HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I'm always so proud of myself that I remember your birhtday every year. But then, with a birthday like 7/11, who can forget??? 'Bout time you posted to your blog, don't cha think? I check it every day, and you haven't posted for ages! And, since you live SO FAR AWAY, it's the only way I seem to hear anything from you anymore. Love ya!!!

1. The last thing I ate was LASAGNA and DIET ICED TEA.

2. A BLACK SUNDRESS is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it DOES SO FOR DAYS.

4. DWANE was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are SOME OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN GET FROM YOUR KIDS.

6. MY TEDDY BEAR PROVIDES extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to WHO KNOWS WHAT, tomorrow my plans include GOING TO GORHAM TO PICK UP A GARAGE DOOR and Sunday, I want to MAKE SAUSAGE & KALE SOUP FOR MY FAMILY'S LUNCH!

VIRGINIA

Well, we are finally here in Virginia. What a trip that was! We didn't run into any trouble, and there wasn't any traffic, but it just seemed that we couldn't really make any progress. There were 7 of us traveling together in 3 different vehicles. We were all on different "bathroom schedules", and we had to stop to change drivers, get something to eat, rest, etc., etc. We left our house at 4:30 on Wednesday afternoon, and we arrived in Lynchburg at 3:45 Thursday afternoon. That's almost 24 hours. It normally takes us about 16.

On the way down, we had to stop in Warren, MA to drop Colby ofnf at his Dad's house. What was really amazing is that we had to drive right down Sarah's street! How cool was that? Dwane asked me if I felt comfortable calling her, and I said that while I certainly felt comfortable calling her, I didn't really think 11:30 at night was necessarily an appropriate time to call her. Sarah, we'll be heading back that way sometime between Sunday night, Monday, so don't be suprised if I call you asking to crash!!! :) (It's really not too likely, as we're traveling with Dwane's Mom & his grandmother.)

We had Japanese food for supper last night, and then Dawn treated me to a manicure. We walked in, and the people there were so excited to see her. "Hey, Dawn! How ya doing!" It was like she was the queen or something! Pretty cool. I had what I think is called a "French color" manicure--there is hot pink color only on the tips. I had been awake for about 40 hours at that point, and it took some concentration to be able to stay awake during all of that pampering.

Dawn and I then went to a store called "Ross: Dress for Less", which is similar to a TJ Maxx. She helped me find a really cool black sundress, and then we went to Wal-Mart to find a tank top to go under it (want to be modest, you know). When we got back to Dawn's house, we sat in the car and talked for an hour. We laughed and cried and prayed together. Thank you, God, for seeing fit to bless me with Dawn as a sister-in-law. The evening was an absolute treasure. God gave me Dawn & Sue as sisters-in-law, and I couldn't have gotten better ones if I had shopped for them myself.

Today we are going to the Shenandoah Valley Resort and Kings Dominion (a huge amusement park). Tomorrow, I think the guys are going fishing, and I think that Dawn and I are planning to hit the gym. I'd like to go to Short Pump (an outdoor mall) too, but I'm not sure that it will be anywhere near where we are.

Well, I've got to get moving. I haven't even proofread this, so I'm not sure that any of this even makes sense!!

FRIDAY FILL INS

1. When I heard THAT DAWN WAS TAKING ME FOR A MANICURE I WAS SO EXCITED.

2. ADVIL IS THE best medicine.

3. It's late, but DWANE IS STILL SLEEPING.

4. I LOVE VIRGINIA, (AND MY FAMILY THAT LIVES THERE), always.

5. My eyes have seen THE SUN, AND I ONLY HAD TO TRAVEL 800 MILES TO SEE IT!

6. DWANE SNEAKERS SMELLED strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GETTING TO THE SHENANDOAH RESORT, tomorrow my plans include SOMETHING FUN, I'M SURE and Sunday, I want to PACK TO HEAD BACK TO MAINE (WELL, MAYBE NOT)!

PHILOSOPHICAL MI-5

Gina says: "Am feeling a bit philosophical regarding MI-5 questions for this week. The questions are sort of a reflection exercise to give language to the seasons in our lives. Our life journey so to speak. The idea is to name the book which is your life. Give your book (your life) a title. Or, if your life were a book what would the title be? Next come the chapters. Some of these chapters will be uglier, funnier, better or worse than others. For each of the time frames listed, try to name that chapter in your life. You don't have to, but if you wanted to expand on the reasoning behind your titles, that would be great. Also, if you have a chapter in your life that isn't represented here, please feel free to add it. I was just trying to keep to the MI-5 format."


Your Book Title - DAUGHTER, FRIEND, MOTHER, WIFE (brought this over from this week's MI-5)


Chapter Titles -

Birth to 5 Years - EVERYONE'S DARLING

Elementary Years - TEACHER'S PET

High School Years - LIFE AS A CHEERLEADER

College Age - NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF RELATIONSHIPS

Present Age - TIME PASSAGES

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. She had a great CHILDHOOD.

2. MY CAT, MAGGIE, is by my side, always. (WELL, ALMOST ALWAYS).

3. I know this: I'M GOING TO HEAVEN SOMEDAY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

4. I DO LOVE YOU, still. (ONE OF THE FIRST SONGS I LEARNED TO PLAY ON THE PIANO.)

5. These words apply to me: DAUGHTER, MOTHER, WIFE, FRIEND.

6. WHEN I SAT DOWN TO WORK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THROUGH MY WINDOW the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SEEING DAWN, tomorrow my plans include POSSIBLY GOING TO CHINA LAKE TO CHECK OUT LUMBER FOR A GARAGE and Sunday, I want to SEE MY SISTER-IN-LAW AND HER BOYS AT CHURCH (I'M HOPING)!

BILLY RHYTHM'S VACATION MI-5

Billy Rhythm says: "I'm going on vacation next week. Yea! I'm really thinking I need some time away, and I think this vacation will really do me some good. Here are 5 vacation inspired questions."

1) Tell us a memorable vacation story you have from your childhood.

When Uncle Adrian and Aunt Ginny took Billy and I to New York, we went to the Bronx Zoo. While there, I met Miss Universe and had my picture taken with her. Being a young girl, that was EXCITING! I still have the picture around somewhere...I should try to dig it up.

2) Tell us a memorable vacation tale from your adulthood.

Mom and I went on a bus trip to Pigeon Forge, TN a coule of years ago, and we both had a great time. I'm not sure how many mothers and daughters could spend that much time together on vacation, but Mom and I had a blast. We took in a lot of shows, did some shopping, and went on rides at Dollywood. It was truly a great experience. We travel so well together that we're doing another bus trip this year...this time to Branson, MO.

3) Assume you and your mate/significant other/best friend are going on a dream vacation. You don't have to pay for any of it. Where do you go? Why?

If safety was also not an issue, I'd go on a guided tour through the Holy Land. To put my feet on the same soil where Jesus walked, well, it gives me goose bumps to think about it. I'd love to see the Jordan River, the site of Solomon's temple, the Via Dolorosa, the garden tomb, the traditional site of Jesus' birth...it just goes on and on.

4) Now, come back down to Earth, and tell us about a "dream" vacation that you think might actually happen some day. Where is that? How long until you think it becomes reality?

I'd really like to spend some more time in Florida. I really love to go to Amusement Parks, and there are certainly plenty down there. Plus, Florida is just so different from Maine, even if it is in the same country. In this economy, it could still be YEARS before we get to do that, but I still think it's possible at some point.

5) There are some missionary students on "working vacation" coming to my house for dinner tonight. If someone came to stay with you for vacation, what would you feed them that was really considered a "local delicacy"? What regional food would be a "must have"?

As an appetizer, State of Maine veggie cheese and crackers. Steamed lobster, steamed clams, and corn on the cob from Beth's for the maine course, and Maine blueberry pie with Dorman's grapenut ice cream on top for dessert.

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting THAT CALL FROM SCHOOL INFORMING ME THAT THERE IS A BROKEN BONE.

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a PERSON WHO DESERVES TO WIN.

3. RIDING A ROLLER COASTER is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN and ATTENDING CHURCH.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine BACKGROUND & TEXTURE PAPER and STICKEASE.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without BUTTER or POTATO in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GOING TO TJ MAXX WITH A GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM MY BOSS AND MY OWN PERSONAL STYLIST (MRS. CHEESEBALL), tomorrow my plans include MAYBE MAKING A QUICK TRIP TO SAM'S CLUB and Sunday, I want to GIVE DWANE HIS FATHER'S DAY GIFT!

AMY'S SUMMERTIME MI-5

Amy says: "School's are letting up, the weather is a little warmer and the days a little longer. It's time for the Summertime 5"

1. In school were you the kind of kid who was sad when school let out for the summer, or happy to be moving on?

I loved school, but I was always glad to welcome summer. I was (and still am) a homebody, and I liked being home with my Mom. I also loved to spend time with Becky, Lisa, and Melanie.

2. Talk about a memorable childhood summer. Did you go somewhere special? Did you do something fun?

One summer(I'm thinking I was in 3rd grade or so), Aunt Ginny and Uncle Adrian took Billy and I to New York. Uncle Ade was from Mamoroneck (I used to know how to spell that), which is, for the most part, just outside the city. We had Carvel ice cream, went to the amusement park in Rye (I think), and took in the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. We climbed up Liberty's crown, but the arm was closed for repairs. I'm quite glad of that. Climbing all of the narrow stairs really made me quite queasey. I don't care to do it again. One other summer (just before my senior year of high school), I flew to Brooklyn, NY with Aunt Jo and Jen. We took in the United Nations, Cats on Broadway, and screened a CBS game show. We also went to Cony Island.

3. During summers my brother and I use to comb the house for enough change to go to the local community college's summer free swim. Talk about something fun you use to do during the summer?

I loved going down to "King's Island", which was a clump of rocks that was mostly submerged at high tide, but very easy to get to and play on during low tide. There was "king's chair", "king's bed", and "king's bathtub". It was right across the street from my best friend's house. We also used to stop at Edie's little lunch stand to get French fries with white vinegar.

4. Do you have a favorite summertime food?

Believe it or not, I really enjoy some fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer. I love red potatoes, green beans, and corn on the cob from Beth's Farm Market. I also look forward to some strawberries dipped in chocolate, which I think I'm going to be having for dessert tonight.

5. Talk about a summertime tradition you have now?

Going to Beth's Farm Market has become somewhat of a tradition. We always go to the Lobster Festival Parade, and Dwane usually drags me to the Lobster Festival on hometown night when it is free. He just HAS to have a fried dough. I would rather avoid the whole thing, but I go along, because that's the tradition.

FRIDAY FILL-IN

1. I grew up thinking THAT I WOULD BE A MISSIONARY TO A FOREIGN LAND.

2. THE FRIDAY FILL-IN WEBSITE was the last website I was at before coming here.

3. Why don't you GIVE ME A CALL?

4. READING A GOOD BOOK helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the BIRTHDAY WISHES EVERYONE.

6. TALKING BEHIND SOMEONE'S BACK IS very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH CALEB (DWANE & EBEN ARE HEADED TO BOWDOIN, I THINK), tomorrow my plans include PRESTON'S GRADUATION PARTY (I THINK) and Sunday, I want to TAKE A LONG, LONG NAP!