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"Wile E. Coyote - SUPER genius!"

So, it was actually pretty simple - which makes me feel a little dumb - but the comments seem to be working now.  Yay!

For all those reading this (and I know that's a small number), please keep a couple of people in your thoughts and prayers...

+  Josh's Obachan, who suffered a ruptured aneurism last week (but is strong and stubborn, and seems to be doing REALLY well)....

+  And Katie, my sister.  She's getting a second follow-up after something unusual showed up on her mammogram.  I'm sure God is watching out for her, and it's probably something minor, but praying for all those things can only help!

Thanks so much for all the love you constantly send our way, and for all the good things you do.  My love and gratitude to you all...

Christmas is coming...

We had to go by the mall today to get a bunch of vitamins and things for Bethany, and decided to 'meander' a bit while there.  Macy's had tons of Christmas things out all ready, including some beautiful Nutcrackers, and I wanted to stop by Claire's to find some new clip-on hoop earrings.  Of course, it's never "just" with us...

For starters, Josh saw this lovely Nutcracker, and Cody pointed out that it was specially designed to crack Chestnut's.  ; )









And Josh got into the Jingle-Bell Hop mood at Claire's.  He's such a cute elf!  Be sure to press 'play' to watch him jingle his bells!  Hahahahaha......

Love to all...

New York, New York!

So months ago, I bought tickets to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular - long before we knew about the storm that would hit.  But the show must go on - and it did - with wonderful grace and incredible sets.  The 15-20 blocks of Manhattan we walked looked 'business as usual', which was a blessing for all the occupants, and it was nice to spend the day in New York (and infuse it with a little financial assistance!).  We went by Dylan's Candy Bar (the largest candy store in the country) - all 3 stories of it! - and had a great lunch at the Metro Cafe...  a little gem we'll be returning to!  And of course, the Rockettes!  Most of the show was the same as last year, but I still got all choked up and overwhelmed with both the spirit and fun of the season.  It's a great way to start the holidays!

On the way home, we did something we hadn't done in years, literally - we went to Golden Corral for dinner.  Everyone was in "down south" heaven!  I had fried okra...  oh, how I've missed them!  It was a long day, but what a blessing that we're so close to NYC, we can make a day trip!  We are still praying for all those struck by Sandy, as well as the families and homeless that are just struggling this time of year.  We can't forget them.

Love to all...

Hans and I LOVE OmNom! 

   

Cody looking good between the black and
white candies.  Gray is his color!

Josh wasn't the only one who looked good at Barney's...
OmNom really rocked the bow tie! 

Happy Halloween!

YEA!  Halloween was so much fun!  And for the first time EVER, we had everybody's costumes done BEFORE Halloween!  Amazing...

"Mirror, Mirror in my hand,
who's the fairest in the land?"

And another first?  Neither Cody nor I went out with them.    They're so grown up!

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Halloween, and is doing well after the storms.

Love to all...

Rouge the Bat (Shadow's girlfriend).

Hans my (cute) Angry Bird pig.

Our candy headquarters

Cody and I went as Elphaba and Fiyero, from Wicked.

A week of terror and miracles...

So, the brief rundown is I returned from NC, and started to get back on track here.  But Saturday evening I was organizing the 18" pile of mail that had accumulated while I was gone (lots of magazines and junk), and discovered a letter from USAA saying they were canceling our homeowners insurance.  Given that we are in the middle of a liability claim - which, in my mind, would make it impossible to get another company to take us - and that I didn't realize even if they dropped us, they would have to settle the claim, I was terrified.  Well and truly scared for the entire future of my family.  Really - that's how it happens, right?  Some family is living out of their car, and you wonder...  "How did that happen?  How did they get there?"

Easy.  One accident, one legal action...  and everything can just disappear.  A little at first, and then it starts to snowball.  First you have trouble paying a bill, then your using your credit cards to make the payments, then your behind on the mortgage - the fall of a family isn't so hard to imagine.  And I was beyond devastated.  Fast forward to Thursday, when I get in touch with a law office.  (The other days were a bit full, what with Josh starting college, needing to see the Dr. for his ankle, and then X-ray's; he's fine, thank you God!)  After some answered questions and discussion, I called USAA.  Turns out that we're still in limbo waiting on the liability issue, and as far as our policy...

They cancelled EVERYONE in PA so they could issue brand new policies.  We weren't being dropped, it was just an easier method for what they were accomplishing.  It did mention that in the cover letter, but it was a brief blurb, and didn't really register over the fear.  May I just say, copious tears of both relief and gratitude ensued.  Sooooooo...

Several miracles this week.  Josh's ankle isn't broken and the swelling is finally going down.  Cody made it home from HIS trip to NC safely last night.  And most of all, our policy is intact and I can breathe and go back to regular life.

I feel so blessed lately - it seems like my prayers are answered pretty regularly.  I don't take that for granted; in fact I'm amazed, since I'm definitely one of the most least deserving people I know.  Maybe I'm doing things God likes.  It is nice to think so, since we've all ready had one Job, and I really don't want to seem like I have everything and then it all gets taken away.  I can tell you, it was an overwhelming experience being scared out of my mind and trying to reconcile that God had everything under control.  That is SO difficult for humans to do, but it helps - I think God likes to be recognized for what He does.  And if He all ready has it - whatever 'it' is in your life - under control, we have to accept that.  And acknowledge it; I think telling God you know He has it taken care of, even when life seems to be spinning out of control on our end, makes Him feel good.  Appreciated.  Who doesn't want to feel appreciated?


Cindy had this great plaque and I copied the message, since it was so good.

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have known

 and are about to step out into the darkness,

Faith is knowing one of two things will happen:

There will be something to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly."

Exactly.  Love to all...

Happy 4th of July!

                  

Cody, Josh and I were up early to watch the parade go by - right on our street! That is so cool... The Mummer's were there again, all the kids tossing candy from fancy cars, and our wonderful Norwood police/fire/EMS members.

Now, after a nice breakfast on the back porch (what a great breeze!), we have imitated slugs. And a really lifelike - or not - impression we are doing. I may find the energy to order wings or pick up Mexican. Or maybe I won't, and it will just be chips and salsa...

"don't want to move..."     

Ah, brothers...

Ryan and Eric came to visit for a day, and we had a great time together! Well, except for the walk to and from the fireworks show - Eric took partial blame for the misunderstanding, though, informing me he really wasn't paying attention to me when I was talking. : )
We had lunch at Erin's Pub, a boisterous and sidesplitting event. Then we shopped for dinner (steak, corn & salad), watched Act of Valor (good choice, Eric - tears and all), and just hung out together. I hope they had as nice a time as we did! For all intents and purposes, it was a wonderful 4th of July!
So there, Ryan.  ; )

Thursday in Gatlinburg

Thursday found us rafting down the Upper Pigeon river! What an experience - the river was mostly dry when we arrived, so being the first tour of the day, we got to see them flood the river. The class usually ranged from I - IV's, but we barely hit a III this trip. Which for us, was awesome! Michelle and I were the only ones who'd rafted before, and so this was the perfect experience for Hans and Shawny - both a little nervous about the trip. Everyone got plenty wet, and we all took a short swim in the river as we neared the end. Well, Cody and Hans skipped it - the water was REALLY cold!
Later we grilled steaks at the resort with Michelle and the girls, and then went swimming. It was a wonderful day, and everybody had a fun - but exhausting - day!
Love to all...

Checking to see if Michelle's done! 

Gatlinburg

Our "graduation" trip (I keep wanting to call it a senior trip, and am brusquely reminded they are no longer Seniors), is SUPER! Aunt Michelle arrived Tuesday a few hours after us, with Marissa and Shawny. Wednesday we went horseback riding, which I really enjoyed, and the kids all thought was a fun experience. Wise Luis said, "I didn't think I liked it at first, but once I realized it was my own fears making me nervous - not the actual horse - it was fun!" Ah, the wisdom of youth.
That evening, after barbecue at Greenbriar and a dip in the river (some more dipped than others...), we all went out on the town. Cody and I sampled moonshine (yummy!), the kids found a jerky and popcorn store that was 'sick', and then we split up. Hans and Cody went sightseeing, Boo took me up on the Sky Lift, and Michelle went with the teens to get an olde tyme photo done. They look so good! Boo and I wrapped things up when we saw Cody and Hans at laser tag. What a great time we had!
More to tell later - so much going on, it's hard to keep up!
Love to all...

 

                   

Having a picnic lunch and then a 'dip' in the river at Greenbriar.  Some 'dipped' more than others...  : |

Bethany and I at the top of the Sky Lift; just the two of us, and this was the
amazing view.  Below, our feet as we head back down the mountainside.  Whee!

Party time!

(Tried posting the other day; no luck, so I'll rewrite).
What a great party! We estimate about 70 people came by, and it seemed like they all had a terrific time! Bethany kept track of the karaoke (except that hour or two she was on the slip-n-slide), Hans was perfect as games master, and there was SO much food! Though I believe the chocolate fountain took the cake - pound cake, strawberries, pretzels, marshmallows...
Most of all Cody and I offer a HUGE helping of thanks and gratitude to my parents, without whom the party would not have happened. Thanks for always coming through for us, Mom and Dad! And also thanks to Josh's grandparents, Kyoko & Richard, for all the love and support, and for theirs and Bob and Michelle's desperately needed - and greatly appreciated - help cleaning up after the party. We are so blessed to have such a great family!
Love to all...

Best Friends!

Luis is here, and Josh is SO happy! I'm so grateful he was able to spend graduation with us, and hope they both have a terrific time. Plus now I have two strong lads to help set stuff up!