Gingerbread & Jailbirds

My niece, sister, and I went to the Festival of Gingerbread at the History Museum and had fun seeing so many different things built out of gingerbread.

This scene was built with various denominations of money.  For 50 cents a guess, you could guess as to how much money was built into the scene.  Whoever was the closest, won the money in the scene while the money placed in the guess box went to charity.

This is one of many churches we saw.

This mansion was one of our favorites.  My sister wants a life-size version of this to live in.

A smaller "cottage".

This building is a replica of a historical building in the city.

A school house.

This is my favorite...a tree house!

A cool looking cottage house.

The Washington Monument was also represented as well as ...

the Eiffel Tower

This castle was my niece's favorite...

especially since it was complete with all her favorite Disney princesses.

I thought that this igloo was cool too.

If you look through the windows of the below church, you will see a wedding occurring.

Another historical marker portrayed in food.

After walking through all those artistic displays of food, we built up an apatite and got arrested for eating parts of the exhibits.  How convenient that there was a jail in the basement of the building.

We were not really arrested and we did not eat any of the displays; we just took the opportunity to goof around in the jail in the basement.

I am now ONLINE!!!

I hope to be able to post on a more regular basis now that I finally got internet at home.  I know it has been a looooong time since my last post and a few of you have reminded me of that fact.  I will do my best to update you on what I missed posting about over the last month and a half. ...while at the same time trying not to overwhelm you nor blogger.  It will not necessarily be in chronological order, just in case you're wondering.  

Update #1

On my birthday earlier this month, I was on the 11:00 p.m. news.  Why?  On our local NBC network, they have a little blurb called "Todays Weather Word".  They go out into the viewing region and ask the first person that walks by to come up with a weather word for the day and they video tape them.  I was walking from work to a restaurant to meet my mom for lunch when they stopped me.  It was not until a  few days later that I realized on was on Channel 33 on my 33rd birthday.

After work, I spent the evening at my sister's house where she made a pot roast dinner for her family and me.  We had fun playing games after dinner.  

Misc.

Last Sunday, my sister, niece, and I went to see the gingerbread houses that were on display downtown. There were so many nice ones...yes, I do have pictures, but I have yet to download them; so you'll have to wait with much anticipation. It was fun and we topped it off with a gingerbread cookie. My niece came to my house afterwards and helped me decorate for Christmas. My tree is now nicely decorated and my village is all set up. I still need to hang the stockings and set out the manger scenes.

Work has been going well. I am improving every week and they keep adding new things to my repertoire. I do have to say that it is nice to have a full-time job again....while at the same time trying to work a part-time job along with it is very tiring....did I mention that my part-time is retail and it is the gift-buying season!!!

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Mrs. M (she co-owns the place I work at now) called me up and asked if I wanted to go ice skating with her at the park downtown. So, I met her there, rented skates, and made it around the rink 10 times in a half-hour! Let me just say that this was only my 3 time ever ice skating! The first time was when I was in elementary school with the girl scouts; the second was my sophomore year of college as a campus activity. It seems like I am making a pattern of every 10 years or so. Hopefully I won't wait another 10 years before going again. I did enjoy it and improved alot from lap 1 to lap 10! Mrs. M owns her own skates, so after the first lap, she went off on her own. I stayed right next to my friend--the wall!

That is the update for right now. I will try to post the pictures soon.

Things I am Thankful for...

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I do not have as much time or access to a computer these days, so forgive me for not keeping up with my posts. I will try to post as much as possible. In honor of Thanksgiving, here is a list (although not exhaustive) of the people/things I am thankful for: Jesus; Grace and redemption; Forgiveness; Love; My family; Seeing my nephew again!; My niece; My best friend; Friends who stood by me...and continue to stand by me in difficult times; Long talks; Answers to prayer; Anonymous gifts; My new job; A house to live in that now has a new roof; Food to eat...and the ability to cook it; My church; My pastor; Crisp fall air...which seems to be all too quickly changing to frigid winter air; My fuzzy pjs and blanket to curl up and watch a movie with on cold evenings; Walking; Music; Photography; Sunsets; Sunrises...when I'm up in time that is;. A reliable car; DARK chocolate; Camp fires; Hayrides; Singing; Lambs.

My work experience so far

I have now completed 3 days at my new job. Can you say wow! There are so many little things to remember and tons of papers to load! It seems a bit daunting right now, but will come with a little practice and time. It took 2.5 days to do what will need to be done by 4:00 on Mondays! We did have to solve some computer issues and print id badges this week too which took some time. I went to lunch with my supervisor today and he said that I had completed things as expected, if not faster than expected for my first week. That made me feel a little bit of relief. I was a bit nervous when it took that long and I found out what I had done should be done by 4 on Mondays! It has been a good experience so far and I look forward to catching on and speeding up the process. It is nice to have a steady job and not have to worry about where I'm going to apply next. Funny thing...since I began work this week, I have had companies call me for interviews. I guess when there is drought there is drought, and when it rains it pours! I am so greatfull for how God has provided and worked in and through me during this whole time.

Church & Pizza

Sunday, I went to church with my parents at the little country church I attended as a kid and my dad pastors. This is a picture of a model someone made that sits atop the piano.

The hymn book that they gave me out of which I learned many hymns...opened to my favorite hymn below.

On Monday evening, my parents, youngest brother, and I picked up my nephew and took him out to eat at Pizza Hut. Uncle Ken surprised him with a tour while we waited for our food. He also introduced us to the apple pies that some of the Pizza Huts now have. Although they were good, I preferred the cinnamon sticks with glaze.

My nephew with Unlce Ken.

Me and my nephew.

Family History

Last Saturday, about 30 members of my mom's side of the family got together to celebrate our family history. I know that more would have liked to come but were not able to at this time. We began by enjoying conversation and eating. Then my mom and her siblings shared pictures and stories of their dad. I, like quite a few of my cousins, did not have the opportunity to know my grandpa; he passed away in 1957 when my mom was a little girl of 9. It was great to see pictures and hear stories. I knew a little bit from what my mom has told me before, but it was great to hear my aunts and uncles experiences as well.

Here Uncle Bill shares his stories of his dad and growing up. It looks like he is ready to document the day for future generations as well. Cousin Diane reads memories that my mom typed up.

We also celebrated anniversaries of my parents and aunts & uncles.

Pictured here are: Aunt Lois & Uncle Jim (52 years); Mom & Dad (35 years); Aunt Arlona & Uncle Al (45 years); Uncle Bill & Aunt Gerri (55 years); Uncle Curtis & Aunt Dodie (the newly weds...6 months)

The couples that were married 10 years apart; 35, 45, & 55 years respectively. This is something to be celebrated...especially since marriage longivity is becoming more of an exception these days.

My sister and niece. My niece is learning how to knit. My counsin Jim's daughter. My cousin Dave's son.

His other son. His wife & their youngest son. K has come a long way! We ended the celebration with a hymn sing-a-long accompanied by Diane. It was a wonderful day of rememberance, celebration, and passing on the family legacy.

How many chiropractors does it take to find you a job?

In my case...3. In talking with my mom this weekend, we discovered a series of events that led me to meet the chiropractor who helped me find my job. I used to go to a chiropractor up north who referred me to a chiropractor here in town. That chiropractor hired the chiropractor that refferred me to the job. Now that I probably have you all confused. I attended my orientation today where I sat through countless videos on home healthcare professionals. I'm not sure how much of it I will actually use doing billing and payroll, but it did give me a better understanding of what those out in the field are doing. I offically begin work on Monday.

hiho hiho it's off to work I go!

This morning it was confirmed that I have been hired to work full-time! Thank you to everyone who was praying for me. I will be doing billing and payroll for a home health care business. What is ironic is that out of all the applications that I submitted this is the only job that I didn't have ANY background or experience! In this case it was in who I knew. I would like to send out a HUGE thank you to my chiropractor who told me about the position and highly recommended me. (His friend and former college room-mate, was the one who hired me.) I know that I am capable of learning the job quickly, but am a bit nervous since I have not done that type of work before. I thank God for how He has provided not only this job but in so many other ways over the past several months. The library is closing, so I will continue later.

THANK YOU!

An Evening with 5 Grand Pianos!

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Grand Piano Extravaganza in Shipshewana. Thank you to my aunt for the ticket! When we walked into the building, my mom commented that (based on the average ages of those in attendance) she was the teenager of the bunch. I added, I must be the infant then. I did see a couple of people younger than me. The night began with each of the 5 grand pianist performing southern gospel music with each of their groups respectively as well as a performance by a comedian. The comedian titled his segment "An 8-Track Guy in an Ipod World". Just before the intermission, all the grand pianists came together and played a song. After intermission, it was all grand pianos! That is what I thought the whole night was going to be and what I enjoyed the most. Here Dino Kartsonakis is on the lead piano with the other four pianists. I remember growing up with his music. The pastor's daughter at the Missionary Church would play them as the offeratory on Sundays. It was fun to hear him play his arrangements.

Stewart Varnado of the Dixie Echoes takes his turn playing for the audience. He tried to be funny. He also played a Southern Gospel song in a Sinatra/Dean Martin style. Jeff Stice of the Triumphant Quartet was one of my favorites of the evening. I loved his style and was amazed at how he could make the keys fly! Josh Singletary of the Tribute Quartet is a fellow red-head. Though I was not familiar with him prior to the concert, a lot of people in the crowd seemed to know him. Kim Collingsworth of the Collingsworth Family really brought the house down with her genuine rendition of "How Great Thou Art". She really radiated an anointing of the Spirit. This was my favorite part of the whole night! After she finished, Dino came to the piano and felt the Spirit leading them to stray away from the schedule of the evening. He then led us into a time of worship. I was amazed at how he could just say to the other pianist to just follow his lead and they were able to play along without it being rehearsed! It was a great time of worship. After a time of worship, the pianists got back on the planned schedule for the evening and played songs together. During the finale, the pianist circled up around the piano bench of the lead piano and kept switching out who was playing during the song. Mom got to meet and get her picture taken with Kim Collingsworth after the concert. I think that Kim is Mom's favorite. We chated with Kim a few minutes and she seemed real genuine and such a sweetheart.

I also got to meet Dino and I got my program signed by him. Prior to Saturday evening, I was only familiar with Dino. I love grand pianos and music; now I have others to listen to!

No more college homecomings...

Monday I found out that the college I attended and then worked at for 8 years is closing at the end of the year. Please be in prayer for the students, faculty, and staff members that will be affected. Now, not only will they have to keep up with their classes, they will also be looking to transfer (students) and new jobs (faculty & staff). I have quite a few different feelings about all of this. I'm not sure how to express them into words.

A Day with a Princess

Saturday, I spent the day with my princess niece. She wore her tiara and I was her limo driver. Ok, so her limo was a Toyota Camery, but we pretended. Our first stop of the day was at Family Christian Store to see the movie, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" which came out on video that day. FCS was showing the movie in store.

Our next stop was DeBrand Chocolates. (Thanks to having a gift card, we were able to have alot of fun!) We bought some chocolates to take home and we ordered s'mores to eat there.

My niece showing off the chocolate case.She is really excited and can't wait to toast her marshmellows...all four flavors! Yes we had vanilla, cinnamon (our favorite), chocolate, and berry. Mmmmmmm!One of the berry s'mores.I'm taking a turn at roasting my marshmellow.

We couldn't resist taking this photo. She wasn't really playing since there was a sign saying that the piano is not to be touched. That's ashame to have a beautiful grand piano just sitting there begging to be played and then post a sign on top of it saying you can't!

My niece wanted her picture taken pretending to be a bride.She just joined the Brownies and modeled her clothes for me.

Can you believe that after our huge sugar high in the afternoon that my sister planned a cook-out including s'mores out on their deck that evening! It was fun for one day...but I don't recommend doing it often!

What a great and fun day!