Everyone heading home

It's sad to see everyone head home. Jillian is riding home with Ryan's sister after lunch, and Christie is flying back to Tampa on a 2:00 flight. I got up early this morning and fixed a waffle breakfast for everyone. We reminisced about the weekend, laughed, hugged, and told each other how much we loved each other....now I know that may sound a little mushy....but we truly had a fantastic time together these last few days. We spent time with each other one last time for lunch and then started getting everyone packed and ready to head home. It's sad to see them both go, but the only consolation is that I know that they will be back home next month!

Love ya girls!!!!!

More Shopping and Eating

Today was spent shopping and eating and shopping and eating. The girls got their hair cut this afternoon - then shopping and eating again!!!!!

Black Friday

Of course we went shopping!!!! Unlike years of the past (I guess I am just getting too old) we didn't get up at the crack of dawn to hit those 4:00 AM sales - we rolled out of bed around 9:00 ate breakfast , did some business at the bank , did some shopping at Oprymills (a note for my girlfriend Kelly- the Opryland Theme park is no longer there - it has been replaced by a huge shopping mall) and ate a lite lunch. We then all headed over to PreHab Massage for a much needed one hour massage!

After the massages, we headed home, showered and changed and met Steve and Menie at Maggiano's to celebrate Christie's 19th birthday. This is one of her favorite places to eat and since we didn't get to celebrate with her when she was still in Tampa - we thought that we would tonight!

After much food - GOOD FOOD - we headed over to see the Bell's new home - their loft in Germantown.

Thanksgiving Day

We celebrated Thanksgiving day with lots of food! We enjoyed the small family gathering at Grandmama's(my mom's house) and enjoyed each others company. It has been awhile since we have all been together with Jillian living now in Johnson City and Christie going to college in Tampa.

We then watched the Titans win their 11th game that afternoon. More pics of the day/weekend in the Thanksgiving 2008 shutterfly album to the right ...

Christie's Home!

Yeah! Jillian and I met Christie at the Nashville Airport this evening around 7:00 pm. Christie flew home from Tampa to spend time with us for the holidays. I couldn't hold the tears back...tears of joy!!! It is so wonderful to have both of my girls home. You don't realize how much you truly miss them until you have an empty nest! We came home and ate a home-made lasagna dinner. Life is good!

Jillians Home!

Yeah! Jillian arrived home around 6:45 this evening. She got a ride with Ryan since he was planning to come home early to spend some time with his family. He will have to leave to go back to Johnson City Thanksgiving evening because he has to work at Sears on Black Friday, Sat and Sun. (YUK) -but he drove Jillian home for me. Jillian said that all but one of her classes were cancelled for Wed and the two diagnostic tests that the ER doctor wanted her to have (scheduled for Wed morning) can be postponed till next Tuesday. Christie will be coming home Wed night around 7:00. Lots of blogging and pictures to come!

Cleaning Frenzy

Yes, its a mad dash to capture every dust bunny and get everything in order for the girls to come home for the holiday weekend. Ed and I each have a list to get done today. Just found out that Jillian is coming home today - riding home with Ryan and her roommate Elizabeth will take her back on Sunday. Yeah - she doesn't have to make that 5 hour trip by herself. I see lots of eating, talking, sleeping, shopping, shopping, eating, shopping, and did I mention eating on the horizon...not to mention some snuggle time!! Can't Wait!

Another ER visit

I got a call last night around 11:30PM from Jillian's roommate Elizabeth telling me that her and Ryan were in route to the Emergency room with Jillian. She said that she, Jillian, and a few friends had been hanging out all day - spending time together at the mall that evening and when Ryan got off work - they all met up at Starbucks. She said that they were all just sitting there talking and then all of a sudden Jillian passed out. Elizabeth said that it took a little longer than the other episodes for her to regain consciousness. She then started shivering even though she nodded that she was not cold. Once she seemed stable - Ryan got her into his car, Elizabeth took Jillian's car - and they headed for he ER. On the drive over - Jillian was experiencing chest pain and tightness in her chest and was never able to speak very clearly. At the ER - they immediately did an EKG, Chest x-ray , drew blood and hooked her up to IV fluid. I talked with the ER doctor about 1:30 in the morning and she said that they had also done a CT scan of the head to rule out seizure, stroke, tumor, bleed etc - and that the CT and all other test had come back normal. The ER doc said that all they symptoms and complaints were still pointing to the diagnosis that she had received about a month ago of neurocardiogenic syncope. The ER doc has ordered a carotid doppler and echo to be done this week and for her to follow up with the cardiologist and her PCP. I have also asked that she be seen by a neurologist for an opinion from another specialist. A main concern that I have right now is her having an episode when she is driving or when she is alone. She was planning on driving home for Thanksgiving on Wed after classes which is a 5 hour drive - and I am not so sure that this is the best idea under the circumstances. I am not sure how we are going to get her home - but we will. Please keep her, her room-mate Elizabeth, Ryan and our family in your prayers as we try to get to the bottom of this problem.

a visit with Fred

Got my haircut today by Fred Harris - he has been cutting my hair for the last 20 years.

Grocery Shopping!

Now this is what I call grocery shopping....I am so ready for the girls to come home next week. Lots of food for Thanksgiving, the Titans Football game - and the several days after - can't wait!

New projects at work

One of the things that I love about my job is the opportunity to explore new things. Most of my career has been centered around breast health education - breast cancer awareness, breast cancer imaging technology that is available, teaching self exams - you get the picture - and now I am getting the opportunity to learn about other areas of technology and how this technology can help women. It is a little scary but exciting all at the same time. I have spent the last two days with a representative from a company who is trying to teach me all there is to know...learning never stops ...it just elevates you higher to a new level....I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Just 7 more days...

Yeah.... both Jillian and Christie will be home soon!!!!! I can't wait to see them both. I'm already making plans...where to go...what to do...what to eat....when to eat....cleaning the house...changing the sheets...making lists..... I CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-ESSEE YEAH!!!! GO TITANS

Kerry Collins threw for 230 yards to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 24-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars today! With the win, the Titans improved to 10-0 on the season. GO TITANS !!!!!

22 Pounds LOST!

I was soooooo excited today - I was getting ready for church and I got into a suit that I have not been able to get into for a very long time..... 22 pounds down and 4 dress sizes smaller... YEAH!

Even Ed was smiling today!

Photographs and Memories

I am having so much fun digitizing all my old photographs...remembering the moments...and laughing at the things that we wore so many years ago. I noticed that many of my photos were fading from being in the old style photo albums. I also have had a fear that there would be a horrible disaster like a fire or a tornado that could wipe away all the photos that have been kept all these years. It is a lengthy process because I am scanning them by year and then dividing them up into subgroups so that if anyone wanted pics of themselves from a certain time period - then I can just go to the folder and send it to them. I am also backing them up on a separate hard drive just in case my main computer has a problem. Now that I think about it - I think that I will even triple back them up... ha ha

Veterans Day

Veterans day…a historical date that helps us focus attention on the important purpose of this Day: A celebration day to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It is a day to honor ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact today is a day largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their dedication and loyal service to their country. On this day – I am happy to recognize and honor my husband for his service in the Army. {More Pictures in shutterfly album to the right}

TITANS 9-0 !!!

Another undefeated Titans Game watched with Ed, my brother and mom.

Hour of Prayer

I received an email this week from our church prayer team asking that during a certain time of the day that I dedicate time to prayer.....a time to pray for our Senior Pastor and a time to pray for all the others who need our prayer. I pray all the time..... but I must confess...the thought of praying for an entire hour was a scary thought for me.....Why? Why would it be scary for me to talk to my heavenly father for 60 minutes? Would I have enough to talk about? After all, I have never considered myself a prayer warrior - just a Christian who prays on a regular basis. A Christian who prays a few minutes every day. Someone who thanks God for the breath of life in the morning and for making it through the day at night. But for an hour..... could I do it?

I decided that if I was going to take that time to talk to him...then I was going to need to be prepared. No phones...no clock...no interruptions...just me and him. I prepared a list of those who needed my prayers... a list of those who mean so very much to me...and the list of burdens that I have carried around with me for the last year. Even with these lists....would I have enough to say in an hours time?

To my surprise I had more then enough time.... in fact....two hours later....and a half a box of kleenex....I had the most remarkable experience of dedicated prayer with my heavenly father! Where had the time gone? Why did I have tears? Now for some of you - No...I haven't gone off the deep edge..... it was just a remarkable experience! Wow - I did have a lot to pray for. It was an experience that I would challenge all of you to have. It was more than just having devotional time or a daily prayer - it was a true connection! I have never felt so free....

Tenn Makes history in this Election!

Tennessee turned a deeper shade of red Tuesday as Republican victories in state legislative races increased the party’s majority in the state Senate and gave Republicans a majority in the state House for the first time since 1968.

For the first time since 1968, Republicans hold a majority in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. “The election of a Republican majority in the General Assembly is historic in its own right, and even more so given the strong Democratic tide across much of the country,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “Our victories send a national message that Republican values still resonate with mainstream America. The power of a consistent conservative Republican message - low taxes, small government and respect for life - once again demonstrated its power to attract a majority.”

After the new General Assembly is sworn into office in January, the state Senate will be divided 19-14 and the state House 50-49, both with a Republican majority. “We are indebted to our great volunteers across Tennessee and to the people of Tennessee for this historic achievement.”

Our 44th President

I have kept relatively quiet through this election. I never supported Obama - but I didn't support our republican candidate either - even though McCain is the one I cast my vote for.

There is one fundamental change that has occurred- Obama has been elected president elect of the United States of America and because of that - I will show my respect for him in this position and offer my prayer.

Obama is offering hope to the American people which was evident on the faces of the millions of people last night across this great country. It is a historical point in time - a man of color- elected President in 2008 . Me and you may disagree on policies but he is the President of OUR nation - democrats, republicans, independents, and those who are black, white or brown. I'm still not sure if he is the right man for the office, but it will be interesting to see how he attempts to create this "change" that so many people who voted for him are expecting.

"Watch Out"

In following up to my previous post/note - I thought it would be appropriate to go back and revisit the drama skit that my daughter Christie did March 15, 2008. The drama was about Good vs Evil. She portrays an everyday teenager who faces temptations - of money, of fitting into the crowd, of death, of illusions of being alone and separated from God and ends up showing how she fights the demons and keeps on seeking the solitude of God. This powerful 6 minute silent drama sends chills up my spine every time I watch it. Follow the link -
http://www.madisoncampus.org/tv.php?cmd=search type in Watch Out in the search box and the video clip will appear. This is a clip of the entire service - so fast forward to 21.49

Why Do BAD things happen to good people...

and “Do Miracles Last” were the topics of this weekend’s sermon. It was difficult for me to prepare my heart and mind for what was going to be said since I knew that this sermon was coming from our senior pastor –someone who is currently a less than optimistic outcome for his own health...

This powerful sermon that Pastor Lynn himself gave to us this weekend really put things into perspective. “Do Miracles Last”, “Why do BAD things happen to good people”, and “Why do we have suffering” was so eloquently explored and talked about.

We all have had experiences that we can't understand... and it seems like lately our family has had our share...from deaths of close friends, to lawsuits, to financial struggles to health issues.

I would challenge you to go to a quiet place and give yourself some time to listen to this powerful powerful insight from a man that is once again facing death. Follow the link below – perhaps this 36 minutes will change your outlook on the purpose of our life as it did mine. (the total video clip is an hour and 28 min long – FAST FORWARD to 42.50 where a song leads into his sermon)

www.madisoncampus.org/tv.php?
scroll down to the first sermon from Pastor Lynn – Do Miracles Last

TITANS WIN AGAIN 8-0!

TITANS WINS AGAIN!!!!! Rob Bironas kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime to give Tennessee a 19-16 win over Green Bay and preserve their unbeaten record in the NFL this season. What a heart stopping exhilarating game! GO TITANS!

Percy Warner Park

What a beautiful day to get out...reflect...and enjoy God's beauty. Ed and I took a motor trail through Percy Warner Park this afternoon. After this mornings church service - I wanted to just get away for awhile. ( I will post later on about this morning service - when I can) I wanted to just stop and breath...and enjoy natures beauty. Look at our pics in my shutterfly album. We even saw 7 deer this afternoon.