Meeting old friends

Brian and I ran into an old friend of ours from the Lima Ward. We moved to Columbus in 1996 and haven't him or his wife since since 2000 or 2001. We walk into sacrament meeting and there's this guy making faces at us and I swear, my face must've lit up like a light bulb. His name is Bill Davis and his wife is Lynda. They have 5 kids, 4 boys and 1 girl. His only daughter, Loralee, is now in our ward. The sad thing is she's been in our ward for 6 months and I didn't put 2 & 2 together until I saw her and Bill together. Her first Sunday in our ward was a Sunday that I talked when we were at the old Grove City Building. She said she thought she recognized me but wasn't sure. Considering she was like 7 0r 8 when we left, that's impressive. Their oldest son Ryan was also there with his wife of 1 year, Sarah. They were visiting Loralee, her husband and their daughter. Bill & Lynda's youngest is 17 so they're about to be empty nesters soon. One son is on a mission in Las Vegas and the other just got off of a mission.

I kind've knew a little of what was going on in their lives through Christmas letters and it's funny that I knew Loralee got married and had a baby girl but didn't put 2 & 2 together. Bill & Lynda still live in New Bremen, Ohio and they are now part of a branch that broke off after we left. We had some great times with them. We skipped sunday school so we could catch up and it was just like we never left. Lynda wasn't able to make it there for church because in their small branch, she has 3 callings and couldn't leave.

I am really looking forward to getting together again now that they have an excuse to come up and visit! I was flying high yesterday! It's great to see old friends.

My Christmas Vacation

I was blessed this year to be able to take off a lot of time around Christmas. I worked 1/2 day Christmas eve and 1/2 day Monday the 29th. I was able to have the rest of the time off. This was the first time I've taken vacation without going somewhere. It was so nice and relaxing. I think this is my favorite picture of all. It sums up my Christmas Vacation!!!!

My favorite thing!

Our cat Maria even got in on the action!

Christmas

I was blessed to have my whole immediate family with me at Christmas this year. Unfortuntly my nephew & his family didn't come (long story, I'm letting it go & not sweating the small stuff)!

Danessa really wanted the automobile battery charger. She is worried about being stuck somewhere by herself. She's so responsible. She also wanted a map of Cincinnati. Since Columbus was running low on maps of Cincinnati, I asked Alicia to get one for me. She did and got a nice laminated one. Danessa was surprised & happy.

Her Battery Charger

Her map of Cincy

Keith wanted body building stuff

We got him some car stuff that he was happy about

Brian got ammo which made him happy

And this is my gift card to Charles Penzone

I am thankful for the holiday season and the opportunity to spend time with family.

A New Year, A New Me (from Kelly Ortman)

I saw Kelly blog about this and even though I usually don't do quizes, I thought this would be cool. It made me really think about how things went last year.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you've never done before?
I learned how to crochet. I made lap blankets for people at work and a baby blanket for a co- worker. I love it.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I stopped making resolutions a long time ago. I feel that I set myself up to fail so I make little goals all year long.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a co-worker

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness. Unfortunately, Brian's brother died in 2007

5. What countries did you visit?
We visited the Bahama's on a cruise. It was a graduation present for Danessa.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better physical health

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched in your memory and why?
Oct 24 because that was the day Keith was done with his deployment to Iraq and came back to the states.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing emotionally. I feel like this year I have finally learned to love Brian unconditionally.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not finding a better job, getting really angry & bent out of shap at my boss and gaining a LOT of weight.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness.

11. What was the best thing you brought?
I don't have a best thing. One thing that came to mind is the coat I got from our shopping trip.

12. Where did most of your money go?
The beginning of the year, in my gas tank. Throughout the year, frozen Mt. Dew drinks from Speedway!

13. What did you get really, really excited about?
For Christmas, Brian and Danessa brought me a gift card to Charles Penzone and Brian brought me a neck rubbing massager that I absoultely love.

14. Happier or sadder?
The same

15. Thinner of fatter?
Fatter

16. Richer or poorer?
The same

17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working out

18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time and watching TV

19. How did you spend Christmas?
We celebrated Christmas on Christmas eve this year so it was with my whole family. On Christmas day, Danessa and I hung out and watched a Heroes marathon!

20. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I've continued being in love. I think it's even better and fullfilling now than when I was younger.

21. What was your favorite TV show?
Sarah Connors- The terminator and Heroes.

22. What was the best book you read?
I don't have a favorite. I like series. I'm reading the Anita Blake vampire hunter series now.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2008?
My IPOD. Keith left it behind when he went to Iraq and gave it to me. I've learned how to use is and love it.

24. What did you want and get?
I was able to add to my St. Nicholas Christmas village from Kohl's. I got a few pieces before Christmas for 70% off and I picked up 3 pieces for less than the price of 1 after Christmas for 80% off!

25. What did you want and not get?
New family room furniture.

26. What was your favorite film this year?
I saw a lot of movies. Nothing stands out.

27. What did you do on your birthday?
Went to work

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurable more satisfying?
If the gas prices hadn't skyrocketed I believe I would have continued the cycling class at the YMCA. I would have not gained weight and worked off more stress.

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The same as before. I still shop at JC Penny's (did you read that Alicia?!)

30. Whatt kept you sane?
Prayer, good friends and having Brian to talk to when things were crazy.

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None. I use to want to look like Halle Berry but decided I'd whether look like me and have my life than hers.

32. What politial issue stirred you the most?
The presidental race. I never in a million years thought I would live to see a Black president. I was and am so excited. I am looking forward to what the future holds. The last 2 elections I felt neither candidate was good so I picked the better of the worse. This year I whole heartly supported Obama. I feel he can do our country a lot of good because he's not an "experienced" politician. He sure can't do any worse than Bush has done.

33. Who did you miss?
Having Danessa home when she left for UC

34. What was the best new person you met?
The ladies I met on the shopping trip this year. Also, getting to know My Hien Clay was awesome.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008?
As Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones says, "You can's always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you'll get what you need." Very valuable lesson. Plus, to not take life for granted. I can't believe how fast my kids grew up. Keith brought up the fact that none of my kids live at home anymore! I've learned to appreciate what I have. I'm so thankful for Brian and the relationship we have. If we hadn't worked on cultivating our relationship over the years, being empty nesters would be more stressful.

Jeffersonville Outlet Shopping Trip

This is weeks late but I've been so busy. If I don't blog about it now, then I never will. I had a WONDERFUL time. Our shopping trip was December 12 & 13. I was hoping to leave work at 4 so I could beat the traffic but I ended up staying until almost 5:15. As I was leaving(and stuck in traffic) I called Alicia Cook to tell her I was running late. She was so good! I was stressed and about to bust a blood vessel and she calmly said, It's okay. We'll meet you at Bob Evan's for dinner. There is no need to rush. Just those few words were enough to calm me down. You would almost think she's used to dealing with high stress situations (with her and her 6 kids!). Anyway, I got to Bob's and everyone was there. Melissa, Julie, My Hien, Kelly, Alicia, Jackie, Tara, Karen & Suzanne.

I have been blessed to be able to meet and get to know a lot of wonderful women because of this trip. Each year it seems like me, Kelly & Alicia have lots of stories to share but this year was different. It was great listening to the other women share.

There is only 1 thing better than sitting around a jacuzzi and talking with friends, that is sitting in a hotel room snacking & talking to those same friends.

The deal I got this year was for me. It was a coat from Wilson's leather. Julie & I shopped together on Saturday & stopped in there. I saw this coat and tried it on. She said it looked good. I have to admit, it does! Regularly $285, marked down to $129, I got it for $90!!

Our New Calling

Brother Cherrington called and scheduled an appointment to come to our house on the Wed before Thanksgiving. I didn't want to be released from my calling but you know how that goes... My biggest concern was being put in 1 of the 4, yes 4 nurserys in our ward. Well, he comes over and he's doing the getting to know you thing and releases me from my calling. He then springs the new calling on us.

WARD MISSIONARIES!!!!!

So, after staring at him with my mouth opened for a few seconds, I look at Brian, we both look at him and BUST OUT LAUGHING!!!! Yes, we laughed. That poor man. He comes to our house to do this spiritual thing and we laugh.

I tell him, you've got to be joking. I said, "Do you want to know what kind of missionary work we've done over the past 21 years?" And I was silent. I then said, "That's it. Nothing!". Brian then precedes to ask him if they prayed about it!

I'm laughing now as I'm writing this!!!

Poor Brother Cherrington, he's all serious and says, yes we did pray and we feel it what's you should do. Brian then says, we know why they sent you. "You're the new guy and you don't know us and they wanted to iniate you!" We told him we figured that when Brother Perry was released from the bishopric and Brian was still the Sunday School President, Brother Perry told him, "He's your problem now!" Poor Brother Cherrington. He's all serious and says, no we didn't discuss that.

Well Brian then says, "I was a ward missionary before". I say, "When? I don't remember" He said, "With Nathan Toronto." I said, "Oh yeah. You didn't do anything." Brian said, "Yep. That poor man". I then look at Brother Cherrington and told him that Nathan could become a serial killer and he would still be guaranteed to go to the Celestial kingdom because of having to deal with Brian! That brings out another round of laughter from me and Brian.

So finally we get it together and say okay, we accept. Well, Brother Cherrington high tailed it out of there and after we close the front door I called for Danessa. She was up in our computer room and I said guess what, "WARD MISSIONARY". She proceeds to bust out laughing and then there is another round of laughter. She said mom, that man probably hasn't made it to his car yet and he can hear us laughing!

So on Sunday, they released me from my calling and proceeded to call us to be WARD MISSIONARIES! I'm happy to report I didn't really laugh until after sacrament meeting when the people who knew us came up and laughed with us.

Thanksgiving

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with our good friends Craig and Kelly Arrowood. Brian, Danessa and I spent Thanksgiving with them last year when it was the 3 of us and it was nice. This year was just as good. Brian fried a turkey and Kelly baked one. We had all the fixins as well as plenty of desserts (my favorite!). Keith and Holly Simmons came over right before we ate so it was nice having my whole family together. Kelly took a picture of us and I took very pictures of the other family members. The great thing about them is we all sit around and complain about how much we ate,watched TV and nap! Just like being at home.



This is Craig cutting the oven turkey.

My happy family