Two Prayer Requests...

I would so appreciate it if you could please keep my son Josh and four of his friends in prayer as they travel throughout this evening and all day tomorrow, heading to Houston, Texas. (Wed. & Thurs.) They begin work on Friday morning. While there, they will be building a huge furnace for a glass factory.

Also, my Shane is so sick again! He had about two weeks relief from an ugly virus and terrible cough. Sunday he started with another sore throat and now his poor little nose is runny and his cough hurts his throat. So far, we're trying various home remedies. He slept well last night. I trust he feels better soon!

BROTHERS-Josh and Shane

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!!!

Yes, it's true. My husband caught me kissing another man. He snapped this picture for proof! *tee hee*
What better way to break the ice after such a long absence than to put up silly photos, taken at International Mall a couple of years ago? I sure hope I made you smile!
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Life has been so unusual for me this past year. Can you believe it has been an entire year since Agustin's job upset? Thankfully, we learned and grew through a very negative circumstance. He is coming upon his first year anniversary at his new job, and tonight the regional director informed him they were reassigning him to a different location starting Wednesday. This will make his commute a tad longer, but we think the new location closes for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. That makes us smile!





Shane and I have been knee deep in school and such. He has grown so much this past year! And is such a good and pleasant boy. I can't believe he turns THIRTEEN in December!





Josh has been having a blast working at Busch Gardens for the past six weeks. You'll never guess what he is getting paid to do? He thinks it's a great thing to receive money for SCARING PEOPLE!!! He has been a Werewolf character for the Howl-O-Scream hours at the park this year. He gets to wear an amazing costume and walk around his zone scaring the wits out of big boyfriends who almost jump into their sweeties arms! That's Josh's favorite reaction to see.





Guess whose birthday is coming up soonm? MINE! I turn the BIG 50 on November 8th! A friend is flying in from Michigan and others are meeting up for a reunion in Arcadia next weekend. It's a small town where my parents and I taught school. I have many wonderful memories of fun people and fun times there.





Well I just wanted to post a little something before I started visiting some of my favorite blogs. I know my cousin Ronnie checks here often and seems so very disappointed when I don't update enough! *wink,wink*





Have a great weekend everyone!

Prayers for Josh Please!

Good morning all!

My eldest son, Josh, has two long days of classes, 12 hrs. today and tomorrow. After the class, he has 2 tests to pass, then possibly a new job as a security guard. He isn't thrilled about this line of work, but they are hiring right now. His job in construction has not been steady and as I mentioned before he has been discouraged. If he gets this job, at least it will be a weekly paycheck and not hit or miss like the past year has been for him. I'm asking our sweet, loving FATHER to bless Josh both spiritually and physically today. He's a big , active man that dreads the thought of sitting for such a long period in a chair! LOL We know he'll have breaks, but still! He also knows sometimes *a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do*! He's a good kid and his dad and I want God's best for him. Thanks for those prayers!

My Favorite Video Clip of Christmas 2009

We had so so much fun with my mom's FLIP camcorder!

Here's a video of my first born son Josh on Christmas Day. We were so thrilled he was able to come down and spend Christmas with us! Before Christmas week, I hadn't seen him in three months as he is working in West Virginia these days.

HELLOOOOO Anybody Out There?

Whew! It's been a busy month, and it's still not over!

*Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Graduations, Parties, Baby Showers*

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Some Random Thoughts:

*We had a great Memorial Day cookout with family and friends yesterday.

*We are so happy our Joshy got home safely on Sunday night.

*I loved it when I found out my nephew painted his refrigerator with chalkboard paint so his little nieces can write on it while they're here visiting in June!

*My hubby found an antique headboard and foot board for our queen bed! He spent the day putting it together! He ran into a few snags which made the job more tedious than he first expected.

*Our nephew arrived safely today from college in Indiana. He leaves us on Saturday to see his parents and brothers in Argentina.

*We ate left over burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and chips for supper.

*It rained and stormed again today, 18th day in a row. Our lakes and ponds are filling up, looking so much better than during the drought.

*I'm enjoying listening to my husband speak his beautiful Spanish on the phone with his sister who lives in Argentina.

*I can't believe my son had to leave town this morning for another job. He'll be living in an RV this week with my brother and Justin. They're about an hour and a half south of Tampa building the frame work of a new church.

*I'm so blessed to have been able to see so many friends and former students on Friday night at graduation.

*I was so thankful to hear that Shane, my cousin's son, is doing so much better.

*I'm happy my brother arrived home safely around midnight Monday night.

*I love you dear readers and those who COMMENT here on my blog.

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A random photo I thought I'd share with you!

My son, Josh, gave my mom a haircut! This was before her back surgery, when she was in too much pain to visit the salon. I think he did a pretty decent job.

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!

Monday

A beautiful day here! I feel I accomplished much for a Monday. We started our day by eating breakfast out on the back patio overlooking our small lake. Then we dove into laundry and school work. The last two weeks have been short changed due to the TEA RALLY, out of town guests, and then mom's back surgery. So today, we tried to get back into a normal routine.

Shane and I made some home made laundry detergent. I've used it for my last two loads of clothes and it seems to be working as well as a fellow blogger suggested it would. I like that! It will save me quite a bit of $$$$$ and we all like that don't we? I finally got Shane's dress slacks hemmed. Mighty Mom will be so proud of me!

I just got off the phone with mom. She sounded so good! Two ladies from her church were there visiting her, so I'm sure that energized her. Thanks Connie and Sarah!

Mom saw her diabetes doctor today and all was good. At her request. he also checked her incision and saw no sign of infection, so that was good to hear. It really wasn't his job to check it, but dad had suspicions he spotted a little oozing at the incision site.

I'm on the phone with my Aunt Ruby Carol who lives in West Virginia. She saw my baby today! He was unloading lumber for the new log cabin!
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Now for my sister, who really LOVES all things political, a few short video clips from the Tampa Tea Party. Enjoy Rita!
FYI: Since I can now post videos, I removed my playlist from this blog. Jackie, I trust this brings you a smile!

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.

The Good Intentions of the Grandmother!

Why does my son's car smell of BEER!? Well, it could be due to the good intentions of the GRANDMOTHER!!! You see, the Grandmother decided to make the road trip with Josh on Tuesday from Florida to West Virginia. The Grandmother had several plastic zip-lock bags of "Amish Friendship Bread" starters stored in a plastic bucket in the back seat. That means, fermented flour, sugar, and milk! The Grandmother's good intentions were to bake, bake, bake many loaves of bread once she arrived at her sister's home. Well, the "starters" had a plan of their own! Late evening, after some time in "higher altitudes", Josh asked the Grandmother if she heard that strange noise coming from the back seat. She did! What she saw when she looked behind them was astonishing! The plastic zip-lock bags had expanded during the trip. (This reminds me of my first trip to Mexico. Details may show up in a separate post.) The white bread starter was oozing out of the zipped part of each bag and had popped the top off the plastic bucket the Grandmother had stored them in! The white "stuff" had even spilled out onto my son's backseat! The smell was obnoxiously strong! If any of you have ever participated in prepping and baking the Friendship Bread, then you know the mixture smells like "beer" after a few days of sitting out on your counter. (My friend Kim calls it "Happy Bread" because of the fermentation!) The Grandmother started yelling, "Josh, take the next exit! We've got to clean up a mess." He exited and they cleaned as well as they could with bottled water and paper towels which the Grandmother had brought along. They then had to drive with the car windows down, trying to air out the poor car. The next day, they were able to clean the upholstery better and the situation (smell) seems to now be under control; but oh, what a story, memory, and laugh the Grandmother and Josh have to share! The Grandmother told me she was worried that if they got pulled over for an infraction, the officer would ask if they were drinking and driving, due to the odor being so similar to that of beer!

I felt bad for the Grandmother when she told me this story over the phone last night. She had prepped and planned to bake this delicious bread and distribute it to her brother's and sister's while visiting them. At least her intentions were good. Readers, take heed! If you're going to travel from Florida to the mountains, please refrain from packing any fermented bread starter!

I've posted a few photos to show the special bond that has developed over the years between my son and my mom, better known in this post as 'THE GRANDMOTHER'!

The Grandmother and Josh at Tampa International Airport ready for their flight down to Venezuela to visit guess who? (Rita and crew) Notice the big, black and gray action packers? These were staple luggage for anyone stateside flying down to see my sister. They were usually full of peanut butter and jelly jars, school curriculum, and many ingredients for traditional American holidays. (Gravy mix packets, pumpkin pie filling, Stove Top dressing (Clint's preference). The Grandmother has also taken big items down to the kids, i.e. inflatable kayaks, solar panels, etc.

The Grandmother, with Tom, Kaden, and Bianca, at Josh's Sr. year homecoming basketball game and ceremony.

The Grandmother cheers Josh on at a baseball game. The Grandfather is there as well.

The Grandmother with Jayde and Josh at a Cathedral's concert in Orlando. (If you click to enlarge this photo, you can see that Josh is sick in this photo. His eyes were peaked and his lips red from fever. I remember Josh was a real trooper this night. He slept during most of the concert. Come to find out, he had a sore throat and fever that had developed during that afternoon ride to Orlando. )

The Grandmother was a fan who went to all of Josh's football games.

A visit from the Grandmother many years ago. (YES! They're seated on the toilet-lid closed of course! I must have taken this right after Joshy's bath time.)

Josh and the Grandmother on his sixth birthday. He was so happy to receive his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Skateboard! Also, in the photo is the Great-Grandmother Lula who is now in heaven.

NOW I JUST WISH I HAD A PHOTO OF THIS LATEST FERMENTATION INCIDENT TO ADD TO THE POST!

TERRIBLE, JUST TERRIBLE

...is a great description of my blogging lately. I have been doing much reading though, so it's not all bad! *smiles*



Josh flew home from West Virginia Thursday evening but flew out again this morning for New York. He returns to Tampa next Saturday, then he'll be driving up to West Virginia the next week. He is working there and would like having his own car with him next time around.


Aunt Donna was released from the hospital last Sunday. Word is she still isn't her chipper self. Please keep her in your prayers.

To close, I thought I'd share a picture taken of my lovely son the week before he left for West Virginia. He and my brother used our garage for a workshop to refinish some restaurant doors. The second morning they came over to work, my lovely son walks into my kitchen and proclaims, "Look mom, I brought over two stri*ppers!" Of course, I jerked around from the sink to see just what in the world the kid was talking about. I was so relieved to see the cans of wood stri*pper in his hands. Whew!

( I had him "re-enact" the entrance for this photo!)

Missing Them!

Many of you already know that my brother and son moved temporarily(?) to West Virginia where work awaited them. They only left this past Monday, but I'm already missing them. I guess it's the knowledge that they're so far away that makes me miss them so soon.

The week before they left town, I had the opportunity of seeing them every day for an entire week! They were refinishing the doors for Olive Garden and my garage was closer than their workshop. It was fun hearing their cheerful banter through out the day, and it made me happy to be able to feed them lunch daily. I'll cherish our lunch time conversations for a very long time.

In this clip, my son Josh is acting a little "silly" or maybe he was just high from the "fumes"!?!
(you will hear my Shane chuckling at the end of the clip)

Prayers for my Aunt Donna

Once again dear friends, we are requesting you to bring my Aunt Donna before the Lord. She had another terrible bout of vomiting and pain yesterday (Mon.) around noon. My cousin's wife called 9-1-1 and Aunt Donna has now been admitted into the hospital once again. They're saying that this time it is a return of Pancreatitis. She had a terrible bout with it about five years ago at which time we thought we were going to lose her. About a month ago, she was hopsitalized with similar symptoms of it as well. I'll let you know when we have more information.
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Aunt Tommie is safely back home. We so enjoyed having her with us during these past few months.

My son and brother safely arrived in West Virginia at about 1:30 this (Tues.) a.m. They have not had much employment here in the Tampa Bay area lately, but have several jobs awaiting them in WVa. thanks to family and friends!

It's a beautiful day here in Florida! Quite cold yesterday, down to freezing last night in our area, but today is sunny and a tad chilly. Idid get in my three mile walk! Yipee! I must get back to making that a daily priority. I've gained some of my weight back and am quite frustrated. I'd love your prayers for that area of my life. I must get healthier!

I'm listening to Agustin out in the backyard working in our mulch beds and to Shane staging a war with his action figures. Counting it a blessing that we're all home and together today.

Buddies Through the Years!

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE??? Saturday, a wondrous event happened on the shores of Lake Tahoe. My nephew, Joshua Vernoy, married his true love! My son, Joshua Rios, stood as BEST MAN for the ceremony. It was an intimate, small, outdoor wedding just as the bride wished. From all reports, it was perfect!

I felt compelled to share a photo journal of these two Joshua's growing up together. They are polar opposites, not only in looks, but in personalities as well. They have a bond many cousins are not blessed with. I hope you enjoy the photos!

This little black headed baby boy stood as BEST MAN for this little white headed boy's wedding! This photo chronicles the first time the boys met. The Vernoys had just flown up from Venezuela for a furlough. 1987

The boys play acting and running this wheelchair up and down the halls of their Grandpa's church! Taken about 3 yrs. ago! Playing Monopoly this past winter.

The boys are preaching their first sermons here. Grandpa allowed the boys to preach on the same evening. It was during their first year of Bible college. Each Josh was given a 15 minute time slot.

Oh, that's me getting some good lovin' after the service!


The 4 Vernoy children with the 2 Rios boys!
Caesar and Jonah costumes for our Vacation Bible School one summer. We all dressed as Bible Characters during the entire week.
The Joshes played on an indoor soccer team at the age of 5 or so.
All decked out to watch my cousin play for the West Virginia Mountaineers! We (the 2 families)rented a 15 passenger van and traveled to Miami together for this game against the Hurricanes.
A sleep over at Grandma's house! She had bought them each the bear pillows.



A trip to a farm to choose our new dog!
In an airport, yet again, seeing the Vernoys off to Venezuela. That's Uncle Johnny holding my Josh. He was a groomsman in the wedding on Saturday.
A 4th of July Sunday!
Leading the songs at Vacation Bible School.

They both loved all things military! Still do I believe!

Josh Rios, Uncle John, Josh Vernoy, Shane Rios behind.
At 8 years of age, my Josh took a trip down to Venezuela with Grandma. He loved getting to sleep in the hammocks each night!Here the two boys are preparing to collect the offering during a service at their Grandpa's church.

A good life for boys could be found in Venezuela! I'd like to see either of them do this now! Wouldn't that be a hoot?!?

Eating burgers during their lunch break. This was taken just a few months ago at work. You can probably tell they had demolished the old bath and were installing a new tub here.

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For the Grand Finale, the Bride and Groom. May they experience many wonderful years of happiness! Don't you just love Naomy's vintage, 40's hairstyle?

Hello World, It's Been A Long Time

Have y'all ever heard that old country song I used as the title for this post? I feel like my poor little blog feels cheated on! I haven't posted since Saturday, and have only logged on to the internet once or twice for short periods this week.

Am I busier than usual? Maybe a tad! The school year is winding down and I feel we have lots of loose strings to attend to. Then there was Mother's Day and Luncheons. I will add photos at the end of the post.

Another reason for my absence this past week is simply this: I've been trying to spend more quiet time with God. I have many burdens on my heart. Many emotions which only my Lord can curb. I do feel I'm growing and stretching at this period in my life. He is molding me and making me into His image more and more daily, chipping and carving away those things which don't look Christ like. I in my flesh, fight it at times. I see God working! I see God's patience with me and with so many others. It's amazing!

I haven't spoken much about the fact that my nephew is getting married on June 7, out west at LAKE TAHOE SOUTH SHORE. What a gorgeous place! It will be an outdoor wedding. My son Josh will be Best Man and my brother John (the groom's uncle) will be a groomsman. Josh and John hosted a Bachelor's Party for my nephew last Saturday night. Don't worry! All are Christian young men so it involved a steak dinner at Lone Star Steak House. (which is now owned by DARDEN, the same company which owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster). The guys are pretty psyched about the trip out west to Lake Tahoe. They ended the evening with hours of games and laughs, but no women jumping out of cakes! (As far as I know anyway! *winks*)

I'd like to share the following photos of our church's Mother & Daughter Luncheon which was held on May 3rd. This Saturday, May 17th, I'll be attending the Mother & Daughter Luncheon at my parent's church in Tampa. Knowing me, I'll have plenty of photos of that day to share here next week. The theme for their's is "Spiritual Refreshment".

The theme for MY CHURCH'S luncheon was "A Special Touch".

Each place setting received one of these gift bags which included the items you see pictured here.

This list was attached to the front of each gift bag to explain what each item should signify in our lives. Enlarge to read the fine print!

Here is our Pastor's wife (in the solid blouse). Mrs. White was this year's recipient of the Esther Award. This is a yearly award given to a godly lady who has the qualities of Queen Esther.

Baby Caroline's ticket had the winning number for the drawing from the kiddies basket. She was awarded this sweet, itty-bitty, pink purse which was sewn by a dear lady in our church.

Our guest speaker, Mrs. Amy Nance, Me, and our Pastor's wife, Dina Naill. Amy spoke of the woman who TOUCHED the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed! If you know this story from the Bible, then you know the lady had suffered from a severe illness. The Bible says she had an issue of blood. She was probably very anemic and weak, but fought the crowd to touch Jesus. See how well Amy tied her message in with the theme of "A Special Touch"? The woman in the story had tried every form of treatment known in that day. She had been to Dr. upon Dr. but she never gave up searching for that fullness of healing. My heart was touched and encouraged by Amy's words. My friends, have YOU received that special touch from Jesus? He not only enjoys healing our physical maladies, he wants to save our souls and freely give us eternal life. If you have any questions concerning salvation through Christ, please feel free to email me at scrbkmaniac@aol.com

I possessed a winning ticket as well and just looky at what I won! These goodies helped represent the theme of "A Special Touch" as well. A dermatologist who attends our church donated $1300.00 worth of product for door prizes and such.

This is the pretty table I sat at. I wore a lavendar suit so I blended in well!

This was my favorite table of all! In keeping with the theme of the day, the hostess called it "The Potter's Touch". I think it should have won the contest. Notice the hand prints on the plastic table cloth. Also the tiny clay pots which were at each place setting.

Notice the pieces of clay and the artist tools on the lazy susan?

This table was decorated with single girls in mind. Enlarge to read the signs. I love the warnings as the road winds up to the top which has a bride and groom signifying marriage.

Miss Charlotte, the single gal who decorated this table. I told her I'd publish her photo and announce that she is LOOKING for a godly man! Maybe that's why she is smiling so pretty!

Blessings my friends and have a most wonderful weekend!

Love and Hugs,

Pam