around and I still have more stuff. I guess that is how it is with everyone. How much stuff we collect...gets overwhelming at time. I have DVD's that I still have not open or even watched. I did purge the kitchen when we remodeled, that was easy, Brian and Chelsea needed stuff for their kitchen.

I went to see my folks on Saturday. I will say, watching ones parents gets old is very hard (at least for me). My mom's health does not seem good and she only weighs 80 pounds. I so wish I could give her some of my weight. How nice that would be....it would help her and me as well. We surprised her....we just showed up. I do not think I will do that again, she almost passed out....she was so shocked to see us.



It was a good weekend for football. David's team won bigtime, 42-6. This win puts them in the playoffs. That gives him two more games, Nov. 14th & Nov. 21st. The GATORS beat Georgia bigtime as well. I even heard that Georgia Tech smashed FSU. So...I guess it was a big weekend for big games, unless you were one of the teams that lost. I really love football season....I love watching David play ball. I use to love listening to the band when Brian & Mark were in the band. Friday nights at the field...was time consuming but also really fun. I have great memories of football seasons pasts and we are making great memories for football season now.