Last of the SSBS

Tonight was the last of the Siesta Summer Bible Study. We have all sorted out our thought closets and are ready for the next season. I feel like a cold hard winter is coming since I am going to be taking Anatomy and Physiology this semester. I am going to have to study, study and study so more! I am very grateful for the opportunity to go back to school but I think the road is starting the uphill climb toward the top. I have to keep my heart focused on God and mind focused on school so I don't slide off a cliff.

I will miss the fellowship with my siestas but I have stored up lots of good memories to carry me through until the next season. I loved our 6 hours sessions where we discussed our weekly studies and encouraged each other. The accountabilty keeps me straight and I so value that part of the fellowship. I don't need somebody to fluff me all the time but I need to be given an objective viewpoint which is what true friends do for each other.

Rod's turning 50

Happy 5oth Birthday!
Rodney was almost 19 when we first meet and he is more handsome then ever!
We had a cook-out at Lake Reece yesterday for his birthday. I think he was really surprised. Kelsey and I usually get together on Wednesday with my friends for dinner but he is always fishing so they just brought the party to him. We are so lucky to have such good friends.



Here is Rod with his "girlfriend" Mabel:

Camping Trip

We went on our annual camping trip this past weekend to Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee. It was a blast. At one time there was 15 people there. Leah and Kristen came up for a few days and it was so good to spend time with them. I miss them so much. They are growing up, correction they are grown up. I just hate to admit it.

We went tubing at Deep Creek which is where Rod and I found out we might just be getting old. I flipped out of my tube and hit my hard head on rocks and then Rod almost broke his leg trying to catch me. After that Leah had the great idea that next year maybe we should go tubing down a calm river with a cooler! Sounds good to me! Rod and Adrian went trout fishing and caught our supper one night. There is nothing better than fresh fish cooked outside beside a stream.

We took the girls to the casino for a big gambling trip. We each had $20 to blow so it didn't take us long to be out of there. I think we ended up coming out $12 ahead between the 4 of us. It was K's first trip and so I gave her $20 and she ended up winning $25,gave me back my money and then she stopped. I am glad to see that nobody has inherited the gambling gene.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

End of the Month Already?

End of the month already! There is so much going on that I can't keep up.
KK made it back from London and we were so glad to see her. Even though I don't see her everyday the thought of her being that far away was scary! She had lots of adventures to tell us and she has memories for a lifetime. She came back with red hair of all things.

Sunday Night

Kristen is off to London for 10 days!

I took her and Anna to the airport yesterday for their 2:45 pm flight and they landed there at 3:00 am our time. Anna has a global phone so she contacts her mom who then calls me. They are safely there.

I made it outside and into the jeep before the tears came. I cried all the way to a Krispy Kreme store where I drowned by sorrow in a chocolate covered, creme filled donut and a big glass of milk. I don't know why I felt the need for that sugary treat but it made me feel better. I think the boy taking my order thought I had the swine flu since I was sniffling, coughing and my eyes were red. He kept his gloves on the whole time and stood back as far as his arms would reach.

I don't see or hear from K everyday but just knowing that she is on the other side of the ocean is a lonesome feeling. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to guide her and give her wisdom to make good decisions. She ain't in NC any more! My country girl has hit the big time!

Leah has been traveling quite a bit in the last few years and I am very grateful everytime she gets back home. I am so proud of both of them but my hair is getting gray enough on it's on without the added stress.

Here are some pictures of my world traveler:

Kristen and Anna

Me and Kristen

Checking her bag one last time.

One last pic then I have to go Mom!

Have fun and be safe.

A Peaceful Goodbye

It has been the longest day! I got up early, showered, check the oil in my jeep and headed to the store to fill up before Julie and I took off for Virginia. All was going good until I got back in the jeep and click,click, click, oh no, it wouldn't start. There I was stuck and Julie was suppose to be at the house in 30 minutes and then we had to pick up Scott to get him there for the funeral. So I got on the phone, first, I called Julie, caught her just as she was leaving so she wheeled back in to get her other car then I called my hh who had left home at 4:00 am for a day of fishing with his friend. I knew he couldn't help but it just made me feel better to let him in on the fun. I then called our family mechanic, no answer! Then I noticed this man patiently waiting until I got off the phone to ask if I needed help. Heck yeah I needed help, I was losing time and had the gas pumps blocked. He came around to jump me off which I confused me at first since his battery is in the trunk of his car and after trying that for several minutes he declared that my battery was dead. I was insistent that it wasn't since the jeep had been sitting for two weeks and started right up this morning. He then proceeded to totally dismantle my battery cables and clean the posts and hook back up the cables. A miracle....it started up and ran fine. When I asked how much I owed him he just smiled and said"Just have a blessed day and praise the Lord" It turned out that he was the manager of the drug rehab camp that is one of my church's ministries. Now how is that for a God ordained meeting. I told him that we were going to celebrate the life of a fellow christian and that we would be praising the Lord all day.
I have to say that at first I was very reluctant to let on that I was home alone. Of course out walks a neighbor who keeps questioning me about the location of my husband, "Is he home", "no", "is he at work", "no", "is he fishing", "yes" "well then just call him because the lake is right across the road", "well he isn't fishing near here". I just wanted to shout, "If you aren't going to help then please shut up and leave"
We made the trip just fine and I am so grateful that we were able to go today. It was the most peaceful goodbye. The ceremony was in the outdoor chapel with a light breeze blowing and Daniel playing the fiddle. I can't imagine a more fitting tribute to a great man.
Julie and I were like the secret service, just following Elizabeth around, ready to step in if we saw the need. We really should have worn black suits with wrap around sunglasses and cords coming out of our ears. I pray for peace for the family as they grieve.

Cindi

I am laughing my butt off at my clever daughter's comment. I called her #1 daughter in the previous post because I didn't want to use first born or oldest. Of course she used it to one-up her sister. A ongoing struggle which is a waste of time. I love both of them equally! They are my favorite people in the world even if they do correct me on my herb knowledge. By the way bee balm is another name for Lemon Balm , Miss Smartie!!!

I am glad for a bit of comic relief since I have a heavy heart today for my dear friend, Elizabeth, who is dealing with the lost of her beloved brother-in law Hubert. He married her sister when Elizabeth was 3 years old and then when Elizabeth lost her father at age 6 Hubert was there to fill in the vacant spot.

I only met Hubert once at Elizabeth's mother's funeral but he made such an impression on me that I feel the lost too. I am so sad for Elizabeth's family because he was such an important part of all their lives, a special uncle to her boys, a good buddy to her husband, a wonderful husband to her sister, a father and a grandfather. He will be missed.
They were on vacation together when he fell sick and God ordained some precious memories that they will draw on in the years to come. He and Elizabeth attended church together on Sunday and that story is so awesome that it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.
Elizabeth made the comment that he was the picture of Jesus on earth, now how is that for a epitaph.
Julie and I are off the Virginia tomorrow for the memorial service. Keep us in your prayers as we travel.

Love to all
Cindi