Snooooooooow Time!!!

Andrew and Savannah had a friend over this afternoon and had a blast playing out in the snow... Perfect day for it. Could have been a little warmer, but... It is winter.


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Knitting Mama

Savannah is going to town on making a hat for Mr Tumnus... She's now
referring to herself as the "knitting mama"

Facebook Game Training

Laurie is teaching Sally (her mom) how to play games on Facebook and how to upload photos to CVS Pharmacy for printing.


I just had a training session with her on using Blogger... I think we'll start charging her

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Nintendo DS Training

Andrew is training Papa Kammin on how to Star Wars Clone Wars on the Nintendo DS...


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Meyer stepping down as Florida football coach

The Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach at Florida because of health concerns that came to light when he was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference championship game.

The 45-year-old Meyer resigned Saturday, calling it quits after five seasons in Gainesville and two national titles. He leaves Florida with a 56-10 record that includes a 32-8 mark in league play and a school-record 22-game winning streak snapped early this month against Alabama.

“I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program,” Meyer said in a statement. “I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.”

Meyer said he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.

Meyer will hold a news conference in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon and will coach his final game in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on New Year’s Day.

“Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision,” Foley said. “But the bottom line is that coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship.”

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Silent Night

The kids are in bed, Laurie will follow soon... A Christmas Story is showing on TBS... Stockings are filled... The last of the presents will soon be wrapped... Writing a return-letter from Santa to the kids... finishing off the peanut butter blossoms and milk left for the big guy... Oh, and the carrots left for the reindeer...

This has kind of become an annual tradition for me... To stay up late by myself doing all of the above.

But also, and most importantly, I use this time for reflection over the past year... The ups and downs, the successes and failures, the laughs and joys, the tears and frustrations.

And my conclusion this year, as always... I'm blessed.

Thank you God for loving me... Providing for me... Protecting me... Guiding me.

Yes, I am blessed.



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Visit my blog at http://strouthion.blogspot.com

Visit my blog at http://strouthion.blogspot.com

COOL Light Display

We went on a drive tonight to view Christmas lights... This was our first stop:

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Workin' For A Livin'

I've been spending the last couple weeks working for a friend that owns a hardwood flooring business. It's been fun to learn the craft, but my oh my... My knees, lower back and ankles (yes ??? my ankles) are killing me.


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Christmas Time... In The Kitchen

Oh Nice...

I'm wondering how SHE would feel if I went into the kitchen and
started drinking out of HER... Ummm... Dish.

Slipper Sleeper

Alexis loves to play with all of my shoes. She has especially gained a love for my work shoes and slippers. She never hurts them (like Tumnus) but just gently plays with them. Although, she does enjoy pulling the insole partially out of my work shoes... Which is quite frustrating to me.

Last night I had seen Alexis playing with my slipper... Which is nothing too out of the ordinary. After a few minutes I realized it had become quiet... I looked over to see Alexis with her face flat down inside my slipper... asleep. As I reached for my phone to take a picture she roused up a little... I waited patiently... But her face never returned as it was.

She can be a pain in the neck (or rather, a pain to my plants), but... I have to admit... She is sweet, for a cat.

Look who's got glasses

Savannah got her new glasses today... A little earlier than we had
expected.

Xmas Wish List

Like Father Like Son

Andrew has had my old Blackberry glued in his hands since I gave it to
him last night. It won't call, it can't go on the internet and it
won't send anyone messages... But, it plays games and takes pictures,
which for a 9 year old is quite enough. And, I'm sure it will be used
as a Star Wars communication device, too. :-)

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Foamy Fun

Savannah has always loved bath time... It cracks me up how long she
and Andrew can stay in the bathtub playing. Oh, to be a child again :-)

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iPhone Happiness

We did it - Laurie and I finally got our iPhones yesterday. And all I can say is ... "WOW!!!" it sure isn't taking me long to be convinced that the iPhone is by far the BEST phone made. My fingers (thumbs, actually) are having to get use to typing on a touch screen rather than little keys, but I don't think it will take me too long to get it under control.

in the mean time - if you get an email or text from me that appears to have some strange spellings... Just know my thumbs are still learning to walk. :-)

Of course, the kids think the best part of us getting our iPhones is that they get our Blackberries. Well, sort of. One has been reduced down basically a toy only. The othe one has been reduced to our home phone. We're eliminating our landline and transferring the number as another cell phone line. We'll be saving money without the landline but the kids will still have access to a phone if needed.

I've been spending quite a bit of time since last night setting up my phone and downloading apps. Love the variety of "stuff" I can get! But, it's time to take a break from it for now to get some work done.

Autumn Clematis in December

Alexis... Quite the Ham for the Cam

Sweet Day At The Beach

Happy Mama

Nothing makes Laurie happier than time in the sun.

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We Have Arrived In Florida!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

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"Though Troubles Assail Us"

I love BSF... 12-years ago I could NOT say those three words. In fact, I detested BSF. My excuse was that it reminded me too much of college... i.e. Bible college. Sitting through classes on specific books of the Bible like Acts, Isaiah, Romans, Revelation. Or series of books like the Epistles of Paul, Life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Or classes on Christian theology, Christian worldview (ah, good old IDS... also lovingly called I-D-Test), homiletics, Greek, History of Restoration Movement, etc.

Don't get me wrong... I loved attending Bible college at Lincoln Christian University (f.k.a. Lincoln Christian College & Seminary). But, just 10 years after graduating from Bible college I had a very difficult time sitting in a weekly "Bible study" that resembled my Bible college classes.

Fast forward 13 years... I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Monday nights except at BSF.

This year we're studying the book of John. Weekly I'm being challenged by the notes, questions, discussion time and teaching time... every week one or more points, questions, answers, SOMETHING is timely to ME.

But tonight... it was a hymn we sang immediately before the teaching time. Actually, "we" didn't sing the hymn... They sang, I listened.

I listened to a hymn??? Usually I laugh at the singing of 300 year old hymns at BSF... ALL verses... too slow... old english. BORING!!!

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,

though friends should all fail us and foes all unite.

yet one thing secures us, what ever betide

the promise assure us, "The Lord will provide."

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;

from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.

His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied

so long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,

and courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.

He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,

this heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;

yet, since we have known of the Savior's great name,

in this our strong tower for safety we hide;

the Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."

John Newton, 1779

I have to be honest... It's not that I detested BSF 13 years ago. I detested being confronted with truths week after week.

Thank you BSF... Thank you John Newton.

Mother Hen er... Dog

Hard to tell but that would be the dog giving the cat a bath - specifically cleaning her ear out.

Pumpkin Huntin' Time

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Phil's 75th Birthday Get-Together

Do You See What I See?

Ok, please tell me... Do you see what I see? I think it would help if you could see a video of what I'm watching, but my Blackberry can't do that (Why RIM? Why can't a Blackberry do video?)

Anyway - our kitten, Alexis, is suckling on Andrew's polka dot teddy bear, Tangie. She's been going at it for about 10 minutes now... Purring, prodding with her right front paw against Tangie's chest and sucking... Sucking on... well, THAT I'm not quite sure, but she's sucking on his chest.

Interesting... I guess she found a "mommy figure" in Tangie.

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Chocolate Lover

Yes... Andrew LOVES chocolate. :-) He's like his mommy and daddy.

He's decided his new favorite candy bar is Caramello... Good choice! Yum!!!

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McC Family - Photo Proofs

If there's one thing I'm learning about photography it's patience. Not with the subjects I'm photographing, or my equipment, not the surroundings and not even the weather... but with the processing of the photos. I become a perfectionist and spend way too much time on them... even with basic editing. I do, re-do and re-do again. I'm getting better, but still have along way to go.

I spent a couple hours taking photos of friends a couple weeks ago at a nearby nature center. Laurie and I have been friends with the McC's for several years. Mr McC was one of my first friends when I started attending Eastview Christian Church in 1995. Mr & Mrs McC started dating right after our wedding in April of 1998, which they both had attended.

There are some definite winners in the photos below... I'm looking forward to hearing what ones the McC's choose so I can let my creative juices flow. I already have some favorites I'm hoping they choose... Let me know what you like, too.

Recycling Business Idea

What a brilliant idea! I amaze myself sometimes! Why didn't I think of this years ago!

You might be wondering what I'm talking about... Well, I'll tell you...

SHOULDER PADS!!!

YES! You read that correctly... Shoulder pads. Not the football kind, but the kind women wear under sweaters & tops (not as much as they use to, though... Like in the 80's... WOW! BIG shoulder pads in those days).

Anyway... Here's the idea: RECYCLED SHOULDER PADS.

Yeah... you got it. And here are ten ideas for their use:

• Yarmulkes - Jewish head pieces

"Oy vey..."

• Chinese headware for cats

• "Adam" halloween costume (many are in the same shape as a leaf... might need dyed, tho)
• Bikini tops and bras for women (I know, duh, of course women... just thought I'd be clear for some men out there)
• Nursing pads (men, ask a mom what this means)
• Cell phone holder - Sew a couple together and VOILA!!!
• Eye blinders for horses
• Hot pads for little girls cookware sets
• Dr Scholls-der shoe inserts (Get it? "Shoulder pads" ... "Scholls-der pads")
• Light bulb remover pads (for those of us that lichange light bulbs while they're still hot)

Sorry I didn't have time to create photos for each idea... Laurie wouldn't participate with the bra/bikini & nursing pad ideas, no friends were available for the "Adam Halloween costume," we couldn't find a horse for the blinders, we don't have a sewing machine for the cell phone holder... blah blah blah.

Hey, I'm a dreamer and visionary... I let someone else work out all the details and do the marketing.

A Recent "Remember When...?"

I turned to Laurie the other day and suddenly asked... "Do you remember when we learned to drive you had to use a floorboard button to turn on the brights?" I have absolutely no idea why that came to mind... again, (as I stated in my previous post) I have stopped asking "why" when I think of something strange.

I'm not really sure when they stopped doing that, but it sure does make more sense than putting it on a little stick that also includes front and back window washers, cruise control and blinkers. Especially when my hands are already busy with the A/C, my music choice on my iPod, texting and setting my GPS. I guess they considered "foot multi-tasking"dangerous back then... it is quite hazardardous for all those left foot brakers (i.e. brake-riders) and clutch users. I've also heard there were a lot of drivers without left legs suing car companies for "equal opportunity high beam rights" (yes, that was a joke... please don't google that).

I wonder what a car salesman (oh, excuse me... salesperson) would say today if I asked for a "floorboard high-beam button" to be installed as an option for a new vehicle?

Google Me

So I'm taking a break from "work" and googled my name. I have no idea why, I just did it. At 43 I've stopped asking too many "why's" of myself. Interesting results:

I feel somewhat of a "connection" with each of the items listed, except... PHD (HAHAHA!!! That one REALLY makes me laugh) and "inflection energy" (maybe "indigestion energy" :-) My comments for each:

• Band - lover of music, sing at all opportunities (ok, that's not totally true right now since I'm on a "singing fast" for a few months), and was the drum major of our band in high school for 3 years
• Architect - In third grade I checked out the same book on "being an architect" weekly for like 6 months and actually created house layouts on graph paper. Then I found out how much math you needed to know... Goodbye architect career. I think I moved up to gas station attendant (remember what that was?) after that :-)
• Columbus, GA - Hmmm... well, I LOVE Georgia and our daughter Savannah is named after the city in Georgia. And for the Columbus part... I enjoy studying early American discovery.
• Denver - Another Hmmm... I visited Denver in 1976
• PHD - Again... HAHAHA!!!
• Colorado - Ahhh... BEAUTIFUL!!! Would love to spend a month hiking and photographing (in the summer)
• Evergreen - Easy one... plants... GIVE ME GREEN!!!
• Band Reno - Once again, Hmmm... Ok, well... lover of music again, and my Uncle Jerry lived in Reno for several years. HA... easier than I thought.
• Inflection energy - My mind is blank... nothing. No energy in that one.
• Music - YES!!! That's SO me!!!

I know... googling your name has absolutely NOTHING to do with the REAL YOU. (Well, that is unless you're someone famous or have done something totally stupid that hit the national news, i.e. google Falcon Heene and I bet the top 10 references are related to hot air balloons :-).

Try it and see what comes up for your name :-)

Moment of Fear

Here's the look of fear I had thinking the Florida Gators were going to lose to the Arkansas Razorbacks - YIKES!!!

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Upwards Cheerleading

Savannah and Emma practice their pom routine they will be performing at the awards night on the evening of the 25th.

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ISU Homecoming

Homecoming parade day at Illinois State University - it's my first one to attend. Pretty sad since Laurie is an alum and teaches there.

We have to miss the game this year due to Savannah cheering at Upwards football, and Florida plays at 2:30 today :-)

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Sweeeeeeeeeet

Best part of my day? Getting to work right beside this pretty baby :-) LOVE a red Mercedes coupe convertible :-) YUMMY!!!

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Corn By Moonlight

Hey Hey It's The Monkeys

Alexis finally found another monkey to hang with... she's the one on the right :-)

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Ready For Harvest

Gift For Laurie

Laurie has been asking me to make my pesto for months now. We had a large basil plant growing this year but haven't touched it, except for a few recipes.

So today I made a couple batches of pesto and... WOW!!! It was SO delicious!!! Fetuccini with freshly made pesto on top, a little grated REAL parmesan cheese and topped with diced roma tomatoes. And on the side, a plate of garlic balsam dipping sauce with parmesan cheese for italian bread. Awesome supper, if I may say so myself.

If there's one thing I've learned with pesto: don't skimp on the ingredients... Fresh cut basil and good olive oil, parmesan and romano cheeses.

And, yes... Laurie was pleased with her gift.

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Family Starbucks Time

Yum!!!
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Just One Of The "Animals"

This is the second time today I've caught Alexis napping on the family room couch with 3 of Andrew's stuffed animals... "Tangie" (polka dot bear) and a Webkinz frog and bat. SO CUTE!!! (Yes, even as a "cat hater" I said it was cute)

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10 Reasons Why I Don't Mind Having A Bad Exhaust System

1) Justifies being able to crank up my music
2) I can sound like a Harley driver without the danger of being one
3) I can drown out the crappy rap music in the dude's car next to me at the stop light
4) I don't have to honk for people to know I'm coming (for those who would usually just walk out in front of a "normal" vehicle at Illinois Wesleyan University)
5) Family knows eight blocks away I'm almost home
6) Can't hear my cell phone ringing
7) I get to meet some real idiots - i.e. "Your exhaust needs fixed" - Really? Thx! I thought I just needed an oil change
8) I feel like I'm driving a truck from the 70's show Sanford and Sons (I keep a lot of crap in the bed to help with that one)
9) If someone is riding with me and I have, ummmm... (gas)... I can let it rip and blame it on a nearby sow farm
10) I get free food at drive-thrus because they screw up my order since they can't hear well

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She's Glad He's Home

We had a feeling these two missed each other while Tumnus was at doggy daycare Friday thru today... They chased and fought each other quite a bit for the first couple hours after Tumnus came home, but this picture tells the rest of the story.
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Dragonfly on Dragon Wing Begonias

Painted Butterfly

Something a little different... did it real quick while taking a break from doing invoicing. Believe me... this was a lot more fun than invoicing!!! But, not sure if I like it.

Helping Hand

Welcome Fall

Whether I like it or not, fall is here.

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Blasted Vehicles!

Needle on the "F" = good thing
Needle on the "H" = bad bad bad thing

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What Sunday Afternoons Were Meant For #fb

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Oh No!!!

Oh no... Someone help me... I'm being sucked in to liking this kitten!!!

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One-Upping "The dog ate my homework" #fb

There is no possible way for me to put this story into words of my own... So, I'll just use Laurie's note to Savannah's teacher:

Mrs. Young -

Do you know that Stanley Steamer commercial where the dog wipes his bottom on the carpet? Well, our new kitten did that to Savannah's homework. She was doing her homework on a lapdesk on the floor. The kitten hopped up and wiped her little bottom right across Savannah's lined paper she was to use. After Savannah's meltdown, we assured her a different piece of lined paper could be used. I'm sure you have had "the dog ate my paper" explanation, but have you ever gotten "the kitten wiped her bottom on my paper" explanation?

Thanks for understanding!

Laurie

Nothing like an impromptued scrubbing of the kitchen floor, too... She left a very nice long streak of cat poop from the basement door (where her litter box sits on the other side of) across the kitchen floor to the doorway of the dining room.

Laurie just brought Tumnus in from outside and wouldn't you know he wiped HIS butt across the rug outside the front door! She's in the kitchen checking him for "leftovers" as I type this.

I'm expecting our canary to start scootin' across the bottom of his cage any time now, too.

[Laurie just pointed a finger at me and said, "And if I see you scootin' across the floor I'm sendin' you to the funny farm." I don't know about you, but I take that as a dare.] :-)

Is Hell Freezing Over? #fb

Wow!!! They've come a LONG way in three days...

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Omazin' Grace - WOW!!!!!

They need to have this guy sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Wrigley during the 7th inning stretch...

(watch all the way to the end, it really does get "better")

Tiny Butterfly

Had this tiny little butterfly rest on my foot the other day while taking a break from work...

Pretty cool, I thought...

Yancy Concert

Kids and I went to Eastview tonight for the Yancy (not Nancy) concert. Had A LOT of fun.

Of course, this meant I missed the beginning of the Bears game. I LOVE MY KIDS :-)

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So Far So Good #fb

19-hours and Mister Tumnus and Alexis are starting to warm to each other. Well, I probably shouldn't use the term "warm up" - But, at least Tumnus isn't on the leash all the time and having to be restrained.

Alexis is definitely bonding with Savannah (which we were hoping for), but she is warming up to all of us very well.

The best part? She pooped and peed in the litter box this morning! Also, she started eating her food today. Woo Hoo!!! Looks like we got a winner!

Now, if Tumnus would just stay away from her cat food!

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"Alexi"

"Alexi" is home...

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Kitty Preparations

• Kitty litter - ck
• Food samples - ck
• Treats - ck
• Poop scoop - ck
• Litter box - ck
• Bed - ck
• Toys - ck
• Gun - ck :-)
• Pet Psychiatrist for Mr Tumnus - ck

Less than 24 hours and our lives will change forever. This is SO different than getting a dog!!!



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