Life with my sister

Today is the first day of college football! GO HOGS GO!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! Julie

Well, we are moving out of our apartment tonight. We will clean it and turn in the key tomorrow. I am so ready to have all my things in one place. It will take me a small forever to find everything and give it a home. I dread that process. I actually dread moving furniture tonight with my husband. It is never a pretty thing. I wish we had guy friends or guy family members that lived here to do this for me. I am a wimp and cry when things are too heavy. I dread the deep freezer already...I am sweating thinking about it. I am so ready to not move anything for a long time! Next time, I will have a strong male friend to take my heavy end of the freezer. Gas. We need gas. We wondered why there was no hot water and figured a breaker was off or the worst....the water heater was out. Well after much inspection we realized that little Abby forgot to turn the gas on! Genius. So, they are suppose to give us service today so we can bathe and wash paint brushes the right way and all that good stuff...

I mean really! I long for the days when we would eat lunch, get our swimsuits on and head to the pool. Oh! How wonderful those days were. The sun would bake into my skin coloring it a deep dark brown. My children would play in the pool without assistance from me. I could be their mother, yet still soak up the sun's rays, read a book and drink a Sonic Route 44. Oh, those were the days and I want them back! You see, since the pool closed, school has started. School at home. We do school in the morning, which leaves our afternoons free. FREE!!!!! Free to clean, to make messes, to discipline, to act like heathen children that have never seen the indoors before. Where did these children come from? They look like my children, but seriously, they act as if they have lived outdoors all of their lives. They run, yell, throw, play ball, stand on chairs(and break them-OH MY!). All I do all day is get on to them. Does anyone feel my pain? I think about how restful my day would be if they were ...

I hate 'Ya Know'. It drives me batty. I do use it sometimes, but not at the end of every sentence. I am around someone who does this all day long and it is like fingernails going down a chalkboard to my ears. Yikes. My question: Do you end the sentence with a question mark or an exclamation mark, when using 'ya know' at the end of your sentence? Examples: 'I saw my grandson last night, ya know' ( I didn't know, but I am so glad you told me) 'I got some Triscuits at Big Lots for us, ya know' ( no, I didn't know and I am not eating expired & broken Triscuits!) 'The phone needs to stop ringing, ya know' ( yes, I agree... and this is a case that 'ya know' does not drive me as insane as the others) 'I wore my white pants again today because it is almost over for the year, ya know' ( Yes, I know about the Memorial to Labor day rule and I am so glad you are wearing the same pants all week long. Delightful.) 'Do you like t...

I wanted to post a picture that makes me smile each morning when I look at it on my desk. I wish I could get it to post! These 4 little loves are in school this morning at Bobbies Circle. Their teacher is a near saint, she is also my sister and their mother. I found out that she has them pray for specific needs of those who need it each morning before school. They prayed for my headache this morning and I cherish those little prayers. It is so nice to know these 4 sweet souls are in a classroom where they can pray openly about whatever they want, especially their Aunt Abby. I love that their teacher is just that, their teacher, while in the classroom. She teaches Pre-K, 2nd grade (to twin boys) and 5th grade. Pray for her, if you will. I think my job is stressful and then I think about hers. Wow!I know I brag about my niece and nephews A LOT, but they are worth bragging about. I don't brag about my sister enough though. She is truly a near saint. I love her heart and her sense of...

I have tried, and tried, and tried to post a walking video tour of Abby's new house. I have tried to post it directly to blogger which is where we blog and I have even tried to post it to youtube, but my internet connection is just too slow. It gives up too soon. I'm truly sorry. I have every intention of figuring out a way to get it to you. The house is really pretty. It is on a cul-de-sac (a long one). It sits back off the road a bit and has trees in the yard that add to its charm. The dark green front door at this moment has a hideous gold doorknocker on it (but I'm sure it will soon be replaced with a lovely silver one with a cross on it.) When the door opens you can see through the foyer, into the kitchen and on into the den. The kitchen, I hear, is being painted a delightful yellow that will look lovely with the granite counter tops. The den has a brick fireplace done in the neatest design, and makes the room look very homey and comfy. To the left of the foyer is th...

I am back from my quick trip to Abby's. I saw her office and it is cute and spacious. I met her co-workers and was on my best behavior so as to not make her look bad. I would hate for them to think that her sister was a country bumpkin or something like that! I spent most of my time at her house, which is really pretty (and doesn't smell!). I have pictures and even a video that I will post tomorrow so I will tell more about the house then. Abby and I had such a fun time together. We unpacked most of the kitchen boxes last night and then went to spend the night at the apartment. Randall was sick-SICK- and he stayed at the house. I don't think he even knew or cared when we left. I felt so bad for him. Anyway-enough about Randall. Abby and I stayed up late unpacking and then stayed up even later gabbing like sisters do and should! It was such a fun time! We got up early this morning. Abby had to work for a few hours at something the hospital was putting on for the kids in town...

It was GABC Roundup Sunday at Tiles Park in 1984. I had just partaken in an apple bobbing contest, so my hair was a bit wet under my awesome bandanna hat and Daddy...well, he was just a stud! Mama said she always wanted to send this in to Coke for an ad. It is the funniest picture. Check out the jelly shoes, Izod shirt, gold chain, Daddy's hat, his belt and the bbq sauce on my face. I hope this gave you a happy chuckle!I am still trying to figure out what was in my little sack? P.S. Can you see Daniel in this picture? Does he not look just like me?! Abby

Yesterday would have been our Grandfather's birthday. I called him Peepaw or Peep and Jules just simply called him, Granddaddy. He was the best. He was a Southern Baptist preacher for over 50 years and loved serving the Lord. His three granddaughters were the apples of his eye. I was the baby in the family, and opened his eyes to a lot. I made him sit through many lip sinc performances and made him play with my dolls. I loved pulling ear lobes when I was little, and his ears were my very favorite! He loved taking pictures of the family, when the Polaroid was all the rage (Can I just tell you about the Polaroid picture collection. wow!) He was a gentle man with a strong spirit and I loved spending my summers with him and I always cherished Christmas time with him. He died when I was in the 9th grade and it was one of the saddest days of my life. He left without any goodbyes and that has always made me a bit sad. God knew best though, and my last memory of him was us laughing togeth...

We started school on Monday. My intention was to begin last week, but I just couldn't get my act together. We have finished our third day and it has gone quite smoothly. We are using the A Beka curriculum again this year. I had thought about and researched other curriculums but when it came down to buying, I bought A Beka again. I know there are cheaper books out there, but it turns out I am an A Beka snob. I love the way they teach reading. Their math cannot be beat in elementary grades, I just love it and the kdis don't know anything different so they love it too. I know people worry about me having "me time" with the kids home 24/7 year-round. Today I went and got my eyebrows waxed and my hair cut and colored-by myself. I had a little "me time" and it was nice. And even better than that is that I get to leave Friday and go see Abby and the new house by myself! I can hardly wait to see it and to tell ya'll all about it! ...

....at Least For Today, Anyway. I just completed my first week of Boot Camp and I lost 6.5 pounds! You can only imagine the excitment I felt at 5:03 this morning when the little lady weighed me. I made her do it twice to make sure. It is going to be a long 5 weeks (it was a 6 week commitment) of early mornings, but I think it may be worth it! PLEASE pray for us as we prepare to make our house into a home that we can live in and be happy with. We got about 4 to 5 hours of sleep last night and have full work days ahead of us before we go back to the house to work tonight. We seem to take 1 step forward and 2 steps back with all of the projects we are tackling. They say, that which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. We will just have to see about that! Abby

God love my Rand! Well, the work has begun! The house is ours and we are working fast to make it a home. Randall and I were both so overwhelmed when we closed on Friday by all the work that needs to be done, that we didn't know where to begin. We worked until the wee hours of the morning on Saturday morning, we got a few hours of sleep, and then were back at the house by 7:00 Saturday morning and worked until it was time to go dress for the Red Dress Gala. We were so tired. She is the only one I know that can peel wallpaper with a smile! Sunday brought much help and hope. We had family come help us! We only have a few family members close by and we were beginning to wonder where they were....and Molly and Ben came through for us. Much love to you two for the help and the glimmer of hope you provided us yesterday! Coming with tools, help and a smile meant more to us than you will ev...

Anna's mother (not to be confused with me, her stepmother or Becca's mother) has had twin babies. Anna is quite excited about this and is waiting for her mother to pick her up and take her to see the babies. *UPDATE!!! Anna informed me tonight that her stepmother has died. She said the bad guys got her. She also said that "she is up in Heaven with Jesus and Jesus is going to make her well." What a strange daughter I have. *** NOTE :to all those who may not know- all of these mothers are imaginary . I am the only mother she has. Anna misses our 19 year old lifeguard. Out of the blue at dinner she chimes in with"I miss Trent." Trent has said that he will marry her, but I really think the 14 year age difference will be hard to overcome. One morning this week David was getting in trouble for a bad habit he has. I looked at Daniel and said " Don't you wish David would stop that?", Daniel answered with," I pray everynight ." Can I just tell...

Here's to little Drew Bear and his speedy recovery. Drew is Melissa's (my BFF) oldest and he had minor surgery today. She said he was SO excited about going and told everyone at school yesterday that he was going to have surgery. I hope to someday have a kid that is as excited about pain as Drew! Here's to a speedy recovery, Little man! Abby ps. I was supposed to post this Friday but didn't get it until Saturday. JKB

The one good thing about having my birthday and wedding anniversary in the same month is that I get breakfast in bed not once but twice. Today Daniel came in with a menu. ( I would love to post the picture of the menu but it will not work today!) Our choices were ceareal poptart toast sausage You may make a combo breakfast out of any of the 4. milk (strawberry or chocklate ) coke sunny d slimfast grape kollade I chose toast with a coke and Stephen chose a poptart with milk-plain. We also...

Their journey began. Stephen FINALLY got my sister to marry him! It was such a fun day. I remember dancing, crying and laughing in her bedroom to this awesome 'weddingish'/Julie specific mixed tape Daddy had made at the radio station (Yes, this was before the age of the CD), the morning of her wedding. All 4 of us were together for one last time in our nuclear family unit. It is a very special memory of mine and I am sure it is to her as well. Jules was a beautiful bride....just beautiful! Stephen was a very handsome groom and he even sang to her at the alter. That was super cool. I think we all cried. She moved away on Aug 14, 1993 to begin her new life with Stephen and the two of them could not have been happier about life....and now it is 15 years later and they are still just as happy! The past 15 years have been adventurous for them. They have lived in lots of places and done lots of fun & crazy things. Yet, their greatest accomplishment is the Fab Four! I am so glad G...

Here is our email conversation today: pink italics are my thoughts and comments-Julie Abby: Hey! Sorry I did not call you back last night. I cooked supper, for a change.... and then we went to shop for appliances and then went to bed at 9:00 to get up at 4:30 for Boot Camp. So, this is my story. Can I just say that after the words boot camp I stopped reading? What are ya'll doing for your anniv ? You should scan a wedding pic of you 2 for the blog post that day! See, she is so bossy! Julie: What is boot camp? Logical question, she really isn't the kind to join the army without talking it over a bit first! Abby: 6 week fitness boot camp Julie: for work? Or are you adding something else to your already loaded down paper plate? You know eventually the paper plate splits in the middle and your food lands on your clothes. Point? Don't overload yourself. Abby: You should blog that statement! again bossiness! I have a Chinet plate and it is pretty sturdy. I am fine! I am work...

So my birthday week is over. Its sad I know. Here's a recap! Tuesday morning Cindy and her boys came to town. We ate out for lunch, I took them for a drive around town(it didn't take long) and we swam all afternoon. Stephen grilled hamburgers and Cindy and I played on the computer-we just love Facebook! I'm not sure where the kids were. NO!!! I'm just joking they were playing Wii. Wednesday morning I began packing. We had found out Tuesday afternoon that our former music minister in Augusta had died and so we were headed to Augusta for the afternoon. It cut Cindy's trip short and I hated that part, but we had fun in the 24 hours we had together. Thursday morning we woke up and went to Longview to see Mamaw and Uncle David. We got there a little after lunch. As soon as we unpacked the van the kids found a cabinet full of games and never stopped playing until we left. Uncle David grilled for supper and it was wonderful. My birthday presents and cake were sitting aroun...

Thanks to our friend and fellow blogger, Mandy for giving me the Brillante Weblog award for posting about my move and journey to find the right job! You are a peach. Here are my Brillante Weblog candidates: Michael - Here is your award for being a good stay at home Dad these past few days and for always providing me a good laugh with your blog posts. Emily - I extend this award to you for your ability to stay firmly rooted in the Lord as you ride the adoption wave and for writing about your journey, so beautifully. Lindsey - This award is for your incredible photo blog, your amazing talent, creativity and for being one of the biggest cheerleaders in life. Award winners, take your award and pass it on to your brillante blogging friends. Abby

This is my birthday morning and once again I was served breakfast in bed. My boys came in this morning singing "Happy Birthday" and bringing me my wonderful breakfast. frozen pigs in a blanket (because they couldn't get the microwave to work) cereal (on the plate because they couldn't find any bowls) a half eaten candy bar 3 mini candy bars a cough drop They came through for me again, those sweet things. I can always count on them to make my birthday special. Julie

Today is my big sister's birthday. It is a special date, not only because she was born on this day, but this year it means HUGE sales and she LOVES sales. I find it most fitting that merchants would honor HER day with HUGE sales. Happy Birthday to you, Julia K! I am so glad God brought her into the world 38 years ago. (Yes, she is 38. Our dear Daddy thought she was turning 40. I think he got my big 30 and her 38 screwed up a tad bit...bless his 'ole heart!) If I had to imagine any of my 29.11 years without her, I just couldn't and wouldn't. She has truly helped mold and shape me into the young woman I am today. Because of the 8 year age difference, she has always mothered me a tad bit...and I love that about her (though, there are times I do lack the love!). She also treats me like her best friend...and I love that even more. Our 2 birthdays make me long for, and miss birthday mornings at home. I miss jumping on her bed and singing "Happy Birthday", while lyin...

This is us going to Theta Camo Rush in 1997 Jules has Cindy at her house and I have made contact with Amanda Ann! What a friend frenzy we are having this week! It makes me all giddy inside. Amanda and I were the best of buds while I was attending OBU . We have not seen each other or talked since 1999/2000, until today. We found each other again!(and no it was not through any social media sites either, believe it or not!) I found her info in the OBU alumni newsletter and it about took my breath away. I emailed her, hoping she would be as excited as me....and she was! I am so excited about having her back in my life!(Another friend who lives away from me. One of these days I will make a good friend who lives in the same town, dadgumit !) We were both transfers in a sea of freshman, so we of course, became fast friends. We lived across the hall from each other and we both had awful roommates. I had no car, but she had a kick'n Ford Esco...

With a little cleaning and updating, it will be beautiful! I am already planning dinner parties in my head. My Christmas tree is going in front of this window. We have a contract on a house...finally! Now we are just waiting to close the deal in a week or two. Pray that all goes as planned. Closing on our last house was a nightmare and we wish not to have to go through that again, if possible. We found a great deal on a 3000 square foot foreclosure in the Valley View area of Jonesboro. Rand got his shop and 1 acre yard. I got my dining room, 2 living areas, craft room and potential for a pool (above ground with a deck, of course! I am taking donations for an in ground pool if you want to contribute and gain membership to our backyard pool in the summer) Anyway, we are both smitten with the purchase! It needs some pressurie washing and shutter updating outside, and a l...

This is my birthday week! I love birthdays. I love the balloons, streamers, cake, gifts, attention and cards. Until I was 23 I never knew anyone that shared my birthday. (Except for Michael Douglas and Dustin Hoffman, but I don't really know them.) My friend Shelia, in Leachville, shares my birthday. I couldn't think of anyone better to share my birthday with than her. Tomorrow, Cindy, my best friend since I was 15, is coming to visit. She and her husband have 2 boys. One is a few months younger than D&D and the other one is a few months older than Anna. They love to play together so we should have so much fun while they are here. This visit is Cindy's birthday present to me. I'm so exicted, what a great gift So, Happy Birthday to me and who ever may have 08/08/08 as your birthday this year!!!

After much encouragement and much discouragement, I went to the beauty school today and got a new 'do! She did perfect with my color/cut and it only cost me $25.50 , tip and all! ( And no, it is not pink. Though, there was a girl getting her hair dyed pink, purple and green sitting in the chair next to me. It was a little odd, I must say.) I have an appointment in 2 weeks for a facial and manicure/pedicure. So, those who said, ' Don't do it Abby'...shame on you! Doesn't this post make you want to go sing, 'Beauty School Drop Out'? I love me some Grease! Abby