A Combination of Cabin Fever & Spring Fever

"It may still be winter for the next 9 days or so, but it is not to early to be rejuvenated by the many sentiments of Spring. Spring is a time of growth, renewal, and new life being born. If tomorrow is another beautiful day like the past few days have been, be sure to 'stick your head out the window, first thing in the morning and let Spring kiss you..... bAnG right in the face'." [adapted from L. Hughes]
The changes in the weather of late, are sufficient enough to 'recreate' the world as we see it and to boost OR deflate our moods immediately. So, as Spring blows in, we need to keep our moods 'in check', whether there be sunshine OR rain and try a little understanding! I strive not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, or even hate them..... but, trying instead to understand them. However, UNDERSTANDING does not necessarily mean AGREEMENT! [anonymous] “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything splendid, even wonderful or exciting things happen..... just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls off a string. Simple meaning, things like putting away our worries and strife to focus on nothing, but the 'pearls' in our lives. This one act will boost our moods, no matter what is going on around us. God expects us to enjoy the GOOD times He sends our way..... like SPRINGTIME!” [unknown] Le-say le bon-ton rou-la!!!!!

Aly enjoyed the Pie/Cake Auction(2/28/10)...especially the meringue as you can see!
To ward off severe cases of Cabin-Fever, last Friday we enjoyed delicious Romano's Macaroni Grill Lasagna, at Mamaw S's with the Indy crew. Saturday, Greg, Aly and I had a terrific Spring-y day hitting the town..... Bouncer Town, Old Time Pottery, Pizza Hut and Wal Mart. Sunday, yet another good day, ending with a KMBC Choir Concert and meal following. So far, this week we've been going non-stop and are not likely to slow down much before Saturday! "It's Spring Fever. That's what the name of it is. When you've got it, you want..... oh, you don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! [Mark Twain]
It's almost Spring..... only a few days to go, do you know where your bloomers are? =)

March Winds...April Showers & May Flowers Not Far Behind

WOW!!! Is it really already the first week of MARCH??? Simply crazy! April showers and May flowers really are almost in sight, now! We're less than two weeks away from St. Patrick's Day, too!

Where do I begin??? Soon after my last blog post, Greg and I took Aly to Incredible Pizza Co. for supper one night, as a surprise for being extra special good that day and as usual, she had the time of her life! I'VE ADDED A PICTURE ABOVE... A COMPUTER-GENERATED PIECE OF ART THAT ALY 'DREW' HERSELF, THAT EVENING.
The weekend following Valentine's Day, we packed up and hit the road for a very short-lived 3-day, 2-night family get-away. We drove to Greg's parents home and enjoyed time with them and with Whitley, as well! While there, Mom Penn and I began a decorating project, which gave me the opportunity to do a little shopping on the Square and find a few really good 'deals'! This little project is going to take some time, with the miles that lie between us, but it is such fun! Speaking of which, I've since taken Aly on a couple of visits to Hobby Lobby, Old Time Pottery, etc. I must say she's taking to this early 'training' very well and already loves matching colors and things. Think I might just have a fellow-decorator, a kindred spirit so to speak, in her!

My L.N.O. group held their 2nd Annual Spa Night, on February 26th, at the home of friend, Paula Romans, and let me tell you what... This is the kind of event I could get used to! Lots of pampering, delicious food, many laughs and all with great friends!!! On the same note, while I was being attended to and relaxing with my friends, Greg and Aly headed out for supper at Chuck E. Cheese. They had quite a time themselves, with Aaron Bragg (our Spa Tech for the evening, America's, husband), and needless to say Aly thought she had the world by the tail, with those two tagging along behind her! I'VE ADDED A PICTURE OF ALY AND GREG AT CHUCK E.'S ABOVE. As you can tell, it was Daddy's hair night... He in a hat and she with quite an interesting 'doo', to boot! Good thing I didn't see them BEFORE they left the house!!!
Greg and I joined a Faith Builders group at Church and we had our first 'meet' on February 27th. It was a strategy meeting to set goals and decide what we wanted to see happen in the future, as a group and for starters, we chose Denny's as our late-supper choice, that night. LOL A fun evening with a 'new set' of friends and we look forward to our next event!

I'VE ADDED A PICTURE ABOVE OF GREG, ALY AND I, AS A ST. PATTY'S DAY 'GREETING' TO YOU ALL. Greg's mother, Sandy, just came through surgery with flying colors, on Monday and we are so proud of her! She seems to be doing fine, only a little pain, weak and sore, but that is to be expected. We are excited to see what her "new" future has in store for her... Way to go, Mom P.! We've been praying for you and will continue to do so! We've been sending many prayers up for other family members lately, as well. Those who are under entirely too much right now and need God to undertake! Our family also lost a close dear friend, Carol Jeanette, this week and though we'll miss her and her way of making us laugh, we know Heaven gained a very "SPECIAL" angel, when she arrived at the Pearly Gates! Look out, Papaw Smith, she's something else!!!
Trust everyone in Blogging-Land will have an exceptional week... Get out there and enjoy this beautiful sunshine and rest assured that Spring is about to show it's face FOR GOOD!!!

A Weekend of Valentine's

Lots and lots of snow made for a very romantic Valentine's weekend... however, not as romantic as waves crashing on the beach would have been! LOL Aly and I decided to have "Clash Day" for the first snow-day and when Greg returned home from work, he and Aly went out to play in the first major snow storm of her life and she had a ball! Greg and I were privileged to attend the Christan Couples Connection Valentine Dinner on Friday night and it was truly an enjoyable evening! Complete with an Italian theme, wonderful food and many many laughs! Saturday was our family Valentine's Day... we stayed all cozy and warm in our house, sipping coffee, relaxing and playing games with Aly, before going to Mamaw Who's, so Aly could share a little "love" with her! Being as Greg and I are considered 'on staff' at Church, we were invited to the "Prime Timer's" Valentine Party, on Sunday night. Now, those folks know what they're talking about when it has to do with FOOD... another fun evening for sure! On Sunday afternoon and later that night, we enjoyed watching and nibbling on my 'big' surprise from Greg, a Michael Buble' "LIVE" CD/DVD combo and Ghirardelli Chocolates!!! (I surprised him with a much sillier gift that we will not discuss at the moment! heehee) Late in the afternoon on Monday, Papaw came by to pick up Aly, which allowed Greg and I a chance for a 'romantic get-away'! Another blessing, was when Greg was able to arrive home almost two hours before his normal time home, giving us even more time together! (Thanks, Papaw, for your help with our Angel. You are THE best!) After five years of Valentine's and Anniversary's as man and wife, I asked Greg to choose a Steak House for HIM, instead of Italian and Mexican places for ME! He toyed with the idea of the exotic "Oceanaire" or "Bahama Breeze"... either of which would have served lovely steaks AND SEAFOOD! However, with yet another snowfall coming down, I told him he should keep the location close by home, instead of downtown or on the other side of town! So, we headed to "The Outback"! The meal was lovely, he enjoyed his steak and I, my seafood! We browsed Barnes & Noble and stopped by Starbucks before returning home....... all in all, a very romantic date night! Aly returned home a bit after 11 and we all played music until 'Mr. Sandman' got the best of us! Trust each of you had an enjoyable weekend with those you love, as well!!!

A Weekend of Valentine's

Winter Wonderland... A Bit Late in Coming!

SUPERBOWL WEEKEND

WOW! What a week! Some good and some bad! We've had many ups and downs this week. We've been and continue to carry heavy burdens for those we love. We have prayed and will continue to pray for these needs! Trusting and believing that ONLY God can answer such difficult tasks. He brought light into our lives this week in the form of a couple of announcements! CONGRATULATIONS are in order! To Whitley, for an outstanding GPA, she has been enrolled into the NATIONAL Honor Society! You go, girl! We are proud of you! Also, the word is official, Wesley will be stationed in S. Korea, following Tech School. We are so happy that he will be able to live out a life-time 'Korean' wish and pray daily for his safety. To Wes, Congrats, we love you so much! You know, when the world seems bleak, God knows just when to send these kind of blessings our way, doesn't He? HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD... SING WITH ME, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

We've had our first, what I would call, major snowstorm of the season and there's more on the way tonight!!! Too late if you ask me... As most of you know, I absolutely do NOT love snow!!! Which will be no surprise to most of you, however, IF it must come this is the way I'd love to see it happen.... On Christmas eve, in the late afternoon, it would begin to flurry just a bit. Temps would stay around 30 or so. Though the snow would not accumulate at all, it would continue to flurry lightly throughout the rest of the evening, into the night and all day Christmas day/night. Temps would remain in the upper 20's or lower 30's during these two days. However, two or three days following Christmas day, the temps would fall drastically into the single digits. A heavy accumulating snow would begin to fall and not let up until it reached a minimum of one foot, PLUS. This would cause EVERYTHING to be 'shut down' for a few days. Giving everyone time to relax, spend time with family, etc. AHH After 4 or 5 days of this, the temps would begin to rise gently into the mid-to-upper 40's and above, the snow would then melt and within the week, SPRING WOULD ARRIVE!!! Now, that's the way it ought to be!

If you've heard the name, Laura Silsby, head of New Life Children's Refuge, Boise, ID in the news lately. She's a part of a group who traveled to Haiti to retrieve children, bring them to America and give them new lives here. Her particular group is being wrongfully suspected of human trafficking and facing time in court and possible prison. Would you please say a special prayer for her, the rest of her group and their families here in the States? LAURA'S FAMILY ARE FRIENDS OF MY PARENTS AND ARE IN DIRE NEED OF YOUR PRAYERS AND MINE!

Well, we had a grand Super Bowl weekend!!!!! While living here in Indy, I've become a "True Blue"! However, last night, MY SOUTHERN BLOOD RAN DEEP! Born and bred in Louisiana and being proud of it, I felt compelled to cheer for the Saints! No matter the final outcome, it was a great game for all!!! Greg, Aly and I wore black and gold to church on Sunday morning, blue that night and black to the family party. I've been a bit neutral, verbally speaking, throughout the past few weeks due to feeling a sort of "double-minded" and would have been happy had either team won, however... after THAT win??? MY HEART'S FEELING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW! GEAUX SAINTS! (Nothing like a party for some great food, too!) For pre-bowl-fun on Saturday, we surprised Aly with a spur of the moment trip to "Incredible Pizza Co.", for supper and as you can tell (in the photo album above), she did indeed have an 'incredible' time!!!