We Interrupt This Series of Posts..

to wish each and everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is my prayer that if there is anyone who has not yet received the gift of Christ that you will not wait too late to let Him come in. "Let Every Heart, Prepare Him Room".

Happy Holidays,

Nearing the End..Part 1

Not the end of the world....but the end of 2009. I can hardly believe it. It's been a year of so many emotions for me, which is probably subconsiously one of the reasons I stopped blogging for a season. It has been hard for me to put into words some of the things I've been through this year. That and the fact I didn't figure any of you would really be too interested in hearing about it.

But one thing I have missed by not blogging the last 6 months is being able to go back and read a recap of my life....which is important to me. I think I was my own biggest bloggy fan. I loved going back and reading past post. Seeing what my life was like on paper...and reliving the good parts in my mind...and the bad.

So, my friends, I am going to take the next week or so and (for myself) try to remember the things that have taken place in our lives in the months passed, and the things that have made an impact on my life. This blog, in it's own way, has taken the place of a book journal for me. Shame on me, for letting it go. Read if you like, or just pass on by, it you'd rather, but at least I can feel like I've done what I set out to do when I joined the blog world.

I checked back to see where I had left off posting "informative" stories of my life, and it appears that the last thing of any essence that I talked about was our trip to the lake. According to my windows photo gallery, it seems the rest of the month of July held a 4th of July celebration with my church family, a visit with my friend, a week sponsoring Little Ann and other little chickadees at church camp, and a rocking chair redo.

Remember this? Believe it or not, I think we have accomplished everything on the list. It looks much better.

With August came our Vacation Bible School with the setting in Rome this year. We had a good time as always.

And, of course, the first day of school. The 6th grade for my Little Ann.

and Freshman year in college for my Big Dan.

It wasn't as bad as I thought because he chose a local University that allowed him to commute instead of moving off into a dormitory. Of course, his first day was much too hectic for him to stop and let me take pictures, so I had to do the next best thing. The first semester is now over, and I strongly suggest anyone that has a "soon to be" college student. Let them start the classes first before buying books. We spent $700 on these books and several of them, he never even used. 1st college lesson learned.

Til next time.......

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Hi guys. I guess it's true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder. I've missed you guys. True, I have been able to keep up with many of you via facebook, which is my favorite time consumer, but sometimes, it's not the same as blogging. I can't seem to fit all my thoughts, feelings and emotions into that tiny little status bar. Nor would the facebook world want to hear about it all. I may get booed offstage. However, I've been tossing the idea around of coming back and joining you. Maybe not as often as before, but maybe I'll chime in a little more often than I have since the summer. Maybe, I still have some readers out there somewhere? Anyone out there?

And maybe I should get myself re-establshed a little before I poll you on this, but time is running out and I am really confused about the right thing to do. Who of you are planning to vaccinate either yourselves or your children against H1N1? The school will be having a mass flu clinic on Dec 1st and 2nd, and I truly have some mixed emotions about the flu shot and especially the H1N1 vaccine. Are you going to do it? Please tell me why or why not. And what if your immune system were a little weakend by a 10 day run with the varicella virus? My Little Ann has been out of school since last Monday with the worst case of Chicken Pox I think I have ever seen. I thought it was never going to end.

Looking forward to seeing how many of you are still out there, and even more anxious to hear your comments on the vaccine! I've missed you!

A Quick Hello

Wow. Seems like I've been away forever. Hmmm..well, since July. I guess that is practically forever.

I still log in to my blog because I still like to read several of the blogs on my blogroll. I admit, I don't comment much....and I know that doesn't seem fair as when I was blogging frequently, I longed for comments. That was one thing that just made me smile on a cloudy day. A comment. I don't comment much though for a couple of different reasons. One..I am usually lying in my bed when I am reading and it's very difficult to type while lying down...and the other being that while not contributing to the blog world by posting, it's almost like I don't feel worthy of commenting. Like I have to visit in secret. I'm weird...I know.

I have missed you all though. Seems though things are very busy. School and my substituting is back in full swing. Lots of sickness and they are keeping my phone hot. Big Dan seems to be doing well in college. Right now though, I would be hard pressed to find blog topics that don't involve some whining....and we all know those are not what we are interested in. I just wanted to say hi.

It's Fall. I love Fall. Happy Fall Ya'll.
Scrapper Mom

To Blog or Not to Blog...That is the Question

I just visited my blog. Something I haven't done in quite some time. I noticed I had one post for the entire month of July. It seems I have lost that loving feeling. The one that lasted a year, but is having trouble finding it's way back.

I've become so overtaken with life, and seem to spend way more time on my facebook. And although I have felt overhwelmingly guilty for forsaking my blog friends, it's not been enough. I have considered shutting her down altogether several times, but then again, that seems so final. Not sure I wanna do that either. I'd miss you too much.

Maybe I'll just say goodbye for a season. Can I come back, if I should have a change of heart?

I can be a little indecisive at times.

Sun Fun

It's been a while since I last posted. The motorcycle drama has thankfully died down (at least for now while he saves his money) thanks to the purchase of a wii fit and a very competitive father / son duo. It is considered an early gift in honor of mine and Pete's anniversary coming up next week. Oh, I will most definitely have to post some photographs of my unbalanced guys doing the hula hoop. It is quite comical.

But for now I must share the latest happenings.

It has been a whirlwind of a week. One that included lots of eating out (which contributed to a little set back on the scales this morning), and lots of fun in the sun.

Last Tuesday we visited some friend of ours that live on one of Arkansas' beautiful lakes. We took the boat out and did a little tubing, swimming, and snorkeling.

Although I love water slides and an occasional dip in the pool, I wasn't raised too much around water. We managed to visit the ocean once when I was a kid, and would swim in hotel pools while on family vacations. My dad and brother would go on overnight fishing trips, but my mother has a fear of water so she and I would always find something more exciting to do instead of roughing it with the dudes at the camp.....

like shopping.

hmmmm.....camping, shopping, camping, shopping. There was never really any contest.

In the early years of our marriage, Pete was hard pressed to get me to do anything boat, lake, river or camping related, but hey, I've mellowed with age. I guess I'll try anything once....(well, maybe not anything).

I like it.

I like it a lot...especially the part when we take the boat out in the calm of the evening and just enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of God's creation.

and fish.


haha...yeah, we threw him back.

And the beauty of the sunset. It takes my breath away.

Another day we did one of my favorite things. We floated a river that is also near the lake. It takes us about 4 hours from point A to point B, but I find it very enjoyable and relaxing.....(minus the sunburn).


Friday of last week, Pete and I went to a water park in the big city. Little Ann was with a birthday group and we were invited to tag along. It is something we usually do every year at least once without any kids. I know...it sounds cruel, but I can't seem to get enough of those water slides, and I can really let my hair down and be a kid when I don't have to stress over my kids. I tend to do that, ya know.

I've been in the sun so much recently. I think I'm going to turn into one big freckle.

So tell me...what have you been up to this summer?

Let's Just Clarify Something...My Fears

Before all 5 of you who actually read my last post about a motorcycle begin to think that I am fearless, and am okay with the fact that my 18 year old son who has no previous experience on any kind of motorcycle and spent a very limited amount of time on an atv as a child (yes, because of his mother's fears), I must clarify some things for you. The post was actually just poking fun at my teenager and the wonderful theory of ...buy now, pay later.

Oh believe me. I am not fearless by any means.

I fear many things.

Snakes for one. They freak me out. Just looking at them through the glass at the zoo brings on nightmares for weeks.

I fear closed doors at night. What if something happens to one of my kids, or my house catches on fire and I'm the last to know?

I'm afraid that when I die, people won't be able to find good things to say about me.....(I mean if they talk bad about Michael Jackson, what are they going to say about me?) And what if no one comes to my funeral? I guess I shouldn't care. It's not like I'm actually going to be there either.

I am afraid of cruise ships and airplanes. I like my feet to be on solid ground and I've never been on either of these. Don't know if I can ever bring myself to do it. Pete is hoping I'll conquer these particular fears. (I'm working on it)

I don't like shopping after dark. Dark parking lots are spooky and it's not a good feeling. I'm so vulnerable...and clumsy.....and female. A prime target.

I have never let my kids eat hard candy. What if they choke and I can't revive them?

I have always had a fear of things men put together such as rollercoasters and those crazy swings at amusement parks that have you flying over water. What if one just flies right off? The one I happened to be on?

I had a dream one time I drove off a bridge. Since that dream, I have greatly feared not being able to get myself or my kids out of their seatbelts and out of the van. So much that I had Pete purchase a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter to help my insecurities.

So just in case there is any question...I defintely do not want Big Dan to save his money all to spend it on a motorcycle.

Even the very thought of him on something that goes from 0-125 mph in 60 seconds...(or whatever it does)....

terrifies me!

You better believe I'm scared.