It's a BOY!!!

The curse is broken and this Garner family is getting a boy!!!

Our niece Jessica called this week to tell us that they found out what they were having...she was so giggly with her news. Well, after 50 years of only girls being born in this Garner family (Mark was the last boy born in this family in 1959), we are finally going to have a boy. That is right...little Hector Rufus will be joining our family in July. I am sure that is not going to be his name. Jessica won't tell us yet...quit being dramatic and tell us. We are eventually going to know anyway. So for now I am having all my items monogrammed with Hector Rufus on them. LOL We are very excited about a boy joining the Garner Clan. We have felt that there has been a curse on us not allowing boys in our family, but that curse has been broken now. My father in law hasn't been feeling well, but a huge grin came across his face when I told him that he was going to have a great grandson. That really perked him up last night. I now just have to wrap my mind around buying things boys like. Not sure that I really even know what little boys like, but I will have some time to research this and then buy only the coolest toys for him. I am itching to go to Belks and see what they have out in the baby department for little boys. I never look at boys items unless our friends have a boy and I need a gift. I can't wait to see all the cute items. We are really looking forward to this, and we want to say Congratulations to Adam and Jessica.


PS: I stink at buying boys clothes. Went today to do some high powered shopping for little Hector (hehehe!!), and came away with nothing. I just don't see this baby with donkeys on his clothes. I really wanted some cool jeans, but not a price that I pay for Mark's. My search will continue for cute baby clothes. I might start with diapers....everyone needs diapers.

Living Again!!!

For the past 4 days, I am not sure that I have been living at all. The Norovirus has hit our house and has hit it hard. Mark, my father in law and myself have all been hit with this virus and knocked down to the ground. I think it probably hit my father in law the hardest. 82 years old with dementia...you don't bounce back fast. He is finally feeling some better...we got some Gatorade in him finally at last. He can't remember that he has been sick and can't understand why he is feeling sick. All the clothes and bedding have been washed and everything in the house has been Lysoled down. I finally got out today and went to do a little shopping. I went over to the new pharmacy in Whispering Pines...Village Apothecary. It was so nice and such personal care there. I loved it!!! Walter and Herschal, the pharmacist there are so nice and friendly. I just loved the time that they took with me, and making sure that my medical needs are being met. They have such a nice store, and I loved the relaxed atmosphere in the store while I shopped. Take time to go over to their new store and check them out. They are located on Hwy 22. It is a very nice store with wonderful employees to serve you. I spent some time at the PO and at the library today. It has felt so good to finally get out for a while. We have found that grits are great when you are trying to start back eating normal food. Today has been a great day and the weather here is just gorgeous!!!

My One and Only!!!

I have seriously thought about starting another blog. Several thoughts have ran through my mind about different blogs I could do. I could do one just on books or just one posting my writings. After thinking about this for a while, the thought left me. I am pretty sure that I have Adult ADD. I start lots of projects only to abandon them. I also thought about writing a blog about what Lilly thinks about life...I even came up with a name...Lilly Unleashed. Then I thought...I don't know what that dog thinks about things in life. The point is about the other blogs is that sometimes I think I talk about the same thing over and over. Then it hit me...this is my life. That is what my blog is about...my life. So, if I decide to talk about books for 3 blogs in a row, who cares? That is what is happening in my life at that point. I will just keep this one and only blog and tell you what exactly is going on in my life or what I am thinking about at the time. I love to read, so reading and books will be a big part of my blog. Mark and Lilly will appear a lot of times, and the no sense things that we do. Everyone thinks they have an exciting life, but I am one that doesn't think that. My life is not that exciting at times, but it is a life that I love. So just tuned in every so often to see what project or amazing thought popped in my head that day!!!!!!!!

Sickness Rages On!!

For the past 36 hours, I have only kept down a 7.5 oz can of coke and 2 pieces of toast. I can't even seem to keep down my nausea medicine. The yuckies have hit me for sure. I called my doctor today to let them know that I needed something more than pills for nausea. They faxed in a new prescription to my pharmacy. I called and it was pills that they had filled. So, I called my doctor again. The nurse kept me on the line while she phoned the pharmacy with the new RX. Okay, now I am set. Mark picks up my meds and brings them home...and the are pills. Hello, I can't keep them down. I then call the pharmacy...which was no help. They pulled the fax and it didn't say anything, so they filled the RX with pills. Then when I told them that the nurse called and talked to someone..you guessed it...no one there had talked to my nurse. But, by the way I have another filled RX up there for nausea pills. Mark and I get to thinking one bottle is from the fax, so why fill another prescription for the same meds if you didn't talk to someone??? They did talk to the nurse and they got it wrong, but won't admit it. Therefore, I will be changing pharmacies after this. My health is too important to let it lie in the hands of people who can't do their job. So far. I have kept the pill down this go round, but what if I couldn't. My doctor closes early on Friday, so I make a point to call so I can be taken care of for the weekend, only to have a pharmacy screw up. I don't think so!! My business goes somewhere else come Monday.

What A Pickle!!

I was in the grocery store last week, when I witnessed something that I had never seen before. Let me start this story at the beginning. I went into my local grocery store that was packed out. After rounding through the produce section this little blur of a person whizzed by my cart. I proceeded to the meat counter where 2 buggies collided to keep from hitting this little boy who is running wild through out the store. Now, this is one of my greatest pet peeves...parents who let children run wild in restaurants or stores. They had rather let them go and take a chance of knocking someone down rather than discipline them. Most would tell me, "You say that because you don't have any children.". While this is true, umm..hello I was a child once. Believe me my mom wouldn't let me run through out the store. She would have spanked me right there in front of God and everyone. Only back then nothing would have been said, because the parents were the grown ups of the house and the decision makers not the children. Okay, getting back to my story. This little boy was a terror, and almost knocked an elderly lady down with a cane. Thank the Lord there was a nice man near by to catch her before she hit the floor. The manager went to the mother and told her to get her son under control. This was her 2nd warning. Then I heard a loud crash. I couldn't see the mess, but I could smell it. PICKLES!!! I rounded the corner a few minutes later and there was the mess...pickle jars broken everywhere. There also stood an angry manager and mother with a now still little boy. The manager was telling her that she would pay for every jar of pickles her son broke. Then she said no because you didn't pay for items you break in a grocery store. Where is that rule posted?? What a great example she was being to her dear little son. I can't quote what she said because it was a string of swear words a mile long. Now the out of control child was getting understood by me. Why expect anything better out of him if this is the way the mother acts. There will come a time when you pay for your child's actions and the lack of your actions. As a pastor and wife, we have heard parents wondering why little Johnny (who is now 19 or 20)is in jail? He wasn't raised that way. Why this is true, you never set out to raise a jail bird. The lack of raising...setting good examples, owning up to mistakes, making children pay the consequences for their mistakes are often to blame. Okay, back to the story. The manager proceeded to tell her that he had asked her 3 times to control her child and she ignored him. 47 jars of pickles were broken @ $3.39 a jar. That is $159.33 for pickles. The situation got so out of hand that the police were called. She would be paying for the pickles and going to jail. At some point she hit the manager. What an up standing testimony she is to her son who looked to be 4 or 5 years old. Now I don't have don't have to worry anymore about children who are rude or unruly...they are mostly a carbon copy of what they see in their parents. Children watch your every movement and every word that you utter. Their behavior mirrors what they see as well as what they are taught. I wanted to applaud the manager for his actions. You can't let children do as they please and feel you don't have to pay when they mess up. That day she paid with money, but will that be all that it will cost her?? How about when he is 16 and she hasn't seen him for 3 days? She will be paying with her very own health. Worrying and stress are slow killers. Children are a reflection of their parents. My first impression of that mother was she doesn't care about other people. She wouldn't be one to lend a helping hand or make a good friend. Are these facts true?? I don't know. That is just my impression from the lack of discipline I saw and her reaction to his behavior. People judge you by your actions and those of your children. Children reflect the personality of their parents. What can people tell about you through your child? I hope that through the way that I act and react people see my parents as loving caring people. I try hard to act and to REACT in a way that is pleasing to God. Reactions are just as important as actions. I have often found myself having to count to ten before I respond to someone...hey, I am human. I hope that lady in the grocery store can later reflect on not just her lack of action, but her reaction. What a bad example to swear and then hit a person who is telling you that you have to pay for your own mistake.

Be My Valentine's

Mark and I went home to Rocky Point on Valentine's weekend, only to have the craziest weekend ever. In a previous blog, I told you about our time with our gas heat. I think we only came home to get snowed in. I was suppose to perform on the 13th at Centerville Baptist over at Kelly. Only it was called off due to the snow...that we usually never get. I was holding my breath about when they would reschedule, but it turned out to actually be on Valentine's Day right after service. That was totally doable for me. Mark gave me a beautiful card on Valentine's Day. I had him a card as well, but it was in Moore County. I bought the card a month before Valentine's and I left it there. Oh well, I need to get it out and give it to him. After I did my performance, Mark and I headed to Wilmington to celebrate. We went shopping and decided that for Valentine's Day that we would buy some DVD's that we both wanted. We had thought about a new TV, but decided against it for the moment. We bought our DVD's and then went to Texas Roadhouse to eat, where they gave me a carnation. We both were tired and didn't feel well, so we opted to just go home. We spent the rest of the day watching DVD's and munching on junk food. I thought it was a perfect way to spend a Valentine's Day with the one you love. That is all that matters anyway, spending time with your Valentine's.

Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly, where I performed on Valentine's Day.

Snow on the Coast of NC!!!

We had a rare event at our house....SNOW!! Yep, that is right...the white stuff fell here along the NC coast. The only thing that I didn't like about it, was the fact that it fell at night. The joy of watching it snow is totally lost at night. I don't know how many times I walked to our door and opened it Friday night to watch the snow, then shut the door quickly as not to let the heat out. Our heat is another story. Came home Friday and our gas heater would not light. Called the gas company for a service man to come, only to find out he was off for the day. I can't blame him for wanting a day off, but have a back up person to fill in (no one was coming to fix anything). I explained this was our only source of heat. They were not that sympathetic to my situation. They told us to blow out around the pilot light with an air compressor or compressed air. We tried this, and it didn't work. Their next suggestion was that our thermal coupling had gone out. The service man can come and fix it first thing Monday morning. Uh, no thanks...it is going to snow tonight. I don't have heat tonight. Mark decided that before the snow was going to hit that he would go and buy us a Big Buddy Heater. They are very nice and they run off the cylinders of gas like a propane camp stove. He came back with the heater and 6 bottles of gas. According to the directions, those little bottles wouldn't last too long. We had the oven door open trying to heat the house. Then Mark hooked up the Buddy Heater and instantly we felt heat. We didn't want to go to sleep with any of improvised heat on, so we got up every so often to cut everything back on to warm up. Then Mark decided to try blowing out the wall heater one more time...it worked. Our 5 brick gas heater lit up like a torch and stay on...Thank You Jesus!!! We had heat!!! About 6 am this morning, I was out trying to take some pictures of the snow. I opened all the blinds in the house to see the lovely 5 inches that now blanketed our yard. I could hear the laughter and screams of excited children coming from my cousin Steve's house as his boys ran through the snow making snow angels, snowmen and I think I saw a couple of snowballs whiz by. I just stood on my porch and took pictures. I was suppose to perform at a Valentine's Banquet tonight, but I received a call that they were cancelling; but rescheduling for tomorrow at lunch. Hopefully I can get over there then. We got out today and the roads seem to be clear. The snow is especially beautiful in the pines and cedars around our house in the front. The thing about snow on the coast...it doesn't last long. Already starting to melt and tomorrow it is suppose to be in the 50's here. We have missed the snow every time in Moore County, because we have come home...but this time we got to see some of the fluffy white stuff.

My Valentine's flag!!!

Our front yard that is lined with cedars and pines.

Our back yard!!

This angle is the corner of our back yard. Don't know if you can tell in the picture, but our yard is fenced in. The snow was piled up on the wires of the fence...so pretty.

My bird feeder looks like it is going to break with all that heavy snow on it. You can see the fence in the picture really well, as the snow has piled on the wires.

This is a picture of a massive grape vine that has took over a tree on the side of our yard. It has the black grapes on it. I can never remember their name, but they are good. If you can beat the birds to them.

This picture was taken around 6 am on Feb. 13th. I love the lighting of this picture.

Your Two Cents...Not Needed!!!

Mark, his father and myself were sitting in a local restaurant eating supper this week. We were having a great time and enjoying ourselves. The restaurant has a great homey feel, and everyone is very friendly. Two guys that were at the back made their way to the counter to pay their check. They were very noticeable as they were both covered with tattoo's. I mean covered with tattoos...on face, head and everywhere. All the tattoos were very colorful on top of everything. They were very nice guys and very polite...you can't judge people by the way they look. Sitting at the counter was an older woman, who I guess just couldn't help herself. I hear these words come out of her mouth to one of the guys, "Tattoo's are disgusting and people that have tattoos are disgusting too." My mouth dropped!! This guy had not said anything to this woman and why she felt compelled to say this was beyond me. Her two cents were not needed nor asked for by the guy or anyone else. I just held my breath as I waited for his response. The guy just politely said, "So tattoos aren't your thing?", and laughed. She then said no and preceded to tell him how trashy they were, and how only trashy people have them. He just politely told her that everyone likes different things, and left laughing. I just couldn't believe that she would be so brazen and crude to say these things to a stranger. Despite the fact that he did look scary (let's just be honest), he was a very nice guy. He is right, different people like different things. I personally don't have any tattoos...2 reasons...one they are done with a needle and second I have seen tattoos on OLD skin...NOT PRETTY. They are not my thing, but I don't judge people who have one or those who decide to tattoo their whole body. My point is...if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. Life is hard enough without negative people putting their two cents worth in when it is not needed, necessary or asked for. I want to encourage people not discourage or say negative things to people. The world beats you down enough, and I guess this woman is a prime example of the world beating you down.

Cat Burglar!!

This morning Mark and I were snapped to attention by the high pitch voice of my father in law as he came stomping through the house. We couldn't imagine what had him in an uproar at 8 in the morning, being he is not a morning person and usually sleeps in. He was fit to be tied as the old saying goes. We finally understood what he was saying, but it was a shock. There was someone in the house. Well, not someone, but something. He told us that the black bob tail stray cat that has taken up at the house ran across his feet in the bed. Now he has dementia, but he never hallucinates, just some short term memory loss. I immediately thought that maybe we were going into another stage of the dementia. He wouldn't stop telling us that the black bob tail cat was in this house. We thought he had gone back to bed, but no...he was getting dressed and getting out of that end of the house. I got his breakfast fixed, and Mark and I set out looking for Bobbi, as we had been calling this stray cat. We looked all over and opened the front door hoping that if she was in the house she would go toward the light to go back out. We couldn't imagine how she could have gotten in...if indeed she was really in the house. Then we saw that the register vent was completely out of the floor and we could see down the duct work. So, now it was possible that she was in the house, and he had not dreamed this event. We started calling her by name...why I am not sure, she doesn't answer to it ever. We were calling kitty kitty, and nothing. We had finally decided that there was no cat, and we weren't sure what compelled him to think he had seen one...it was a dream. Mark went to close the front door, and jumped. He yelled to close off all the doors going out of that room. I wasn't sure what was behind that door...it turned out to be Bobbi. A every frightened and mean Bobbi. She has never been tame, but she had let me pet her a couple of times; but not lately. I called and tried to coax her out to no avail. We went and got cat food and put on the sidewalk to try to get her out. I even heated hot dogs and put in the bowl hoping that the scent would lure her out. Nothing!! So, we did the only thing we knew to do...call Animal Control. He came and spent at least 10 minutes in there trying to get her. She was not a happy camper when he finally brought her out. He did confirm something we wondered...she does have bobcat in her. She is bob tail and her back legs are curved not straight like a domesticated cat. There are 6 cats that have taken up here...all wild. She was the tamest, but that isn't saying much. So after all that I decided that my father in law still just has some short term memory loss. We had us a Cat Burglar this morning!!! What a hoot this household is at times.

Happy Birthday To ME!!!!!

Today marked my 39th birthday...*sniff sniff*. Only one more year before the dreaded big 4-0. I had an amazing weekend celebration. Today was no different. Mark started the day off with breakfast from McDonald's...I love their breakfast. Then we went to Belk's where I just had a shopping spree. I loved it!!! I had the time of my life picking out whatever I wanted. Thank you Mark for a great day. We plan to celebrate more this weekend with dinner in Wilmington at a few of our favorite restaurants. I can't wait.

All my clothes and jewelry from my shopping spree.

I found a beautiful silver hinged bangle bracelet, a pair of big square rhinestone earrings and a black stone ring. All things that I need.

One of my favorite shirts...it has sparkles on it, and I am all about the sparkles.


Another favorite one that I picked out. I think that Mark actually liked this one. We have different taste on clothes. I am wild and he is plain. But wouldn't it be boring if we all liked the same things or thought the same thoughts.

Mark had a great comment when I chose this blouse. He told me that if I had been living in the 60's that I would have been a hippie living in commune somewhere. I laughed so hard. The best birthday ever. Lots of cards, calls, text, emails and Face book wishes.

Surprise Surprise I Can See it in Your Eyes!!!

This weekend has just been full of surprises, and they have been nice surprises. My Moore County "girlfriends" sent me a super package in the mail, and I received it on Saturday. It is full of candy, stickers, a book and bubbles. I had to laugh at the bubbles. The reason for the chuckle on the bubbles, is because I always say that it isn't a party unless you have bubbles. I got 4 tubes of bubbles, so now I can party hard. I actually partied today with Macey with one tube. What fun to watch a 2 year old chase and try to catch bubbles. It was a delight to outside and spend some time with her. Children just take stress away as you listen to their laughter and their wonder over the simple things. Note to self: Chickens don't like it when you blow bubbles at them. Macey and I found that out today. LOL

My box of goodies from Joann, Jodi, Jennifer and Erin....you girls rock!!!!

I think my "girlfriends are trying to spoil me. I know that I am not spoiled, so someone must do the job. LOL We ate lunch with Joann and her family today, which by the way was delicious. It was down home cooking with pintos full of ham and homemade everything. I made a pig of myself...I am glad that Mark had not preached on glutton today. LOL After lunch I was presented with another present. This time it contained Pleasures Perfume, Bath and Body lotion and note cards. 3 of my favorite things. You guys have helped make my last 30 something birthday fantastic.

My present today from the Awesome Foursome!!!

Girlfriends!!!

My new cookbook that the "girlfriends" gave me for my birthday.

Tonight was a "Girl's Night Out" with some great and funny girlfriends. I have been so excited about this night. I was ready to go and have some fun and laugh. I was not disappointed with tonight on the fun part. I laughed so much tonight, that my side hurt. We all met at a local Mexican restaurant to eat supper. They had my Pollo Fundido that I love so much. Haven't had it since we left Columbus. Everything was delicious. This girls night out turned out to be a Birthday Celebration for me. I got a very nice North Carolina dessert cookbook. I can't wait to try some of the recipes in there. They all know I like to cook....that is evident if you ever read my Facebook status. After a great meal, it was off to the movies. We went to see Dear John....I LOVED IT!!! I will be buying this movie on DVD. Anyone who wants to go see it, give me a call...I will go again. It was better than the book. I don't want to give anything away in case you haven't seen it....so go and see it you won't be sorry. Thanks so much to Erin, Jodi, Jennifer, Joann and the newest girlfriend I met Andrea tonight for making the last year in my 30's a great celebration. You guys rock!!!

Calling All Locals!!

Have you ever lived somewhere all your life, but never experienced the things it offered? That is what has happened to me. I have lived near Burgaw, NC all my life and never experienced half the things it offers. I am mostly talking about the local shops. If you have ever been to Burgaw, then you know there are no big retail chains in that quaint little town. This past week I popped in "The Nifty Place" located on Freemont Street. They just had the most adorable things in their shop. They sell lots of things made by local people. I went there to solely purchase some handmade soap made by a lady that I know. While there, I naturally picked up more items. They have an assortment of things in their store. Handmade soaps, lotions, salsa, dips, jams, quilts, flags and jewelry just to name a few. The store owner that waited on me was so charming and friendly. I have lived back here for over 2 years and I am ashamed to admit that this was the first time I had even stepped foot in this charming shop. The owner of the shop makes the jewelry and it is so beautiful. They even have blueberry jewelry in honor of the Blueberry Festival held every June in Burgaw. If you are a local to Pender County or just passing through...pop in and see what they and the other shops in Burgaw have to offer.

The Nifty Place located on Freemont Street in Burgaw, NC

I purchased a sterling silver turquoise ring from The Nifty Place. It is handmade by the owner. It is very beautiful. I had been wanting a turquoise ring for some time now, but I wanted a big stone....and I found it.

The reason I went into The Nifty Place was to buy some of Robin Roller's handmade soap. I went to church with Robin when I was a teenager...such a nice lady. I bought several bars and absolutely loved them. My skin felt so soft after taking a bath. Didn't even need to lotion down. She has an incredible website if you are not local and would like to purchase some of her soaps or many of her other great items. www.onesparrowproductions.com I plan on ordering some of her bath salts and sugar scrub off her website this week. They say her chap stick is wonderful. I might be purchasing some of that as well.

Celebration Time!!!

Today started the birthday month. That is right...we celebrate the whole month of February for my birthday. After all, it is such a short month. I have some sort of surprise everyday of the month for my birthday. It can be a gift, card, act of kindness or just sweet words. I love this idea...I think it is the only child coming out in me. Tonight I went to Atlanta Bread, one of my favorites, and I got a double chocolate cupcake. YUM YUM!!! A great start to the birthday month celebration. By the way, my actual birthday is the 8th.