A DAY IN THE LIFE OF....

...Aunt Tommie!

As you know, my Aunt Tommie has been down from Indiana visiting family. We were so happy to have her stay in our home the week before last.

Do you remember the T.V. show and game entitled, "WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO?" It focused on Carmen traveling around the globe and taught geographical skills. Having covered a lot of ground with Aunt Tommie Thursday before last made me want to journal our last day together. I had thought about a similar title for this post. "WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THOMASINE CAMPBELL?" Another thought for a title was to play off of, "WHERE'S WALDO?" with "WHERE'S TOMMIE?"(And a few other people thrown in the mix)

After packing up her things, Aunt Tommie humored me by posing a bit. She had gone on and on about how much she loved my bedding.

Isn't she a hoot? Even at 80 years old, she is so much fun!
We loaded her stuff into my SUV then headed out to one of her favorite places to shop at while in Florida-BEALL'S! I didn't get a photo of her in there, but she found some great things!


I then drove her over to the church we sometimes attend, Faith Baptist Church. My brother helped build this structure. Aunt Tommie had attended with me on the Sunday evening before and said she could hardly keep her concentration on the sermon for visualizing my brother in there with a hammer and tools, building. I took her on a tour through the educational part of the building where she met many of my friends. ( due to it being during school hours.)

These three go way back! Actually, they just met about two minutes prior to posing for this photo. I just wanted to surprise my friend, Pat! These are her two beautiful daughters posing with Aunt Tommie!

By our church sign.


After leaving the church in W.C., we drove into Tampa to meet with my brother and son at
West Gate Baptist Church. Another church my brother helped build.


Aunt Tommie never meets a stranger! Here she is with a pastoral staff member of West Gate, Steve Smith! I took this for shock value. I think my sister is laughing out loud as she looks at these photos, thinking: "Who is Aunt Tommie gonna pop up with next?"

She told me she was going to have to start charging me for all of this modeling!

Inside the foyer at West Gate.

The display for the on site college.

I even found her in the ladies room!

Aunt Tommie loved this idea in the toddler nursery! ( a pool full of plastic balls for the toddlers to play in)

Another new friend!

With my brother John, observing the huge nursery.

View looking down one of the hallways. Three and a half miles of baseboard was laid by my nephew, Josh Vernoy in this huge building. Imagine three of these halls plus the foyer, offices, classrooms and restrooms.! Now that's a lot of baseboard. Each and every door in this new structure were all stained and polyurethaned by my son Josh and my hubby. I didn't take a picture of one but trust me, they look great!

Another picture of the toddler nursery. They chose patch work for the carpeting, making it easy to replace one stained section at a time, rather than replacing the entire carpeting. Pretty clever!

Look who we ran into - Ash! She was on her way to sing with the tour group that night.

She couldn't believe how much Shane had grown!

One of the Sunday School classrooms. I think these rooms are used during the week for college lectures.

Greeting John when we first arrived at West Gate.

Katelin didn't want to catch Shane's cold! She also couldn't believe how much taller Shane was!

Kate and I

Driving past the BUCCANEER'S HEADQUARTERS on the drive to my parents.

FINALLY, arriving at my parent's home to see her little brother (my dad) Due to dad's surgery then a long bout with the flu, this was the first time the two had seen each other during Aunt Tommie's stay!
What a fun day! She really seemed to enjoy every minute of it!

I hope you enjoyed "A DAY IN THE LIFE OF..."

MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL - 1976-1977

My Senior Picture, Age 16, 1977

Oh and proof of my natural hair color!

Copy and paste, then change the answers to apply to you. If you post this on your blog, be sure to let me know so I can stop by to learn more about you! Fill in the answers about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! REPOST with name of high school and graduating year in the subject box. I posted this on Facebook then decided to post it here as well.

1. Did you date someone from your school? No, but I had a big crush on the Pastor's son!

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? NO

3. Did you car pool to school? Part of the time. When I lived with the Holbrooks, I rode with them to school, then my parents returned to S.C. so I moved back to Greenville with them, at which time I began driving myself to classes in Traveler's Rest.

4. What kind of car did you have? Most of the year, it was a brown Dodge Coronet. I can't remember what I drove after I moved though, it was my parents car, not my own, I do know that!

How do you like my big, bad sunglasses!

5. What kind of car do you have now? A Dodge Durango

6. It's Friday night...where were you? Spending the night with Pam Holbrook and/or dragging Main Street Greenville, S.C. in another friend's YELLOW Monte Carlo!

7. What clubs were you in? none, but was a teacher's aide for the kindergarten class

8. What kind of job did you have in high school? I mostly babysat or helped clean houses.

9. What kind of job do you do now? Domestic Engineer/home school mom

11. Were you considered a flirt? only once or twice!

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? choir, (Rita-you were in the school choir as well)!

13. Were you a nerd? Never, more like an air head or a social butterfly.

14. Did you get suspended or expelled? No but I probably should have been a time or two.

15. Can you sing the fight song? We were a small school, no fight song, but we did have an Alma Mater "Here at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Standing brave and true, Lies Pleasant View Christian Academy and her Christian Rules. Teaching us how to be patriotic, Loving the Red White and Blue, Proudly exclaiming our Biblical heritage, Jesus Christ we all love you!" It went something like that anyway!

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? Annette Holbrook

17. Where did you sit during lunch? On the grassy knoll beside the church santuary on pretty days: in doors in the church fellowship hall on cold, wet days.

18. What was your school's full name? Pleasant View Welcome Christian Academy

19. When did you graduate? 1977, I fast tracked my senior year by working all summer,therefore graduating one year early.

20. What was your school mascot? none that I recall

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Yes! I'd apply myself this time around and try to be more of an encourager to my classmates.

22. Did you have fun at Prom? No prom, we were Baptists!hehe We did have an end of the year class trip to Carowinds Amusement Park in N.C. and later a dinner at a seafood restaurant. It was called ??? Fish Camp! It was fun though!

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?Well, remember no prom for me. Sadly I only vaguely kept tabs on two of my classmates. One lives here in FL further south than I. The other one I have kept up, with passed away with a brain tumor several years ago.

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? I don't think there has ever been one. If there were to be one, I'd love to go!

25. Do you still talk to people from school? sadly, no.

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!

Concerts, Banana Pudding, Friends, & Relatives

I've just finished my morning coffee and now must get to my kitchen to make a HUGE Nanner Puddin'!!! After morning service, mom will be feeding about 15 of us. The Dartt Family and B.J.Speer have been scheduled for a concert for awhile now but due to serious health issues, Tracy isn't able to travel. Tracy's son, Stone and B.J. are traveling as a duet for now, keeping the concert dates. The entire family has been blessed with great talent and a desire to use it for God's glory. Please remember them in your prayers. You can be better informed of their ministry and how to pray for this family by CLICKING HERE.

We are expecting lots of visitors, mostly our family members. Let's see: Josh Vernoy and Naomy were going to try to get substitutes to work their bus route at West Gate this morning so they can attend dad's church. My Josh and Tiffany plan on being with us for service today. Also, My cousin Ron, his wife Ellie, and his mom (my Aunt Donna) will be with us as well. They're coming to take Aunt Tommie back to spend a little more with them and Aunt Donna before she leaves at the end of this month. Aunt Tommie has been at my parent's home since Thursday evening.

Tonight, a friend's sister will be doing a mini-concert at dad's church. Then my friend's hubby will preach. As you know, dad is still recovering from surgery and the flu to boot.

Have a great day in the Lord! Now I better get cookin'!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BRIAN AND JACKIE!

Isn't it awfully romantic that my niece was married on Valentine's Day? Today, she and her hunky hubby, Brian, are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary!! Hard to believe it has been that long already! It made me start pondering on all that has happened in those last five years! Whew! She could write a book. My sister put up a short post about some of those fascinating events in Jackie's life. Click here to see photos and read more.

I wanted a wedding photo of the two of them to post here, but tsk tsk, I have none of them together. I do have a wonderful DVD of the entire wedding which I wish I could share with you all. It was a fantasy dream outdoor wedding!!! So gorgeous was the venue and the couple! They were married in Venezuela; but before heading to South America for the big ceremony, some paperwork and formalities had to be taken care of here. My dad officiated in a small, family ceremony and I do have some photos of that day to share here.

Many happy years to you and Brian, sweet Jackie! I love you both so much and am so happy you have gifted the world with Elena and Abby! I'm looking forward to more of such gifts! *wink*

The gorgeous bride!

Brian and Jackie with their little family. This photo taken in their backyard in Paraguay. It makes me very happy to know she is blessed with a godly young man who knows how to treat her well and is an excellent daddy to these two precious princesses they created!

Jackie and I after the small, family ceremony. I'm holding a photo of the two of us taken in Mexico when I cared for Jackie as a baby.
I had such mixed emotions this day. I was so happy Jackie had found the love of her life and was moving on to create a new life for herself, BUT just when I was getting used to having her near again, she was off to far away lands! You see, after caring for Jackie as a toddler, her family moved to Venezuela, allowing us to see her (my sister's family) only every few years when they would fly to the states for furlough or health issues. When Jackie graduated high school, she came to live in Tampa with my parents while she worked to save money for college. After a year or so, she was off to college, and then engaged, then married, then moved to Costa Rica, then moved to Paraguay!! I did get to spend some time with her between some of those moves which was great. She can always make me laugh! Especially when we talk about one of our late night trips to Dunkin Donuts and the guy thought we were economists because we were both doing math trying to figure out a deal! LOL We almost wet our pants on the ride home due to laughing so hard! (Both of us stink at math, but the guy behind the counter seriously asked: "Are you an economist?" and he asked in a nasally voice which Jackie can mimick perfectly!)

Not sure what Agustin said to them here, but it must have been funny. Fortunately it was after the vows, etc.!





Cute story! Shane always challenged Brian while he was dating Jackie. Shane said HE was going to marry Jackie, and Brian could NOT! Through the years they had several wrestling matches, fighting for Jackie. This particular photo was taken after the small civil ceremony. Shane finally did secede Jackie to Brian on this day!


Dad in the background signing the Marriage Certificate.

ALL FOR UNDER $5.00!!!

A couple of weeks ago, Agustin and I teamed up on his days off to do some de-cluttering. We spent most of two days on Shane's bedroom. Every baseboard got vacuumed and washed, the walls got a good washing, the blinds as well. We took the bed apart to dust and wash the rails and frames. We vacuumed his mattress, both sides. Every item got removed from it's place so that each piece of furniture got a good scrubbing with Murphy's Oil Soap, then shined up with Pledge. With Shane involved, we also rifled through the two containers of toys under his bed and ALL items in his closet and drawers. WHEW!

Shane donated a huge bag full of toys and clothing to the Hope Children's Home Thrift Store. While there, dropping off our junk - er uh, discarded items, look what we found! All for less than a total of $5.00! What fun it was plundering the store!


Shane chose the two Tom Clancy books, I chose the Dictionary of Synonyms to help with my blogging, and I chose the book entitled, "Gringa". It's about an Anglo woman who marries a Mexican and they live in Mexico. Pretty much the story of my early married life! Agustin chose the Art Course from A Beka Books as a guide for him as he IS THE OFFICIAL ART INSTRUCTOR in our homeschool!

(Pictures are clickable to enlarge)

Look at this find in Shane's closet! A home Shane and Jayde had designed and made curtains for a few years ago for Snuggles the little teddy bear. Shane still has Snuggles tucked in a safe place in his room!

We found a treasure in the stuffed animal basket! This was Shane's second baby blanket. He wore the first one out in his first two years of life-or so I thought. When I threw that first blankie out, it was no where near this worn out! LOL

This was the replacement blanket when Shane was about the age of two or so. He slept, dragged, traveled, even carried this dear blanket with him each time we went to Busch Gardens Adventure Park, which was often due to it being in our city and we always bought annual passes. We would go 6-8 times a year. Blankie and Snuggles ALWAYS went with us, until Shane outgrew his stroller days. Then only Snuggles went, tucked away in what ever bag I toted along. Don't you just love how you can see what is left of the batting bunched up in the corners and you can even SEE THROUGH this blanket?!? Once the blankie started showing signs of wear like this, my hubby would always tease Shane that he was carrying around a blanket full of "cockroaches". Shane would grimace and whine then giggle each time his daddy would tease him about his precious blankie!

I think this photo is AdoRabLe!! Agustin helping Shane sort through his TY Beanie Babies. It looks as if they are having a hay day playing! They're even dressed alike!

Took Aunt Tommie Shopping...

...what a HOOT! She tried on six items and bought one, but oh what a bargain she found at Dillard's! Here she is modeling it for me in the dressing room!

The two of us taking a break!

The "Men Folk" patiently??? waiting when we exited Dillard's!

It was a beautiful day here in Florida on Monday. It has been such a blessing having my jolly Aunt Tommie with me this week! I must take her to my parent's home tonight and I DON'T WANT TO! I've been teasing her that I have to "pass off the football" tonight. We will surely miss her laughter in this house.

(P.S.) Rita, please send me that email again so I can obtain the photo of our Great-Great Grandma Nichati!)

Caylee's Memorial Service

At the end of this post is a link is to an article with photos, describing today's memorial service for little Caylee Marie Anthony. What a precious little girl who now will never realize her potentials, who will not have the opportunity to live her life and love. That was all taken away from her via murder. Tonight, her mom sits in jail awaiting trial. Kind of strange though when you think that the mom could have legally murdered Caylee three years prior via an abortion. When abortion was made legal, we started down a slippery slope. We've encouraged a culture of death rather than a culture of responsibility and life. No wonder some high school girl can birth a baby during her prom and simply leave it in the bathroom trash receptacle to die, while she goes back out to the dance floor to finish her evening of fun. The lines have become so blurred!

I cannot watch the clips of Caylee on T.V. or read about her without my heart locking up, a lump forming in my throat, and tears streaming down my face. I've awakened many nights recently in a start, and crying, mourning this baby girl's death. What a sad, sad case. I want the mother to confess and give every torrid detail. I want to see justice in the worst way. Join me in prayer for this mother and her poor heartbroken parents. I pray they are introduced to Jesus, the only one who can truly ease their pain and forgive any wrong doing in this case. I pray the person guilty of this murder gets their penalty, which I believe should be death.

Click here---Caylee's Memorial Service

Randomosity!

Thanks for the kind comments and YES I have had my hair colored back to my natural shade. I actually did it simply to cover up all that GRAY!! I have been bleached blond for so many years except for the past three. I chose to do absolutely nothing to it other than cut and pamper it these past few years. I realized just how long it has been since I've worn my natural color when my soon to be twenty two year old son told me he had never seen me with dark hair! I was tempted to go back to blond but on a whim, decided to try my natural brown/reddish color. Most people have said they like it. I'm still not so sure.

I love the photo of Shane below. He looks to be in pain but was simply practicing his spelling words orally. He was wrapped up in his daddy's robe to keep warm and would throw his head back, squinch his eyes shut tight as he tried to remember the spelling of each word. I just had to snap this one. I thought he looked so cute and cozy.

My handsome hubby leaving for work the other day. He was wearing one of the new shirts we found "green ticketed" at JCPenney's--- a Van Huesen for $8.99!!! We found three shirts he liked and three matching ties. $40.00 ties marked down to $6.99! I bought some ties for my dad as well. It was a fun day out for us. It's not too often we get to go to the mall together!!!
Putting on his shoes!


Our Super Bowl snacks! Agustin had worked all day, so we kept our evening simple. When he got home, he made his famous chicken wings and fondue cheese which is great on Tuscan bread.

I'm okay, I'm Here. More Later!

On way to new mall to show Aunt Tommie around. I had jury duty this morning. More later! Please don't give up on me! Love to All! Here, entertain yourselves with the following photos. It's how I've been prioritizing my time lately! PLAYING with my new camera!

This one shows how much my hair is thinning! YIKES! I used to have the thickest head of hair anyone has ever seen. It does make me a little sad!

What is different in this photo?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST LITTLE SISTER EVER!

Rita (Jungle Mom) back in the day!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That would be my cute, little, redheaded sister who goes by the moniker of Jungle Mom on her wonderful blog. She is a great mom, smart, politically savvy, well learned, sarcastic, a speed reader, a conference speaker. Speaks three languages my last count. Has taught college courses and is a highly sought after conference speaker. She graduated early. Attended college early. Married early. Had her first baby early. Lived abroad early. Became a grandma early. Has lived a life of adventure, thanks to her husband's influence! When I use the word early here, I mean that she did all this at a young age and way before I did any of it! I don't even try to compete with her anymore. I think I gave that up years ago. She is one accomplished woman who knows well who she is and has no identity crisis. I just hope that today, while celebrating her 22nd birthday for the 22nd time, she remembers who taught her so well---forcing her to sit attentively in front of my chalkboard which hung so proudly on our dining room wall! Forcing her to play school each and everyday of her young childhood!
(Actually, she loved every minute of it! There was no forcing involved! I think SHE forced her doll babies and stuffed animals to attend as well though!)