The Three Blowing Lily Pads

In Art class, E's kindergarten group had been studying different mediums when he created his masterpiece. He used paint as his water background. Then, he used textured paper and crayons to make the lily pads that he cut out and glued on the painted water. He envisions the lily pads drifting across the water as the wind is blowing. E's art work adorns our living room in along with B's and N's.

Natalie's House

N's art class had been studying house designs when she used chalk to create her masterpiece. The students had looked at many unusual houses and unique architectural designs, and N had even taken a photograph to class that she had snapped in Florida of a dome-shaped beach house. The children were instructed to create their own houses, and N designed hers primarily in her favorite color - yellow. We bought her art work from First Art Works, too, and have hung it proudly above the piano with B's and E's.

Dark Shadow

In her 4th grade art class this year, B was studying landscapes and shadows. This is a landscape she created with oil pastels. She entitled her masterpiece "Dark Shadow." First Art Works is a company that framed one art piece from each of our students, displayed them, and sold them to parents. This piece is proudly hung above our piano in a arrangement with N's and E's art works which will be shown in future posts.

The Three Musketeers

My daughters are 12 1/2 months apart in age, and my niece was born within that 12 month period. So, with three girls in the family born within one year, they are very close and love to be together! Usually, it's a giggle-fest when they see each other. They always "pick-up where they left off" and play together like they haven't been apart. They love to dress up, play with make-up, sing songs and put on little concerts, play kickball, practice cheers, and "hang out." Their personalities are very different, and that may be the main reason they get along so well. I'm thrilled that they have each other for friends and hope they continue to be confidants throughout their lives. They don't know, yet, how fortunate they are to have each other!

These three sweet girls are together this week, unfortunately not with me, and I know they're having a blast! I miss them and can't wait to see them this weekend!

Sunday Seven - #11 for me

This has been an eventful week for us.

1. Monday I had our 1st grade staff at our house to plan for the upcoming school year. It was a beneficial time and we had a good time catching up with each other. I work with a wonderful team of teachers!

2. Wednesday I took the kids to see the free movie at the mall. It's a weekly summer tradition for us. The kids wear their bathing suits under their clothes. We join the herds of other moms and children to watch the free family movie, eat in the food court, and play in the sprinkler/water fountain at the mall. Fun, inexpensive treat!

3. I started my Christmas shopping! Yea! I bought 9 gifts this week! They are for girls/women in the family - mostly my daughters and nieces. For some reason, they are the ones I end up buying for early.

4. Friday we went to north Georgia to look at a piece of property that we are interested in purchasing to possibly build a home! It is a gorgeous plot of land! I think it would actually be easier if we didn't like the land. Now, we have a lot of decisions and work ahead of us.

5. We spent a couple of days with my mom and dad. We were able to visit and mom cooked a great meal that we shared with my brother and his family and my grandmother. We had a great time!

6. My girls are enjoying spending the week with my parents and seeing their family there. But our car felt lighter and our house a little emptier! I miss them, but they'll have fun!

7. On the other hand, we had the wonderful opportunity to bring our nephew home with us. He's going to basketball camp near our house, and will be able to spend some time with us while he's in our neck of the woods! He's a fun kid to have around and E is thrilled to have a "brother" for a week!

Thursday Thirteen - # 11 for me

I read a theory once that claimed that every person has 7-8 defining events in his life. The article explained that if a person can identify her own, personal defining events, she will understand much about her own personality. These events would help a person understand why she eats too much, or why he's depressed, etc. I don't remember many of the details of the theory, but I found it to be an interesting concept - defining moments - things that shape and define our personalities, characters, and actions. Our anniversary was this week. We've been married 13 years! There are many defining events in our marriage - moments that have shaped our relationship, defined who we are as a couple, and made our union strong. Here are some defining moments from our 13 years. 1. 1994 - There's an old saying, "Anything that doesn't kill you will make you stronger." I think this adequately describes surviving the wedding and first year of marriage! New house, new neighborhood, new community, new job, new church, new roommate. Life was exciting and happy, but also full of uncertainties and new challenges. There were so many changes and so many things to get used to, that the first year together was quite an adjustment! A good adjustment, but an adjustment none-the-less. We learned to compromise, talk about things, and include each other in our dreams, hopes and aspirations. 2. 1995 - We bought our first house together. We searched together, we talked about our dream houses together, we toured the house we chose several times together, we packed together, we moved together, we unpacked together, and we made millions of little house decisions together. I don't remember a single argument, but I remember many nights spent talking and dreaming about our future together. 3. 1996 - After many tests, repeated exams with different doctors, and medications to try to determine why we were having such difficulty getting pregnant, I had surgery. This was our first opportunity to join forces and overcome a very personal, intimate, emotional struggle together. 4. 1997 - B was born. Our first child was desperately wanted and difficult to get into this world. I hemorrahged at 26 weeks putting both the baby and myself in jeopardy. After that, I was put on complete bed rest for the remainder of the preganancy. I was allowed to sit up in bed for 30 minutes a day - 10 minutes per meal. RJ waited on me hand and foot, and did many things that I never thought I'd ever have to ask someone to do for me. He used to bring a bucket into our room, and I'd lie sideways on the bed with my head off the side so he could wash my hair! RJ's dad was diagnosed with Congestive heart failure and told the average life span of a person with his difficulties was 5 years. 5. 1998 - N was born. We were surprised and scared to death when we found out we were expecting! What if I had to go to bed with this pregnacy, too? With a tiny baby, being put on bed rest would be much harder this time. RJ is always very calm in these situations and was very matter-of-fact about it. We'd simply cross the bed-rest bridge when we got to it and thank goodness, we never got to it. He was my calm presence in a time of swirling activity and uncertainty. This pregnancy went by without a hitch and N was a beautiful, wonderful addition to our growing family! 6-7. 1999 -2000- Life changed drastically! It was exciting and wonderful to watch the girls grow! These two years are somewhat of a blur because there was basically no sleep. It seemed like B never slept and N had colic and cried from 8:00- midnight every night. Although we still attended church regularly, RJ and I slowly dropped out of our leadership roles and committee obligations at the church and concentrated on our lives at home. Our relationship changed dramatically. We were tired, but happy parents, and not just a couple anymore. We relied on each other for logistics of day-to-day life. 8. 2001 - E was born. The boy entered this world like a bolt of lightning and hasn't slowed down yet. Life felt full and our family felt complete. We were not trying to have a boy after having 2 girls. We've been asked that question many times. But, for some reason, 3 children felt right and IS right. We were at peace and at home with our family of 5. We had routines down pat and our teamwork made life clicked along well. Then, RJ's mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had surgery, and told that most women in her condition live 4-5 years. My mom had gall bladder surgery that was terribly botched and had several more surgeries to repair the damage. She fought to recover as RJ's mom began chemotherapy and fought for her life. 9. 2002 - After a fairly routine heart cath procedure, my dad was sent directly to the hospital for quadruple bypass surgery. 10. 2003 - Family time was top priority. 11. 2004 - We, along with RJ's brother's family and sister's family, bought a farm house to use as a hunting lodge and weekend get-away. It was a good investment, and a wonderful place to go to escape from the daily hassles of life. Again, we found ourselves decorating a house, planning, and budgeting money. 12. 2005 - RJ's mom passed away. Our hearts were broken, and we clung together to get through the pain of losing her. We work together to keep her alive to our children who were very young at the time of her death. 13. 2006 - RJ's dad passed away. Again, our hearts were broken and we clung to each other. How do people get through tragedies like this without God and people they love to help them through it? Conclusions? Our defining moments have made our relationship stronger. We have a deep, abiding love for each other cultivated by mutual respect. We are stongly committed to each other. We are happily content in each other's company. We are aware that life is fragile and that family is a gift from God and very precious. We support each other and compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses well. I thank God for our 13 years together and look forward to the next 13! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Puns

Our school puts out a weekly newsletter for our staff. It is full of important information about meetings, deadlines, procedures, dates, etc. Usually there is a light-hearted article on the last page to try to relieve some of the stress induced by the other pages listing upcoming duties and responsibilities. This was published in one of our last newsletters this past year.

Read only if you like puns……

1. Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. However, all the Swiss league records were unfortunately destroyed in a fire, and we'll never know for whom the Tells bowled.

2. King Ozymandias of Assyria was running low on cash after years of war with the Hittites. His last great possession was the Star of the Euphrates, the most valuable diamond in the ancient world. Desperate, he went to Croesus, the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan. Croesus said, "I'll give you 100,000 Dinars for it." "But I paid a million Dinars for it," the King protested. "Don't you know who I am? I am the king!" Croesus replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star, makes no difference who you are."

3. A man rushed into a busy doctor's office and shouted "Doctor! I think I'm shrinking!!" The doctor calmly responded, "Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient."

4. A marine biologist developed a race of genetically engineered dolphins that could live forever if they were fed a steady diet of seagulls. One day, his supply of the birds ran out so he had to go out and trap some more. On the way back, he spied two lions asleep on the road. Afraid to wake them, he gingerly stepped over them. Immediately, he was arrested and charged with transporting gulls across sedate lions for immortal porpoises.

5. Back in the 1800s the Tates Watch Company of Massachusetts wanted to produce other products and, since t hey already made the cases for watches, they used them to produce compasses. The new compasses were so bad that people often ended up in Canada or Mexico rather than California. This, of course, is the origin of the expression, "He who has a Tates is lost!"

6. A thief broke into the local police station and stole all the toilets and urinals, leaving no clues. A spokesperson was quoted as saying, "We have absolutely nothing to go on."

7. An Indian chief was feeling very sick, so he summoned the medicine man. After a brief examination, the medicine man took out a long, thin strip of elk rawhide and gave it to the chief, telling him to bite off, chew, and swallow one inch of the leather every day. After a month, the medicine man returned to see how the chief was feeling. The chief shrugged and said, "The thong is ended, but the malady lingers on."

8. A famous Viking explorer returned home from a voyage and found his name missing from the town register. His wife insisted on complaining to the local civic official who apologized profusely saying, "I must have taken Leif off my census."

9. There were three Indian women. One slept on a deer skin, one slept on an elk skin, and the third slept on a hippopotamus skin. All three became pregnant, and the first two each had a baby boy. The one who slept on the hippopotamus skin had twin boys. This goes to prove that the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.

10. A skeptical anthropologist was cataloguing South American folk remedies with the assistance of a tribal Shaman who indicated that the leaves of a particular fern were a sure cure for any case of constipation. When the anthropologist expressed his doubts, the Shaman looked him in the eye and said, "Let me tell you, with fronds like these, who needs enemas?"

Sunday Seven - #10 for me

This was a wonderful week and there are many highlights for which I am thankful! Here are seven.



1. This week I had jury duty. I am happy to do my share of civic duty, but I have to admit that this is the best jury duty I've ever done. My mom came to stay at my house to keep the kids while I went to the courthouse. Each night I called the jury number, and each night I was informed that my number was excused for the following day. I didn't have to go to the courthouse a single day and I had the entire week to visit with my mom!



2. This week was Bible School for my kids. In the morning, my girls went with their friend to her church's VBS, and in the evening their friend went with us to our church's VBS. The kids had a blast and learned a lot. Our church always gives the kids a CD of music used during Bible School. This year it had a cowboy theme and the music was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed showing us the motions and dances to the songs, and we enjoyed watching them practice. I have a feeling that it will be a CD we'll keep around long after Bible School is over. And, while the kids were at VBS, I had more free time than I usually have to visit with my mom!



3. VBS also gave me time with my son. He didn't go to the morning VBS with our neighbor. So, each morning, with the girls gone, E had his mom and gram to himself. We enjoyed some special time together!

4. The major thing "I" accomplished this week was "sprucing up" my house a little. I have 11 1st grade teachers from my school coming to my house tomorrow and Tuesday for planning sessions. I had worked to organize and clean out the house, but it really began to shine this week as Mom helped me spruce it up. She has a decorative touch. For the last nine years, with 3 kids, my house has turned into a purely functional house - no pretty touches, no time or energy for frills and decorations. Everything needed to have a purpose and function, or it needed to be gone. Mom helped me make the house pretty. The buffet has dishes nicely displayed instead of being the main hub of paperwork and needed supplies. The guest bathroom now has towels to match instead of old printed towels that won't be ruined by dirty little hands. The surfaces of my house are decorative instead of being piled with scissors, papers, pens, calculators, kids books, etc. that we leave lying around because we use them daily. My house looks pretty and inviting instead of chaotic but functional. Thanks, Mom!

5. I enjoyed seeing my dad twice this week! Dad was at a conference not far from our house. He dropped Mom at our house on Monday and picked her up Friday and visited a while each time. It's always fun to have him around, and it was especially nice to see him the week before Father's Day.

6. It rained! We have had such a drought lately. So little rain for months. It settled in and rained most of the day Friday. We still need more, but I'm glad we had some to brighten up the earth and give the plants some relief.

7. My front porch is clean! Mom had all the kids get into their bathing suits, drag out the water hose and wash all the yellow pollen off the front porch. It's amazing how much brighter and cleaner the white banisters look when they are not covered with yellow dust!

It's a Brand New Ballgame

I grew up playing softball. As a matter of fact, some of my fondest childhood memories are being at the ball park all day long. I played. My brother played. And my father played. We'd go to my dad's tournaments, and my brother and I would play pick-up games of cup ball all day behind the bleachers. I loved watching my brother play in college, long after I had quit playing the game seriously.

Now, I watch my children play. And let me tell you, the game is the same, but the festivities that surround the game have changed! My precious N has made All-Stars. I made All-Stars several times as a kid, and my brother made All-Stars many times. We were thrilled to get the opportunity to keep playing ball for another month. I really don't remember any frills that came with the extra games and practices. But now, All-Stars seems to be mostly frills with some ball games thrown in for good measure. I think the kids still enjoy just playing. We are in a league that keeps extra spending and frills to a minimum compared to other teams we have seen at the tournaments. This has been a learning experience for me, and N has thoroughly enjoyed playing.

As All-Stars each girl on our team was provided with a face mask, a new bat bag personalized with her name, shin guards, a cute color-coordinated hair bow to wear to games, a T-shirt to wear while at the ball park but not playing, a set of temporary tattoos sporting the team name to wear to games, and a new water bottle. They also received beautiful, glossy new uniforms. The girls look fantastic!

We've been amazed to see other teams with matching color-coordinated helmets, bat bags on wheels, and entire matching outfits (shirt, shorts and flip flops) to wear while at the ball park but not playing. The matching outfits are cute and certainly stand out and mark the girls as a team. But I can't help it, all I can see is more laundry to be done after the game! Most parents and siblings also have T-shirts to match that boast the team's name and colors. I was amused watching one young team walk in a single file line from the batting cages to their field. The girls looked wonderful and were all marching with matching fancily decorated pony tails bobbing as they stuggled to pull rolling bat bags that were bigger than most of the girls. It was quite a sight to behold! One team we played ran the girls around the field, boot-camp style behind the coach, with the girls echoing motivational phrases led by the coach. Another team we played had a ritual for each inning. As the girls took their positions in the field the parents in the stands yelled a little chant and the girls responded with a quick cheer and a glove slapping, cleat stomping rhythm. Another team met at the pitcher's circle each inning and did a stomping routine before they took the field.

All-Stars has been a great experience. N has learned a lot about strategy and fundamentals of the game. She's enjoyed the hype and all of the attention the team has gotten and the atmosphere of the tournaments. It's been a lot of fun, and it will be an experience she will remember always. But what she has enjoyed the most is the game and the girls she's had the opportunity to play with. I believe that what still matters the most to the girls is the support of the parents, the opportunity to learn more about the game from knowledgeable coaches, and the chance to play the game! Under all the hype, the brand new ballgame is still the good old game we played as kids.

Balls and Dolls

I have always been interested in the "nature/nurture" debate. I taught many years before I had my own children and really believed that a child's environment influenced him more than inborn tendencies. When each of my children was born, we tried to expose them to both "girl" and "boy" toys, games, and activities. From the time our girls were born, we offered them balls and dolls (among other toys, of course). They liked both, but strongly preferred dolls. Nowadays, they like balls and they don't seem to see them as a "boy" thing. They both play softball now. They enjoy tossing a football, playing kickball, and learning about tennis and soccer. However, they love dolls! Dolls have always been their toy of choice. When they were tiny, they carried dolls everywhere, and now that they are older, dolls are still the toy they enjoy the most. This past Christmas, they each received 3 dolls and they have enjoyed changing their clothes, diapering the dolls, sleeping with them, decorating their beds with them, etc.

E came along and we approached him with the same philosophy. He was always offered dolls and balls, and although the enjoys both, he strongly prefers balls. The child could dribble a basketball at a very young age. He has played on organized basketball and baseball teams and is currently registered to play soccer. He doesn't see dolls as "girly" and will still play with them occasionally. I find it interesting that he almost always has a ball at hand, but every so often - once every couple of months - he picks up a doll and carries it around while he plays ball. Today was one of those days. He's been dribbling a soccer ball through the house off and on all morning. Each time he has come through the kitchen this morning, he has had Claire on his shoulder.

So, where does this leave us in the nature/nurture debate? I feel that we've exposed our children to the same things, and our girls prefer dolls and our son prefers balls. I hope it leaves them right where they should be - exposed to many things and able to choose their own preferences.

Sunday 7 + 2 - # 9 for me

I am fortunate that my life is filled with children. I have the incredible opportunity to work with children daily, and I have a wonderful, large family full of children. I am truly blessed to have 9 of the most special children in the world in my life. Today's Sunday Seven is dedicated to my children, my nieces, and my nephews.

1. My niece, K, is 16. She passed her driver's test and got her driver's license this week! She's responsible and dependable and is a fantastic driver! She's absolutely gorgeous! But the wonderful thing is that she's just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!

2. My niece, R, is 14. She is actively involved in soccer and basketball. Anything athletic comes naturally to her, and she works hard to build on the abilities she has. I hate to be redundant, but she's also a stunning beauty who is not only gorgeous in looks, but also in actions.

3. My nephew, D, is 13. D is another natural athlete who has played and done well in a lot of sports - basketball, baseball, soccer. But he's found a new love - tennis! He iis quick on the court! But this tennis player is also a funny man. His quick-wit keeps us all in stitches!

4. My nephew, J, is 12. He's a fish! The boy can do anything in the water. He enjoys it all - fishing, swimming, skiing, tubing, etc. He's never met a stranger and is one of the friendliest kids you'll meet. I remember when he was tiny, sitting in a high chair in restaurants, he'd throw his hand up to wave and say, "Hi! I'm J. What's your name?" to everyone who walked by our table.

5. My daughter, B, is 9. She's my thinker and planner. We used to be amused because even as a small child, she had to know the next day's plans before she could go to sleep at night. The child sees what needs to be done and does it before you can ask her to. She loves to be the hostess and prepare treats to serve. She is loving, and her belly laugh absolutely makes my day.

6. My niece, AG, is 9. She is outgoing and full of personality. Her sense of adventure and willingness to try almost anything is endearing. She likes to sing, dance, do gymnastics, be in programs at church, cheer, etc. You name it, she'll try it and do it well. She's a fun-loving, good-hearted kid!

7. My daughter, N, is 8. She loves to excel. She works hard and does her best to achieve any challenge put before her. She's found her niche in softball. She loves to play and grins almost the whole time she's on the field. That smile makes my day! N's energy, happiness, and enthusiasm are contagious!

8. My son, E, is 6. Talk about energy! The child goes non-stop all day! He loves anything that involves a ball - and has since he was a baby! Today, as he ran by me dribbling a soccer ball, I said, "Hey. I need a hug." He stopped briefly and grinned, "Well, you're at the right place," he said as he gave me a big hug, and dribbled on!

9. My niece, S is 1. She is cute as a button and is full of personality. She's learning about everything around her and doesn't miss anything! She loves to watch the older kids and they all love to hold her and play with her.

Thursday Thirteen - # 10 for me

Thirteen Things we regularly buy in bulk at Sam's Club. 1 - 2. All paper products - paper towels, napkins, paper plates, toilet paper, paper cups, Kleenex, wipes, etc. 3. Chicken breasts and salmon steaks. 4. Soft Soap to go beside every sink in our house. 5. Fresh fruit - apples, grapes, strawberries, oranges 6. pencils and notebook paper for school 7. Excedrin - Big bottles to use to refill all of my small ones stashed everywhere - one bottle for my car, one for my purse, one for my desk drawer, one for the medicine cabinet at home. 8. Toiletries - toothpaste, hairspray, floss, shampoo, even toothbrushes when needed 9. Snacks for ball teams, school activities, etc. 10. Drinks - water bottles, juice, Gatorade, soft drinks, Diet Lipton Green Tea 11. Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soup. I use them in tons of things. 12. Ramen noodles - My kids love to eat these for lunch - quick and easy! 13. Batteries - In a house with three children, you can never have enough batteries for all the toys, games, and gadgets! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Predictions

In one of the last publications of our school's staff newsletter this past year, the following was printed. I found it interesting, and thought I'd share it here.

Past Predictions

"Man will never reach the moon, regardless of all future scientific advances."-- Dr. Lee DeForest, Father of Radio &Grandfather of Television.

"The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert in explosives."-- Admiral William Leahy, US Atomic Bomb Project Manhattan 1923

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." -- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

"But what is it good for?" commenting on the microchip.-- Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." -- Bill Gates, 1981

"There's no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." --Ken Olson, president, chairman, founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

"The super computer is technologically impossible. It would take all of the water that flows over Niagara Falls to cool the heat generated by the number of vacuum tubes required." -- Professor of Electrical Engineering, New York University

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us,"--Western Union internal memo, 1876

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" in response to urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.-- David Sarnoff' Associates

"I'm just glad it will be Clark Gable who falls on his face, not Gary Cooper," -- Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in Gone With The Wind.

"A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make," -- Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

"If I had thought about it, I wouldn't have done the experiment. The literature was full of examples that said you can't do this." -- Spencer Silver on the work that led to the unique adhesives for 3-M "Post-It" Notepads.

"Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau." -- Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929

"I don't know what use any one could find for a machine that would make copies of documents. It certainly couldn't be a feasible business by itself." --the head of IBM, refusing to back the idea, forcing the inventor to found Xerox

"Everything that can be invented has been invented." -- Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899

2 Dresses - 2 Generations

When I was young, my mother made a lot of my clothes. She often made my doll, Reddy (My mother also made this favorite doll with red hair whom I named so creatively.), outfits to match my own. I loved it! Reddy and I would be decked out in matching outfits, looking extremely groovy, when we went out to play. I still have Reddy, but I don't have any of the matching outfits any more. I wish I still had one or two to show my girls.

My mom also made two special dresses with similar red and yellow material. She made one for me and one for my cousin. My cousin and I are very close in age and loved to be together and play. To the left, you can see my cousin and me in our similar dresses many years ago.

A couple of years ago, our families vacationed together and my mom brought those two dresses for our children to try on. To the right, you see my cousin's daughter and my daughter dressed in the same dresses! The younger generation of girls wore the dresses with a little more attitude than we did 30 years ago! They thought it was pretty cool to dress in "vintage" clothing. Now, that's far out!

Taking Care of Future Generations

I love my family! I love being with them and doing things for them! I want to do whatever I can to provide for my children even after I'm gone.

But, have you heard about this?

In Hawaii, land is being sold for only $40! Wow! Wouldn't you love a chunk of Hawaii for $40?! The catch is that the land won't exist for another 10,000 years! The land is not above water yet!

I first heard about this on a news channel and had the impression that someone was actually trying to market this future land. However, this article from the Associated Press makes it clear that this is just for fun. I like the idea of the boat ride homeowner's association meetings!

$39.95 for Hawaii real estate: Waterfront is still underwater
By JAYMES SONG
The Associated Press
HONOLULU — Real estate is often a long-term investment. But 10,000 years?
Lo'ihi Development Co. will soon start offering ocean-view lots that speculators won't even be able to stand on for many millennia. That's because they're currently submerged more than 3,000 feet below sea level — on an underwater volcano called Lo'ihi, about 20 miles southeast of the Big Island.
The company's Web site will be renovated in the next couple of weeks to officially begin selling parcels for an introductory price of $39.95. Buyers will receive a "deed," but as with Internet groups claiming to sell stars, they probably can't call themselves owners.
"What's the scam?" asked Norm Nichols, co-developer of the online venture. "If you really think there's something here that you can't live with, nobody's forcing you to buy it. It's meant to be fun."
The Web site (http://www.petroglyphs.com/loihi/default.htm) advertises, "Lo'ihi Seaview Estates: Real Estate for the Future. Grand Water Front View Lots." A photo of the sales office is a raft in the middle of the ocean.
Nichols and business partner Linda Kramer, both Honolulu entrepreneurs, envision online chat rooms and newsletters to discuss everything from street names to what kind of government to set up. They want to hold a "homeowners association" meeting — a boat ride over the volcano — every April Fools' Day.
Scientists don't really know when, or if, Lo'ihi will break the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Many guess about 10,000 years, but it could take much longer than that.
Stephen Levins, head of the state consumer-affairs office, said the offer could be a problem if it were serious. "However, if the Web site is clear it's a parody and you're not going to be receiving an actual interest in real estate, that's something else," he said.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Sunday Seven - # 8 for me

I have 7 remarkable aunts. I have a close, large, extended family and have never lacked for positive, loving, female role models. My aunts are strong, intelligent, capable, and compassionate women who have influenced my life in more ways than they will ever know. One of the things I cherish most, is the way my relationship with each of them has evolved as I've grown older. I've gained greater respect and new perspective as I've grown to see them not as my aunts, but as strong, influential women full of inner strength and inner beauty. Today's Sunday Seven is dedicated to them.

1. My Aunt N lives in Florida and is my dad's sister. I have never gotten to be around her much, but always loved going to see her when we were young and playing with my cousins there. It was always new and exciting to get to visit her. Growing up, I'd see her about once a year for a week or so. As a child, she was very mysterious to me. She is a nurse, tall and pretty, and seemed "in charge." I always found it endearing that my dad simply calls her "sister" and she calls him "brother." She is a strong woman, having fought many health battles of her own as well as helping her children fight some serious illnesses. I admire her strength and perseverance.

2. Aunt J lives near Washington DC. She and my mom are close in age and our families spent a lot of time together when I was young. Her children are about the same age as my brother and me, and I have many happy memories of times spent together with them! One story keeps popping in my mind as I type. Once, when I was a teenager, I was shopping with Aunt J. From a couple of aisles over, I heard, "Lynnie, come learn." I headed toward the sound of the voice and received an impromptu lesson on sheets and thread counts. That illustrates my Aunt J's approach to many aspects of life - teacher, advisor, instructor. My Aunt J is an ambitious, intelligent woman who knows what she wants and goes for it! I admire her enthusiasm, her out-going personality, her positive attitude, and the joy she shows and shares about life.

3. My Aunt C lives in Tennessee now but comes our way frequently. I have many happy childhood memories of spending nights at her house and making homemade jelly, hearing bed time stories being told, and playing with their cocker spaniel. As adults, she and I share a profession, and it has been fun to get to know her in a different realm as I talk to her about teaching, children's literature, and reading. I enjoy talking to her about everyday things and real life. She's not an open book and doesn't share every thought that crosses her mind; so, it's fun to learn little bits about her here and there and see new parts of her revealed in different situations. I admire her quiet strength, her calm presence, her strong convictions, her independence, and her sense of adventure.

4. My Aunt S lives in Georgia and I get to see her frequently when I visit my parents. She is very family oriented and is always at family functions whenever possible. She is the ultimate supporter! She is one of the quietest people in our big, loud, rowdy family and is often in the background. But that is by no means to say she is a wall flower! She is personable and often catches a family member one-on-one for a conversation. She's often one of the first people I see and hug when I enter the house and one of the last ones I see and hug when I leave. She has strong convictions, but doesn't need to push them on others. She is a true, quiet-spoken southern lady with all of the dignity and reserve that title implies. She often works behind the scenes (Helping to clean up from a leaky sink, for instance.) to make the family get-togethers run smoothly. She is whole-heartedly committed to her marriage and her family. I admire her down-to-earth manner and the way she is able to put things into perspective and look through the chaos to see what is really important. I admire the subtle strength and commitment with which she supports and helps us all as individuals in the family.

5. My Aunt D also lives in Georgia so that I'm able to see her quite often. She is a model of unconditional love and the epitome of nurturer. She loves with her whole heart, and there's not a soul near her who doesn't know how she feels about them. She loves spending time with the children especially, and they are always drawn to her. She always claimed to love to change diapers - and believe me, in our family there were always plenty to change! - so that she could spend a few minutes with the child. I can hear her cooing, gentle voice as she changed my kids saying, "Your Aunt Debi loves you. You are a special little girl. There is a whole house full of people here who love you." She's a work-horse and a jackie of all trades. She has always donated numerous hours of volunteer work to her church and to the community. I admire her dedication to making family first, her talent for giving children a strong sense of worth and family connectedness, her flair for keeping family history alive through story telling, and her compassion for giving to others.

6. B is only 10 years older than me, and I never used the title "aunt" before her name. She is the one I looked up to as a child and wanted to be like. She is beautiful, and when I was a child and she was a teenager, I wanted to copy her every move. I thought she hung the moon and knew everything there was to know about life. As an adult I lived for a couple of years in the same town as she, and we would meet and walk around the lake. I thoroughly enjoyed those times and talks. She has worked tirelessly at an extremely demanding and stressful job in child advocacy and has improved life for children in troubled situations for years. She is strong, courageous and bravely independent when her life-situations have called for it. I admire her commitment to do what's right to help children, her strength to press forward in difficult situations, and her courage in uncertain times.

7. I never used the "aunt" title with V either since she is only 5 or 6 years older than me. I don't see her as an aunt; I see her as a friend. She has a dry, funny sense of humor. She's always laughing, and I enjoy sitting next to her at family get-togethers and trading funny comments about all the activity and conversation. V is not all play, though. She is another one who is good at working behind the scenes. She sees what needs to be done to keep things running smoothly and does it without fanfare. She's realistic, a hard worker and very conscientious. There are many times that she's seemed to wash dishes the entire time the family's together. I admire her strong comitment to family, her common sense approach to raising 3 girls in very different phases of life, her easy-going manner, and her humor in facing almost any situation.

Inspiration

Both of RJ's parents passed away recently, and we've started cleaning out their house. Last week we found my mother-in-law's Bible. There were several birth, wedding, and death announcements cut from the paper tucked in the pages of the Bible. We also found a keepsake napkin from our wedding, an assortment of photographs, and two inspirational writings that my mother-in-law had saved and placed between the pages of her Bible. The two inspirational writings are listed below. The first is a poem written by Helen Steiner Rice and given to my mother-in-law by a friend of hers. Included with the poem was a hand-written note of encouragement from the friend.

Sometimes we come to life's crossroads

And view what we think is the end,

But God has a much wider vision

And He knows that it's only a bend -

The road will go on and get smoother

And after we've stopped for a rest,

The path that lies hidden beyond us

Is often the part that is best,

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let go and let God share your load,

And have faith in a brighter tomorrow -

You've just come to a bend in the road.

The other paper we found is retyped below.

What Cancer Can't Do

Cancer is so limited...

It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope.

It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away at peace.

It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendships.

It cannot shut our memories. It cannot silence courage.

It cannot invade the soul.

It cannot reduce even one second of eternal life.

It cannot quench the Holy Spirit, and it cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

Praise God!

-Anonymous

Happy Birthday, Baby Brother

Today is my little brother's birthday! I won't mention which birthday it is since I reached the same one 3 years ago. But it's a BIG one that ends in -0!

We moved a lot growing up, but that never bothered me much because my best friend always moved with me! We were very close as kids. He has always had a quick-thinking sense of humor even as a young boy. He always did and still does keep me in stitches! I will never forget one time when my brother and I were teenagers, and we were over at my grandparents' house. Our granddaddy's name was Charles. I never heard anyone call him by any other name than Charles - no nicknames. On this particular day, Granddaddy asked S to hang a bird feeder in a tree in the backyard. As S was high on the ladder he yelled down, "Hey, Chuck. How's this?" It took Granddaddy totally off-guard and he roared with laughter. There was no disrespect, just a funny, light moment. S is the master catching a person off-guard with humor. I also remember hearing him and his wife tell of one of the first times he visited her family. He faked a fall down the stairs. I think the family got to know him rather quickly!

I was always proud to be his sister. He was a good guy, fair to people, and treated people with respect and kindness. He was well-liked because of his easy-going, out-going style with everyone he met. Now he's a wonderful man with the same outstanding qualities. He's an assistant principal, deacon at his church, and has been the coach of all kinds of teams. He's still loving, kind and respectful to people even in confrontational or unpleasant situations. He's wonderful with children and is a motivator, comforter, and supporter to those around him.

I loved to watch the boy play ball when we were younger. He was the fastest thing on 2 feet. I would always do my best to get to his baseball games, and it was always fun to watch him slide head-first into second base for the steal! Now, he watches as his children play a little bit of everything - soccer, tennis, basketball, and softball. He plays tennis now and that natural ability and competitive spirit still lead him to victory on the tennis court. He does well in any game or sport he chooses to play.

I'm proud of the man he is. I'm proud of the husband, father, son, and grandson he is. I'm thrilled that my children have my brother as their uncle. I'm proud to have him as my friend.

Happy Birthday, S! I love you!