I'M OUTTA HERE!

Below are photos taken at last years family reunion! We acquired a key from my dad's cousin so that we might enter Uncle Armour England's family log hewed cabin.

To read the journal entry, click to enlarge.

We had a blast reading some of the old journal entries found in this old journal in the log cabin. Entries were made by many different England family members. Some of the entries by the teen age daughter about her boyfriend made us blush! Other entries by the adults concerned things such as who helped rebuild the porch, who brought the supples, who came for Sunday dinner.

An old woven cane chair. My grandpa Booker made many of these in his life.

The view our of my cousin Tara's dining room window!


I fell in love with this old bowl found inside the log hewed home.



The exterior shot of Uncle Armour's log house.


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Leaving early for a road trip! We'll be attending a family reunion in the mountains of West Virginia this Sunday. Josh,Tiff, Shawn and Jewel left my house at around 7:30 tonight. They'll arrive there about the time that mom, my brother John, Shane and I start our trip. Josh and Shawn are going white water rafting on Saturday. I'll try to entertain Jewel and Tiff while the guys are flailing down the river!

Their excitement and planning for this road trip caused me to wax nostalgic for my younger, care free days. I guess I can live my life vicariously through theirs.

More later. We sure would appreciate prayers.
Love
Pam

Short Video Clips of My Great Nieces!

Notice how the girls giggle when Shane asks Abbie if she likes Pooh! (she had a little Pooh Bear appliqued on her dress)
When Shane first asked, "Do you like Pooh?" they thought he meant another kind of pooh! What you're about to see in the last two videos are reenactments.

Beach Bums Who Love Mexican Food!

Looking ahead to another great day at beautiful Clearwater Beach later this week!

And the best part - we are going to be met by our nephew Josh Daniel and his little wife, Naomy, our niece Jewel, our niece Jackie, her husband Brian, and their two princesses there! Yes, Jackie and her crew are here all the way from Paraguay for a two week visit before heading north.

(I tried to upload photos of them to put here but Blogger wasn't cooperating.)

After the beach, we plan on stopping by one of our favorite "hole in the wall" authentic Mexican restaurants. Hubby thinks it tastes just like his mom's home cooking. We all love the food here at El Chicanito's! We really want to introduce my nieces and nephew to this great place in Clearwater!


This little guy greets you at the front door. Isn't he a hoot?

The last time we went to the beach, we had our nephew David with us. This is the "platillo" he ordered. Pollo en mole verde.


Here are my steak tacos topped with onions and cilantro, great beans and rice! The tortillas were hot off the press too. Muy "delicioso"!

Agustin ordered pollo ranchero. He was quite pleased with the red salsa.

There were two of these intricately hand carved wooden Aztec calendars on display. Each piece was placed in like a puzzle. Amazing!

This little guy sat on the windowsill by our table. I just had to get a shot of him mooning us.

Here's his best side!

Dear Gehrig,

Thanks for your recent comments. They have really made my day and it's especially gratifying for me to know that your visit here has caused my baby sis to experience some jealousy! hehe

If you click on any comment she leaves me as JUNGLE MOM, it will lead you to her blog. Or you can go to The Jungle Hut. If the link doesn't work, you can find a link to The Jungle Hut on my lower right side bar under "blogs I like."

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The rehearsal dinner went well and all seemed to have a good time. I'm looking forward to the wedding tomorrow at 2p.m. My dear friend, Pat, is the wedding coordinator. She is an amazing woman with many talents. She and her daughters make everything they do worthy of praise.

More photos to come soon when I'm more awake!

Good night world!

A BIG, HONKIN' PIECE OF SWEET CORNBREAD

Yep, that's what I just ate and it was delicious! Does it even matter that I walked an extra half mile at the park this morning? Instead of my regular 3 miles, I walked 3.5 miles and was so proud of myself. Then home I came to fix an early supper due to Agustin's work schedule. He had to leave the house by 3p.m. I sabotaged myself when I baked that cornbread! Oh well! Tomorrow is another day!

Many of you asked about the homemade laundry detergent. I'm not thrilled with it yet, but I didn't quite follow the directions exactly and improvised. Let me do it exactly per the instructions and then I'll post about it, okay?

My son and brother are in West Virginia these days working for my cousin. He has two rustic rental cabins built so far but plans to gradually add to that number. John and Josh helped finish the second one and were happy that finally, yesterday the lumber was delivered to start on the third cabin. KUDOS to Keith who decorated them himself! Click here to see just how cute they are! Rita, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the home page to read about all the other AREA ATTRACTIONS! The Pocahontas Coal Mine Tour piqued my interest!

OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY

My cousin Gehrig, me, and Shane. Agustin wanted to portray his artsy side and lie on the grass to take this shot of us in front of the skyscraper. I always enjoy visiting our downtown area! I tend to forget that we are privileged to live in such a beautiful city!

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Some of the officers around the park. Loved the fact they employed the horses as well.

A few of the "right wing extremist idiots" that the MSM seemed occupied about, mixed in with their dirty sexual innuendos!

Still shot of my hubby being interviewed for Univision. Notice the Cuban cigar hanging out of the cameraman's mouth. Very Tampanian!



More crazy right wing extremists! LOL

These two ladies and I hit it off! The one in denim gave me a tea bag to hang from my flag.



The pretty park in downtown Tampa where the Tea Party was held.


There were tables set up inside the park, allowing you to make your own signs. They knew many protesters would be coming to the tea party directly from work.

I can just imagine what MS*NBC's Ra*chel Mad*ow (MadCow) would say about this!

Leaving downtown, we passed the University of Tampa. This once was a hotel in which Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders stayed in before deploying to Cuba.

oops! We were in the car, leaving and I really thought I was getting a shot of the entire horse! My bad!

As we first approached the Tea Party a little before noon. The park continued to fill

up after we arrived.

This beautiful church, nestled in by a parking garage just begged for me to take it's picture!

Please be sure to scroll back up and stop the music player before watching this video. Clip is only about 15 seconds long. I plan on showing a video clip or two each day so my political junkie sister can get a taste of what the rally was like. She was deterred from attending a Tea Party yesterday due to the fact she lives in South America! Please bear with us!

Hubby Interviewed for T.V. at Tampa's Tea Party!

Just quickly before I bust! I wanted to get this video clip up before I get ready for church. I jotted some 'talking points' on an index card "JUST IN CASE" I was approached for an interview at the Tea Party today. WELL---within five minutes of arriving at the park, my husband was approached by UNIVISION!! I was so excited! I wish you could hear what Agustin said but the noise all around us was just too loud. If you listen closely, you can hear him tell the reporter his name. Lots more photos to come later! Right now, I'm watching the Spanish news now to see if they show my hubs!

Oh To Live Up To This

You Are Bright and Innovative

When You Are Comfortable: You are very unique and talented. You solve problems well, and you have a creative approach to life. People see you as straightforward and level headed. You can see opportunities when others only see troubles. When You Are At Your Best: You are enthusiastic and flexible. You are open-minded. You prefer to learn from others... not judge them. People see you as kind and cooperative. You are very supportive when friends are down on their luck. When You Are in a Social Setting: You are a sensitive, gentle soul. You want to save the world... or as much of it as possible. People see you as unselfish and well mannered. You truly enjoy being around others, and it shows.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Happy Birthday to Josh!

6:00 p.m. Monday Evening-EDITED to say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY BROTHER JOHNNY TODAY!

(I hear they're all going out for Mexican Food tonight. My Josh had lunch at the same restaurant on Friday. Word is he was real tickled to find some of "HIS REAL PEOPLE"!! The restaurant is owned and operated by real Mexicans and the food is authentic!)

Next weekend, my first born will turn 22 years old! I can't believe it really, and he'll be out of state on his birthday!

He left for a job in WV Tuesday, so Monday night we had a few of his friends over for a quickly thrown together "party" at our church fellowship hall. My hubby cooked Josh's favorite Mexican meal. We all ate like pigs and had a wonderful time. We adults had the most fun watching these young people, ages 19-22, (oh and Shane, age 11) play hide and seek in "THE HALLWAY OF DEATH"! What is the HALLWAY OF DEATH you ask? Well, it's located in the back of the educational building in the church my dad pastors. The back of the church was built with that wall to an alley. There are no windows back there, so if you close all the classroom doors on the front side of the hall, blocking all daylight or street lights from shining through, that hallway is the spookiest place on earth! The kids have had many fun evenings over the years, turning off all lights and hiding in the church nurseries and classrooms. I didn't know until recently that Josh and his friends had named it THE HALLWAY OF DEATH! That's a fitting name for it due to the many bumps and bruises they come out with, due to running into things and each other.

They screamed and giggled like young children, making me feel younger as I watched and listened to them. They had so much fun playing this game of hide and seek for about two hours, and would come out occasionally into the fellowship hall for air, where the more mature adults were! Speaking of mature - Oh did I mention I made Tiffany's mom run the gauntlet with me leading her by the hand? At each door we'd scream and squeeze each other's hands a little tighter! I mean - it is so dark in that hallway that you feel as though you can slice the darkness with a knife. Finally after Peggy and I giggled so hard (and dribbled *shhh, don't tell anyone!*) we took refuge out in the lighted fellowship hall with our hubbies who, um, were acting a lot more mature than we were! Oh it was fun! If you ever come to visit me, remind me to take you through THE HALLWAY OF DEATH!

Agustin, Shane, Josh Daniel, Naomy, Josh Rios, Tiffany, Alysha, Josh Luckey (who leaves for Marine Boot Camp in Sept.), Leslie

YES! In this small group, we had three Joshes! Group Photo before we closed up shop and headed home. I think it was around midnight thirty!

I wish I had thought to take the above photo before Shawn got away.

Mexican Josh with his Senorita, Tiffany!


My nephew Josh and his wife, Naomy.



I LOVE this shot!


Peggy and Ray Wright, Agustin, my mom, my dad.


Great conversation if Ray is around!

He requested apple pie for his birthday treat!

Carvel Ice-Cream Cake for everyone else!
Here Josh is blowing out the candles and making a wish for sure!

I LOVE this picture!

Alysha, Tiff, Josh R. Josh L. Shawn

Looking at Josh's baby photo albums I had on each table. I think they just found the photo of Josh being "potty trained"!
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Photos below are of our Red Envelopes we're sending off to the White House tomorrow for

Red Envelope Day. People all across America are trying to get a message to President Obama and his administration to rethink their stand on abortion.

On the back of an empty, sealed, red envelope, you were to write the following message and mail it by March 31.

"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.

Responsibility begins with conception."

Address the front to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20500

Be sure to include a return address if you do this. If it does not have a return address on it, it will simply be trashed. You have until Tuesday for the postmark, so go ahead, get on board and send your red envelope in today!

This is the one Shane addressed and prepped. I used the tiny slip of paper at the top corner to cover up our address on the return label. We are sending out a dozen of these Monday morning.

"CAPTURING GLIMPSES"

Here's a link to a new blog I've been following, "CAPTURING GLIMPSES". She's reached her big milestone of writing her 100th post. We all know what that means, A GIVE AWAY! Rush on over to sign up for something fun and girly! Tell her Pam at Midnight Musings sent you! I think she will be drawing the winner's name on Saturday morning.

"CAPTURING GLIMPSES"

My Singing Debut on Blogger!

Shannon and I were singing for her daughter Sydney. Do you think we should buy a diesel bus and head on to Nashville? Oh before playing the video clip, scroll down a tad and turn off my music player. Enjoy!

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT 'PORCUPINES'???

Just For Fun

* Porcupines are also called 'quill pigs'. They are short, fat, and covered with as many as 30,000 spiny quills.

* Contrary to popular myth, porcupines cannot shoot their quills. When a predator approaches, the porcupine will turn its back, raise the quills and lash out at the threat with its tail.

* The common porcupine is a good swimmer, its hollow quills help keep it afloat. It is also an excellent tree-climber and spends much of its time in trees.

When Plans Go Awry...

we still have a great time!

Yesterday's big family get together turned out to be somewhat smaller than we imagined, due to the nasty flu hitting Naomy and Tiffany had to be at her church to teach a Sunday School class; so they couldn't be with us at church for the Dartt concert. I don't know why Josh and Tiff never showed up to eat with us though! I'll ask Josh when he comes over tonight!

Those of us who were together did have a great time. Aunt Donna, while still looking a little weak and pale to me, felt good enough to cut the rug with my nephew, Josh Vernoy! Thanks for your prayers for her recovery.
I'm hesitant to post this video clip because I hate my voice on it. I was giggling and am also just getting over the flu, but here goes --

So that's my Aunt Donna! Isn't she the cutest little thing? She turns 83 in November.

(DISCLAIMER: Josh is also just getting over the flu and threw on some old work clothes to run over to the house to get a couple of plates of food. As usual, he took time to entertain Aunt Donna who loves him very much! I think because he always showers her with this kind of attention!)

Aunt Tommie, Mom, Me, Aunt Donna, Ellie

Only three out of six siblings still living.
Donna (in dress of many colors!) is eldest, then came Aunt Tommie. Dad was next to baby out of the six.
Some good eatin' goin' on!
Mom prepared roast beef with potatoes, carrots, cabbage. Sweet corn and her delicious green beans were the other two side dishes. She also warmed over some chicken and dumplings left over from supper Saturday night. I brought yeast rolls to bake and made a huge banana pudding. All seemed to enjoy!

Sarah with Shane after yesterday's service. She hadn't seen Shane in quite some time and couldn't believe he was as tall as she was! That has been a theme this past week as we've seen several old friends who gasp and make a big deal about how tall Shane has grown!

THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING BUT I'M GOING TO POST IT ANYWAY!

Just a quick glance at these photos and you'll know what I should be making my #1 priority! That's right, folks. My desk needs my attention; and not just my desk, but my entire office!!! I plan on purchasing a flatscreen for the wall and I want to refinish this little wooden chest. I figure it's the New Year, a great time to do things I've been procrastinating on.

A lovely display of a corner in my office! The drawer is full of paper work which needs to be filed or shredded and an old calendar from which I need to transfer birthdates from onto my 09 calendar.

In the floor is a bag of trash, some red shelves and pictures I want to hang on my walls, and my old wedding album. I'm in the process of tranferring the photos and journaling into a new album. For crying out loud, I think I spot a roll of duct tape there as well!

Here is my lovely desk! OUCH! I can't believe I'm posting this for all to see. In my past, I touted, with pride, how organized I was. What has happened to me? In all honesty, it's my health which holds me from being on top of things. I have energy to do what absolutely must be done on a daily basis. I leave everything else for LATER or for when I feel better! Later never seems to arrive! I'm a stickler on doing things right. If I don't have time to do it right, I prefer not to do it at all!

A pile of bills and papers which need to be filed or put through the shredder!

My niece Jackie put up a post recently about her messy desk. She asked, "What's on your desk?" Let me see if I can even list all the things on my desk. Go read Jackie's list. It made me smile as it reflects the season of life she is in, a young mommy!
Okay my list follows:
On My Desk
1. Shane's camera
2. Empty camera box and instruction booklets, etc.
3. Photo album of nephew Josh Daniel as baby
4. receipts
5. bills
6. calculator
7. stapler
8. paper weight from Mexico
9. 4 baskets of pens, markers, hi-lighters, scissors
10. address book
11. Catalogue from Princess House
12. new camera memory card still in packaging
13. electric pencil sharpener
14. devotional book from Kelly at Cozy Comforts
15. patriotic candle
16. CDs

Then on top of my desk hutch are 7 photos, telephone, plant, 2 shaker boxes, antique glass duck, wooden cat, napkin holder stuffed with pressing paperwork (i.e. jury summons, medical records, etc.)
So there you have it. I must get this beast under control as it clutters my mind and growls at me each time I walk into this room!

HUBBY TAG

I saw this over at Frazzled Farm Wife 's blog and thought it would be fun!




1. Who is your man? Agustin




2. How long have you been together? married for 22 years




3. How long dated? 7 and a half months




4. How old is your man? 45




5. Who eats more? well...have you seen photos of the two of us? You tell me who you think eats most!




6. Who said “I love you” first? He did




7. Who is taller? He's a tad taller




8. Who sings better? UM that would DEFINITELY be me!!LOL




9. Who is smarter? He is




10. Whose temper is worse? HIS!!




11. Who does the laundry? Me of course!




12. Who takes out the garbage? He does if our son isn't around




13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do




14. Who pays the bills? I do...but he probably should! hehe




15. Who is better with the computer? Me




16. Who mows the lawn? He does it and loves all yard work! (Thank you Lord!)




17. Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time, but he does often




18. Who drives when you are together? He does most of the time




19. Who pays when you go out? He does




20. Who is most stubborn? I'm not sure!




21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? ME!




22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, they only live about 40 minutes away, his live in Mexico!




23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first




24. Who asked who out? He asked me out




25. Who proposed? He did...I think! LOL He asked me in Spanish. I was a novice, living in Mexico. The word for "hunting" is very similar to the word for "marrying". My brother-in-law enjoys teasing me that Agustin asked me to go Hunting and I started planning a wedding!




26. Who is more sensitive? ME!




27. Who has more friends? ME! He's a quiet one.




28. Who has more siblings? He does




29. Who wears the pants in the family? Definitely him




30. How did you meet? At his younger brother's birthday party

Fun MEME- Thanks Kelly!

Kelly from Cozy Comforts tagged me for this amusing MEME. Open your document or picture folders. Choose your 6th folder, then choose your 6th picture. Post the photo with a description about it. Then tag 6 more friends to do the same.

This is the sixth picture in my sixth folder. We were attending a Sarah Palin rally in "The Villages" Florida back in September. Country music singer Aaron Tipton entertained the crowds while waiting for the real star (Sarah!) to arrive! The crowd was so massive, that we couldn't even catch a glimpse of the stage, so we watched everything via this big screen.

I now choose:

1) Rita at The Jungle Hut

2) Jen at Pen of Jen

3) Jayde at Verja Bunny

4) Mighty Mom

5) Jackie at Busy Little People

6) Kat at Beach Kat

Feel free to decline if you're too busy. Just be sure to let me know if you do it!

Our 22nd Wedding Anniversary...

CAME AND WENT on December 13th!! That's right but never fear - Agustin and I finally escaped alone for a few hours Saturday evening to celebrate. We enjoyed some mall shopping. I bought a new black and silver purse. Agustin bought a new camera for me and at a great "after Christmas" sale price! We also stole some time to enjoy a delicious and leisurely meal at Longhorn Steakhouse. It was so nice to be alone in each other's company without the stress of deadlines hanging over us. (Those of you who know me know I don't do well with deadlines and time frames!)

It seems our marriage grows better and stronger with each passing year! There have been times in the past when I wondered if we would make it to 10 years of marriage. Thanks to God's sustaining grace, we made it to 10 and then some! Have any of you ever thought that you wish you knew then what you know now: in terms of a marital relationship? I certainly have! I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness helping us maneuver through some tough times in our marriage. I know without HIM, Agustin and I wouldn't be where we are today!

Te quiero, mi tamal caliente!

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