End of the Year!!!

This year has flown by very quickly. Lots of things have happened to us this year. We have seen lots of changes in our lives. It has been a good year and sad year as we have said goodbye to some dear friends and hello to new family members.

We found ourselves helping with the care of Mark's parents after their nurse died suddenly. It has been an adventure to say the least. This gave us the opportunity to spend lots more time with them, and help them out in a time of need.

We have gotten to see our family more this year. Our grown nieces and their husbands and our great nieces are all so precious.

Mark's family has pulled together and we have all worked together trying to care for their parents.

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary at Bethlehem Baptist as their interim pastor.

My laughter ministry got started this year. (Thank you Patty Chriscoe)

We celebrated 17 years of marriage. (Austin Dunn from our first church got married on our anniversary this year...he was 5 when we first started there)

I started doing a blog this year after Mark and lots of my friends encouraged me. I have found out through the blog....I am not that interesting!!!

We have said good bye to great neighbors in my neighborhood....Mr. Garland Lloyd and Mr. Stanley Gurganious. Both of these men were in the neighborhood when we moved there....I was in the 1st grade when we moved there.

Our little house has come a long way. The Riley's Creek Brotherhood fixed our bathroom, installed our washer and dryer and ran new wire and put in a new breaker box. (Thank you to Preston Casteen and all the Brotherhood men) Then Mark and I had a guy to install new ceiling fans and light fixtures. We have the new vinyl windows, they just need to be installed.

Our great niece Madelyn Claire was born this year. Mark's cousin Millicent had twin girls.

Mark's Aunt Alma walked down the aisle as a 75 year old bride....they make a wonderful couple.

My dad celebrated his 2nd year of retirement.

My mom discovered Facebook and Farmville...she makes a great farmer.

I reconnected with lots of high school friends on Facebook this year. (Dana, Jennifer, Jeff, Christy, Beth, Tiffany, Julie, Amy, Carl, Larry, Gina, Tina, John, Anna, Sabrina, Vivian, Pam, Michelle and lots more PHS friends)

I met and and started a new friendship with Amanda Talbert this year. She is the sweetest most giving person in the world. She started the Fed by Faith Ministry, which we have enjoyed being a part of this ministry. She is an inspiration.

We have gotten to reconnect with old friends and family since living part time in Moore County.

I met and became friends with Erin Brady this year, who is a true joy to be around....she makes me laugh.

We have kept in better contact with some of our old preacher friends this year.

Lilly turned 9 years old this year. She still loves bacon.

Mark's mom fell and broke her hip.....she is now in rehab.

Mark's dad, Jim, cracks me up with his quick wit even though he has dementia. It has been a pleasure to stay with him.

I got to see my Uncle from Texas at Christmas.

My uncle Larry came through a major surgery this year.

I got to reconnect with my best friend from high school, Christy Owens Rawls, through facebook.

My mom and dad watch over our house in Pender County. What would we do without them?

Mark turned 50 this year.

I have gotten to connect with my cousins on Facebook, and have gotten to know them a little better this year.

I realized how important it is to have extended care insurance...even if you are not elderly. Plan for the future, as though it was today.

I came to full realization of just how much our parents have loved us and helped us through our 17 years of marriage.

For some reason 2009 made me reflect on the times that death was so close to us, and how much I cherish Mark. My life would not be complete without him.

I learned to love my nose this year. That might sound funny to you, but I have never liked my nose...but this year I came to except it.

I have learned that life is full of changes, and you just have to roll with a lot of them.

I learned that being a Pastor's Wife is my true calling, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Life has been good this year over all. That doesn't mean that there hasn't been tough times, but God has seen us through the good times and the bad times. 2009 has been a good year, but we look forward to an even better year in 2010.

Exhaustion!!!

My body is crying for sleep, and I going to give in. Full days work today. Will have to blog about it later.

Bargain Pot!!!

I went to the drug store today and hit the jackpot. I got a crock pot or slow cooker, whatever you want to call it today for only $6.25. I got 75% off. The reason I am so excited about this is that I have wanted a 4 quart crock pot for a while for here. I have a small one and a big one, but not a middle size one. I love it...it doesn't take that much to make me happy.

Sore Body!!!

We got the Wii set up last night, and like crazies we spent 6 hours playing the thing. I found out that I stink at a lot of the games. Everyone stunk at golf. My dad was awesome at boxing. He knocked out the other guy in about 20 seconds everytime. He was also a natural at bowling. 187 was his top score. My top score was 161. Which that totally thrilled me, because I never get over a 50 when I do go bowling. My mom was a natural in tennis. The first game she played she won. I played probably 5 games before I won. Mark ruled in baseball. He hit about 10 homeruns in one game. We had so much fun and we have never laughed so much. We cheered each other on and then fell onto the couch in exhaustion. We are planning a Wii tourney for next Saturday. Today I am so sore though. My arm feels just like a threw a real 10 pound ball last night and ran all over a tennis court. But it was great fun. I am looking forward to next Saturday.

Wii After Christmas!!!

Had a great breakfast this morning of ham, eggs, grits and biscuits. After eating our hearty meal, we went to get ready for church. I was in the middle of getting ready for church, when we got the call. NO heat at church, so they were calling church off. Mark and I just laid back down for a little bit more rest before heading out tomorrow for Moore County. We have had so much rain in Pender County that our van got stuck in our yard. We need some gravel badly. After our rest, we got ready and came over to my mom and dad's. We went to the Texas Roadhouse for lunch, then to Kohl's for a little shopping (so I can spend my Kohl's cash). I got another pair of jeans. I am thirtyish something now and I have never worn jeans in my whole life....until now. I am obsessed with one particular brand. I love the Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans. I bought one pair...and I loved them. I got 3 pair for Christmas and then I went and bought 2 more pair. Now I am a jean lover. She has others, such as Isadora and Isabella. Okay, that is not relevant to anything except I just wanted to tell that little tidbit of information. After leaving Kohl's, we went to Best Buy for mom and dad to pick up a few things. She wanted to get another Napster card to put music on the MP3 player we got her for Christmas. Then we came back to their house where Mark set up the Wii that they got for Christmas. Tennis I thought would be my game, but only won 2 games after lots played. Takes a while to get use to the game, or I thought. Mom won the first game of tennis she played....show off. LOL We have played the Wii the whole time, and we have laughed so hard.

The girls dancing at the Texas Roadhouse....*clapping*
Our waitress said this was not a criteria to get a job at the roadhouse. Whew!!

Mom is smiling, because her 2 favorite things are on the table....rolls and a blossom. They can have the onion blossom that is not my thing. I got a steak today for a change. For 3 nights in a row, I dreamed I was eating a steak, so by golly, I got one today and it was so delish.

Mom playing her first game of Wii tennis. She is a natural. Rats!! I thought she might hate this and give the Wii to me and Mark...no such luck now. LOL

She is all into this Wii tennis thing.

Dad watches as we all take a turn playing the Wii.

Mark watches as mom plays. I think he is patiently waiting his turn.

Grand in All Ways

This Christmas season was just GRAND in so many ways. We got to spend a lot of time with our families. I got to see some family that I had not seen in quite a while. So much good food that it was crazy. It was a relaxing time. I am so thankful that we started our shopping so early this year. It took so much stress off of us. We were free to do more little things. Also, we didn't freak out when life threw disasters our way. We had things a little more together this year than any other time. That is why I like to preplan everything that we do. The only thing this Christmas was the weather. 70 degrees and stormy...not exactly weather to get you in the mood for the season.

I am already planning a few surprises for the upcoming New Year. I intend to spoil those little nieces even more. Hopefully, I will get to see them more. Been thinking about my resolutions for the new year. Looking at my life and seeing what changes I would like to make this year. I have a growing list. LOL

It has been just the grandiest of all Christmas' this year, and for that I am very thankful.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Today is Jesus' birthday!! It has been a nice season to reflect on the birth of our Savior. I love to hear the account of our Savior's birth. We read that last night...Lilly thought she was in a Christmas pageant. (See the post below). Went to my parents today for a Christmas feast. She made turkey, dressing, gravy, ribs, collards, sweet potatoes, potato salad, pinto beans and so many desserts. I have ate myself silly. My uncle from Texas and his wife came to have Christmas dinner with us. It was a great day in spite of the rain.


One of my new ornaments. It is the Cool Decade from Hallmark. They started this series in 2000 and I have all of them so far.

A snowman from Cracker Barrel. I have enough ornaments from Cracker Barrel to decorate 8 Christmas trees. I love their ornaments.

Another snowman ornament. I love snowmen. Their is something about snowmen that I just love.

Some of our Christmas Cards. I love getting cards.

Some more of our cards. I could tell that the economy is bad...not as many cards this year as before. I guess people need their money for other things than cards and stamps.

I love sending cards. It is a great time to keep up and touch bases with friends and families that we haven't seen in while. I also love getting "good mail". All through the year bills and junk mail fill the box, but in December it is all good.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Serious but soooo Funny!!!

Last night after leaving my mom and dad's, we decided to read our candlelight service aloud. It is the full account of the nativity story. We lit the Jesus candle and turned all the lights off. We had Christmas hymns playing in the background as we read the account of our Lord's birth. That was the serious part. The funny part is everytime we read about someone coming to see baby Jesus, Lilly would run into the room like she was in a nativity play. Then when we read about how each person departed, she would run out of the room. I mean this dog would run in and stop at our feet like here is the angel you just read about. She did this the whole entire time we read the nativity. It was a serious time, but Lilly made us laugh. She is a funny dog.

Feast of the Seven Fishes...Christmas Eve

Tonight is Christmas Eve..the night that we observe the Feast of the Seven Fishes. We had a delicious supper of flounder and shrimp. Then after filling our bellies, we exchanged gifts.


My mom's famous Icebox Fruit Cake, which was delicious. It was the first time she had made it in many years. It is so good.

I got a new digital camera and video recorder from mom and dad. Watch out!!! You might find yourself on my blog or on YouTube.

Who doesn't like to get a little money at Christmas????

Some of the loot that I got for Christmas. Lots of jewelry.

I got some Coco Chanel and some Beautiful perfume. Now I will be smelling gooooood. I love perfume. The Chanel was just from my daddy.

All my presents from Mom and Dad. Lots of clothes, jewelry, perfume, Estee Lauder makeup and a camera...plus lots more.

This is Lexie, my parents neighbor's dog. I love this dog. We took her some ham bones outside for her Christmas present.

This is Abbie...my mom's Yorkie. She got some Bacon Strips from me and Mark for Christmas.

My whole flounder before it was baked. It looks delicious even raw. lol

The shrimp have their batter on and ready for the frying pan.

Frying up the shrimp!!!

Frying up the flounder.

Some are the shrimp are ready. Wonder if mom would miss one if I swiped one or two???

Look at those beautiful golden fried Shrimp!!!!!

Our seafood is ready!! I was probably the first to sit down at the table. lol

Look at those pretty flounder fillets. LET'S EAT!!!

My flounder is finally done, and boy was it fabulous. I love it baked. I ate the whole thing. Can you believe it?? If you know me, you know I ate the whole thing.
Our Christmas Eve was fabulous the best ever.

Traveling!!

We came home today with a little whiney dog. She kept whining the whole way. So finally we stopped and let her out. She didn't need a bathroom break. She ran around, then we put her back in the car and didn't hear another peek out of her. Maybe she needed to stretch her legs. lol. She is usually a good little traveling dog, but maybe she gets tired of traveling every week like we do.

Gabby!!!

Today I went to the post office and the library. I find myself at these two places almost daily. I picked up some more books with Christmas themes to read over Christmas. At the post office, I got 2 surprises. First an old friend sent me a cross in my pocket that she had made. How sweet!! Another friend included a little money in their card...that was very nice of them. We haven't seen them in a while.


Mark and I decided to go and get each other some little things to open on Christmas morning. We just hate not to do that, even though the computer is our main gift and the microwave. I have a special little surprise planned for Christmas night for me and Mark. A little celebration that we can have together. I am looking forward to all the Christmas festivities and seeing my family. My uncle is suppose to be coming in from Texas, and I can't wait to see him. He is so funny...I am hoping to get some new material from him. hahaha!! I found out that my mom is making one of my favorite things in the whole wide world...icebox fruit cake. Don't turn your nose up....it is delish!!! I love that stuff, and my sugar level will probably go sky high. I will try to behave myself, but it is so hard. She hasn't made one in quite a while. I was so excited!!! I am looking forward to Christmas Eve and Day. My mom is fixing ribs along with turkey on Christmas day. I love her ribs, they are so gooooood. We are having a little bit of this and that for Christmas. I am in charge of making pinto beans and potato salad. I think that I can handle that.


Delivered my fruit to Amanda's parents last night. It was so good to see Ken and Judy and get to visit with them briefly. She sent home these pecans home with us that she made. I am allergic, but Mark and his dad sure have enjoyed them.

Got a great surprise today, Mark's brother, wife and granddaughter visited with us today. Courtney is so great. I couldn't resist (I have no will power) I gave her a few Christmas gifts. I can replace them before we all meet. I gave her a DS game, stickers and a Rachel Ray cookbook. She loved it. I also gave her an autographed copy of a book that our friend, Ken Loyd wrote. She immediately sat down and started reading the book. She was half way through it before they left. She loved it. It was nice to spend the day with them.

Courtney enjoying Ken Loyd's book. She was very engrossed in the book.

Life and Church!!

We had our Candlelight service this past Sunday. After service, our church exchanged gifts and went out to eat. The church gave Mark and I Gaither Tickets for a whole weekend in Myrtle Beach. I am so excited. Here are pictures of Sunday service and funny things that happened this weekend.



Went out to find our neighbors chickens in our yard. Do they eat fire ants?????

Lilly sleeping so lazily on Sunday morning under her little blanket. I think she is cute.

Ted in his bright red coat.

The angel votive holder was the gift that I got in the gift exchange.

Karen and Robert open their gifts.

Roger and Christy are opening the fruit bags that we passed out.

Ms Emily, Ms Daphne and Mr JB await their turn to get a gift.

Nancy and Nita waiting for everyone to sit down for the gift exchange to begin.

All the candles lit. Each candle represents someone in the nativity.

The candles before they are lit. The blue and pink are Mary and Joseph, the white ones are the angels, the green are the shepherds, the gold are the wise men and the little white one in the middle is baby Jesus.

Another picture of the table before the candlelight service began.

The Christmas window.

We played the song "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" and gave out the star ornaments that we made. Bethlehem means "House of Bread". That is where the Bread of Life was born. Have a very Merry Jesus Christmas.

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shining far through shadows dim

Giving the light for those who long have gone

Guiding the wise men on their way

Unto the place where Jesus lay

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

O beautiful star the hope of life

Guiding the pilgrims through the night

Over the mountains 'til the break of dawn

Into the land of perfect day

It will give out a lovely ray

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine upon us until the glory dawns

Give us a lamp to light the way

Unto the land of perfect day

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

O beautiful star the hope of grace

For the redeemed, the good and the blessed

Yonder in glory when the crown is won

Jesus is now the star divine

Brighter and brighter He will shine

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine upon us until the glory dawns

Give us a lamp to light the way

Unto the land of perfect day

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem

Shine on

Full Day!!!

We had a great service today at church. I will blog all about it later with pictures. After church, we stayed around and did a gift exchange. The church gave Mark and I tickets to the Gaither Praise Fest next year. It is a two day event. After gifts we all went out to eat. Then we visited with mom and dad. Went to get our mail, and stopped at Paul's Place to get hot dogs for supper. Looking forward to a peaceful night. Got all my fruit together to give Amanda this week. Merry Christmas!!!

Change of Plans!!

Today was suppose to be The Garner Family Christmas. I say suppose to be, because it didn't happen. Mark's brother and sister and all their families got snowed in up in Davidson County. We will have to reschedule. Thinking about doing it the first Saturday in January. I like that idea...it prolongs the Christmas celebration.

Our church is exchanging gifts tomorrow after service, then going out to eat. I thought we were doing it next weekend, so I have got to go and get my gifts this afternoon. Going over to the church to set up our candlelight service this afternoon. Then tonight we are getting our surprises ready for everyone at church.

Lately, I have been every busy doing extra stuff. Not a bad thing...a good thing. We have been able to help more people and ministries this year than any other year. Due to the Lord blessing us so much this year. Also, we were very prepared for the Christmas Season, so we could take on doing a little more. I have really enjoyed helping gather things for Fed by Faith. I think I am more of a collector of things. I love gathering up goodies for a worthy cause. I sent my cards to St.Jude's this past week and I really enjoyed doing that. It was fun gathering them all together for such a worthy cause as that.

Sent 2 ladies a Christmas card that I kinda know, but not that well. They are Mark's parents friends. One lady use to own "The Matthew's Market". I will have to blog about it sometime, because Mark has such fond memories of that place. They are both widowed, so I picked up 2 special cards for them.

Got more stuff to make me some more earrings. I love making them, and I need some black ones as well. I don't know that it is cheaper to make them or not, but it passes the time away.

Went to the library and checked out all non fiction books with Christmas themes. Just finished reading "Christmas Thief" by Mary Higgins Clark. It was a great book. All the other books are by Debbie Macomber. So you should see my books I have read list grow.

Almost home now. Been writing this blog in the car as we travel back to Wilmington.

Snow a No Show!!!

I anxiously awaited the snow that there were so much talk about today, and nothing, nada, zip not even one little flake. It did sleet on me as I was out early this morning and I raced home only to have it rain all day. We went and bought groceries last night, only because we had to...but there were snow bunnies there buying Food Lion out. I wore a path to the sun room all day to see if it were snowing. I was glad the weather didn't get bad. I still got to go and perform at Center United Methodist tonight. I had a blast. They were so nice and friendly there. I tell this story about a PA, and there was a PA in the audience...he was a good sport.

This is the Christmas tree at the church where I performed tonight. It was beautiful and it spun around. I loved it.

I did get to stop in at the "Treasure Store" today and found this suit for Mark for $5. What a deal. Will probably cost us $12 to get it dry cleaned. lol A great day over all, but I am tired and ready for bed.

Christmas Spirit

Everyone I talk to say they just don't have the Christmas Spirit. I have offered to go and pound some spirit into them. lol I have the spirit, and I have tried my best to spread it around. I baked cookies this morning to munch on here at home. I have falalalala spinning in my head. I love this time of year, and now the possibility of snow. WOOHOO!!! Although snow will put a major damper on our Christmas plans. I am performing tomorrow night in Sanford for a church Christmas party. I just hope it is not called off. Then the Garner Family Christmas is Saturday. That may not happen. All our family lives where it is suppose to snow 4 to 5 inches by Saturday morning. Then we have a special service planned at church Sunday. Hope we can get home. Who knows if it really will snow? I can't change the weather, and if plans get changed...so well. I have learned in life never to get upset when God changes your plans. God controls the weather, and who am I to question Him?



I put 2 more packages in the mail today. These are going to some friends of Mark's parents. These 2 couples have been so great about coming by and visiting them and bringing them fresh veggies out of their gardens. Just a small thank you to them.


I got out a nativity set today just to have out here....Christmas is not complete without the nativity set. I have one out at the house in Pender Co. It is actually my Willow Tree Nativity. I love it. The one that I set out here is one that Mark's mom made years ago. I love it. This nativity is just so plain and simple. I have several that I like. I have a really beautiful white and gold nativity that Raphael and Pat Foy from Midway Baptist Church gave us in 2001. I love it so much. It is so elegant looking and sits on a huge mirror. Then in '93, I bought a crystal nativity from "Christmas Around the World". It is small and also sits on a small round mirror
The full nativity set. They are cloth with cardboard bottoms. I think this was a fabric panel that Walmart offered one year. She gave me my nativity set the first year that Mark and I were married. I love it so much. We have actually used this at some of our churches as decorations.

Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus. The back drop is the panel sewn over cardboard. It is still pretty.

The Wise Men with the camel. I am reading a book now where the nativity camel at the church bites. It is a great book so far.

The Shepherds and the sheep. From the most highest in power to the lowly shepherds, Jesus was born and died for us all. Merry Christmas to all. I hope each of you have a Merry Jesus Christmas.