A Year in Review-2009

Our trip to the National D-Day Memorial, the new dog Lucy, friends in OH, commissioning of the USS GEORGE HW BUSH, Allison visiting a puppy, Pam and Tricia-Fleming HS girls night out, Donnie feeding the horses on the Blue Ridge Parkway, new hair cut,all the girls at girls night out Coach and Four , lunch at the Olde Liberty Station with SS class, Lucy's first snow, new hot tub, Deedy and Linda Jo at girls night out, birthday roses, Aaron in Florida

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! I pray everyone had a great 2009 and are looking forward to serving our Lord Jesus in 2010.

It has been a long time since I have sat down and thought about blogging again. I have a friend who has a beautiful blog, and I love visiting it for the calmness it brings. I haven't figured out how she laid it out..maybe one day she will show me, huh, Carolyn!!

I decided I needed to blog again because of another bump in my road of life. On Dec. 22 I was diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer. It is in the very early stages and I have had a number of tests and will see a surgeon on Jan. 29. I really don't know alot about this cancer but have done research, asked friends and family who have gone through it. I have literature from the American Cancer Society to read from a friend who volunteers with Reach to Recovery. A lot of reading and digesting to do. I, also, contacted a former high school classmate who now works in radiation, and she sent me a wonderful email with lots of things to ask the surgeon when I go.

I know God has brought me to this point in my life, I don't know why, but I trust Him for whatever lies ahead. As the scripture at the top of my blog says, He is my Rock! He has brought me through lots of medical trials and He remains steadfast, true, forgiving and loving. I pray I can exalt Him through all this.

I need to thank a lot of people for prayers, cards, phone calls, emails that have already been given to and for me.

I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me! Phil 4:13

SUMMER IS OVER

Summer has come and gone and we haven't been out of the state of Virginia! It seems strange as we were on the road so much coming to Virginia while we lived in Ohio. We are planning a trip to Hilton Head in October and I am so ready.
Other than life with Lucy things have been pretty much the same. I have gotten really involved in facebook and a couple of their applications, like Farmtown, and Farmville. I have met up with old high school friends as we talk and farm together. We did a girls night out where 11 of us got together for dinner. We had lots of laughs! We hope to do it again sometime.
Donnie has remained busy doing yard work and golfing. Hope he gets to continue to golf into the fall. He really enjoys it and is out of the house for about 6 hrs!! The only draw back to that is, I have Lucy duty!! She is a sweet dog, but man she can try my patience when she gets things she isn't suppose to have and we begin the chase through the house. Oh joy!! Seems like she always manages to land in the crate for a while when he is gone!!
Aaron and Allison continue to do well and stay busy with work. Aaron is still waiting for the opening of the SuperCenter in Clearbrook, which might happen next year. Allison remains busy in her job as a real estate closer. Quinn and his business is doing well also. It is so nice to call them up and meet for lunch or do dinner.
Mom and Dad continue to do well "for old people" as she says. It is a blessing to be close to them. My sister, has been in several times this year and we always have a good time shopping and eating and laughing! I am so blest to have a wonderful relationship with her and all our family.
As fall begins, so begins my Bible Study Fellowship(BSF). This year it is the study of John. I am looking forward to it and the time spent in His word and with other women searching what He has to say to us all.
I still enjoy blog reading from my friends in Ohio, although like me they are fewer and far between. I think facebook has done that to all of us. It is so much quicker and only need a sentence to say what is on your mind. It is a wonderful tool for sharing pictures and watching all the children grow up. I wish ALL my friends in Ohio would hook up to it! ..hint Laura, Cris, Neva, Billie. They would find how much fun it is and how much you can find out in just a day!!
With that I close this posting and wish everyone a Happy Fall!

HAPPY JULY 4TH

GOD BLESS AMERICA

FORMER VP OF PROCTOR AND GAMBLE

I think he speaks for a lot of Americans...

Click HERE

Mom 2009

Here is Mom wearing same hat, as seen in previous post, 42 years later !! She paid $3.98 at Sears Roebuck in 1967... quite an investment I would say!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

TO MY MOM AND MY SISTER AND TO ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS! THIS IS MAY 1967, NO HUSBANDS AND NO KIDS...BUT GREAT PICTURE!! JUDY LYNNE, MOM, LINDA JO

Easter at Bonsack Baptist

This is what our church does at Easter. They have started doing it every other year and this year there are nine perfomances. We will be attending on Thursday night. Make sure you read about the story. Click on Easter Pageant below.

Easter Pageant

LUCY LU

Well here is the latest to our family...Lucy Lu...no child birth, no nursing, no diapers, no bottles.....just floors that have to be cleaned!!!!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

LOVE IS WHEN.. CHRIST BECAME A MAN.

I received this in an email this week..

"Love covers a multitude of sins." I PETER 4:8

Today is Valentine's Day and it is all about romance, but love is not "just" about romance; in fact, it's not based primarily on feelings at all. Love is more a reflection of commitment to someone. It's not dependent on warm feelings but on a consistent and sacrificial decision to extend yourself for the well being of another. That commitment then produces feelings of love, not the other way around. Understanding this kind of commitment as you love others is a window into understanding God's eternal commitment of love for you. Love is an act of spiritual maturity based on the eternal significance of another person. When you learn to see others as God sees them, even those you dislike or who dislike you, you will be able to love them. Love isn't about receiving gifts or pleasurable experiences. Love isn't about what "you" get out of it. Genuine love bubbles over from a spirit of giving and sacrifice. Love is willing to sacrifice for the good of others, even to death. Would you be willing to give up your very life for the chance that another might come to know Jesus? This is the genuine love of God at work in you!

"I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." JOHN 13:34-35

USS GEORGE H W BUSH CVN 77 COMMISSIONING

What a wonderful fun weekend we had in Norfolk! We went to the commissioning of the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H W BUSH. We have a nephew-in-law who is the commanding officers secretary and he got us passes. We went to Norfolk with blue tickets and when we got there we found out we had gold passes. The difference was awesome. Better parking, better seating, free breakfast and lunch in a heated tent. We also received fleece blankets which were wrapped in a velcro holder with the insignia of the ship on it, plus a book to keep. We thought we were high class! We sat two rows from ship. Some of the crew stood at parade rest for almost 2 hours. One sailor was going to sleep on his feet and leaning to one side and jumping when he got to close to sleep. We had some good laughs from him!!
Of course George H W Bush (41) was there with Barbara. Also in attendance were President George W, and Laura, VP Dick Cheney and Lynn, Sec of Defense Gates, Sec. of Navy Winter, daughter of 41 and Barbara, Dorothy Bush Koch. She was the sponsor of the ship and called the ship to life. Other people there were, Gov. Kaine, VA, Condelessa Rice, SCJ Clarence Thomas, Joint Chiefs of Staff Mullen.
We made lots of pictures and few short videos. It was a awesome experience and great to see President Bush before he leaves office.
The video is from what they call to man the rails. This takes place after the ship is called to life. The crew in front of us started running up the steps and standing at the rails and all other points on the ship. It was very emotional for me since my Dad, Uncle and husband have all served on a ship at about the same ages as these young men and women.
The ship's motto is FREEDOM AT WORK. It will be in service for about 50 yrs. This was the last of this type of aircraft carrier (NIMITZ). History all around. Both Bush men gave great speeches. As did all the others who spoke.
Donnie got to shake hands and have his picture made with the Joint chief of staff. He was excited.
There is a tradition of challenge coins in the navy. Donnie carried his with him and he gave one, by Jonathan, to George HW and Pres. Bush. When Jonathan handed the President the coin and told him about Donnie, he in return reached in his pocket and gave Jonathan, for Donnie and pair of President Seal cufflinks which are engraved with George Bush on the back. We were not expecting that, but are very proud on them! I still think I could make earrings out of them, but Donnie said they weren't given to me!!!!! HMMMM!!
To see all the pictures you can go to and sign up at snapfish.
There are several videos on YOUTUBE, one is mine, the rest from others there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

To All My Democratic Friends:Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A YEAR LATER

It is really hard to believe that a year has past since we moved in our newest nest! A lot happened this past year, some good, some not. But we are so very blessed in our life. It is such a blessing to be back home with family and friends. Although, I do still miss my friends and our good times in OHIO. I can't say I really miss the state itself, but all my sisters in the Lord there I do miss! God has blessed me with good friends in every state we have lived in, and I often think about all the times we had, especially at Christmas. In WV, Linda C. and I would often go into Charleston to do our shopping while the kids were in school. It took us an hour to get there...well, with her driving maybe 45 mins, and then we had the return trip and we had to beat those school buses! Some days we made it, some we did not, but we laughed and had so much fun. In Ohio, Billie, Jackie, or Bev and I would go shopping. Each one with a different goal in mind. I think most of our goal there was influenced by our eating location..LOL!! As I hung my Cracker Barrel ornament on my tree, I thought about all the good times we had at breakfast at CB. Those are what I miss about OH. Donnie and I go once in a while..but it just isn't the same!! In VA, I have friends I have come home to. We go to lunch, talk on phone, but the shopping days are over!! I think that is because Donnie is retired and we all know that boy loves to shop so I go with him!! Although there are times I try to go by myself, and I do manage that..especially my trips to CATO'S. HA HA HA!!

I pray each of you have a most blessed Christmas as we celebrate the best gift we ever got or ever will get, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! May you welcome his birth celebration, and a New Year in the Lord.

AARON AT WORK

WELCOME TO WALMART! ok, sis...here is a post!!