Tuesday, September 26, 2006



A face only a mother could love...

Oh, I mean the dog, not the boy! Yep, Matthew and Martha couldn't pass up this little guy. They (for some reason) visited a local SPCA and I guess it was Matthew that just had to go back.

They named him Taco. I guess he's about a year old. So far, he's been a great little doggie. Matthew takes him to work (at church) with him and he just sleeps the whole time (the dog, not Matthew).

I kind of figured there would be a new pup in their future. It warms my heart that they have a soft spot for the unlovable, the, shall we say, unattractive. Gotta love that!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

This is one of my favorite pages.

See how a blog can turn into a scrapbook page? (see previous blog entry) This page just formulated itself in my mind after I did that blog. I felt compelled to make it - even though it was 9 p.m. I never start scrapping that late, but I decided to go with the flow, and that's a good lesson, because it might not have flowed if I'd have waited. I'll remember that. Plus, I wanted to do it while it was still Sue's birthday (even though I didn't finish until 1:30 a.m.).

I love this picture of Sue, too. I actually cropped it out of a photo of all 5 of us siblings and mom at the last Hall reunion that Sue made it to. Little did we know then that she wouldn't be with us the next year. She looks happy and relaxed in this picture, not like someone that would be gone seven months later. You never know, do you? Make sure you hug your loved ones, people, because you never know...
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Thursday, September 14, 2006

Today.

I would have called you.
We would have laughed.
You would have sighed over getting older.
You would have enjoyed your little grandbabies dancing around you as they bounced out of the arms of your daughters.
Your husband would have given you an extra special kiss.
You would have gotten a gift or two, maybe eaten some cake.
You would have turned 52 today.
You would have.
If the cancer hadn't taken you away just four months after your 42nd birthday.
I'm thinking of you, Sue, and missing you...

...today.
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Monday, September 11, 2006

It's a sad day.

Is there anyone not blogging about what happened 5 years ago today? I'm still so moved by the whole thing. It still seems surreal.

As much as I am moved by the tragedies of this day, I have to say I don't go around living in fear. Does that mean that I'm immune to the potential threat we live under? Does that mean I'm naive about the protection our country (for the most part, anyway) seems to enjoy?

I don't think so. For me, it means that I know when my time on earth is up, it's only because God has deemed it so. I don't think that means that I can take irresponsible risks with my life (or others') but I do think it eliminates the need to spend precious time worrying about the what if's of life.

I am so thankful for the freedom our nation is priveleged and blessed to live under. I am so thankful that our nation isn't war-ravaged like so many in the news today. I am so thankful daily for the beauty of God's creation and the joy it brings me. I am so very thankful for the day and age - and place - I was born into. My life is blessed and rich and full.

But there are so many reliving their personal horrors today. Many that lost loved ones in such a violent way five years ago. My heart goes out to them. My prayers go up for them.

It makes me cry.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Company's comin'!

Uninvited company - but he's coming anyway. Ernesto, that is. Not to minimize at all any damage or tragedy that may have come to others as a result of this storm, but I really don't mind that he's coming. If I'm stuck inside that means I can hunker down in my scrap room or snuggled on the couch with the present book I'm reading without feeling any guilt whatsoever. Sure, I could be cleaning or cooking, but why focus on little unpleasantries like that?

I'm at work and have another hour and twenty minutes to go... The wind is picking up and the radar indicates that the storm has entered south central PA and is headed directly for us. I hope I can get home before the torrents start. My tires tend to hydroplane.

I'm starting a new scrapping project. It's part two of a four part series. Part one = all about "me". I've already finished this book. It was quick and fun to think about all the journaling questions that were presented. Part two = all about "you" - meaning DH, of course. Except it's really set up to be done from my perspective and, to me, that's still about me and not Chris. So, I've changed it up alot, added a bunch of quizzes for Chris. It should be fun. The third part is about the boys/fam together and the last is the year in review. I appreciate the continuity of a kit and how the elements all work together. In this case, the placement of the page and journaling is all pre-suggested as well. So it's nice for a quick little project. But, I've also felt free to make it my own. I'll post a page or two in an upcoming blog. You can see the kit here.

I suppose I'd better get back to work. I'm looking forward to this three day weekend - rain or shine!