Did someone say.... SNOW????

Here in southwest Georgia, we rarely see snow. We might see a flurry or two every now and then, but that's about it. So, when someone says that they heard that we might get some snow... you're ears can't help but perk up just a little bit!!

Yesterday, while we were on the playground with the kiddo's, one of the other teachers mentioned that she heard on the Weather Channel that there was a 30% possiblity that we might see some snow today.

Of course... I was all curious and HAD to ask her to repeat what she heard! I was thinking... SNOW! In December?? Really??? It HAS been unusually cold for this early in December. So... maybe it really IS TRUE!

My family and I watched the 5:00 local news on TV yesterday, wondering if hoping we would hear the same forcast. Of course, the weatherman did not say the words... "Okay, folks. Brace yourselves, because we are going to be getting some snow tomorrow!" No. His words were more like.... "We have a little disturbance moving in from the west tomorrow and we MIGHT see a few flurries, but chances are... we WON'T." Oh well. I kinda' knew it was too good to be true.

This morning, I turned on my computer and decided to check the weather on my MSN homepage. Here is the forcast for TODAY ---


9AM / 29° / Mostly Cloudy 

Noon /36° / Rain / Snow 

6PM / 38° / Snow Showers 

Do you see that??? It says SNOW SHOWERS!!!!

Here's what the radar map looks like this morning. This looks like snow is coming, to me!!

I went ran to my TV and turned it on the local morning news. I was so excited and couldn't wait to hear what the weatherman said NOW!!

But... his words were practically the same as the weatherman's words last night were. DARN IT!!

I then went to The Weather Channel's website to look at the forcast. The word SNOW was nowhere to be seen on the forcast page. DARN IT, again!

You see... down here in the South, where we rarely see snow, we get VERY excited at the mere mention of snow! -- Well, some of us do, anyway! **Smile**

Tomorrow is my birthday and I would LOVE to see snow on my birthday!! What a fun birthday present that would be!

Last year, we were lucky to see a good snow of about 7 inches! --- To us, here... that is a LOT! The most I've ever seen, actually.

Here are a few photos from last year ---

Here is Ashley, Jackson and myself out in our backyard.

Poor Miranda was at work! 

This is one of my very favorite photos!

Ashley & Jackson

Later, we drove to town (about 12 miles) to

pick Miranda up from work. We were afraid for

her to drive home. The roads were becoming too dangerous.

Here's a look at my house as we made it back home.

Miranda was a happy girl now!

I'm still hoping to see some today or tonight. The weathermen down here tend to "play down" the idea of snow approaching as not to get everyone's "hopes up". --- It's TOO LATE!! They're already UP!! **Smile**

Hallelujah Girls

Yesterday, I got the chance to go to a play that was directed by a classmate and friend, Cathe Hall Payne, that I went to high school with. It was so much fun! The play was called -- The Hallelujah Girls (click the link to check it out and read about it!) and it was wonderful!

In high school, Cathe was into drama BIG TIME! I don't vividly remember all the plays that were done during my high school years, but... those that I do remember... Cathe always had the LEAD role and was always VERY GOOD! And if I remember correctly, she had an amazing singing voice, as well.

My friend, Denise, sent out an invite through Facebook to those of us that might want to go. I was immediately excited about the idea of going! I didn't even know that Cathe was still involved in the "theatre world"! But... really... it makes sense that she is! I hadn't seen Cathe or some of the other girls sense high school, so I was excited about that, as well.

We met for lunch first, which was fun. Denise brought her mom and so did another girl. The "moms" were delightful and it made me just a wee bit jealous that these girls have such "active" and "healthy" moms... something that I haven't had in a long time and never will.

The play was to start at 3:00pm and we made it JUST IN TIME! The theatre was PACKED with people, so we had to sit in the back.

We had just a few minutes before the play started, so some of the girls took the opportunity to hit up the potty. This is when I learned that the teacher that taught drama (and English) when WE were in high school was IN THE PLAY that we were about to see!! Her name at the time -- and the only name that I knew her by -- was Ms. Janiec. I never took drama. I was too shy. But, I did have her for English. I didn't like her. I always thought she was mean! Haahaa! I was excited to see her, none-the-less!!

I still remember her because I was sitting in HER CLASS when President Reagan was shot!! For those of you that are interested... this happened on March 30, 1981. I was in the 11th grade. **Sigh**

Here are a few photos that I took during the play. They aren't the best because I had to hold my camera UP over my head so that I could get some clear shots (remember... we were on the back row!).

Here's Ms. Janiec, who I now know as.... Sylvia Veith.

The costumes were very entertaining, as well!

After the play was over, Cathe invited the WHOLE AUDIENCE to a FEAST of yummy treats in the lobby. I wish I could have gotten pictures of it all, but there were SO MANY people and the room was small.

I did manage to get a few photos of some of the beautiful Christmas trees that surrounded the room. The pictures don't do them justice, unfortunately.

I would have never thought of PINK for a Christmas color,

but I really liked these little beauties!

This one was my favorite! I loved the Raggedy Ann & Andy

and also the candy canes!

This little guy caught my attention, sitting over in the corner.

He was so cute! I wanted to take him home!

Next, it was photo-opp time with "Ms. Janiec".

She was soooo sweet!! (Not mean, at all!) **Smile**

In case you couldn't tell.... I'm in the black and purple. I'm not sure how I ended up in the front! I guess I have "shortness" to blame for that! hahaa

Quarterback Worship

It's Sunday morning and my thoughts should be on worshiping my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But, instead... they are on FOOTBALL!

Don't worry. I'll be going to church soon! **Smile**

If you follow college football, which I never did until I moved to this part of Georgia.... then, you know that the Southeastern Conference Championship game was last night. It was the Auburn Tigers (an undefeated team) against the South Carolina Gamecocks (9 wins - 3 losses). Of course, Auburn was favored to win... and they did.
I am not an Auburn fan, but I did watch part of the game since they are my daughter's favorite team AND this was the championship game.

I have no problem with the fact that this team won. My problem is with the way the media and also the fans IDOLIZE and WORSHIP the quarterback - Cam Newton.

Yes, he IS a good quarterback. But, he didn't get to be a good quarterback without the help of his teammates and coaches --- who, by the way, don't seem to be getting the credit that they deserve!

There is also a scandal behind this quarterback "wonderboy". It seems that his father was offered (and paid!)THOUSANDS of dollars to have his son play college football. This wasn't done by Auburn University, but another college. Allegedly... Cam knew nothing about this, but one can't help but wonder what the truth really is.

But, back to my thoughts about Cam. I am reading that he is being seen as the nation's best player. Well... that is all good, if he truly is.

What makes me sad is how he is being viewed. From my view... people are worshiping him and treating him like he is some kind of god. (little "g") I feel sorry for the other players that are really good too and are not getting the credit. The spotlight is totally on the quarterback.

Take a look at these pictures ---

This one is from last night's game.

Take a look at the posters in the background.

No, Cam. You are not a god!

I also have a problem with people that are arrogant and show no signs of being humble at all. This is the way Cam Newton seems to be, and the fans practically bow down and worship him!  How WRONG is that??

I guess I wouldn't have so much of a problem if he didn't seem so "cocky"!

I think the Auburn fans need a reminder of what worship really is, and Cam Newton needs a lesson in "How to be Humble".

Sorry for the "rant" this morning. I'll get off my soapbox now. **Smile**

Snapshot Saturday - Next 2 photos!

It's time for two new photos!!

Susan from KardKornerKrib picked this combination: 7 - 9 - 19 and here's the photo ---

This photo was taken at one of our favorite beaches in Florida -- Santa Rosa Beach. It is on the panhandle, near Destin. We have a favorite campground that we go to there!

We had been there for several days and the weather was beautiful! Then... on the day that we had planned to leave, tropical storm Gustav began approaching and the weather turned "not-so-nice". We took a walk down to the beach to take a look at the storm before we headed home. We were extremely glad that Gustav waited and allowed us to have a beautiful vacation!

I took this photo in color, but was playing around with my photo editing software and that is why this one is black & white. It looks better in color!

The next "combination" was picked by Thisisme over at Southhamsdarling: 32 - 8 - 48.

This is a photo of the lake at the campground that is near our house. It is called Lake Deleanor and it is at F.D. Roosevelt State Park. We camp here as often as we can because it is so close to home!

This particular camping trip was on the Thanksgiving of 2006. For several years, we camped with friends, here. The weather could not have been more beautiful on this particular Thanksgiving weekend!! I have MANY beautiful photos that I took then!

The following two years, the weather was "not-so-nice". It rained a lot and it was cold!!! The girls and I were miserable!! I finally told David that I was DONE camping for Thanksgiving and that I wanted to be at HOME from now on.... or at least somewhere dry and WARM! **Smile**

Thanks for playing along, ladies!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Snapshot Saturday

Okay... This is a game that I am making up myself, so bare with me... please!

I love photographs and I love sharing them with others. I thought it would be fun to "randomly" pick photos from the MANY that I have stored on my computer and then tell about them.

I was having a hard time figuring out how I was going to randomly pick from all of my photos, so I decided to inlist the help of YOU, my readers. 

If you want to play along... here's what I need you to do:

Click on the "comment" button below and send me THREE numbers. 

The first number needs to be between 1-75 (I have 75 folders with photos!).

The second number needs to be between 1-10 (Some of the 75 folders have folders inside of them!)

The third number needs to be between 1-50.

When you post your comment, type your numbers like this:  3 - 8 - 24 , kinda' like a locker combination! **Smile**

Here's the picture that was "unlocked" with the combination above:

This photo was taken back in April of this year. David and I were at Stone Mountain Park, staying at the Evergreen Marriott Spa Resort for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I snuck and took this picture of where we had our "couples massage"!

I'm looking foward to hearing from you! ~ Happy Saturday!!

Here is combination "26 - 3 - 10", picked from Becca at Joy & Gladness.

This is a photo of my girls and I that was taken at our church yardsale. I believe the year was 2003. I was actually IN CHARGE of this yardsale! YIKES! It was actually fun, but a LOT of hard work! It was a fundraiser for our youth group.

We are wearing RED shirts so that the shoppers could tell us "workers" apart from other shoppers.

Ashley (sitting down) was in charge of the table where people "checked out" and purchased their items.

You're probably wondering why Miranda has a note taped to the front of her shirt! Hahaaa!! I think it said something like... "Ask me if you need help."

If I remember correctly... we raised over $3000 that day!

I need to recharge MY life. What about you?

It's sad, but it's true. When a crisis happens, I am guilty of letting worry & anxiety fill my body and my mind to the point where I forget to let go and let God take control.

I try to handle it all by myself and forget that God is walking right beside me... just WAITING for me to give Him control.

I can see Him in my mind, begging me to give it over to Him, but I am so caught up in the worry and anxiety... that I can't even hear Him speaking to me.

This breaks my heart.

Another thing that I have neglected to do lately is read the devotional blog that I follow. I've been skipping right over them, unfortunately.

This morning, as I scrolled through my blog list on my dashboard... one title caught my eye -- Recharge Your Life with Him. You can read this blog post by clicking here at --- internet Cafe devotions.

Here are some parts of the blog where I heard God speaking to "me".

May these words be a blessing to you as well.


Matt. 11: 28 – 30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How often do we forget to take our weariness and heaviness to the One who promised His burden would be light; to the One who promised us rest?

“Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

God is there in the midst of the storm. His hands are outstretched, calming the turbulent sea that we are are, whether it is man-made or natural.

...we must take heart while in this world, and not let it consume us so we forget the most important things in our lives: family, faith, and friends.

Jesus aroused from his sleep, opened his eyes, and looked into their frightened faces. Seeing their alarm he arose to his feet and asked, “Why are you so fearful? Why do you have no faith?”

What’s really great is taking a deep breath and remembering (as hard as I know it can be sometimes), that no matter how things may seem, God has already gotten things in control. The sea has been calmed and made safe for us to travel.

Let down your guard today and let God calm the storms in your life. Before reaching for that cup o’ joe, let God wake you up. It’s one thing to say He calms storms, it’s another to let Him to actually calm your beating heart and give you that much needed energy boost.

I need a RESTART!

I feel like I need a restart for this Christmas season!!

Before Thanksgiving, I was all excited about getting ready for Christmas. Then, my mom went in the hospital the day AFTER Thanksgiving and that has been all that I can think about!

I was so excited to start decorating, shopping and planning a beautiful Christmas celebration for my family.

Now, those things are still on my mind, but I have had to put them to the back of my mind so that I can focus on my mom. This has lead me to the feeling that I need a restart!! Or maybe I should call it a "do-over". I'm not sure which. 

Once my mom gets back to the nursing home (no... she's still not there!) and settled... I really wish that I could go back to Black Friday and start over!

My girls DID pull down the Christmas decorations on Sunday, thankfully, and started decorating the house. I was too numb to help. I just sat there and watched mostly, which is NOT what I had intended to do.

I did help Miranda move the furniture around and put some ornaments & garland on the tree, Sunday evening.

I have barely been home since Sunday, so at the moment.... my house is cluttered with boxes of decorations and my everyday decor is "misplaced" at the moment until I find another home for it for the holidays. Yes, it's a mess and it is driving me crazy! But..... #1) I haven't had time to mess with it all. And... #2) I've been too exhausted in the evening!!

I haven't taken any pics of my decorated house yet, this year (I will once I finish decorating and get the clutter put away!)... but, here's a picture of our tree from last year.

So far this year, it looks almost the same. I may do a little "tweaking" to it. I'm not sure yet.

I joined a gym 3 weeks ago, and have only been 4 times! I am frustrated with that, too! My plan was to start going BEFORE Thanksgiving and continue to go throughout the holiday season so that I could keep those nasty unwanted pounds away!! But... just before Thanksgiving.... I caught a nasty cold and didn't feel well enough to go to the gym. Then, my mom got sick and my extra time has been at the hospital.

I haven't even bought the first Christmas gift!!! YIKES!!

Soo... as you can see..... I need a RESTART for my Christmas!!!!