may, in a nutshell

Ahhh...can you hear it? It's the sweet smell of summer vacation! That's right, folks, school is done for another year and the next couple of months are mine. We did have some fun and not-so-fun occurances during the month of May, however, that I would be remiss if I didn't mention. Since today is the last day of May, I guess the time should be now.

The number one great thing that happened was that Stevie got her driver's license. Yep, the state of SC couldn't keep her down NO more...parallel parking and all....she got it. She was so happy, and so were we! It has certainly made our jobs as parent-chauffeur much easier.

Luke and his friend, Sidney, did a duet at some band thing and were rated "superior" which is the highest possible. So, yeah! Luke! He also received a medal for outstanding performance at honor's night at the high school.

Closing the library for the year was more intense than I imagined it would be. However, I will be able to start fresh and anew without the mess I walked into this past August. We got everything cleaned up and ready for a great start.

Unfortunately, Steve ran over our dog...although I believe she actually committed suicide by jumping in front of the van--I just don't think she could take the heat (it's like a thousand degrees here already!). But, that was sad news and we had an impromptu funeral. The kids were upset, and so were Steve and I; she had actually turned into a good little pet. She was still overly destructive, but she was cute and loveable. We have the worst luck ever with pets! So, RIP, Dixie.

We're looking forward to enjoying our summer. Trying to decide where we are going on vacation has been interesting, and in less than two weeks....we will be embarking somewhere...have NO idea where, though!

It's good to be back in the blogging world........see you soon!

And the band played on

The Band that Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic 

I requested this book to review because I've always found the Titanic and its tragic story to be intriguing. Everyone who's seen the movie or studied the story knows that the band played on while the ship sank. They provided entertainment and solace for those who knew that the end was coming.

The author, Steve Turner, researched this phenomenal group and wrote this book about a them. They are a group that could have been pushed to the side as "just part of the help", but with this story and the factual accounts that ensue; one learns the harsh reality that was theirs.

There are moments of extreme tediousness when the facts seem to interfere with the structure of the story. They tend to make the book a tad boring in places. I generally just skipped over those parts and read the chapters I was most interested in. Each band member is given a section along with their employers. Turner also speculates on the cause of the sinking of the Titanic. I believe that if  you enjoy this story and like factual accounts, you will enjoy this book.

a talk with the doc

I saw my family doctor today, you know, good ole Doc Godfrey (he's not really old, actually quite young....scary~) Anyway, he and I had a little chat about lupus. Nothing too important especially since he doesn't know that much about it (except that he did say not to take ibuprofen since it can cause stomach bleeding and reduce platelets ...and I don't have any of those to spare!), but I told him that I had been reading some blogs written by people with lupus. Most of those people...SCARE ME! Seriously, they are not happy, AT ALL.  I certainly don't want to feel like that. 

But, we did talk about the fact that lupus is many different things and looks differently on everyone. It's like a BIG mystery since some people have major problems, and some just a rash. I have experienced what some of them spoke of because I am asked all the time if I am feeling better. I don't know.....I never really felt BAD per se....just VERY, VERY TIRED much of the time. I mean a bone-weary tired. So, it's kinda hard for me to answer that question. I may feel up to going  all day one day, and the next be exhausted and in pain. So, while I don't look sick, I am. While I try not to act sick, I am. I am seriously trying to stop thinking about it...I just want to LIVE WELL and enjoy my life. I have no intention of letting this beat me. Hence, the following song.....I will not be lupus! I may put up with, but God will continue to design my life and define who I am.

I will change your name.
You shall no longer be called

Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid.

I will change your name.

Your new name will be

Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one,

Faithfulness, friend of God, one who seeks my face.

 

Not sure who to credit for the song, so if you know...let me know!

Easter pics

He is Risen!

Easter...what exactly does it mean? It means that Christ, perfect in every sense of the word, loved me. The important part about Easter is not his horrific death or the injustice of it all, it's that HE IS RISEN! He did what NO man before or since has ever done. He conquered death. and why? For me. Simple. But this fact isn't just important on Easter, it's important every day. Do you love Him? I know of a lot of you would say yes, but your lives reflect a very different answer. Think about it.

If  you can watch this video and not tear up because you know the truth, then either 1) you have moved so far away from God that you no longer understand His significance in your life or 2) you simply don't know Him. However, the wonderful part is that He is not hard to find. The Bible says "to knock and the door shall be opened unto you....seek and you will find." If you've lost that joy you once felt or if you have NO idea what kind of peace and joy of which I speak, just knock....He'll answer because,

He is Risen!

Lupus awareness

In order to raise awareness for lupus, a disease that is rarely understood and often misdiagnosed, I have decided to participate in the Walk for lupus now event on April 30. Since I decided so late to participate (I only found it tonight!), my goal is just $100. Let's meet and exceed that, you guys! I need a cure, and so do the many many others who suffer with this disease. Just click the thermometer and it will take you to my page to donate.

Thanks!!

more mountain pics

This was the name of our cabin

the view from the front porch

exactly what Steve calls a vacation

my new car

front of the cabin