Carolina Rags

Love staying busy

2011-11-18T21:44:00.004-05:00

I have been a busy, busy girl the past couple of weeks. My new webstore is going very well! Thanks to everyone who has ordered! I look forward to expanding my business! I love what I do!

I have also added Name Tape Bracelets to the website now. Check them out!

Look for some sales coming up on Black Friday!

New Website

2011-11-02T10:25:00.006-04:00

Grand Opening of my new web-store!
In honor of my new web-store I am offering a 10% off purchase.
Use coupon discount code GrandOpening when checking out. Sale ends 11/13/11 midnight!
Please let me know you thoughts.
I designed it myself and consider myself Master Webmaster now! Tough task for sure!
Happy Shopping!
Check out our newest design.
LowCountry Life

Happy Birthday to my Daddy

2011-08-31T21:47:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Daddy Goat! I love you too much.

"My name is Angie Graves and I am proud of it!"

New Updated Website

2011-08-31T21:43:00.002-04:00

I have just spent 2 days updating my website. I have added a Paypal link to each purse so you can pick and purchase the one you want. Check it out and let me know what you think!

BHS JV Softball- Wando Tourney

2011-03-06T11:23:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was an amazing day for my Jessica! The BHS JV Lady Eagles had a softball tournament in Charleston. Although they didn't win any games she played amazing! I am so proud of her! She hit a home run against Summerville and got the All Tournament Team plaque. I love you Jess and you continue to impress me everyday! xoxo

Jess playing short and Madison playing 3rd

The Home run hit

Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-03-01T23:16:00.004-05:00

That's what my life is right now, Busy!

Carolina Rags is pretty steady right now! I just ordered tons of new fabric and I am ready to make some new, pretty things. My favorite fabric I ordered looks like this...

I can't wait to make a diaper bag out of this. It's gonna be so sweet! Isn't this the greatest pattern?! I also ordered this one...

I thought it would make an adorable diaper bag for a boy...whatcha think?

Besides all of this going on, my girls are both playing softball for their schools. Jordan at BMS and Jess at BHS. Tomorrow Jess has a game in Bluffton, and of course we are going! I love this time of the year! Jackson had his baseball assessments last week, so here we go!

Ryan is still in Afghanistan and I miss him so much! He calls about every 2 weeks. I can't wait until he comes home, for 2 reasons. 1. I miss him and am ready for him to be home safe and sound! 2. I will be getting married to the love of my life and Ryan will be walking me down the aisle (or whatever)!

I guess pretty soon I will need to start planning our wedding! It's gonna be very simple with just family and close friends (which is probably about 150 ppl)! But it's gonna be very casual and laid back and I can't wait!!

So, until next time...Happy Spring y'all!

Kiddos

2011-01-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

All our kids together before Ryan left for Afghanistan

Military Purses

2010-08-26T20:40:00.007-04:00

$35

US Marine Corps Purse

Red or Black

Personalize

$35

US Marine Corps Camo Purse

$35

US Navy Purse

$35

US Air Force Wings Purse

$35

US Air Force Emblem Purse

Gamecock Purses

2010-08-26T20:28:00.005-04:00

Polka Dot Gamecock Purse $40

SC Purse $40

Gamecock Purse $40

Camo Palmetto Purses

2010-08-26T20:22:00.003-04:00

$35 Camo Orange Palmetto Purse

$35 Camo Pink Palmetto Purse

(will ship anywhere in US 1 purse $5.00 and 2 for $8.00)

Brown and Pink Paisley Palmetto Purse

2010-08-26T20:17:00.002-04:00

$35 and will ship anywhere in the US

($5.00 shipping)

Black and White Paisley Palmetto

2010-08-26T20:13:00.002-04:00

$35 and will ship anywhere in the US

($5.00 shipping)

Where I Am From....

2010-01-21T10:27:00.003-05:00

I wrote this several years ago and just came across it again and I wanted to share it. Hope you enjoy it!

I am from a peaceful, small lowcountry river town; from shrimp and grits
and ketchup breakfasts.

I am from a small home with a large family, dirt roads and barefeet, kick the can under the street light, three wheelin' down the deep hole, gas in the ear.

I am from trawlers and baby goats and Rainbow Brite and Rick Springfield posters; from Brownie uniforms and Halloween carnivals taking 1st place dressed as a 2 headed person with my best friend Marci.

I am from Sunday morning church, big deep dimples and pear trees;
from old weathered Bibles of those gone ahead and trips with my MaMa
to visit my cousins.

From Little Miss Sunbeam, Happy Rain and Romper Room...I see___; from Wizard of Oz coming on TV once a year and snuggling up in my PJ's to watch with the rest of my family.

I am from Southern Baptists and organists; from ordained pastors and pot-luck dinners every week.

I'm from Graves and the land of cotton, Dixieland, peach cobbler and shrimp and gravy.

From the World War II veteran with lots of stories to tell; and the candy man in the big red van with lots of candy to share.

I am from beaches and lighthouses, treehouses and zip glides; from docks and crab pots, marshes and oyster beds.

I am from God, I am a child of His.

My beautiful children

2010-01-17T10:46:00.000-05:00

The Graves Clan

2010-01-14T21:22:00.002-05:00

Southern Savers

2009-11-20T20:31:00.003-05:00

I have started extreme couponing over the past couple on months. Today I went to Bi Lo and spent $71 and saved $134. How awesome is that? Tomorrow morning after I drop the kids off at choir practice, I will head over to Publix and see what I can do there. I don't have too much to get at Publix, only a few things that I just can't pass up! It amazes me that more people don't use coupons. AND, it amazes me that certain people get sooo aggravated with people who do use them. Oh well, I try to go when it isn't very busy, so as not to disturb other people.

So, this is the blog I go to to get all my secret deals! Shhhh, don't tell anyone else!

Fall Festival...come shop

2009-11-14T00:16:00.003-05:00

Oh, do I love the fall weather! Which also means that it's time for fall festivals. Which means guess where I will be tomorning? Shell Point Elementary School...so come by and visit! Perfect time to get started with your Christmas shopping!

Happy Veterans Day

2009-11-11T20:31:00.001-05:00

Parris Island Marine Corps Band

2009-11-10T18:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

2009-11-10T18:37:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Pvt J. R. Albridge

I am so incredibly proud of you!

Crucible Journal (Part 10)

2009-10-31T10:56:00.000-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

SUNDAY - Parris Island - LIBERTY SUNDAY

Dear Journal,

0500. Got up and dressed. Morning chow was good. After we went out on the Parade Deck so the Drill Master could mark the deck with chalk for our Graduation Ceremony. We were all talking about our families yesterday and who was coming up on Thursday. Today we were trading "My Mom on Thursday" stories…"My Mom is gonna cry and hug me for about 30 minutes! ….. "My Mom is gonna run everyone over when we are dismissed." and "My Mom is gonna already be standing at attention next to me!!"

We had noon chow, then started cleaning up the squadbay and our weapons. We have to turn them in on Tuesday. Since we are now Marines, the Drill Instructors treat us like we are FMF (Fleet Marine Force). They expect us to act responsibly and act like Marines (in accordance with all the things they taught us). It is a much nicer atmosphere.

The rest of our short week will be just getting processed for final orders. Monday through Wednesday, everything we do is in preparation for Family Day and Graduation!!

Now that I finished Crucible, the anticipation of seeing my family is growing. I keep asking myself, "How could it have gone by so fast?" And before, it seemed as if this day would never get here!!

…Praise to you Lord for bringing me through this, and I ask that you bring my family safely to me…

The rest of the day we had Liberty, so we basically chilled and hung out most of the day. We got to shop if we wanted. Our DI's told us we had to buy something. They are so cool. I bought a watch because today is the first day I can wear one!

Well, I have to go now…....I'm next in line to make an important phone call!!!"

This is the Last Journal Entry. Thanks to Peggy pginbr Delta Co Marine Mom

Author

Crucible Journal (Part 9)

2009-10-31T10:53:00.000-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Where's My Warrior's Breakfast?

Dear Journal,

We went down to the Warrior's Breakfast. It was a steak and eggs all you can eat feast! My first time through the line, I got steak, eggs with ham & cheese, hashbrowns, biscuit, toast, waffle, orange juice, milk, cereal, a banana, and a cinnamon roll. After eating all that, I went back through the line and got more eggs, French Toast, a bagel, another biscuit, another banana, and a Mountain Dew! We ate so much that our stomach's hurt. The coolest part was we could talk to each other and eat. We could never talk during chow.

Later we stepped out for our barracks at 1000. We spent the rest of the day doing gear inventory, cleaning our weapons, cleaning the squadbay, and packing our seabags for home!! We didn't eat noon chow today…no room! But, the evening chow was awesome…and…we got to strut our stuff around some!! It is good not to have to say "This Recruit…" before every sentence. We can also now call the Drill Instructors "Sergeant" instead of "Sir."

This is a day I will never forget. I wish I could stay awake, but I am so tired…I just want to sleep.

I'll finish up tomorrow…."

Crucible Journal (part 8)

2009-10-31T10:52:00.000-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

SATURDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE

Dear Journal,

0300. Before we stepped out to conquer our final hump back to the Base, the First Sergeant briefly reviewed the EGA ceremony with the whole Company. At 0330 we stepped out to take on our last challenge… our last obstacle as United States Marine Corps Recruits! The hump back is a good 10-miles long and was NOT easy!! We all limped along with our feet sore to the core. My blisters kept bleeding through my bandages and socks. I changed socks 6 times! The pain was irrelevant now… we continued on, because no one wanted to be dropped this close to the end. We have no watches so we don't really know how long we've been humping. The DI's have been amazingly supportive this morning. They started telling us "That's already two miles down. Not long now men." But I know that was not two whole miles...maybe a little over one at the most. They just want to keep our spirits up.

We stopped for a foot check at the base of the Ceculas Climbing Wall. Since we had not completed this obstacle, it was added to our final hump. We took a few moments to rebandage and regroup. I keep repeating to myself, "You're almost done!" Then, one by one we climbed up and over the wall, falling to the other side as gently on our sore tender feet as possible. Right foot…Left foot…Climb, Climb, Pull, Pull…holding on with all our might to get over. NO WAY any of us wasn't going over that wall!! 'Cause on the other side was our reward. We were almost home! The closer and higher we got to the top, the more it motivated us! When we fell to the other side…we were amazingly energized! One-by-one we fell over and over the top of that huge wall until we were all together.

I watched the last of my platoon go over the wall thinking, "Have I really earned this? Have I worked hard enough? Do I deserve it? Am I ready to be a UNITED STATES MARINE?"

"Not far to go now men…just a couple more miles." The DI's have been saying that for over 4 miles now. I don't think about it anymore, 'cause I am almost to my dream. When the sun was rising we reached the DI Bridge. Once we were across, the DI's started Jody calls and we all joined in! As we got closer to the main base, the Jody calls got louder and louder!! Then, I looked up and what do you think I saw?? The trail back was lined with flags! Our State Flags!! As I passed all the different State Flags, I grew more and more eager to see my………...THERE IT IS!!!! My HOME STATE FLAG! I never felt more proud to see that flag!! And right then, the loyalty of all the folks back home overwhelmed me. I was shaking. I couldn't wait to get to the Parade Deck and hold that pin in my hand!

We proceeded down past the flags, toward the Parade Deck. We put our gear down and formed up around the Iwo Jima Memorial. The Color Guard raised the flag on the memorial. The Chaplain read a prayer specifically written for the finish of the Crucible. It was beautiful. The Company First Sergeant called the Company to attention. After that we were brought to Present Arms (salute) and the National Anthem was played. My heart was pounding out of my chest, so I didn't hear one word until…

"o'er the land of the free…………………
and the HOME……………………………….
of the …………………………………BRAVE!!!!!"

After the National Anthem, the First Sergeant turned us over to our Senior Drill Instructor to carry out the plan of the day. With tears of pride and joy streaming down our faces, we heard the Marine Corp Hymn being played over the loudspeaker…

"From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;"

I tried to mouth the words but just couldn't.

"We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;"

From the corner of my eye, I saw the DI's on my row.

"First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;"

…I'll never forget when my Drill Instructor stepped in front of me, congratulated me, handed me my emblem, and shook my hand. I will never forget holding that tiny pin that symbolized huge honor. Most of all… I will never forget when he patted me on the shoulder and said… "Congratulations, "MARINE."

"We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine."

Crucible Journal (part 7)

2009-10-31T10:50:00.000-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

FRIDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE continued

At about 1800 we arrived back at our huts for the Night Infiltration Course. I can't even think of how to explain this, so to quote my Mom, all I can say is… "Oh…My…GOD!" This was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life! It is the last obstacle of the day and is a 5-mile night hump! The DI's said it was 5 miles but I know it was way more. There was no time limit and everyone had to complete it even if it took all night! One of the Crucible Instructors told us that Lima Company was out here until after midnight.

Anyway, I bandaged my feet as best I could. I kept thinking that last night's hump was only 2.5 miles, and since this one is twice as long…I have to make it work. I am NOT going back now. With only my thoughts to motivate me, I put on my boots and was ready for the course.

I wanted the leads to slow down the pace. My feet are now shot! All the care I took, the moleskins, the tinactin, thorlo socks…I still got blisters! A few have popped and are sore. No scabs yet because my feet stay wet. How I had the strength for this hump is beyond me? Lord, someone must be praying for me back home, because I don't even remember the prayer we said last night. I did dream I think, but I can't remember what it was.

And just so you know, this wasn't even close to last night's hump! We were under siege!! There were rounds being fired at us, bombs going off around us, (simulated of course) but the sounds and all the smoke shocked us never the less. At boot camp I got used to going to bed at 1900 hours. So, here it was after 1800 and we are just into a 5 mile hump! About half-way through it got to a point where I didn't feel the pain. I was running on pure determination. We are all very sore and close to starving now. The sleep deprivation is really getting to us. I don't know how long the hump took us, but we flew through it 'cause most of us didn't want miss any of our 4 hours of sleep!

When we got back to the huts after the Night Infiltration Course, we hygiened, prepped our packs for the next day, and ate the last of our MRE's (if there was any left!) During the day this is what I ate: Late morning I had my Mexican Rice. Then, just before we started the Night Infiltration Course I ate my Tuna with Noodles and my applesauce pak. When we got back to the huts, I finished off the last of my MRE's with the BBQ Pork & Rice and my mixed fruit pouch.

Tonight we hit the rack earlier because we wake up an hour earlier. Oh, I remember the dream now…I was lost and walking around in the dark with my cammies on, carrying all my gear. I kept asking people where my street was. Finally someone showed me. And all I remember is that when I walked up to my house it was completely dark except for one light in my bedroom window.

Tomorrow is the real test. We hit the rack at 2300 with a lot on our minds…

Crucible Journal (Part 6)

2009-10-30T00:31:00.002-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Friday

Dear Journal,

Back again… In case you've been wondering, there are portable toilets set up for us to use around the Crucible site. Earlier, we tied the door shut when one of the guys went in! Funny stuff! For another guy, who was in there WAY TOO LONG (we think he was sleeping), we started beating on the thing and rocking the thing back and forth and front to back to scare him and make him fall off the seat! He flung the door open and with the biggest eyes I've ever seen he goes, "Wha…wha…what happened?" We were all rolling! The DI's just laughed at us. That was so fun. And it was good to share a laugh with those guys after all they've put us through.

To pass the time, we try to guess who has honor platoon. Before we left, they told us the top scoring platoon for Final Drill, but nothing else. So we have all been speculating on who is second, third and so on. But, we know it is our total scores for everything that counts in figuring honor platoon…including crucible. Four other guys and I have a little side bet going on who wins. The bet is one cracker package each. Winner takes all!

We had another 10 or so obstacles that we had to get through by the afternoon! The first one was called Jenkins Pinnacle. We had to break up in 8 teams and cross over these suspended logs tied with cable…with all our gear…carrying additional supplies…and we were timed! The next obstacle was Basilone's Challenge where we had to climb two-by-two over an 8 foot log.

We also finished up the last stations of the Leader Course. In teams of six we strapped 2 long wooden boards to our feet and had to walk together over a "mine field." The walking part was easy, it was getting all six of us strapped in those things that took up the most time. It's funny how the foot pain comes and goes. Believe me every part of my body hurts, but when I am focused on a task the pain seems to go to the back of my mind. Maybe we don't feel it anymore because we are losing our minds with no food and little sleep!

We had another foot check before the next hump to the next station. Just as I thought my blisters are worse. I know they are going to pop any second. I heard one guy scream last night when the medic poured peroxide on his popped blisters. While I was sitting there, I took off my cover (hat) for just a second for some comfort. It is what kept me going each day through boot camp, and this is the first time I had to do it on crucible. It is not the physical comfort of removing the cover from my head, but what I have tucked inside. See, I have a picture of my family back home pressed inside, and they are counting on me to get through this. Even the dog is in this one!

More later…"

Crucible Journal (Part 5)

2009-10-29T20:15:00.002-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

Dear Journal,

FRIDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE:

Got up at 0400. Each platoon's daily schedule is different. 1104 and 1105 may be scheduled for an obstacle that 1106 and 1108 completed yesterday, and 1109 and 1110 may be on their way from re-supply to take the same challenge. With 500 guys out here, there is no way for us to do obstacles at the same time. So last night after Prayer and the Marine Hymn, we talked to each other quietly about the other obstacles we saw. I should have slept more.

We stepped out for our first challenge of the day. The first Station was a good 3-mile hump from our huts. The obstacle was a tire suspended 4' with the side painted red. All members of our squad had to go through the tire without touching the red. We did all make it, but it was hard. The tire was swinging and spinning…guess that was the challenge. After we finished up there, we moved over to the Bayonet Assault Course. This course is exactly the same as the one at the Base. Lots of hooking and jabbing here! Kind of fun actually. But we are all run down.

From there we went to the Day Infiltration Course. We had 25 minutes to go through the whole course dragging with us a real team member (casualty), 2 large ammo cans, 2 small ammo cans, and 2 water jugs… filled with concrete!! God, I wanted to be the one being dragged! But, another Recruit had pulled a muscle, so we took turns pulling him. We are all filthy and covered in dirt now. We stopped for a sock change and foot check. My blisters are filling with fluid now. I put a double layer of moleskin on but it comes right off when my socks get wet.

Then we humped over to the Day Movement Course. And believe me, they don't call it "Movement" for nothing! This course had booby traps all over! And if we tripped them, that team member became a casualty. The more traps we tripped during the course, the more difficult it became because we had to pull the casualties along with all our gear. We are so tired and hungry and sore and aggravated. We are over halfway through. I'll write more later…

Crucible Journal (part 4)

2009-10-29T09:04:00.002-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

THURSDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE continued

Dear Journal,

One of the Warrior Station obstacles is built around an enemy-mined rope bridge called the "Two Line Bridge." It is just two very long ropes, basically, that wobbles…and impossible to cross when two are on it. So, as a team we determined it was best to cross it one by one. But we are timed…so we had to move quickly. We had to cross with all our gear on, carrying those heavy ammunition boxes! When we were finally forging on and were well on our way, we lost one of the guys.

"If one fails …We all fail."

So, I was the last person on the bridge and I just couldn't leave him there. He was either going to have to start over from the beginning of the rope, or I could help him. So, I let go of the rope with one hand and kept a good strong grip with my other. I extended my hand out towards my fellow Recruit. He grabbed my arm and I pulled with all my might to get his hand back up to the rope. "Lord, I can't pull any harder. I know I'm going to drop him. Please give me strength." And, just when I thought the rest of the team had moved on ahead of us….through my clinched eyes I heard rounds of "Come on Man!… You've got him!… Pull- Pull!… You're almost there!" My team had come back to encourage me! And then…somehow…he was safely holding on to the rope. Everyone was shoulder bumping me after. It felt like this was real-life! Like I really did save someone…Wait! I really did!! My Crucible Leader said, "You did, you saved a Recruit from failing this. Well done!" I tell you NOTHING feels like this. No matter what you do to make yourself happy, new cars, watching a game, hunting… none of what you do for yourself compares to the feeling of helping another human being! NOTHING! Maybe, I CAN do this after all! I WANT to do this!! Man, I know Mom and Dad would be so proud of me! I wonder what they are doing right now?

At another Station called Cpl. Day's Defense, we had to run into firing positions and engage pop-up targets in and around a building with 10-rounds in two magazines. We only had about a minute to fire. That was cool! If I wasn't so tired, I would have wanted to stay there all day! Afterwards, we humped back to the huts and chilled until 2100. At 2100 we stepped out for a re-supply hump. Each squad had to carry 2 large ammo cans and 4 small ammo cans …again filled with concrete for 2.5 miles! I could not believe this! After all we had done today they "told" us that our huts had been stripped so we had to re-supply. That was the last obstacle for the day. So we humped back to the supply station. We are getting grouchy now and short with each other. It was so dark and we couldn't see 2 feet in front of us. The DI's said the last 2 companies did this run in 2.25 and 2.3 hours. I don't know our time yet, but I know we did it in better than 2.0 hours!

I guess you are wondering how I am doing with my 2.5 MRE's! Well, we are responsible for rationing them out ourselves. So, today I ate 2 of my 3 cracker packages with peanut butter and grape jelly. I also ate my peanuts, pound cake, and beverage powder. The beverage powder is like PowerAde. We just had to pour it in our mouth and swish it around inside our mouth with some water. We couldn't put anything into our canteens but water. We also have 2 coffee packets…same deal…pour in mouth…swish with canteen water. My plan was to eat as light as possible today, saving the most of the MRE's for tomorrow. I just made sure I hydrated a lot.

When we got back, we had to sit and wait for 0000 (midnight) to come around… before they would let us go to sleep! I held my eyes open somehow, but inside I was already sleeping.

More tomorrow…"

Crucible Journal (part 3)

2009-10-29T09:03:00.004-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

THURSDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE continued

Dear Journal, Let's see. I think left off with Pugil Sticks. Each recruit had to compete in 3 consecutive matches. Each round was quick and vicious. We already had 3 matches in Phase II, so we were all talking trash and comparing scores and saying things like…"Dude, I'm 3-0 for Crucible and 6-0 overall!"

After Pugil Sticks we humped back out to where we started this morning. We completed 4 more obstacles: The "Stairway to Heaven" which is a ladder 50' high with rungs 4-5 feet apart! We had to lug 2 ammo cans over it. The "Skyscraper" which is way bigger than the one at Base. The obstacle, there was a wounded Marine at the top of a tower. We had to retrieve him as a team. I guess it started to sink in that…you know that could be me! Do I really want to do this? But as I looked around and followed my team up that tower, I thought, all these guys would do this for me in a heartbeat. I realized that there was probably NOTHING I wouldn't do for them. It kind of energized me.

The "Weaver" was next. This was kind of challenging. We had to climb over logs with ammo and water cans. I am so tired. I have no idea what time it is. And finally we went to the Rope Bridge. Sounds easy…maybe even fun huh? Yea RIGHT! For each of these obstacles we were required to also carry heavy objects… through them, up them, under them or over them… like ammo cans and water jugs all filled with concrete to make them heavier!

Oh, I forgot to mention this important fact, each obstacle station is named for a Marine Hero. At each station, our Crucible Leader made a Recruit read a brief explanation of how the Hero's actions exemplify the Corps and its values. It was my favorite part. The DI's also choose a different leader for each obstacle. That way, we all got to understand what it's like to be a leader, and what your responsibilities are as a follower.I am getting very hungry now.

More later…"

Crucible Journal (part 2)

2009-10-29T08:59:00.003-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

THURSDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - CRUCIBLE:

Dear Journal, Up at 0200, staged and ready to roll at 0215. After having to wait for a while, we proceeded to the Parade Deck where we broke up into our squads and humped 6 miles out to Page Airfield (the Crucible site) for our first set of obstacles. Our gear is heavy, but we are in good spirits. Each Platoon has different Drill Instructors for Crucible Leaders. Another Drill Instructor followed behind us in a safety vehicle. We humped to the first Warrior Station and waited until 0600.

Each obstacle is set up at a Warrior station. On our first obstacle the scenario was that our HUMVEE had run out of fuel while carrying supplies. While we were headed back to Motor-T to get fuel, we came across a bridge that had been partially destroyed by the enemy. Our obstacle was to carry (3) 55 gal. drums across a cable from one platform to another. The drums had to remain upright and there are 3 red stripes on the cables 3' long. If you or your equipment (drums) touch the stripes… you are dead and your equipment is lost! It was hard because we were looking to the Crucible Leader to tell us how to get across, but he told us we had to figure it out ourselves. It was just out of habit, because for the last 11 weeks we hadn't made a move without asking permission. It made us feel proud when we made sound decisions and executed a successful plan!

Another station was called the Enhanced Obstacle Course, where we had to maneuver though while carrying a dummy (casualty) and heavy ammo cans. We had to get the casualty and ammo cans over each obstacle, as well! Then there was another station in which we went from tire swing to tire swing (6 swings total) and at each end was a platform. Touch the deck instead of the platform and you're dead! Another obstacle was a 12' pole and we had to get a tire around it and lower it all the way to the deck. We cheered when the first recruit finally hooked the pole and the tire went down! We thought man, this is going to be fun…like throwing rings over the bottles at a fair!! Then the Crucible Leader said we had to take the tire back off too!!! You can imagine the smiles fell right off our faces. Afterwards, we were told we would be starting the Team Shoot and Pugil Sticks shortly.

I will update as soon as I can…"

Crucible Journal (part 1)

2009-10-29T08:50:00.004-04:00

The following is a portion of a journal a recruit kept while at bootcamp on Parris Island as he embarked on the Crucible and became a United States Marine.

WEDNESDAY - Parris Island Boot Camp - Final Drill

Dear Journal,

This morning we had a PT run. The morning run was fun. The Drill Instructor would slow us down into a "Marine Corps Shuffle" until we were a good 50 yds behind the squad in front. Then we would start speeding up until we were sprinting. When we started to speed up we would be whispering "sneak attack, sneak attack" over and over. As we got closer we would get louder until we were 10 yards back and sounding off. Then we would go into the shuffle again. Good times! Then we were broken up into our Crucible squads for some important information..
I can't believe, Final Inspection, Final PFT and the Final Written Test are finally over! We even got to go to the PX to buy our shooting badges and any other items we needed. After we got back we put them on our Alpha Blouse. Those badges look "tight." They were $10 bucks a piece, but worth it!

We had JOB prep this morning (in case you have forgotten, JOB is 'junk on a bunk'.) It is inventory and gear serviceability. We set up our field gear on our racks and then cleaned the squadbay. Each item had certain requirements and had to be in a certain spot on the rack. Some even had to have a piece of tape cut to a certain length with our name on it. The shelter half and poncho both had to be folded 12" X 12". Our wet weather tops and bottoms as well as our woolly "P" bag had to be rolled up 6" wide. Our gear was checked for accountability and serviceability while we were at noon chow.

*We spent all afternoon at the Final Drill Competition! Afterwards, I realized the Crucible is RIGHT THERE waiting for us to fail!! 54 hours, 40 some miles, 2.5 MRE's, and only 8 total hours of sleep (at the absolute most), ending with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony…if we are worthy…

After evening chow we started to set up our packs for the Crucible. The scribes and whiskey locker are supposed to start packing their gear as well. When we leave tomorrow after the 0200 wake-up call, we won't come back to the squadbay until Saturday morning. The rest of the time today we spent on Crucible prep and house cleaning. Crucible prep included field stripping our MRE's, (meaning all condiment packets, sides, certain sweets etc. are pulled out!) and last detail packing, LBV prep, etc. We also ironed a decal on our Drill Cammies for when we get back on Saturday. The decal is the EGA ironed onto our left breast pocket! Man, I can't believe I have to iron this on…what if I don't make it?We then packed our seabags, marked and lubed our weapons, and hit the rack at 2000 knowing we would be awakened at 0200 for the Crucible. How am I going to sleep? I NEED to sleep. Please God let me sleep. Mom, are you praying for me too? I am almost there. Don't give up on me now. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I pray for the Lord's guidance through all this! Gonna try to sleep now.

More tomorrow.…"

For My Son

2009-10-27T22:26:00.005-04:00

I held you close when you were just a baby,

I snuggled tight, and thought just maybe,
How could I now live up to the honor
Of being your one and only mother.

I tossed the ball around with you,
We did whatever we wanted to do.
I played with bugs and slimy creatures.
I even had to deal with all your teachers.

I prayed for you from day one,
My sweet and precious little son.
And now you are on that journey away from me,
Trying to find your destiny.

As your mother, it is hard to let go,
How to wait and let you grow.
And now as the dawn draws near,
Your time to shine is finally here.

I am now bursting with pride,
As I sit and pray with all I have inside.
I know that you will succeed,
Just like the ones that you may someday lead.

When I sang those sweet lullabys in your ear,
I never thought the time would be here.
And as I kissed your tender head I never dreamed,
That I had kissed the forehead of a United States Marine.

I love you Ry-guy!

It's a small world after all....

2009-10-23T21:25:00.004-04:00

I truly now believe that it's definitely a small world. Lots of Ryan's letters have mentioned a particular recruit as being his best friend at boot. Well, I am now friends with his friend's girlfriend on Facebook. I kinda happened by accident. But Ryan and Dillion are going to be so shocked when they see us all together at the Final Drill next Wednesday. I also invited them over for our welcome home luncheon after graduation. Hopefully they will get to stop by.

Also realized today that Fox Company's Recruits are the senior recruits on PI as of today! No graduation next Friday, the next graduation on PI will be my Ryan's graduation. Woo Hoo! I am really getting very excited, can you tell? Also found out today that I may be able to go over next Sunday, which is Liberty Sunday, and hang out with him! I am trying to verify that now to be sure that I don't get him in trouble! I am just ready to hug my Marine Son!

Carolina vs Clemson

2009-10-18T19:42:00.002-04:00

I had to break down and make the Clemson purse, but you know I LoVe my Carolina Gamecocks bestest! Go Cocks! Go here to get you one!

Chilly Saturday in the South

2009-10-17T16:38:00.000-04:00

Chilly, brisk day here in the south....got the windows up and airing out the house. I just love feel of fall in the air. I have the embroidery machine going and lots of fabric cut and ready to sew together. I get so crazy with ideas in my head that I get so overwhelmed. So, I am trying to focus on the task at hand. So, right now I need to get my new designs done and pictures taken and put up on the website TODAY! I need to get more USMC designs done to take over to PI this week before Family Day on Thursday. They seem to be doing very well over there. They have them in the Visitor's Center and at the Engraving Shop (formerly the Cobbler's Shop). I am very excited about everything going on right now!

Not to mention that in 20 more days I will get to bring my Marine son home for a few days...maybe even 40 days as he may be getting Recruiter's Assistant for 30 days. That would be so awesome. Then he would be here for Thanksgiving and his birthday and maybe Christmas. Oooo, won't that be great?! I am so incredibly proud of Ryan, I just can't say it enough. So, get used to hearing it!

Production Progress

2009-10-14T22:25:00.007-04:00

Working hard tonight to get some of the newest designs completed so I can add them to the re-vamped website. I am trying a new "production assembly line" tonight to see if I can push more out in a shorter amount of time. The biggest thing is when I get side-tracked and have to sweep the floors or wipe the counters (again) or check Facebook. I am not real good at focusing on the task at hand. But I am getting better...I am working very hard to improve. :)

My real job at Beaufort Rentals is going good too. We moved to a new office this past weekend and have been busy setting up and taking care of business. I just love working there. (On the slower days though I wish I had my fabrics there so I could cut them while I am idle.) I hate being idle!

3 weeks from tomorrow I will get to hug my new Marine son. I am so incredibly proud of him and can't wait to get my arms around him! 2 weeks from today I will get to go over to Parris Island to see him and his platoon in the Final Drill competition. His platoon won Initial Drill and they won on the Rifle Range, so if they win the Final Drill then they will be Honor Platoon! Ooh-Rah! He is very confident that they are going to "rock it out". I am excited that I get to be there to witness it, to see my boy do what he does!

Busted!

This was after they found out they won Initial Drill. Boy, I have missed that look!

I know he really wanted to blow me a kiss but....

Carolina Rags Website

2009-10-13T22:19:00.005-04:00

Well, finally, it's about time! It has taken me 4 days and a couple sleepless nights but here it is....my Carolina Rags website is back up and running! I have been pretty busy the past couple of weeks with a new line of purses and really thought that now was a good time to get this booger back up.

On another note, 23 more days until Ryan graduates a United States Marine. Then found out for sure yesterday that Jackson's class is going to take a field trip to the graduation on November 6th. I talked to Ryan about it and he is very excited about it. He said that he talked to some of his buddies and they all are going to take a picture with Jackson's class. Then he said that he is going to wear his uniform and to go visit Jackson's class the following week and talk to their class about the Marine Corps. Ryan is so pumped up right now...I just love it! I have never seen (actually read) him so excited about anything like he is about the Marine Corps! I continue to pray for him and all of the recruits everyday, especially during this very tough Phase 3. But did I tell you 23 more days, oh, ok, I guess I did...sorry!

Jessica's volleyball season is coming to a close. The have only lost 3 games this season. They are going to hosting the playoffs at Beaufort Middle next week! I am so proud of all of those Lady Gryphons! They have done a phenomenal job this year, not to mention that they have an awesome coach who loves all of those girls like her own!

Jackson continues to do very to well in school this year. His teacher says he is a pleasure to teach! Wow! She also said that he is very good in Math. That's my boy!

Jordan is doing very well in school too. I did blow her away today when I took her Algebra homework and completed one of the problems. She checked it and looked at me and said Whoa, Mom, good job!" I like impressing my kiddos, gotta let 'em know I am not only a fun Mom, but a smart one. Woot Woot!

Life just gets so busy...

2009-09-27T21:49:00.003-04:00

So, here it is almost October. Fall is here, hopefully the cool weather will follow soon. Beaufort Middle School volleyball is off and running at full throttle now. They are all doing so good. I have only missed 1 game and that was because it was in Hilton Head and Jackson was sick. I just love watching those girls play....especially my girl, Jess.

Jackson is doing so well in school. He loves his teacher. She is very enthusiastic and he really gets into that! I am just glad that he is doing better this year than the past few weeks. I reckon he just needed some stability at school.

Jordan is my big bad 6th grader...of course she is not bad though. She is my sweet sweet angel! She seems to be adjusting very well to middle school.

And Ryan, he is about half way through boot camp. I actually went over there a couple weeks ago and watched Foxtrot Company compete in there Initial Drill. And yay, Platoon 2072 (Ryan's) won the drill competition. I got some amazing pictures of him and all of the other platoons in his Co. I was just so thankful to be able to see that my boy has indeed turned into a man. He was so incredibly handsome.

Well, this is all for now. All is well in this family!

Flip Flop Weekend Getaway 2009

2009-09-04T01:47:00.001-04:00

Could it be?

2009-08-25T22:49:00.003-04:00

I found these pictures on the PI message board and I think that that is Ryan hiding behind the tree. What do you think? I'm pretty sure that is his SDI!

Rainbows

2009-08-23T11:18:00.012-04:00

So last night when Tony and I were headed home from our yummy dinner out at Mizu's, we saw a double rainbow. So we went straight to The Sands to get some pictures. When we got to The Sands we saw that it was ending right at Parris Island. I wish I could have gotten a shot of the whole entire thing but it was TOO big! It was so beautiful!

It reminded me of God's promises. It again gave me great comfort to know that He will protect my boy according to His will.

That is Parris Island!

Parris Island from The Sands in Port Royal

We just thought this was cool...kinda looks like mountains in Beaufort!

Photos of Ryan's Platoon on Thursday 8/20/09

2009-08-22T21:16:00.002-04:00

Letter

2009-08-21T20:29:00.007-04:00

I finally got my first "form letter" from Ryan today. It was a pre-typed letter with his address and a little bit of other information we need to know. I have already mailed the letter I wrote to him out. I had it all ready to go so I could send it as soon as I got his address. I also printed out the MLB standings for him. I am going to try to send something a few times a week. The letter did say that we could send protein bars and powdered gatorade, so I will be doing that this weekend.

I am very excited that I can now communicate with my boy now!

On another note, Jessica made the Beaufort Middle School Lady Gryphons Volleyball team, I am very proud of her too. She loves playing volleyball and I hope she continues to play all the way through school. Besides the fact that I LOVE to watch her play!

Sunday Chapel

2009-08-16T13:00:00.006-04:00

Just got a call from my Mom, that my Dad met Ryan's Drill Instructor this morning. My Dad volunteers for Campus Crusade for Christ and preaches at PI to the recruits on Sundays. Today he had DI Lounge so he didn't get to see Ry, but he did meet his DI. Not sure if that is good or not. The DI said he just met him yesterday and that he seems to be adjusting well! I guess that is good to hear. Dad's friend was in Chapel and did see Ryan and he said that he like just like the rest of the recruits..."like a deer caught in the headlights".

I just wanna hug him so badly! I want to tell him how proud I am of him, I want to tell him that everyday! First of all, I am proud that he went to Chapel today! I am sure that he was hoping to see G-Daddy today but now he can look forward to next week.

So school starts tomorrow, I am hoping that when we get into a schedule that time will go by a bit faster. Volleyball games will start in a month and of course homework. Here we go...Jackson starts 4th grade; Jordan starts 6th grade; Jessica starts 8th grade. They are all growing up so fast.

It's raining, it's pouring...

2009-08-15T13:43:00.002-04:00

Saturday is here and we now have our first Friday under our belt. 2 months and 3 weeks until Ryan graduates Marine Corps boot camp. I have found this amazing website where moms, dads, wives, etc. can come together and chat. I love it there. It is sometimes hard to find people who can relate to what I am going through. Thye just don't get it. But this site is the best. I have asked silly stupid questions that I learned were really not so stupid.

Today Ryan will meet his drill insrtuctor and be assigned to his platoon. I did find out thanks to Brett and Danny that he did pick up 2 Bn Fox Co. So I am now a 'Foxy Lady'...learned that in the chat room. So hopefully by the end of next week I should have a letter or actually it is a postcard form with his address on it. We plan on writing him very, very often. We are so incredibly proud of him.

It seems like forever until graduation, which will be November 6th. But we will see. It is so nice to have all my friends and family calling to check on us. We are doing great! Just missing our recruit something fierce. As ready as we were to get his lazy behind out of here we are just as anxious to get him out of boot camp. I am really praying that he realizes how much we really care about him and love him.

I plan on documenting my whole experience here on my blog so Ryan can someday go back and read it and truly know how much he is loved.

I wonder what they do when it is raining? They are future Marines so do they go out in the rain to train too? I am sure they do.

So close, yet so far away....

My Future Marine

2009-08-09T16:33:00.005-04:00

This morning at 7am my oldest son, Ryan, left the nest and went to embark on his new life as he becomes a United States Marine at Parris Island Recruit Depot. I am so incredibly proud of him! This is a decision that he made on his own. I believe that it was a very wise decision for him, especially in this economy. He will learn so much about his field of choice as well as about himself.

I said that I wouldn't cry today but as soon as Tony left to take him to meet his recruiter, I realized he was gone. He may never live with us again. He is a grown man, at least he will be come November at graduation. So, how ironic that in the Beaufort Gazette this morning there was an article about Parris Island making Marines. You can go here to read it! It is very touching and moving. I can't wait to see my Marine at graduation. But first I really can't wait to get a letter from him saying that he is OK. Until then, I will keep praying for him and his strength.

Recap...

2009-08-04T23:16:00.011-04:00

Why oh why can't I go to sleep?! I am so tired but when I go to bed I just can't get to sleep! I have checked up on all my facebook friends so now I am getting bored! I've got to get up at 6:30.

Plus, my baby boy will be home tomorrow afternoon from RA camp. I have really missed him. But I am sure he had a blast. Camp McCall is the same camp that Ryan used to go to. He had fun and talked about it for days! Jackson has become a very indepedent kind of kid lately. He has chores that he is responsible for every week. He takes out the trash and cuts the grass and weed eaters on Saturdays! He appreciates hard work, sometimes he doesn't like it but he will do it.

Speaking of Ryan, he will be leaving for Marine Corps Boot Camp on Monday. I am super proud of him for making such a huge decision for his life. I think that he will be an awesome Marine. He will graduate in November. But I will have a huge hole in my heart until he gets back. He won't even be coming back home here to our house but at least I will be able to talk to him regular. 13 weeks with no contact but maybe a phone call toward the end, wow, never gone that long before. But I am gonna pray that he wears his armour everywhere he goes. The Armour of God. I pray that God will protect him in all that he encounters. I am excited that my Dad will be able to see him on some Sundays. He is part of the Campus Crusade for Christ and preaches at Parris Island some Sundays.

Jessica has been in Atlanta for a week now, and I miss her too. She has become such a mature young woman over this summer. She is so beautiful. She will have volleyball tryouts this coming Monday afternoon. She loves volleyball and is really good at it! I am super proud of her too. She will be in the 8th grade this year...wow! She has come along way!

And there is my sweet, sweet Jordie Pie! She has come into her own this summer as well! She always has a smile and is willing to help me out whenever I need it. She has developed a little personality of her own. She gets sassy but with Jordan it's in a respectful way! Only she could do that and get away with it. Love her!

And there is Lizzie, she is definately a little firecracker, just like her Daddy. She has been here for the summer. She was goingto stay with us but has know decided to go back home with her Mom. We will miss! She is leaving on Thursday. That will be a tough day for Tony but we will all be fine! I can't believe that the summer is coming to a close already. I has been a good one. We went to Atlanta for a mini vacation with Lori, Brett and Mason. Spent many days and nights at the pool grilling out and havinf quality family time.

I love my life and really would not wish to be anywhere else but here. I am blessed and happy right where I am!

Checking my coupons and clipping them twice!

2009-08-01T14:04:00.003-04:00

So I have embarked on a new obssession...saving money! With a family as large as ours then I have got to try to save wherever I can. I am very excited about this! I have started at www.southernsavers.com and they pretty much do all the research and hard work for you!

Right now I am researching online all the different ways to find and use coupons.

The most exciting thing I have found from word of mouth is that Publix accepts all competitor coupons. I mean Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, BiLo, Food Lion, the list keeps going on! And they will accept a competitor coupon plus a manufacturer coupon on the same item.

Ok, now I am off to find some more deals. In this economy, clipping coupons is the new way to go. Don't let it get you, show them!

Merry CHRISTmas!

2008-12-24T10:20:00.005-05:00

I just wanted to wish all my friends and family a very Merry CHRISTmas! Don't forget the reason for the season...Jesus Christ. After all it is His birthday!

Jackson as Joseph at the Christmas play!

3 of my beautiful children

Ryan, Jackson and Mason

I Elfed My Kids

2008-12-18T12:48:00.003-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Can it be?

2008-11-20T12:47:00.003-05:00

Well, Ryan didn't get to enlist yesterday...but he will. His father was born in Germany and adopted and brought to the US as a newborn. He has to show his naturalization papers before Ry can enlist. Unfortunately his Dad is out of town til Friday. Ryan will have to go back to Jacksonville next week to finish the process. He was so disappointed. He was so funny as he was telling about his adventure, you know the military physicals. You know, turn your head and cough, need I say more? He is such a comic anyways and to listen to him telling what he had to do, well I was cracking up. I love him so much and was so relieved when he got home. I can't even imagine him going away in the military. He has my heart and will take a piece with him when he does leave in August. My first born is going to be a man on Sunday as he turns 18. It blows me away that he is almost an adult. My prayer is that he will take all that the Lord has taught him and uses it to be a very successful young man. I couldn't be more proud of him! I love you my little Ry-guy!

Ooh Rah!

2008-11-18T10:34:00.004-05:00

So, I can't even believe that Thanksgiving is next week. This year has flown by and so much has happened. Today I am praying for my son Ryan as he travels to Jacksonville, Florida to go through the enlistment process to join the Marine Corps. I think I am more nervous than he is. If he makes it through this, he will go to boot camp August 2009, after he graduates high school. I am so extrememly proud of him. He will be 18 this coming Sunday. He is a fine young man! I have beeen very lucky with him. He is a good kid and I am proud to be his mother.

Living right here in the south with Parris Island right here in Beaufort, I worry about him going through bootcamp in August during the hottest months, but I am hoping since he is from here, he will adjust quicker.

Ryan and Bernie earlier this year

I had a weird moment this week. When Ryan made the decision to enlist, I was so proud that I wnated to call my family and tell them the news. One of the first people I thought to call was my Mama. Then I realized that she was not here, that she was in Heaven and she already knew and that she would help keep watch over him. She was always so fond of Ryan. I really miss her so much. I go and sit with her and my Papa at the National Cemetery often. But it is not the same as sitting with her in her little green house or going to lunch with her or just hanging out with her. She was such a cool grandmother!

Howwwwloween

2008-11-04T12:46:00.007-05:00

My beautiful cowgirl...Jess My cutest ever Pippi Longstockings...Jordan

And last but not least, my scariest, most frightening skeleton guy...Jackson.

Adoption Rocks

2008-10-28T09:33:00.005-04:00

So, if you didn't already know, my sister, Lori, is in the process of adopting a baby girl and we are trying to do all that we can to bring Baby Ellison home and into our family. With that being said, my nephew is an artist in training and he has his own version of the Palmetto Moon design. So we put it on T-shirts to sell as a fundraiser. We are selling them for $15. If you are interested, please let me know and I will get one for you. They are absolutely adorable.

Front

Back

Port Royal Bulldogs

2008-10-27T15:04:00.006-04:00

Saturday was the team party for Jackson's football team the Port Royal Bulldogs. We hosted it at the pool house in our neighborhood. Tony made hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill and everyone brought a dish. The team rented an obstacle course blow up thingy-magiggy. We brought our basketball net down as well. The kids had a blast. The adults had a good time as well. We have all become a bit closer during the season. I am gonna miss them. We all hung out during practice and chit chatted till it was over. And Fun Friday's...what am I gonna do now on Friday afternoons? I am kinda sad about that. We had a great group of boys and personally I can't wait til next year, hopefully Jackson will want to play again. But for now we are getting geared up for basketball season. The fun never ends!

Our Port Royal Bulldogs (Jackson is #44)

Football field cake I made for the team party at our place on Saturday.

Jackson with Brad after he got his trophy. He was so proud. Well, I better change that, they were both proud. Crazy kids!

Spider Cake

2008-10-24T08:47:00.004-04:00

I love creating and decorating and so when Amy (my sister) asked me to make a spider cake for her son, Austin's birthday party this Saturday my wheels went to turning. I love making things that I have never made before. She found this idea on the internet and gave me the idea. I love it. It was so easy and fun to make. So, since me and my family can't make it to Austin's party (we have Jackson's football end of the year party at our house), this is his birthday present from Aunt Angie and cousins.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN...WE LOVE YOU TOO MUCH!

You like?

2008-10-21T10:32:00.002-04:00

Well lookie here, I got a face lift. I absolutely love it! Jenna did an awesome job. If you want to get your blog redesigned then go see her. Serendipity Designs is the place to go.

One another note, football and volleyball are over...yay. We probably have only a couple of weeks until Jackson starts basketball practice. Jessica is thinking about trying out for school basketball. If so she will start the first week in November. So off we go again. But for now, we are taking a small and much needed break. Plus, the younger ones are out of school for 2 weeks on intercession. I am so ready for home cooked dinners at home around the dinner table. No more take out and sandwiches.

Providing

2008-10-15T10:40:00.003-04:00

My oldest son, Ryan, is following in his granddaddy's footsteps. Yesterday he went shrimping with a friend of his and they caught a big cooler of shrimp. He was so excited. They came home and he and Tony headed and peeled them. So for dinner last night we had fried shrimp. It was so neat. The kids gobbled them down and thought it was very cool that Ryan had provided dinner for us. It was a spectacular dinner. We all sat around a full dinner table. Tony's sister and Ryan's girlfriend ate with us. We blessed the food and had great conversation. Thanks Ry for such a great meal!

I'm trying

2008-10-10T08:49:00.002-04:00

Oh my, I am so frustrated. I have the best blog designer ready to design my new blog header and what not and I can't get any good pictures of all my kids together...happy. I have tried snapping a few pictures when I can but they are never all in the same place at the same time and when they are...they are fighting and arguing about something. Plus, Lizzie lives in Illinois so I am gonna have to use an older pic for her. I have a great shot of her, Jackson and Jordan I can use but to get Ryan and Jessica to like each other for 2 seconds so I can take a picture is impossible. I am gonna try again this weekend. If I get nothing then I am gonna let her design it without the pictures. I hate that but I may have no choice.
Tonight I am going to spend some time with the best group of ladies I know...The Flip Floppers. I love these gals and am so thankful for all of them and the time we get to spend together. That is what is going to get me through this long day. FLIP FLOP

Bored

2008-10-06T15:39:00.002-04:00

Today the kiddos had a day off from school, but unfortunately Mom did not have the day off of work so guess what...they got to go to work with me. This morning I had parent/teacher conference with Jordan's teacher....she's doing awesome. Then this afternoon I had a conference with Jackson's teacher....he is doing awesome. So proud of you guys! Sorry you had to be bored at Mom's work all day and not at home playing in the pool.

This afternoon Jess has a volleyball game at school and then Jackson has football practice, a little bit overlapping, but we will handle it. Always on the go!

Striped Bass

2008-10-03T10:27:00.002-04:00

Jackson has done his first real project for school. He had to pick out an animal and do some research on it. He chose to learn about the Striped Bass. Last night he had to do a diarama for his animal. He put blue paper in for the water and rocks and grass for the river bed, then cut out construction paper and made reefs and fish. I printed out a picture of a striped bass and he cut it out and stuffed it and hung it from the top so it looks like he is swimming in his habitat. I think he did a great job with it considering he told me about it yesterday afternoon. Nothing like waiting till the last minute. Good job Jackson!

Exploring Life

2008-09-29T22:20:00.000-04:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I'm gonna get a face lift...

2008-09-29T21:18:00.003-04:00

I am so ready to start blogging again. I have been wanting to for a long time but I get discouraged when I look at it and it isn't pretty anymore. I am tired of the big ole X where my header used to be. My sister is getting hers redesigned so I am following suit. I can't wait.
Serendipity Designs is going to do it. Hopefully, it won't be too long.

So much has changed in my life and I can't wait to start to tell my new story....so until then.....

What was i saying about Jackson...

2008-05-12T08:12:00.003-04:00

......Well, a few hours after my last post I got a phone call from the school that Jackson had broken his arm. I was at MaMa's house visiting when they called me, so I rushed over to the school. I knew it was bad when I pulled up and he was in front of the school on the bench sitting with his principal, his teacher and the school nurse standing over him. I swung my car around and pulled up next to him. I had no idea what I would find. They had his arm splinted with a piece of cardboard and a sweat shirt tied around as a sling with a bag of ice. I peeked under the ice and oh my goodness. He had a dip in his arm. Obviously, yes it was broken.

We buckled him in his seat belt very carefully. I was then a nervous wreck. He was hurting so bad. They said that he was swinging and fell out of the the swing as he was going back of course at the highest point. He had scrapes on his face too where he landed. I rushed him to the ER. We only had to wait about 20 minutes and they took us back. We made a point of sitting right in front of the triage room so they could see him crying.

X-rays showed it broken in 2 places. One was a clean break, the other was not. It was not a pretty picture to say the least. They sent us to another doctor's office where they proceeded to give him a shot of Novocaine in each bone. That was horrible! He screamed so loud, it absolutely broke my heart. Lori came with me and had to keep reminding me not to cry. Once the Novocaine kicked in they manipulated it back into place. It took 2 tries. Then they put a pretty blue cast on it and sent me home with a prescription of Tylenol with codeine and a very hurt little boy.

He slept with me all weekend, so I got absolutely no sleep. He went to school today. We will see how long that lasts. His fingers are so swollen. But he is my brave little soldier. So my very active and energetic little fella has slowed down just a little bit for the moment.

I am thankful to be a mother.

2008-05-09T08:36:00.003-04:00

I always knew being a mother was a special job - I obviously had no idea how true that was until I became a mother myself. I have been a mom now for almost 18 years. I know that you hear people say all the time that they could not imagine their lives without their kids. Well, I am going to say that too. "I can't imagine my life without my kids." That is the way God intended it to be. I am so thankful for all of my kids. They are each one a very special blessing in my life and in other lives around us too.

Ryan,17, is a strong, young man who is trying to find his way in this world. He is very smart, probably too smart for his or my own good. He is quite athletic and full of energy. He has always been such a great help to me. I realize that I am hard on him and I have sheltered him quite a bit, but I think that he has grown into that and has made me very proud to be his mom. I don't think I tell him that enough.

Jessica, 12, is a funny and out going young lady. (She thinks she is grown, as they all do at this age.) She is athletic and smart. She loves to play fast pitch softball and has played since she was 9. She is "the little momma", as she helps me out a great deal. Being a single mom, I am very thankful to have a daughter like her to walk along side of me.

Jordan, almost 10, is a very special. She almost always does what she is asked, rarely do I have to ask twice. She is my quiet one though. She loves to read and is very smart. I am now finding out that she is quite athletic as well, playing her first year in softball. She is one of the relief pitchers for her fast pitch team. She is a rare gem and I am very grateful that God blessed my life with her.

Jackson, almost 8, is a very strong-willed little boy. He is set in his ways and doesn't take anything off of anyone. He is smart too. He gets bored very easily and is very creative. I try to encourage him to write, because he has an awesome imagination, but he is a boy and doesn't really like to do that. He loves baseball and basketball and wants to play football this year too.
He is a challenge for me and always keeps me on my toes, but I love him even more for that.

Being a mom is by far the hardest job I've ever had - and yet of course, the most rewarding. I am so thankful for all 4 of my children and I pray that one day they can look back and remember all of the things that I have tried to teach and instill in their lives.

Thanks guys for making me a MOTHER!

This is totally me...

2008-05-03T15:59:00.001-04:00

What's happening...

2008-05-02T20:36:00.004-04:00

Outside My Window... my car, Ryan's truck, softball stuff and one beautiful rose blooming in my garden.

I Am Thinking...about my Mama.

I Am Thankful...for my children all being healthy.

From the Kitchen... leftover spaghetti...yummy and sweet tea brewing.

I Am Going...no where tonight...just hannging out at home with my kids.

I Am Reading...lots of kid's homework.

I Am Hoping...that tomorrow is a beautiful day because we are going to be outside at the ball field all day.

I Am Hearing...my kids wrestling around on the living room floor...laughing and getting along...for the moment.

Around the House...got the washer washing, the ice tea maker making, the computer computing, the kids kidding.

One of My Favorite Things...is the smell of a fresh linens coming out of the dryer.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...well since the week is almost over, I hope to get in my studio sometime and make a purse or two, relax, clean house, taxi kids around

I'm Feeling...pretty good right now....things are really good.

A Picture Thought to Share for the Day...

My MaMa

2008-05-02T00:15:00.004-04:00

It is 12 am and I just can't sleep tonight for many reasons. And so I thought....blog, Angie, blog! It has been like forever since I have blogged. I have been so busy lately. The kids are playing spring ball and work, that is about all I do anymore.

I feel like i have totally dropped off of the blogger sphere. Does anyone even come here anymore? So much has changed since I last poured out my heart here. So much! But at this moment I am typing with a heavy heart. My sweet, sweet MaMa is in the hospital again. She has been in and out for about 6 months now. She has had 3, maybe 4 back surgeries since November, been in and out of a nursing home. Now she is very, very sick. She has pneumonia really bad. The past few days she has been so sick that she has slept all day long. It truly breaks my heart when I go in and see her just laying there with the oxygen mask on and her eyes barely open. It is really tough for me. Yesterday when I went to see her I was really selfishly scared that she was just slowly fading away and that she was not even going to make it through the night last night. I can't imagine my life without her in it. I am the oldest of the grand children, so you know I am the favorite. :) I have so many happy memories that I shared with her. She loves to shop. She would take me on many road trips to see her sister, Aunt Gladys. I loved going there to see my cousins and hanging out with them. I guess eventually I grew out of going with her. Now I would give anything in this world for her to take me on one of our road trips.

Now my children have created sweet memories with her. They have spent the night with her, sleeping in the same bed I used to sleep in as a child when I would spend the night. Raking her yard for a few bucks she would insist on giving them. Picking her flowers to carry in a put in one of her vases. I feel very privileged to be her grand daughter and to have her blood running through my veins. She is strong and she is a fighter. She has fight hard for 6 months and I am very proud of her.

Last night when I came home, I was so burdened by my selfish need to have her here on this earth. I went into my bathroom and sobbed. I know that MaMa has lived a long, wonderful life and has experienced great things that she has passed on to all of us. We all carry a little bit of her with us everyday, where ever we go. I just hate to see her this way. So I prayed for God to keep her in His strong hands. I know that He has it, He knows what the future holds, what her future holds. I prayed that if it was His will for her to go back to her little green house then please start healing her as only He can. He can do it! I know that all of my family was saying the same prayer because today when I walked in her hospital room they had her sitting up in her fancy bed, she was alert and looking around, talking, she even tossed the therapy ball back and forth with me. She was smiling a bit and answering all the questions the nurse was asking her. She was quick to tell you what she thought of something she did or didn't like. My MaMa was back today. I was so happy and thrilled. I was amazed by the improvements she has made. Absolutely amazed!

Thank you God for answered prayer. If it is your will, then please continue to heal my Mama. Let us take her home to her little green house. Amen

Bombers

2007-10-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

BEAUFORT BOMBERS

What a great group of girls! First game is this Saturday....here we go!

My Sweet Baby Darlin' is growing up...

2007-08-23T11:18:00.000-04:00

Can you even believe that I have a son that is driving? Ryan got his license on Monday and now he is officially on the road. I am a nervous wreck. I am hoping that that will pass as time goes on. He leaves for school around 6:30 or so, gets out at 2:35 and then goes to work at 4 and gets home around 11:30 or so. I now get to see him for 15 minutes in the morning. I hate that.

On the other hand, I have seen a huge difference in him since he started working. He is always been a good kid mind you. But he is so responsible all of a sudden. He is saving his money. He is paying for his own insurance. He takes me out to eat once a week or so....just me and him. I really am trying to keep our communication lines WAY open. He is at that age, ya know? But I think that he enjoys spending time with me, at least I hope he does. He even gets up in the morning (own his own) and helps me get the other kids up for school. I think that he loves doing that too. I hope this lasts forever.

I am quite proud of him and I am glad that he is home where he belongs. I love you Ry-guy!

Beaufort Bombers

2007-08-20T13:49:00.000-04:00

Well, I am so proud of my daughter, Jessica. She tried out for teh Beaufort Bombers Traveling Fastpitch Softball Team and made it. We had our first meeting Saturday. This is going to be a very exciting time for her. I am excited that she is going to get awesome training. She loves playing softball and she now has the opportunity to play against some really great teams in this state.

She will have practice twice a week and Saturdays. She is going to have to work very hard but she says that she is willing and ready to do this. So, now the fun part...raising the money to play. We are selling advertisements for our ad book. We already have several businesses that are going to get an ad from her. This is really teaching her the value of a dollar. And I am really going to make her work just as hard as me in rasing this money. Kids these days don't realize how hard us parents work for them. Maybe now she will see.

So good luck Jess, Mom is very proud of you! We all are! I love you baby girl!

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-15T21:16:00.000-04:00

My Daddy....where do I start? I love my daddy and admire all that he has accomplished in his life (and mine). He has been married to my mom for , I think almost 5 years. I bet you are wondering about that one? Well, my parents divorced when I was about 11 or 12 and then remarried 20 years later. I love to tell that story. People are truly amazed that it is true, perhaps because you never hear of that kind of happy ending. But it is true, absolutely true!

My daddy has come a long way in his life. He was a well sought after man in his younger years, sought after by the game wardens and whoever else. But he has made full circle and is now a minister. He volunteers at the hospital as a Chaplain. I have seen so many good things come from him. I am quite proud to say that he is my daddy. He is a commercial fisherman. He has his own, very large shrimp boat named "The White Horse". He has been a shrimper since before I was born. That is all I have ever known him to do! He is a very hard worker!

My dad and I may not always agree on everything, especially about my life but I love him more than any little girl could love her Daddy Goat! So, Happy Father's Day Daddy Goat! I love you even though I may not get to tell you everyday!

Graduation Day!

2007-05-30T12:34:00.000-04:00

Today was graduation day for Jessica. She is officially a 6th grader. I am so very proud of her and I am looking forward to be a witness to all she accomplishes in life, because she an over-achiever. I am not sure if she gets that from me or not. I like to do well at all I do, so perhaps she is.

After her "promotion ceremony", I took her to lunch, just the 2 of us. We went to Jade Garden (her fav restaurant). Although, now I am completely stuffed and I really didn't eat all that much! I think it is just what they put in that type of food that makes you feel as if you will explode.

Today is also the last day of school for this school year! Jackson will be going to 2nd grade and Jordan will be in the 4th grade. Ryan still has a couple more days of school left, but he will be a Junior in high school. I absolutely can't believe that! I can't believe I have a child who is going to be a Junior in HS. It seems like I just graduated myself....about 19 years ago. whoa!

Jordan had her piano recital last Thursday night. She did so well! I am quite proud of her too! She wants to go practice with Mamaw and play a hymn at church one Sunday morning! Love.it!

This is going to be a very busy summer for us. We pretty much have plans all the way through July, even into August! First, Jackson will be turning 7. He is going to have a pirate birthday party. He is very excited about that. His b-day is June 21st, but his party is going to be June 23. We have a dolphin water slide booked for him. He loves that! My baby will be 7, yikes. You know they grow up so fast....

I have adjusted my hours at work so that I can come home earlier than noon while the kids are out of school. I will be going to work around 6am and getting off at 10 now. Of course, about that time the kids will be getting up out of bed, lazy bums. But it's summer time! Let 'em enjoy it, right?

Friday night we are going to be having another girl's dinner out at Outback. But this time, it is a sad occasion. One of our fellow Flip Floppers, Carla, is going to be moving here in the next couple weeks. She is only moving to Georgia but we are all still very sad. We have all become so very close to one another. It will not be a good bye, just a so long, until we see her again. But as we always remind ourselves and her...once a Flip-Flopper, always a Flip-Flopper. We love you Carla!

That is about it for now, I will try to keep you updated on our summer fun, for now I am gonna go take a nap. That food makes you quite sleepy too! ZZZZzzz!

"Go Faster!"

2007-05-01T07:42:00.000-04:00

Over Spring Break a couple weeks ago we were able to go out in the boat with a friend of ours. We live with water surrounding us from all angles, but my kids had never been on a boat (besides my daddy's shrimp boat). We go to the beach...all of 'em! But when we went in the river in the boat, they thought it was THE COOLEST thing ever. We went to a sandbar and the kids ran all over until it was almost completely covered with water as the tide came in. Then we made the loop around so the kids could enjoy a real boat ride. Jackson did not get to go with us on this trip because he was on a camp out with church. (He had fun too!)

This is a picture of the docks at Port Royal.

Me and Jess taking a picture of ourselves as we are going about 30 MPH down the river...i.e.. Jess' eyes.

I love this shot. They thought it was so cool that we went under the bridge that we go over all the time!

Lizzie, Grace, Jordan and Jessica

The girl's hangin out!

We had a great time that day...it was a great memory for the kids! Hopefully we will have many, many more this summer! Just a few more weeks of school left and we are out for the summer. I hope to make lots of new memories with my children this summer too!

Oh yeah, I do still have a blog...

2007-04-25T17:38:00.000-04:00

...I almost forgot. Until recently some friends of mine reminded me that I never blog anymore. Well, here I am. I have been so busy lately doing all kinds of Mommy stuff along with work stuff.

Jackson started his 3rd year of T-ball, thank God it is his last one. I am ready for the next level! Jessica is playing softball. And I am one of her coaches along with a great friend of mine, Shelia, and my sister-in-law, Diana. I have never coached anybody, much less girls' softball. The only thing I know how to do is break my leg in 4 places being a catcher (another story, another time). But I am helping and I have learned so much from Shelia and Diana. We are really having a great time! We won our first game last night after playing a month. It was great! The girls did so good, I was quite proud, as was Shelia.

I have not been going to Weight Watchers lately because of softball, but as soon as it is over I am right back at it. I realize that I need to go. I have done alright on my own, but I really am not following the "plan". But I did still wear a 2-piece to the beach. I was a little nervous but I did it anyway. No one booed or shooed me off the beach, so I guess that is a good thing!

I finally have my spring line up on my web-site, I did that a few weeks ago. I have been pretty busy with that too. I am still working for the title research company too.

So between all of that...kids, sports, working (all the time), and house work, I realize that I just need to start making time for me. So, I am doing that! And I am starting with this first blog. So now that you know what I have been doing, what have you been doing? I miss all my blog friends! I also have been missin' all of my friends, friends. It seems like I have been so wrapped up in the kids stuff that I haven't spent enough time with my "girls". I have missed dinner out a couple of times now...hate that! Saturday night I did get to go to a surprise party for a very special friend. We had a luau...it was so much fun.

Saturday was a weird kinda day too. We went to my cousin's wedding, which was absolutely beautiful. It was at the boat landing at Seabrook Point. The day was gorgeous, as was the bride. The wedding was at 4 pm. Going on at the same time was the Beaufort Air Show featuring the Blue Angels. We even saw them during the wedding several times fly over. Then when we got back to my aunt's house we heard the news that the #6 plane had crashed about 3 miles from my house. I was so shocked. I could not believe that that had happened. In fact, the neighborhoods that it crashed in was my cousin, who got married. She had to show ID to get home that evening. She said that their was debris everywhere. It was unreal. It was also in Sandy's neighborhood. She couldn't even get home that night. As she said, "things hit real close to home". So all night we were all a little dismayed by what had happened. The pilot did not survive. It was so sad! So my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, along with the rest of his Blue Angels team. They are a close-nit crew and this had to be devastating to them too.

So, now that I am back in the blogosphere, I will be back soon....very soon!

Friday's Feast 133

2007-03-02T07:27:00.000-05:00

Appetizer: What does the color pink make you think of? Pink is my favorite color....I.LOVE.PINK! Pink makes me think happy and fun thoughts.

Soup: Name something you thought you had lost, but later found. A few months ago my MaMa gave me a ring she had promised me since I was a little girl. A couple days later I realized I had misplaced it (never wanted to say "lost it"). I found it a little later in the bottom of my bottom dresser, it must have fallen off while I was digging for clothes. Good thing!

Salad: In 3 words, describe this past week. Busy, tired, precious

Main Course: What are you obsessed with? I am obsessed with keeping my house clean. It drives my kids crazy...me too sometimes.

Dessert: What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear? I don't wear perfume...gives me a headache.

If you wanna play along go to Friday's Feast.

Hey ya'll

2007-02-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

Geez...it has been forever since I blogged. I have been so busy with life that I just haven't had the time. I have been coming home from work just about everyday going right to the sewing machine getting ready for my spring line. I am very excited about the new fabric patterns that I found. I promise to post them just as soon as I get them on the website. You just can't wait can ya?!

Besides working I really have not had much going on. The kids are getting ready to start ball. Jess has softball assessments tomorrow morning. Jackson will start coach pitch baseball too in a couple of weeks. I love ball season. This time of the year is so much fun. I get to watch my kids play their hearts out doing something that they both enjoy. Jackson is also the bat boy for the JV Baseball team at our high school. So we are going to be pretty busy with that too.

Tomorrow night I am hosting the monthly Flip Flop Club dinner party here at my house. I am really excited. We like to have themes at our get togethers, just to have one more little bit of fun. This time it is Crazy Hat Night. I have to go tomorrow to find me a crazy hat. I will be rewarding the prize for the craziest hat! This group of girls are the best. We are always there for one another. We always have so much fun together. And laugh...I get side cramps I laugh so hard sometimes. So, obvoiusly I can't wait.

So this is about all for now. Dinner is almost ready, better get to it! Hope all of you (if you are still out there) have a very blessed and great weekend....I know I will!

TGIF

2007-01-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

Thank God it's Friday! For whatever reason, this week has seemed to last a lot longer than normal. But then again, it is already January 26th. This month is almost over. It has blown by. It is time to sign Jessica up for softball and Jackson up for baseball. This is my favorite time of the year. I love watching my kids play ball. LOVE.IT!

Jessica has her first REAL babysitting job tomorrow. She is excited. I can't believe she is getting old enough to do that. She is so mature for her age. I am very proud of her. She has been quite moody lately, I am kinda wondering what that means. Actually I reckon I kinda do know what that means. Soon her poor little body will be going through some pretty significant changes. Of course we have talked about it, she knows what to expect. But she is still my girl.

Tomorrow night is our monthly Flip Flop Club dinner party. This month it is at Ivette's house. I have been pretty excited about it all week. We really haven't done alot together since before the holidays. I miss all my peeps! But unfortunately I may have to miss it. Jessica is going out of town with her Nana Saturday night and my Mom is going out of town too. There goes all my sitters. Maybe something will work out. I really do need time out with the girls, but it'll be OK! Next month I will be hosting the dinner party. I am a little nervous because these girls have had such fun parties, I am not sure I can top any of their parties. Just trying to think of what to cook has been kinda stressful for me. But I will get it all figured out, I am sure.

I kinda feel like I am rambling away with this post. I really have nothing exciting going on so I am just typing some random thoughts. Hope that is OK! Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend. Remember to stop and smell the flowers, relax, slow down, enjoy life to its fullest. Take a bath (I took a long hot bath last night...it was awesome...I highly recomend it!), enjoy friends and family, praise God for everything He has put in your life.

Like mommy like son....

2007-01-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

This morning when we woke up it was rainy and pretty cold...about 34 and with the wind chill it was 28. I was so bummed. I had planned on playing golf with my sister, Lori. Obviously, that did not happen today. I feel like we haven't done anything together in a really long time...just the two of us! I miss it...hint...hint...hint!

Anyways, I turned up the heat and got the kids up so they could get ready for school. Lately Jackson has been gettting his own clothes ready for school the night before. But let's face it, he is a boy. He would much rather wear T-shirts and blue jeans everyday, which would be fine if it was summer. But it was 34 d-d-degrees out. So, I got him a sweater out to wear. Well, that just about thru him over the edge. We finally settled on a sweatshirt. Then I got his big jacket out so he would be warm. And oh my goodness, you would have thought I had asked him to wear a dress to school. He proceeded to through a major temper tantrum, which I then walked away from so I could get ready for work myself.

I am getting ready to drive them to the bus stop and he absolutely refuses to put on his jacket. So, we walk out to the van...with me carrying the jacket. We get to the bus stop and I try to explain to him that he has to wear the jacket because it is really, really cold out and we southerners are just not used to this cold weather. But sometimes we have to bring out our big jackets for a day or two. He then gets a very hard-headed moment. "Mom, I don't need to put it on because I am in the van and it is hot." "But Jackson the bus is coming and you need to have your jacket on before it gets here so you don't hold everybody else up." Then the bus comes, I struggled to get the jacket on him as he fights me every step of the way! I get it on. He was quite mad at me, but I won...he had his jacket on...my baby was warm whether he liked it or not. But, come to find out as soon as he got on the bus...yeah...you guessed it...off came the jacket and stuffed in his bookbag which is where it stayed all day long! ---that little turkey head!

Moral of this story.....My sweet little baby boy is just as hard-headed as his Mommy, go figure!

Some pictures from the holidays...enjoy!

2007-01-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Anybody need a dryer repair woman?

2007-01-11T11:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess it has been a while since my last post. So, here goes. I have slowed down soooo much since the holidays. Although now I am trying to get together my new spring line. I love finding new fabric patterns. I always want to make me one of each. But we all know that wouldn't be very cost effective. I am thinking about having an Open House in February to introduce the new Spring designs. I try to do that once a year or so. I am really into the brown and "sea foam green" color right now...not sure what it is. You know that everyone has a color that makes them relax and feel good....well, i have come to the conclusion that sea foam green is that color for me. It is kinda like a "spa" color. So, I have a couple of fabrics with that color in them on order.

The kids went back to school on Monday. They were all ready to go back, Jackson especially! He loves his teacher. Don't most 1st graders have a crush on their teacher? I think he does!

Last week my dryer broke.. Yeah, what a bummer. The laundromat is not a fun place to spend your Saturday and Sunday afternoon, especially with the amount of laundry we have. So I got frustrated and went and ordered the part I thought it needed. The "guy" told me a couple of other things to check before I put that part in. The heating element had no broken coils, so I knew it was not that, which is the part I ordered. Well, after spending about an hour and a half knee deep in lint and yuck, I figured out that the thermostat was the problem. So I called someone from church to come look at it. He came over and sure enough it was the thermostat. Yea! He even went out to his van and reset it so I didn't even have to get another one. I actually made money on this project because I found $21.50 in the back of the dryer. Kinda funny, dontcha think? I totally could have replaced the heating element though and now I am pretty sure I can fix the thermostat if it happens again. The things that single Moms learn to do when they have too, sometimes it is amazing. Now after cleaning out all the lint from the back of the dryer and the coil going outside, it works better than it ever has. Hopefully my electric bill will go down now! So, if you need your dryer fixed then call me before you call a repair man. I CAN DO IT! Now if I can figure out how to fix my lawn mower by Spring I will be doing real good! Don't dare me!

I have a baby shower cake to make tonight for a very good friend's daughter. (I still can't believe she is gonna be a grandma!) So, I am still keeping busy. I am slowly getting my house decluttered since Christmas. I redid my bathroom last night....you guessed it...in brown and sea foam green. I may even take a candle lit bath tonight...and relax!

Poor Jess!

2006-12-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

I am back at work today after 4 days off...ugh! Actually, I am a bit thankful. Sounds weird, I know. I was so busy over the holiday that I never even got to breathe until Christmas evening. I went to bed that night around 11 pm and I slept until 12 noon. Can you believe that? The kids all slept in too. I was supossed to get up early and go shopping with my sister, Lori, but the alarm went off and I turned it off. It just wasn't that important to me to get the after-Christmas deals. My sleep was much more important!

We did indeed have a great Christmas. The kids got what they wanted. I gave them a limit of one or 2 things and that was it. It made it much nicer for me and Santa! :) We went to my Mom's at around noon and let all the kids (11) open gifts, then the adults opened after we ate dinner. Dinner was really good. I am a bit scared to weigh-in this week. We are weighing in Thursday this week since Monday was Christmas. I really tried to do well, but we will see.

Yesterday my Mom watched Jordan and Jackson so Jessica and I could go get a manicure and a pedicure. She got a gift certificate for Christmas and was dying to use it. So we dropped off the kids and headed for the shoe store to exchange some shoes. When we got there she slapped her entire thumb in the van door. She is not a crier so when she started to cry I knew that it was really bad. We went and exchanged the shoes and then went straight to the pediatrician's office. Dr. Karen took a look at it and decided she need to put a hole in her nail to drain the blood building under her nail. She took a heated thingy and burned a hole in her nail. The blood started to pour out. Jess cried really hard. I hated it that she was hurting so bad. We went for X-rays and thankfully it was not broken. She put a splint on it. Needless to say she could not get her manicure, but we did go get a pedicure. It was nice. I really had to gear myself up for it because I really don't like people touching my feet. I told the guy that he was the only man I ever LET touch my feet. He just smiled and said "I lucky man". So, as soon as her hole in her finger heals we will go back so she can get that manicure. To make up for it we went and ate Chinese...her favorite.

I am so thankful for such a wonderful Christmas season. I was so busy, which was really good. I hope that things stay kinda busy with my bags. I am already on the look out for some great spring designs. I have come across 2 so far. I can't wait to make mine, maybe I will do that this week. So, thanks to everyone who placed orders this year and I hope you enjoyed your Carolina Rags bag. I hope to hear from you again this upcoming year! God bless!

...Checking it twice!

2006-12-19T10:31:00.000-05:00

What a busy week this is. I am sure it is just this busy for everyone this time of the year. I totally have not even put a dent in my shopping list! I have the list but just can't find the time to get out and go! I think that I am just gonna have to go to Wal-Mart after midnight one night this week. I think that that is the best time to shop.

I have been staying up til all hours of the morning trying to get all of my Christmas orders finished. Thanks to everyone who helped to support my business this year. I have truly been blessed and amazed at it all! I am still amazed that you guys actually love my creations. I enjoy making them and it is even more of an enjoyment when you guys love them too!

I am taking tomorrow off from work so that I can finish up with the orders and maybe run out and get some shopping done. I promised the kids that I would give them each $20 for shopping money. So we may do that too. I also have 4 orders for the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake. This is the coolest cake ever. Every part of it is symbolic of Christ! Ever Sunday morning before Christmas the pastor at SHBC cuts the cake and reads about what each part means. Then one of the kids sing "Happy Birthday Jesus". This year it is going to be my nephew, Mason and my Jordan. It is always such a sweet part of the Christmas service.

Friday night is my brother (Bernie) and sister's (Amy) birthday (they will be 30...shhhhh!)! So we will have a little (big) family party for them. Then we are all going to go Christmas caroling. We have never really gone caroling. I think it will a fun, memorable experience, especially for the kids!

Sunday night we are going to a candle light service at the beach. That is going to be pretty neat too! The kids are quite excited about that! And of course they are excited about Christmas morning. I think we should add a few extra hours to Christmas Day. We are usually running around all day that day, and we never even have to leave town.

So, I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!

Blessings

2006-12-15T23:28:00.000-05:00

This time of year is always so hard on me the past few years. I get very stressed out about what to get the kids and I am always afraid that I will not be able to get them what they really want. Unfortunately, when Buddy was here we really went a bit over board. I truly regret doing that now. I talked to the kids a few weeks ago and explained to them that "Santa" was going to bring them the one thing that they really wanted and that was it. So I stressed about that too. Quite honestly a few weeks ago I truly did not know where the money was going to come from. I am pretty much living paycheck to paycheck, which is fine any other month of the year.

We were not able to even afford to get a Christmas tree yet. Then yesterday a sweet lady brought us over a large 7 1/2 foot artificial pre-lit tree that someone was giving away....giving away! I haven't had a chance to put it up yet, maybe tomorrow night. But it is so amazing to me how God is always there to take care of us. He sends the right people in our path all the time. Now I don't have to worry about getting a tree EVER!

Then I met another sweet lady this week. She had purchased some bags that I made the first of the week. And she called and wanted more so she met me at my office downtown and got 3 more. First of all, that was a blessing in it self. I am still amazed that people like my bags.

Then later that day I get a phone call from a local guy who had talked to this lady. She was trying to get him to get some bags for his wife and daughters (which he is). But he said that he had someone who wanted to help a family this year and asked if he could help out my family. I was very taken back and surprised to say the least. 3 1/2 years ago when Buddy left I really had a hard time accepting anything from anybody. I was determined to do it own my own. And for the most part I have but God sends these angels my way when He really knows I need them. I had a really big pride issue. But my Mom explained to me that when people do things for us that it probably blesses them more than it blesses us. Which is hard to believe because I feel SOOOOO blessed right now. Words truly cannot describe how fortunate I feel.

So this year for Christmas my kids are definitely going to get that one thing that they really want. And I may even be able to get them something from Mommy too. I also got an anonymous check from someone at church too. God takes the worries that I have and over shadows them with such blessings. I know that I am not supposed to worry about anything and I should give God my worries. But sometimes it is really hard to do that! You would really think that it would be an easy thing to do especially with God's track record. He never ever fails us no matter how we treat Him.

So to say the least, I am feeling very blessed this Christmas once again. My business is booming, especially right now with Christmas orders. The word is getting out about Carolina Rags. My children are all very healthy. My family loves me unconditionally. My church families are always there for us. God is just good! Please know that I am so thankful for everything that God has blessed us with.

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that
he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you. 1Peter 5:6-7

Cooper

2006-12-14T10:33:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a pretty rough for the Bennett household. One of our boxers, Cooper, was hit a car and they could not save him. This is the first real pet that my kids have lost. They were devastated.

Cooper had never been out of the yard. He used to be an inside dog with his momma, Harley, but he eventually decided that he liked it better outside and would not come in anymore. Cooper was the most beautiful boxer I have ever seen. The day he was born I fell in love with him instantly. He was the only male in the litter. He was fawn colored with solid white all the way around his neck. He was mine. He was a good dog, just very, very hyper as we did not get him fixed. We had kinda planned on studding him out, but never did.

The kids were very upset to say the least. Jessica started crying immediately, I told her first. Then we went out and told Jordan and Jackson. They were outside playing with friends. Jackson just kinda looked at me and stared really hard. I could tell he was fighting back the tears because his friends were there. Then he just let it go. I picked him up and carried him in the house. I talked to him about Cooper going up to doggie heaven with my sister's dog, Buster. He kinda thought that was cool. "At least Cooper would have a cousin there." Jackson eventually cried himself to sleep on the couch, bless his heart. he woke up and maybe thought it was a dream, because he came and asked if Cooper was really gone. I told him yes and he cried a little more and all night he kept talking about things Cooper would do that were silly.

Jordan actually handled it pretty well. She is my tender-hearted child, I kinda thought she would take it the worst. But she was comforting the rest. My brother, Bernie, came over last night to patch up the hole that they were getting out of under my deck. Thanks Bern, I love you!

I did try to explain to the kids that this is part of life. This is just the first of many heart breaks that they will have throughout their lives. We did not get to bury Cooper in the back yard because I really wasn't sure how to do that by myself.

Harley (the momma dog) moped and cried all night to go outside and I would get up and let her out and she would wonder around the yard just waiting on Cooper to come out to ponce on her. She knows that something is not quite right. She actually looks sad. I guess she will be ok.

Ok..ok..here I am...

2006-12-11T10:21:00.000-05:00

We have been so busy these past few weeks. I reckon it is just this time of the year. I have had tons of shows, which is a great blessing because I am pretty worried about Christmas coming up. Here it is the 11th of December and we have not even gotten our Christmas tree yet...not real sure we will be able to get one, but that is ok. I haven't had anytime to even decorate the house with all of my pretty decorations. I even have new ones that I bought the day after Christmas last year and have been waiting all year to bring them out.

I thought that I would be able to decorate this week but I am gonna be even busier this week. Last night we had the Christmas Pageant at our church (SHBC). All of my kids were in it. I am one proud Momma. They all did so well. ALL of the kids did well. It was a real miracle that it all came together. Although I really should not have doubted it would come off without a hitch, my Mom was the director. She did an amazing job. She may have a new job calling in directing. She paid attention to every detail, and I mean EVERY detail. It was really good!

Friday night my 2 girls were asked to sing at a live nativity in Port Royal at the tea house called 'Lil Peace of Heaven. They sang for about 45 minutes or so. They did so well. The live nativity was so cool. They had a real donkey and pony and goats. They even had a real live 'baby Jesus'. But he didn't last long because it was so cold out. So once again I am a very proud Momma.

This coming Tuesday all 3 of my little ones are performing in the school Christmas program. Jessica is the choreographer for one of the dances they are doing. She has worked very hard. She loves to do things like that. She must take after her Mamaw with the directing gene. Her music teacher thinks that she hung the moon. She calls her her little administrator. So I can't wait to see this performance too.

Friday night is my Christmas party for my office that I do title researching for. We are all going out to dinner. I am not real sure when things are going to slow down. I was up until about 4 am working on purses and it looks like I will be doing that quite a bit this week. I have to get all of these orders out this week. I am do it, I just wish that I could buy me some real energy somewhere. Anybody got any for sale...cheap? On top of it all I got bronchitis last week. I have been coughing my lungs out. I am tired of coughing. But today I feel a little it better, not 100% yet. But definitely on the mend.

I guess this is just an update of what has been going on in the busy, hectic life of a single parent. It never ends! It is so hard to forget the reason for this time of year. It's not just programs and gifts and shopping. It is ALL about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sometimes we get so busy we tend to forget all about that. I guess that is just the devil working on us. So don't forget. We would not even have Christmas if it wasn't for Him, some people just don't truly realize that! I know it. Even if we don't get that Christmas tree this year or the kids don't get everything that they want, we still know that Jesus came to this world to save us all and it all started on that first Christmas all those years ago. It is important to keep that thought in the front of your mind at all times. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Giving Thanks!

2006-11-22T11:04:00.000-05:00

On today, the day before Thanksgiving, before it gets all crazy and wild tomorrow (cause you know it always does!) I am gonna reflect on many reasons I am thankful.

I am thankful for Jesus Christ. I am thankful that He died on the cross for my sins and yours. It is in Him that we can have a new life. I am thankful that He can forgive us of ALL of our sins. I am thankful that I grew up in a family that taught me to love the Lord!

I am thankful for my kids. I am thankful that they love the Lord. They are the light in my life everyday. Maybe there are days when they absolutely drive me insane, but I am thankful that they CAN drive me insane, that means I am not there yet all by myself!

I am thankful for my parents. Although it was a rocky road to where you guys are right now, I look at you and see hope for all the rest of us! I am thankful that you guys love me unconditionally, because I am sure that I give you reason not too sometimes! :) I love you both so much!

I am thankful for my sisters and brothers. I am thankful that we are all so close now, Lord knows we weren't when we were younger! I am thankful for your friendships and your support. I always know that I can call on you no matter what! I love you big goobs!

I am thankful for all of my friendships. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that actually claim me as a friend. :) I am thankful for the Flip Flop Club! You girls have put a light in my life that I thought had gone out. I feel so blessed to be apart of the most wonderful group of ladies ever. I am also thankful for all my blogging friends. You may not know it but you have all encouraged me so much through your kind words and your own posts. Thanks for that!

I am thankful for my health and the health of my children.

I am thankful that God let me go through some really tough times because He knew that I would grow and become the strong, independent woman that I am. I am thankful that He gave me a talent that I could use to provide for my family (and enjoy it!). I am thankful for all of my customers throughout the years, all of your support has made it all worth while!

I am thankful for my church family both CBC and St. Helena. You know what I need when I need it. I am thankful for J-Miah for making me cry every single Sunday morning with your lessons. I truly think that God has blessed you with a great gift. I am sure that you are speaking to me and only me every Sunday.

I am thankful for our home and our freedom. I am thankful for the rain and the sun. I am thankful for fun times and bad.

I am so blessed! Happy Thanksgiving! So, what are you thankful for?

Thanks

2006-11-16T07:27:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful for all of your prayers the past couple of days. I have felt a real peace. I am still not sure what that means but I will take it and run for now. I had forgotten how much better I used to feel after blogging about things. You guys are a great bunch, real prayer warriors! So thanks!

I am waking up kinda tired this morning because we had some pretty bad thunderstorms here last night. I slept but it was not good, sound sleep. I could hear the wind blowing through the trees. I am always afraid when it storms at night because what if a tornado or something develops. We live near the Marine Corps Air Station and I kept listening for the tornado alarm to start sounding, it was that bad. My yard, which I raked and cleaned up this weekend, has pine cones and pine straw all over. It even blew my flag down. My chairs out front are blown over. I even think I heard hail falling for a second (hope my van is alright!). So, I laid in my bed last night with Jackson snuggled up beside me and prayed for our safety. And it felt really good to pray and feel it. They are saying that we are going to have more bad weather this morning.

For lunch today I am going to my kids school and have a Thanksgiving Feast with them. This year I am eating with Jess. I have to alternate every year to be fair. The kids always love it when I come to their school. All of the kids know my name so my kids think that I am famous at their school. It's kinda cute! So, off to work I go with a hat on my head (the rain makes my hair frizzy). Hope you all have a great Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow I am in a golf tournament on Parris Island with my sister, Lori, and our friend Jessica. It is going to be a lot of fun. Then tomorrow night I have a small show. Saturday night the flip flop club is having dinner at my other sister, Amy's house. We are going to start working on the float for the Christmas parade. That is my weekend wrap up so far. Have a blessed day!

Tough Times

2006-11-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

I have been going through some "stuff" lately. I am having a really hard time dealing with my situation in life. I have been second guessing some big decisions I have made in the past. Which has in turn brought out a lot of very old feelings that I had pushed way deep down inside. Things that I really didn't want to remember, things I thought I had forgotten. And there is a lot of hurt down there.

Tonight I went and had dessert with a really good friend (oops...shhhh) , she helped me out a lot. She asked me, of course, if I had been praying. I said yes, but I had felt very distant. It is like I start to pray and I feel empty, so I stop. I have always tried to do the right thing by everyone else and in everyone else's eyes. That is just the person that I am! And it hurts me really bad when I feel like I have let other's down. But I am only human. I have always tried to do what everybody wants me to do. Maybe that is my problem. I tried it their way and I am still not happy. I really am not sure what to do next.

I am a much stronger person now than I ever was before. I have come a really long way! Ask anyone who really knows me! But these struggles are not going away! They are right up in my face 24/7. Maybe I still have a ways to go. I am hurt and disappointed and I am tired of feeling like I have been walked all over! This is hurt that I thought I had buried a long time ago. Perhaps I just tucked it away, not too sure! But now I am trying to take a step back to look at the big picture. I will get through this time and come out on the other side with my feet planted firmly on the ground. I have really great friends that I know pray for me. I have an awesome family that I know I don't spend enough time with. Sometimes it is just easier to hide than to face the ones you feel like you have let down and disappointed. So I am gonna pray more and I am not going to stop until I can hear Him talking back to me. I am gonna pry the devil's hands from my ears.

On a much happier note.....I lost 4.8 pounds this week in WW. I am down 36.2 now. I do feel really good about that! I am getting compliments everyday! That really keeps me going. My kids tell me all the time that I look nice and that I am skinny! I never ever thought that I would be called skinny EVER!

A quickie post....

2006-11-08T10:53:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here and thought I would try to do a quick post. Things just have not slowed down for me lately and I think that they are only going to get busier till at least Christmas. I am very thankful for that but am just so pooped.

We are planning a float for our hometown Christmas parade...a Carolina Rags float. It is going to be too cute. We have lots of god ideas. All of my really good friends, also known as the Flip-Flop Club, are helping to put it all together. Have I told you guys about our Flip-Flop Club yet? Well, these ladies are the best friends I have ever had. Their are 9 of us. We all do WW together and we all hold each other accountable for everything. We get together once a month at one of our houses and have an awesome time. The one hosting cooks us all a WW friendly dinner and dessert. Then we play games and just act silly! We also go to Applebee's (WW menu) once a month after our Monday WW meeting. We are always getting together for whatever reason we can come up with...ie...shopping, golfing, shopping, golfing...oh and trick or treating. I am so thankful and blessed that God brought all of these ladies in my life (well, 2 of them are my sisters so I guess they have been in my life since the beginning).

Anyways, back to the float...it is going to be really classy, cute. Since we are the Flip-Flop Club we are going to have lots of flip-flop decorations. I can't wait. Plus, I hope to get my business name out there a little more. It's not all about the fun...it's about business too...a little. I will be sure to post pictures of the parade and float after the 3rd of December.

Oh, and in WW I have lost a total of 31.4 pounds so far. I feel so good about myself now. I have some of my skinny sisters' hand-me-downs. Sunday I wore Lori's size 10 gaucho jeans to church. Did you hear me...I said size 10. I was a size 18 (probably bigger, though I would not admit it!) when I started this the end of June! Mostly though I am wearing 12 and 14's. I never though that losing weight would be so much fun. These girls have really made it FUN! Thank you guys...you all know who you are. (Aren't you proud of me...I am finally blogging!)

But I am afraid that for now this is all I can do. Lots of work to do. I am supposed to be going to lunch with an old friend. Then to the gym, then back to the home studio to sew, then church tonight, then back home to sew...you get the picture, right? But I love it! I really would not have it any other way. The busier I am, the better!

Bernie Mac is back!

2006-10-23T15:42:00.000-04:00

I was able to be apart of one of the most amazing things this weekend! My baby brother, Bernie, graduated from the Faith Home this weekend. He had been there for 60 days. Yesterday he came home!

The Faith Home is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. God's hands are all over that place. Almost our whole entire family plus several friends went. I am so thankful that I was able to be apart of it. SO THANKFUL! My dad, Bernie and my son, Ryan sand Long Black Train. It was so good! Then my dad preached the graduation message....again....awesome! Then Bernie got his certificate of graduation. God has great plans for him...big, big plans! I can't wait to see what they are!

If you would like to see Bernie's graduation speech then please go here to my sister's (Lori) blog where she has it posted in 2 parts. It is awesome! Please go see it!

Bernie I am so proud of you! I will continue to pray for you and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you! I love you baby brother!!

Here I am...for the moment!

2006-10-13T13:08:00.000-04:00

Ok, I totally have not fallen off of the face of the earth! I have just been super busy, I mean super busy!
Vacation was awesome! We had THE.BEST.TIME! I am ready to go back after having to work a week! All we did was hang out by the pool and well, that was about it! We all got great tans! The kids are so dark, especially Jackson. Where does he get that skin tone from? Not me!

As far as Weight Watchers goes, I lost 5.8 pounds in 2 weeks. Yay! I actually lost on vacation! Can you even believe that one? It helped that Lori was there and she is following the plan too! The only time that I went over my points was when we ordered hot wings (I only had 6...they are 6 points a piece!) and my friend made me dinner at her house and for dessert she made us banana splits. Yummy!
Lori and I got up and walked 3 mornings at 6 am. It felt really good. And can I say that it was high tide most mornings and walking in that soft beach sand does wonders for the legs. I even jogged a little bit. I am not very graceful so jogging is not easy for me, especially with a bum knee, but we did it!
I will post some pictures as soon as I have the time to download them. Busy, busy, busy!
I really don't have time to do anything anymore.Even though I am only working about 4 hours at the courthouse doing title researching, I still have to come home and sew for the rest of the day and even night. Plus the kids stuff they have to do. And house cleaning, I guess I need to do that actually! Maybe this weekend! I don't know how other single women out there do it all and seem to have it all together. Oh well, I guess I will adjust to it!
I have a PTO meeting this afternoon to plan the Fall Festival, then a wedding to attend (yes, on Friday the 13th, go figure!), then out with the girls! Tomorrow is up in the air. We are supossed to go see my husband but we are waiting to see if he has to work. If we don't go then it is definitely house cleaning day tomorrow, plus a few orders that I need to get done! Sunday is church day and Awana, so that about covers us this weekend.
I hope that everyone is doing great! I haven't forgotten about you, I promise to try to make time to stop by and see what you all have been up to! Have a great weekend!

Goin' on vacation!

2006-09-30T00:08:00.000-04:00

We are leaving first thing in the morning to go on a week vacation on the Florida coast....me and my kids and my sister and her son. We are going to go to the pool everyday and walk on the beach. This is the actual resort we stay at. Do you see the first palmetto tree in the back behind the pool? Well, the balcony of our room is right by that tree on the 2nd floor. See it? You can picture us hanging out right there in the evenings and taking walks on the beach after dinner with the kids. See the row of chairs by the pool in the middle? Well, that is where we always sit so we can see the kids good in the pool. We will be nice and tan when we get back next Saturday. I can hear the waves breaking right now, hear 'em?

So, I hope that everyone has a great week! I know that we will! If you place an order on the website, I will get right to it on the 9th. Thanks so much for your understanding of a much needed break from the real world! ADIOS!

WW-wk12

2006-09-25T23:04:00.000-04:00

Here I am(said in a sing-song voice)....did ya miss me? I have been sooo busy this past week! The kids are out of school and I am working. So when I get home I try to do something with them. Last week we went to the park and out to get ice cream. Fun, they loved it.

I have also had 2 shows and have tons of orders to get completed before we leave for vacation on Saturday. Yay! So, I am exhausted!

As far as WW goes, I am up again .7. It is a little frustrating because I want to see the pounds drop. I have been working out like crazy. I think that maybe I am going to stop working out on Monday afternoon, maybe wait til the evening. I realize that muscle weighs more than fat. I can really see a big difference in my clothes.

Saturday when we went to see my husband he said that he could really notice a huge difference, especially in my face. He even said I had a nice butt. *blush*

We are leaving Saturday morning bright and early for our week in Florida. We are going to a condo on the beach. Our room overlooks the ocean and the pool. We have been going there every year for 9 years. We always go the 39th week, so we get to see the same people every year. It is really nice to see everyone, especially after a year. There are not a lot of kids that go, only a few. But my kids are out on break so it works out.

My sister is going with us again this year. She has gone with us every year since my husband has been gone. We always look so forward to going. This year her hubby can't go so it is just me, her and the kids. Florida better watch out!

Since we are both broke our plans include laying out by the pool and on the beach every single day! Sounds great to me! I can't wait to go! Of course the week goes by so fast! We will be home next Saturday the 5th.

We both should be able to post since the condo has a community computer. Probably only briefly but I may have more time than I have now at home these days!

This past Saturday we had our 2nd annual Flip Flop Club dinner at my sister's house. This is the picture we took after dinner, and a yummy dinner it was! We had so much fun! I haven't laughed so hard in a really long time. But my lips are sealed! *zip*

Carla, me, Sandy, Paige, Cyndy, Amy (my baby sister), Lori (other baby sister), Jessica and Ivette

So here we are once again! These girls are a trip! I am so grateful that they are all in my life. We have all become such great friends! I know that I can call on any of these ladies at any time! They are the best. I love you guys!

WW-wk 11

2006-09-18T21:28:00.000-04:00

Weight Watcher's night.....ugh....I am up .2. I was just a little disappointed. :( I really, really tried extra hard this past week. And since I also joined the gym Wednesday, the "weigh-in lady" said that that was why. Apparently muscle weighs more than fat. Which I get but I just started on Wednesday. I have worked out 5 times since then.

Regardless of what the scale says, I feel so good. It has been a really long time since I felt this good, high school...maybe! Who knows? I love going to the gym. I go right after I get off of work so there is hardly anyone there. I never have to wait on machines, which is so cool. I met with a trainer and he put me on a circuit routine. I just go from machine to machine to machine. Next week he is going to show me another routine I can do too.

Finally people that I haven't seen in a while are noticing. A couple even called me "skinny". Can you believe it? That is the kinda thing that keeps me going! This guy was even hitting on me in the gym...go figure! "Sorry...Married!" But it still made me feel good.

S, here are the plans for this week besides working out everyday. Friday afternoon I am going to play golf with my sister Lori and our friend Jessica. I love golf! Me and Jessica played a couple weeks ago and it was so fun! We are going to walk (some), one of us will be driving the cart while the others walk. We are taking turns. (right, ladies?) Then Saturday evening we are having our 2nd annual Flip Flop Club dinner party at Lori's house. She is making shrimp and crab casserole of some sort. We'll see! I just love getting together with "the girls". Saturday afternoon me and the kids are going to see my husband. They are having some sort of cook out. They are serving fried fish. He is so excited. He has only had fish once since he left, and it wasn't fresh and it wasn't fried. I have not seen him in about a month, I think! I am curious to see if he notices my weight loss. He does not like it that I have joined the gym. (Probably 'cuz guys might hit on me....just kidding!) Anyways, and being that I am a working girl again, I am going to be a busy woman.

Oh, I have a purse show tomorrow night and then another one Sunday afternoon. Yay! I love doing these kinds of shows. I get to fellowship with other ladies, it's not even like work! So, I am not sure how much I will be on this week. Plus the kids are out of school for the next 3 weeks, intersession break. SO.MUCH.GOING.ON! If I don't get by, be patient, I will!

Back to work...

2006-09-13T21:05:00.000-04:00

Well, I took the plunge this week and went back to work. I am working in the deed room at the courthouse. I am working part time at the moment. This is a big transistion for me as I have not been out side of my home to work in 5 and a half years. I am still making purses as well. I am doing those when I get home and when the kids go to bed.

I Prayed about this decision for a while and really felt led to do it now. Things are just way too tight for us right now. I am hoping that this will help ease the stress just a little bit! Plus, I work in a room with a bunch of my old friends form when I worked there before. It is kinda nice to actually get to have adult conversation once in a while. Or at least to be around other adults, same difference!

I also joined the gym today. Yay me! I am meeting with a personal trainer tomorrow afternoon (after work). I went today and worked the elliptical for 30 minutes. I was dying! I can already feel it in my legs. Ugh! So that was all i did. Hopefully tomorrow I will get an idea of a workout I can do to try to tone up a little. I am really excited about doing this. I just got tired of trying to workout at home when I have to stop and do laundry or the dishes or to stop the fight breaking out in the bedrooms. Now I have non-interrupted time for ME!

Tomorrow night (Thursday) is our PTO meeting when the current Pres. hands over the reins to the new 'gang' of which I am the VP. I am a little nervous as we are starting to plan the Fall Festival which is in October. I have never planned anything more than my kids birthday parties. So, any ideas you guys have will be greatly welcomed.

I am heading off to bed now, I am tired! This is going to be hard to get adjusted to, getting up before the kids and actually having to get dressed and ready. So, sweet dreams to all!
Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL (my nephew)! Can't wait to come to yours and Mason's party Saturday. I am so gonna go down that slide with you guys this time! So beware! Aunt Angie is ready to have fun with you guys! Love you!

WW-wk 10

2006-09-11T21:38:00.000-04:00

Tonight at our weigh-in, I was a little bit nervous since we had a week off for the Labor Day holiday last Monday. It seems that when I get a week off, I am a little more "lax" with my eating. Although I did not do that bad, I was still a little nervous about it. I really worked hard this past week. Although I would have loved to lose more since really it was 2 weeks, I did lose 2.8 pounds, which puts my total at 23.2 pounds. I am now 196.4.

Next week we will set my next goal. Tonight I hit my 10% goal (21 lbs.). I still can't believe that I lost 10% of my body weight. It was so easy. We have such a close small group (our Flip Flop Club) and that helps because I have kinda made it into a competition for myself. I want to succeed and do this. It feels good when I get compliments. Especially from my Mom (hi Mom, I lost 10%, ahhhh!). I haven't seen my hubby in about a month, I wonder if he will notice. We won't go see him till next weekend so I will lose more by then.

CC, I will be calling you this week to check on your progress. I am holding you accountable girlie! You can count on it! Walk Thursday?

"We shall never forget"...Suzanne H. Passaro

2006-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

On this the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it is my privilege and honor to remember and share with you about Suzanne Helen Passaro of East Brunswick, New Jersey.

Suzanne, or Suzy as she was known to many, perished on 9/11/01 at the World Trade Center. She was 38 years old. She was an Aon Corporation client service broker. She had worked very hard to climb the Aon corporate ladder. She was well known for her "down to earth exuberance".

Suzy was born May 12, 1963 to Tony and Helene Passaro. She was born on Mother's Day of that year. Her mother says "She was a wonderful gift." Her mother remembers on May 11, 2002, "Our Sue was the little one in our family which was funny because she turned out to be a good three inches taller than her older sister (Irene) which was her only sibling. Her middle name Helen (english) was after myself since just like tomorrow she arrived to the World on Mother's Day. We miss her and wish that she was with us every moment of every day. As her family we will be meeting tomorrow morning to celebrate her birthday at what once was the WTC."

Her sister, Irene, remembers, "Suzy liked going to Atlantic City and playing the slots, she liked to travel to different resort islands, Aruba being her favorite. She loved to be with people, dancing, fine dining and on the flip side she like to go camping and fishing. She had a lot of energy and was full of life."

Suzy had so much joy and love to share in her life especially to her cat named "Max". He brought lots of happiness to her life as well. Suzanne's block for the United in Memory 9/11 Memorial Quilt reflects that. The block was made by Suzi Cassidy. Another quilt block was made in her honor too, you can go here to see it. What a special tribute, truly it is!

Her sister, Irene, also recalls a very special memory of Suzy when she writes, "Suzy enjoyed the holidays spent with family, friends and the needy people. She looked out for two special little sisters who were living in a homeless shelter with their mother and she became their secret Santa. Each year, the day right after Thanksgiving, she would go shopping to buy toys for the two little girls. One year, they sent her a note thanking her along with their picture and she placed their picture in her wallet next to her family photos she carried with her all the time. It meant a lot for Suzy to give to those who had a lot less. Sometimes money may have been tight for her but, she always found a way to help others."

Obviously, Suzanne was loved by many. She was a very giving person, kind, considerate, funny and loved to have fun. Although I never knew Suzy, I feel know as if I do know her. She will forever be apart of my life and I will remember her and will pray for her family often. She is surely missed by many.

My heart breaks this time every year as we remember all 2996 people that perished that awful day 5 years ago. That is why this was so important to me to be apart of the 2996 Tribute today. This world was changed forever on that day. I can say that it has made me a stronger person. My faith grew stronger as well as my heart. Although I did not know anyone personally who perished, I now feel like I have known Suzy forever. Thank you for that! I would also like to thank Suzi Cassidy of Southern California for helping with this entry. I see that Suzy has a special place in your heart as well.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Hometown Football Game

2006-09-09T10:18:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to the Beaufort High School football game. I took all of the kids. We met Jessica and Jeremiah and their 2 little ones there. I have really been wanting to do things like this for Jackson especially. He is the lonely boy here amongst all us girls. And after he asked his sister to paint his nails a few weeks ago, I thought I better start doing 'boy' stuff too.

Well Jackson had a blast. He sat right next to Jeremiah the whole game. He would holler whatever J-miah would holler. "GO DEFENSE!" "WHAT WAS THAT?" COME ON EAGLES!" You get the picture? It made me feel so good on the inside to see J-miah step up for Jackson and be a Godly role model for him. Thanks J-miah!

I can also say that me and the girls had a good time too. Ryan goes to BHS and it is also my alma-mater. And honestly I never thought my kids would ever be in high school. Funny, huh? But they grow up so fast! I can not even believe it!

Oh BTW, the Eagles lost 10-14. Big bummer, but it was a good game. We will definitely make this a family outing on Friday nights from now on.Me and JessicaJackson and Sam (Jackson really thought he was posing with a famous person). Thanks Sam!

Out of Control

2006-09-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel like your life is totally out of control? I am sure that I am not alone in this, come on 'fess up. In this, a very fast-paced world, life can slip out of control. I am sure that it happens to the best of us...agree?

But I know that because of God's grace, He won't reject me when I fail or fall short. Because afterall we all fall short, right? I have learned that God looks for our willingness to let go and let Him have it. He looks for true repentance. I also know that when I am "in Christ" that life is not in MY control but in God's control. Thank goodness for all of us that all of our past problems and our current struggles and even our temporary setbacks do not hinder God's work in and through our lives. He offers us all hope to getting our lives under control even after we have crashed and burned.

He wants us to live our lives as a person after His own heart. He is here to help us all control our sin nature. ('cause you know we all have a sin nature) He understands our struggles and our weaknesses. He knows all about them ALL. If we are obedient and follow His will for our lives then He will indeed take care of us.

I count on this everyday. Maybe lately I have not been as Christ filled as I would like to be, but He always leaves the door open for us and our placed saved for when we decide to return to His feet. And I count on that! Boy, do I ever!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Been busy!

2006-09-02T22:41:00.000-04:00

Been a busy girl these past few days. You know it is Labor Day Weekend! I am in the process of adding my new fall designs to my line of purses. They will be on the website soon, like really soon! So go take a look-see!

This is a new Western Rodeo Diaper Bag.
This one is called Olive Carousel...I love the fall colors in it!
Black and Pink Retro Circles...I think this one is very hip and very bright!
One of my favorites...Red Bandana...this one is just plain fun!
Classic Blue and Brown Toile...I can do this one in a diaper bag too.

I just wanted to share with you guys what I have been up to lately. Sewing away like a mad lady! Spread the word....The New Fall Designs Are Here. There will be many more on the website...hopefully by next week. So go check 'em out!