Are you sure, Mr. Groundhog?

REALLY?

How Sure Are you, anyway?

Mr. Groundhog,

My husband and I have a very good question for you. How can we know for sure that you didn't see your shadow? How do you communicate what you saw or did not see to the guy who proclaims your decision? Do you speak human? Does he understand groundhog? Do you have a special paw signal? Is it some form of groundhog to human telepathy?

You see, you're expecting us to accept your decision in this matter, and after THIS winter, known to many as Snowmegeddon, we need to be sure - because we've all had quite enough winter - in fact, we don't have to have anymore winter now, or for that matter, ever - and I'd be quite happy, thank you!

I'm a little concerned about just accepting your "word" as fact that Spring will be here early. You haven't really had a reliable track record, you know. I think my own form of predicting Spring is a little more accurate.

For this area, it's pretty safe to say, though not always accurate, that by the end of March - the worst is over. At least by that time, we're starting to get sunshine, longer days, a few crocuses (or croci - whichever is proper), and a few sprinkles of rain, instead of snow.

So, I believe you're wrong about Spring being early this year. I don't think it's going to get here any faster than it usually does - around the end of March! And since my husband believes that I am only warm one Saturday in late July, even end of March won't be "Spring" enough for me!

So, Phil, Dave, Marsha or whichever groundhog you are, give us a reason to trust you? Explain how you come by this conclusion. What kind of facts do you have that shadow-vision or non-shadow vision works? We save this special day every year for your decision, but I'm beginning to think it's a pretty unreliable resource. Where's your data?

Waiting for your answer....
and counting the days 'til Spring - which I predict will be in around 56 days, give or take a day.

Out of My Comfort Zone

Testing the Water!

Ok, I admit it! I like my comfortable routine. I'm not real crazy about change. I used to be when I was younger, but let's face it...I'm not a teenager anymore (comments from the audience not necessary).

But I needed something to do after my daughter graduated homeschool. Homeschooling took up a large part of my life for a long time. Now what was I going to do to fill my hours, that would keep my interest, and maybe aid the family budget?

So I took a class in becoming a VA. VA stands for Virtual Assistant, and is basically an office assistant off site...usually from home. It was a safe jump into the water...because it was just a class. No commitment.

After waiting and waiting, doing some temporary work here and there, I finally got a client! Scary business. This was commitment, this was really testing the water, now. I opened a new e-mail account, started making appointments for her, did a few excel spreadsheets, and a few Word documents. Not bad. I can do this.

Then ordering gifts, mailing them out, checking e-mail when she's out of town. Do an event page? What in the world is an event page? A Fan Page? Yikes! Find a conference room, figure out what's wrong with Time Driver, you never know what will come up that needs to be done. Typing transcripts came next - now that makes me a happy camper, I love to type. See who's following her on Twitter...add clients to LinkedIn, etc., etc.

It's a challenge - and you can never complain about being bored!

In the back of my mind, I've been telling myself I need to step it up. Advance to the next challenge. There's been this "toe" hanging over the edge of the dock, hanging but not dipping into the cold water.

Well, today...the "toe" got dipped. I heard the little scream in my head...but, it only lasted a short second. I took on a new client, AND added my name to an available transcriptionist list - all in the same day!

The water was a little icy...but I survived. I'm not quite swimming yet...but I will be. So are you sitting on the dock with one foot an inch above the water? Are you trying to decide if you really want to challenge yourself or move outside your comfort zone? Hey, I did it and I'm still alive...so you can, too!

Thanks to Denise, Rhea, and Stacey. You gals rock!
(And not to forget their input, thanks mom and dad for making me take some business classes in high school!)

(No, that's NOT a shark...it's a dolphin, come on now!)

Thankful Thursday: For the Love of Petey

Petey the Dawg
2010

(Yes, he's just a dog. But God made him...and we're thankful for him. So here's my Thankful Thursday blog.)

You turned 15 this last February! You're an old geezer, if there ever was one!
You're also the most mellow, sweet-natured, gentle dogs I've ever known.

Over the years, you've been our friend, our companion, our shadow, our nuisance, our pest, our entertainment, our worry, and our expense.

I remember the day my son, and a neighbor boy, went toolin' around town looking at garage sales. He called me from the grocery store and asked, "Can I show you a puppy?" He'd been bugging us for months for a dog. I mentioned we weren't set up for a dog, dad might not want to get a dog, we didn't have a dog house, there wasn't any dog food, what do you know about the dog, where'd he come from...you know, the standard parent "how can I avoid this decision" conversation. But, he begged and begged to just SHOW me the puppy. He brought him to the front door...Oh, dear. How could you not love that face? Dad was consulted, and the deed was done. Petey came home to live with us.

We didn't have a camera back then, so I have no pictures of that little puppy. Think little tiny baby, and you can imagine the tug on the heart!

You know the teen years. It's pretty easy to forget the responsibility of walking the dog you wanted so bad. But when teenage angst sets in, who did the 6'4" football player seek out? The dog. Many a time, you could tell the big guy was close to tears - but would find comfort in a small dog.

It was hard to believe how a little 5 year old gal could play so rough - but Petey hung in there. He put up with it, and loves her still. He's been her anytime friend, there for her when so many others weren't. He accepts her for who she is while so many don't. That's the thing about dogs - loyal as can be, forgiving, and totally accepting.

But all hasn't been easy street. First you developed allergies to fleas. Not just that fleas bothered you like every dog...but you were actually allergic to their bite! It's pretty bad when you have to go on Benadryl!

We found out you have seizures...and they put you on phenobarbitol. Our dog, the druggie.

Then, you developed allergies to regular dog food! Aw, now come on...really?? So we buy the more expensive lamb and rice. Some improvement, but not enough...so then we try fish and sweet potato - and that seems to do the trick. Of course...not just any fish and sweet potato - but doctor prescribed fish and potato.

You recently developed tumors - they had to be removed. Then last, but not least, this whatever it is that makes you unable to get your hind feet up behind you, that makes you shake uncontrollably - more than the usual, that makes you walk like you've tied one on. It happened last summer, and while you got a lot of relief from some horrible-smelling "liver" pills - the doctor wasn't convinced that you aren't dealing with liver cancer.

But you've given us a wonderful year! It was like you'd been rejuvenated. Like you were a puppy once again.

Then last night...it started all over again. Even though you've been getting those expensive, nasty "liver" chews - it's happening anyway.

What to do, what to do. Who knows? After what we thought was your last night - you were up with the robins...barking and slowly trotting around the back yard! What's up with that?
So for now, we'll just keep enjoying you...and leave the outcome up to God. If He can take care of sparrows - I know He can sure take care of you.

Join others at Thankful Thursday. Share the things you are thankful for!

Snow, Snow, snow...and then some!

It's COLD, but it's beautiful!

The neighbor chatting with the salt truck driver

Yes, our dog can write. (I've got a bridge to sell you, too!)

Can you find Petey?

We got about 11.5 inches...at least at this spot where DD was standing!

Poor dog can hardly get out and do what a dog's gotta do!

But, still...isn't it beautiful? There's nothing so stunning as a red cardinal against the white backdrop of snow. God surely is the Master Artist, isn't He?

The Middle Name Game

The Middle Name Game...

Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

LaRayne

Love: My parents gave me my name, Constance LaRayne, and I don't think they chose it randomly. I think they gave it thought, and they let it roll off their tongues to see how it sounded. They loved me, and cared for me, they provided for me, and they thought of a perfect name for me.

Ability: Isn't it great how each of us has certain talents and abilities that are ours alone? He gave us the ability to think, to use our hands and feet, to hear and taste and smell. He gave some the ability to teach, others the ability to sing, some the ability to take a car apart and put it back together...whatever the ability, it was given to us by God. He gave me the ability to play the piano, to sing, to put words together to fashion poems, to type fast and accurately. I feel blessed!

Relatives: I have a great family. I never knew any great-grandparents (that I can remember, anyway), but I had wonderful grandparents. Grandpa P would take us for a walk to the store, bounce us on his knee, sing in German at Christmas, and pass out the Christmas gifts each year. You felt safe and secure at their house. Grandma P was the best cook ever. Somehow, children and grandchildren came out of the woodwork to eat when Grandma was cooking. I honestly believe some of my uncles could smell her cooking miles away. Grandpa B used to pick me up on occasion after school and take me for hot chocolate at Top Hats, he called me and Grandma - Cheshire cats. Never was able to figure that one out. He was tall and could sometimes be stern - especially if you deserved it, but I always knew he loved me. Grandma B used to make doll cakes for us, let us play with her flannelgraph figures that she made for teaching S.S. classes, would take me shopping on occasion, and she was fun to be with. I was blessed to live in a Christian home, with Christian relatives and I am grateful for their influence in my life...and their continued influence in my life.

Appreciation: I think this word has become more popular as time goes by. We live in some rough times - economically, and morally. It used to be that parents wanted their children's lives to be better than theirs. I want that too, but my greatest desire is that they make it through all this in one piece! I think people are looking for things to be appreciative and grateful for. It helps put things in perspective. I'm appreciative of my husband's hard work providing for our family. I'm appreciative of a warm home, of enough clothing, and more than enough food. I'm appreciative of a wonderful church and great friends.

Yours: Huh? Well, you try to come up with something for Y!!! No, really, that word gives me peace, comfort, it makes me excited, it makes me feel I belong. Because I can say without a doubt - to my Saviour, I am Yours. I was 11 when I asked Jesus into my heart, and while it took a while to understand what that meant - it wasn't just "fire insurance", I haven't regretted my choice to accept Him, and choose to live for Him to the best of my ability.

Normal: What's normal? Nothing. Wasn't it Erma Bombeck that said "normal is just a setting on the dryer?" I like that. It makes it easier to view normal that way. Life is filled with twists and turns, and frankly, if everything were normal - we'd be bored.

Esther: My mom's name. A good name, named for a queen. One that had faith, and trusted in God...like my mom. She and my dad raised us well. No, we're not perfect - but we all know the Lord as our Saviour, we all want to live right. She taught me to cook and tried real hard to teach me to keep house. I'm not bad at it, I'm just not fantastic. She prays for her family continuously. She enjoys life. Esther's a good name.

Well, that's my middle name. What's yours? I've enjoyed this game, thanks Kim, for posting it on your blog!

You think you know your man....

After 31 years, you'd think you would know your husband! Well, think again, ladies.
I thought he was going to work everyday! When, instead, he's been playing in Never, Never Land (not Michael Jackson's - Peter Pan's!)

Captain Hook

Now before you tell me to take him for help...you need to know he's not the only delusional one.


The whole group in his section of the office have been playing in Never, Never Land, too!

I'm a bit concerned about this place. The Three Wisemen work here (or is it the three wise guys?)


Part of the office is related to one another:

The Addams Family

Apparently, they keep unique hours at this office...because some of them (in rather unusual attire) spend the day at Walmarts!

Walmart Shoppers

Now, I'm not going to mention the name of this company. However, you all might want to be careful on the road....you never know how "things" are made! Drive real careful, park carefully, shut doors easily, ....etc.

Sigh.....I'm still in shock. I've been hopelessly deceived.

To Utopia and Back!

The sign here says something about the Appalachian Trail...and I believe it's the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. No, we're not doing that any time soon. Unless I could do it by car! We decided to take a "little" sidetrip, my hubby and I. We were due for a get-away day, and decided to see parts of Ohio we haven't seen - regardless of the fact that we've lived here over 20 years now! This was taken at one of our first stops.

My husband was kind enough to humor me a LOT on this trip. He pulled into these people's driveway so I could take a picture of their house. It just looked so pretty amidst the trees - and we both loved the window on the second floor.



So, we headed on east to Chillecothe, down to Portsmouth, driving on and on, then picked up the byway along the Ohio River. It was hard enough to get pictures out the window while on the highway - though I did, but a scenic byway...you'd THINK would have some places to pull over and take pictures!! Uh...no. So most of my pictures were taken from the car. Not bad for a moving vehicle and through the glass!


We saw some beautiful color, but were a little disappointed because I think we were about a week past the prime time for colors. However, the gorgeous contrast between the deep yellows and the light green in the above picture was fantastic!


I had to laugh, we drove through a little town named Utopia...and we both said someone had a unique idea about what Utopia should look like...granted you could see the river, but Utopia didn't seem to fit. You drove by in an instant...and sadly, it looked poverty stricken - with the exception of about 4 houses that might have considered they're little stretch of land, Utopia. Not long after that, though, I saw this little white church with the beautiful trees behind...and couldn't resist shooting a picture. I made my poor hubby turn around, drive into the Fire Department's parking lot and pick just the right location to park so I could get this picture! I'm sure some volunteer fireman looked out the window and grunted..."oh brother, another tourist!"



Well, finally! We found a spot to actually get out and look up close at the Ohio River. This bridge crosses to Kentucky. On the Ohio side, it was just a dinky little town...but the town across the way seemed to be pretty big.



Now, about now, I think my hubby was getting to the - quick, take your picture and let's go - stage. By this time it was mid-afternoon, and we were MILES from 275 that by-passes Cincinnatti...which is at least and hour and a half from home...barring traffic...more on that later.




God's creative artistry at work! The color here was beautiful. Finally, in the late afternoon, we found our way to 275 and headed north. Thankfully, 275 skirts Cinci - but did that mean we'd miss the traffic? Nada. We hit a standstill. It didn't seem like your normal, after work day traffic, though - and sure enough; there had been an accident. It was slow and nerve-wracking.

Finally, when we hit yet another traffic stall due to construction...we decided to opt for good 'ol Rte. 48. Drove through Dayton...up through Englewood...Union...ahhh. West Milton. Home!

It was fun, it was a gorgeous day, it was FURTHER than we expected...but we made it home. To be sure, we were done for the day. Next time....check the miles involved!! But now we've been to Utopia!!

Anniversary Trip

We had such a nice time on our little anniversary excursion. We had a nice leisurely breakfast, just oatbran and orange juice. On our way out of town, we stopped by the bank and took out enough money to hopefully cover our dinner this evening, and our shopping adventure this morning. (Please note, I said "hopefully.")

We then proceeded to Xenia...a town southeast of here...better known to many Ohioans as the Tornado Capital of the World...but that's another story. We found an apple farm called The Apple Country Farm. It's a pleasant place with lots of fall color to enjoy.

I thought the pumpkins around the flag pole was fun, so I took a picture of it...again you'll note the gray skies! Welcome to Ohio! But it made a nice contrast for the grass and pumpkins.

It seemed like they had pumpkins all the way around the main building! Here are more pumpkins with some pretty, fall colored mums...which I dutifully resisted.

I wish I could see the gazebo lit up at night...but it was comfy, cozy looking.


This picture doesn't do these little guys justice...but I got a kick out of them. I picked one up for myself...and I'll show it to you in a bit. The turkey couples up front..the one is holding a sign that says..."eat chicken", and the couple up above them are just dressed up like country folk. I could have bought a bunch of these...but again, I practiced restraint. I'm letting you know all this up front for a reason.

I got the biggest chuckle out of these squash/gourds. I set this one up and took it's picture. This little homegrown gourd looks peculiarly like the swans in the pond near here! Isn't it cute?

Now, we went for apples. Just apples. But apple blossoms bring bees...which make honey, and after all it's apple blossom honey. That's special, we've got to try it (besides it's good for allergies). And if I'm buying the apples, I need to know what to do with them...so an apple recipe book (old fashioned to boot), is really a necessity - right?

Plus, you just can't pass up creative little things that are truly NOT made in China! An actual household item made IN OHIO, IN THE UNITED STATES - I mean, how often do you get that opportunity?

So, remember the money that we took to cover our apples and dinner out tonight? Well, let's just say I had $7.00 left to pay for dinner tonight...guess I better count up the rest of my change in my change bottle to cover the rest. But I did practice restraint! Honest.

(Oh, ok...I forgot to mention the pie...but it was homemade!)

(Disclaimer...now lest you think we just spend without thought, please note, I save for this trip all year, every year, so we can enjoy ourselves - however, the best laid plans did get a little out of hand this time. I was hoping to spend less than I saved. Oh well, it IS what I saved it for...31 years only happens once! :-)

P.S. Good grief...I forgot to mention it, we bought apples!! 1/2 peck each of Gala, Cortland, and Honey Crisp. Monday, I'll have to get to work!

Help Me Celebrate!

ANNOUNCING, ANNOUNCING, ANNOUNCING!!

Please help me cheer Kaitlyn on in her new endeavor! She has a new website - http://www.youravon.com/kaitlynsheppard

introducing her start in business with Avon. She's really excited, AND nervous.
This morning she set up her website, and then went around passing out her books in the area.

When you go to her website - think....Christmas is coming!!!

Thanks for thinking of her.

Serious Business Men

SERIOUS BUSINESSMEN
AT WORK!


This is an altered picture of my husband's Team at work. They call themselves the "Lions of Communication." (get it?)

I just thought this was funny. First, my husband doesn't do ATV's - here he's driving.
Second...the beast about to chomp the head of one of the guy's is a cougar....not a lion. Third, most of us think these guys are working...some WORK!

This team is working on a project they will have to present to the "bigwigs". This should be an impressive start!

Now, don't you wonder what your hubby or wifey does at work?

15 minutes.....and I lived!

She drove!

15 minutes and while I had NO time to see my life flash before my eyes...it was one of those occasions when you usually do see your life flash before your eyes!

No, to be fair...she did pretty well. DD took her 1st class in a town not too far from here, and so on the way home, since she has her temps and needs to get driving time in, I took her down to the Lutheran Church parking lot and let her take over. We drove about 5 blocks and practiced pulling up to the curb and reversing.

I had to take over from there, because we went on the main roads and had to pick up speed to 55, and I knew she wasn't quite ready for that! But when we got back in town, I took her to the high school and switched places again. She then drove home and did VERY well until it was time to pull into the driveway. Whoo boy, the heart was in the throat. She picked up speed just a little too much when she should've slowed down. Took the turn a bit fast for my comfort.

However, we both survived, the car is parked and no damage is done.

My prayer life is up to date....

How's yours?

All kidding aside, this is a big step in dd's life. Prayer IS needed, not just for her driving, but in every part of her life. Growing up is harder than it used to be, or at least it seems that way. The above picture of a young woman praying reminds me of my need to spend more time in prayer. We pray together, my dh and I - but when it comes to my children, that alone doesn't seem sufficient!
(Isn't this photo sweet? I found it on Flick'r by a man named Joel Goa.)