Progress

So, certainly not completed, not quite even halfway, but getting there.



The top doors still need their second coat of polyurethane.


But I am really liking the color - and proud that I'm doing it myself!


Remember, this is what they USED to look like...



So, maybe by June...

Bits of My Weekend 2

Off to Work


President Kennedy's Gravesite


School of the week's Wreath laying


555 feet 5 1/8 inches tall


View from Lincoln


What speech is this from?


Korean War Memorial

What is this painted inside?

A Year Ago Today

I was on a plane, bound for Africa. Desperate to get away and get some healing for my broken, broken heart.

With the support of the most amazing parents and best wishes from friends, I went, not knowing what to expect and too broken to even hope.

What I found was the most remarkable love and acceptance. Truthfully, I have that right here at home. But there - surrounded by precious children who were so free with their love and warm embraces, and women who were so full of grace and laughter, I couldn't help but begin to heal.

There were still really bad days... shaking with sobs that seemed they would NEVER end. Wondering WHY someone like me would be so rejected - wondering HOW someone like me could allow the pain to continue for so long. And starting to understand (and believe) that this was truly, the result of life with an addict. A clean addict. A pretty addict. A functioning in society addict. But, an addict, nonetheless.

I came back home afraid. Knowing I wasn't as strong as I wished I was, and feeling there was unfinished business that I needed resolved, I didn't keep the wall of silence. I allowed myself to be tucked back in.

And the result has been more pain and heartache. However, this time, I am NOT in the same place. Sad? Yes. However, something has broken inside me. Broken free. I wouldn't say I am in the clear yet, but something has broken.

And, I'm looking at a return trip to Africa. I tried several months ago to go back. It didn't pan out and looking back, I am grateful for that. So, though things are not certain, stay tuned - I believe there is more to come.

I'm Legal

I have finally done it. No more lurking, no more thievery.

Out in the open.


Must be all that extra prayer time for Lent...

Boy, does it feel good!

And the added bonus is blogging while I'm on the road... good times!

The Marriage Ref

This is because of my friend, Michelle's most recent post on her blog, six in the city. Wouldn't normally do this, but it's pretty funny.

SOMEONE comment so I know if it worked...

click on the title... (can't remember how to embed the video any other way)

Bits of My Weekend - Volume 1

My Rosemary bush SURVIVED the winter! Yippee!




Off to the Church to assemble our Birthday Banquet cake.


Me, Kendra, Sally, Carol Jean




My friend Trisha's son. (Haven't seen them since he was 2 weeks old, back in June)


Rea*gan Grace


A Birthday surprise. I'd have rather had this as a late birthday than anything else from this person.


One of our competitor's cakes - seriously? You think it's okay to PURCHASE a cake?


The winning cake - it really was pretty great.


Our "cake" - the month was April, and our theme was "The Tale of Three Trees" - we did not win in ONE SINGLE category. There were SIX categories and SIX of the cakes were store-bought... okay - we felt slightly slighted...