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This and That

Thursday night finds football playing in the background (YEAH! I have missed it!!!) and all quiet on Hathcock Drive. I had a good day at school, went by the thrift store (I went to get a blouse I had passed up the other day, and of course it was gone. For some reason I could not pay $5.99 at the thrift store, even though it was new with $40.00 tags on it- go figure my mentality- I did get a great pair of $1.25 dress pants that are the perfect length), came home and did a little bit of nothing, went to Weight Watchers (3.2 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!, bringing me to about 75, I think), went to the store, came home and with the help of a Sam's roasted chicken, steam-fresh veggies, and microwave mashed potatoes, had a great supper. That sums up today, in a nut shell. David spoke at Roebuck Parkway last night in their summer series. He had been scheduled for months, and we had no idea that last night Daniel and Mandi would be introduced to the congregation. Everyone had so many nice things to say- especially many that were on the search committee. One of the elders gave Mandi a copy of the new church directory and jokingly told her there would be a test on it next week. I don't think she will learn everyone by then. Daniel grew up at Maytown (Sylvan Springs), which is a relatively small congregation, and Mandi grew up at East Gadsden, which was I would guess at that time a mid-size congregation- so to go to 700 in attendance is going to be a big change for them. They will have their work cut out for them, but I think they can handle it. They are house-hunting, and house-selling, so they have much to do.
Addi and Levi have their first soccer practice tonight. We should get lots of laughs this year, for certain. Levi should provide lots of entertainment, and I imagine we will see Addi make a lot of improvement since this is her 3rd year to play (and she is just 5!).
Hannah is busy being busy. She is very entertaining, to say the least. Lila continues to grow and has found her "voice". It also appears that her quiet disposition may be a thing of the past. She seems to have little patience when she has to wait, and her red hair might come with a bit of a temper. She is funny when she is waiting on her bottle- she makes her hands into fists and gets all excited. She is a very good baby and I believe she will be walking soon.
I better go- the long weekend is just around the corner. It appears from the weather that we may be spared the current hurricane as it seems to have shifted west- tomorrow may be another story. I hate to take weather days this soon in the school year, but that is out of my control.
Have a great Friday.

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Happy Birthday, Hannah!

I am a day late, but I could not let Hannah's birthday pass without mentioning it and sharing some photos (I LOVE my new camera).

Hannah had a great birthday, with a house full of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends. She was the best 2 year old present opener I have ever seen. She even opened her cards and acted as if though she was reading them. She is very smart.

I am so proud of her. Her parents are doing a great job, and it shows.

I love you , Hannah, and never forget that fact!

Granna

Whewwww.......

Well, I hoped to post about a "normal" week, but for those who know me best (and have read David's blog at http://www.fromcalmtochaos.blogspot.com/) then you know about the goings on at our home. I will admit, I held it together, but it looked like a murder scene from a horror movie, and I am not a horror movie person. Thankfully David did not lay his head down on his desk and die, as Kent told him he might have done. From the moment my phone rang, before Kim said a word, I knew by her breathing that something was wrong. My first thought was that something had happened to one of the kids, and my heart was already in my throat. When she said "Dad", I had my keys in my hands. I don't guess it is any surprise to any of you, but I love that "Big Column of Pressure" (as the kind doctor referred to him), and he is my rock. I am glad to report he is doing well, but he has been pretty weak the past couple of days. He lost a lot of blood, more that I think the doctor even realized. It would be hard to measure, but it must have been at least a pint and a half or 2 pints. Every time something happens that ends us up at the ER, I always make the comment that you never know in the morning where your night will see you. David also made the comment that it seems that through the years we have never had "normal" things...and that is so true in hindsight. How many kids get an infection in their leg from "concrete" after taking a ride in their grandfather's new car up a telephone pole (with their 2 year old brother at the wheel), how many people get a virus that attacks the liver, or have AFLP (acute fatty liver in pregnancy), just to name a few of our "weird" and unusual illnesses. But, thanks to a great and loving God, David is on the golf course this morning (not playing, but helping with the camp tournament- he thought he could play, but the weakness gave him pause to reconsider!).
In great news, Daniel has been hired as the youth minister for the Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ. They plan to move to the Trussville area, which will put them an hour closer to us and in the same county! They have a house to sell, and much to do. I think he has one more week at his present job at DHR and 2 more Sundays at Glencoe. The job at Roebuck will be a big one- a large youth group numbering close to 100, I think. Their attendance is around 700 and there are 4 other ministers, I believe. They are an active church in an area of town that has seen decline in many ways. Pray for Daniel and Mandi as they take on this new position. Mandi will be able to continue teaching at Locust Fork, and her drive will be cut way down, so that is great news.
Have a great weekend- and watch out for purple veins!
Susan

"Twas the Day Before the New School Year

Tomorrow begins a new school year. Can it be? I can hear the pump on the swimming pool, so I know it is still summer. Fortunately my media center has excellent air conditioning!!!! I remember my mother telling me once that each September she would get that "back to school" feeling, even decades after she or any of her children were off to a new school year. Being in education, I not only have that feel, but I am there. The summer has been so busy, and my last two days of "freedom" have not exactly turned out to be "free". I fixed lunch for the kids at church yesterday (they are having Lads to Leaders "Boot Camp"), and then I had some errands to run and some "orchestrating" to get two meals prepared and delivered to families with deaths. Thanks to everyone- especially Katie, Kim, and Emily. They have really helped during this time. I am proud of them.
This morning David hit a new low!!! Yeah, David. Then it dawned on him that he needed to try on his suits to see if he had one that he could wear for the funeral on tomorrow. Mercy----we moved almost all of his suits to the "too big" closet. This is not a good situation for a minister. He has 2 new sports coats, but they are still a little small, so his options were limited. He did come up with a dark suit that will work, but I had to put the hem back in the pants. He is fixing to hit the place I hit a few weeks ago- a closet full of too big clothes. Not a bad problem.
The scales are moving in the right direction for me, as well- albeit very slow. I hope once school resumes that the special events will not be as frequent. I do well on normal days, so I am praying for normal days.
Last night was so nice. We floated in the pool, watched planes fly over, and just chilled out. Those nights are few and far between.
Well, I must go. The laundry calls. My goal of having a spotless house when I returned to work has now vanished into the reality that it ain't going to happen. Oh well, maybe some day.
Love to all!!!

Just a Short Update

I haven't had time to do much posting this week. It has been busy. We left Thursday to go to Lake Guntersville State Park. Just let me say- if you are needing a one night get-away- that is the place to go. The scenery and views are just too wonderful. The lodge is beautiful and all of the rooms are newly re-modeled. It costs about $100.00 a night, and the views are as pretty as any in the Gatlinburg area. I had to work a lot while there, but we had fun being together as a faculty. David truly enjoyed sitting on the deck with his camera, binoculars, and a cup of coffee.
On Saturday morning we left at 7 and drove to Glencoe. David had to speak 3 times at their back to school rally. It was well organized and there were about 100 in attendance. Then after the rally we went to Daniel and Mandi's and met their dog, Tipin. She is so sweet and well behaved. She is a golden retriever. Mandi had somewhere to be, so we went with Daniel and ate. I had a wonderful smoked chicken salad with a dying fly in it! I had eaten about 1/2 when I discovered him fighting for his life. They kindly removed the charge from the ticket. This is the second time in 2 weeks that I have had a fly in my salad. Oh well, it was good for the diet!
This morning the phone rang early and it was Jeannette Cagle telling us that Michelle Blankenship had over-dosed and died sometime around 3:00 a.m. Michelle's family attends church at Sylvan Springs, and Michelle came during certain periods of time. She was at church on Wednesday night, I believe. Sadly, the lure of drug addiction won the battle. The family has never tried to hide the fact that Michelle had problems, and they really wanted to help her. The family is making arrangements today. We went and spent some time with Pat and Casey. Their hearts are broken. As sad as it is to see someone in their early 30's lose their life this way, I hope maybe her death will be a wake up call for others. If you keep playing with rattlesnakes, eventually you will get bit. Pray for the family, they are going to need a lot of support. Drug addiction has been the cause of many untimely deaths. and this is one.
In other news, I got my Weight Watchers vouchers. I think I am going to wait and go back on next Monday after school starts back. I am still on the program, but since the next few days are going to be so busy and since school starts back for me on Wednesday, I think I will wait. I have missed a couple of weeks waiting on the vouchers, but I have stayed with the program for the most part. We were over-fed on the retreat, so I have a day or two to make up, but I am working on that.
I hope you all have a great week. Remember, I love you!