Here Turkey, Turkey!

I once had a teacher that told us the turkey is the dumbest animal alive. Sometimes she would tell us to stop acting like turkeys and think things through before we did them. I should have followed that advise last Friday! :o) My sister really wanted a laptop computer. She found out that Circuit City had them for sale for $300 on Black Friday. Alas, there is no Circuit City near her home in Lebanon, PA, so she convinced her little sister to try and get one for her. I have gone Black Friday shopping every year for the past 4 or 5 years and I actually enjoy it. But, my usual practice is start at about 4AM when the first store on my list opens and systematically work my way through until I get all (or at least most) of the items I'm wanting. I knew that some people go really early and wait in line for stores to open to get some of the big ticket items. I thought, hmmm..a laptop computer...I'll have to start out early. So, I convinced my friend, Leora to come with me and we set out at Midnight Thursday night. On the way down we laughed about how silly we were to be out that early. "We'll just sit in the van and keep warm until the crowds start coming" we nievely said. Then, we pulled into the parking lot at Circuit City. After much searching, I FINALLY found a parking space. The line was already half around the building!! I could hardly believe it! But, we came prepared...we had our coats, a scarf, some gloves, blankets and folding chairs. "We'll just settle in and visit and wait for the store to open. How bad can it be?" "Brrr....it's so c-c-c-old...only 4 more hours...??? We can do that, right?" We knew it was cold, we didn't find out until much later that it had gotten down to about 17*. We took turns defrosting in the van, but we never did truely warm up until much later in the morning when we finally got down the business of REALLY shopping. Anyway, we finally made it to 5AM when the store would open. Time to get that laptop, right? WRONG! After all we were about 40th in line and they only had 12 laptops!!! Poor Laurie...I tried! But wait...apparently the Pennsylvanians are not as determined as the Arkansawyers...Laurie got up at 4AM and went to Staples to wait in line (they had a deal on a laptop as well). Believe it or not, she got it! After I had treated my frostbitten toes and thawed out my nose...I decided that next year I would REALLY be prepared: propane heater, extra thick blankets, hot chocolate in a thermos....WHAT AM I SAYING??? I think I'll just go back to arriving at the stores when they open and leave the waiting in line for the real professionals! :o)

Sweet Home Alabama!

Well, we did spend last weekend in Alabama. :o) We really enjoyed getting to catch up with so many friends all in one place! Jessica was a wonderful hostess, as usual. We spent Saturday evening at Daniel and Holly's. We really enjoyed catching up and cutting up! :o) They have a cute little dog (you'll see him in the pictures). Tim and I are usually loved by children and anmials, but this little guy was terrified of us! I did manage to catch a snapshot of Tim holding him before he bolted to the other side of the room, but other than that short moment, we had to admire him from afar.
Sunday, Jessica and Marissa provided us with a wonderful Sunday dinner. We really enjoyed the services at the Talladega Bible Methodist Church both Sunday morning and evening. I'm not sure how Marissa managed to escape from my camera's range, but I'll be sure and not let that happen next time.
We had to be in Atlanta first thing Monday morning, and we have been running hard ever since. We are finally pausing to catch our breath this weekend. We have a load scheduled for pickup Monday morning in Memphis, TN. Then, hopefully we will be off and running until Thursday. If you think of it this week, please help us pray that we will get a load bringing us close to home by Wednesday night. We would really like to spend Thanksgiving at home this year! Thanks in adavance!

Good Coffee and Good Conversation

We had a great (albeit short) time in Hobe Sound. Saturday night, Rod and Betty took us out to dinner. Then, Sunday they overfed us again! :o) We really enjoyed visiting with them and our other friends down there. Now maybe you can see why I call Betty the "Queen of Hospitality".
Now we're in Alabama and waiting for a load to take us somewhere exciting for the weekend.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you're even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Birthday, Dad!

Florida!

We have been Soooo busy! It's hard to believe I've been away from my computer for such a long time! :o)
We are in Melbourne, FL tonight, and hoping to head down to Hobe Sound tomorrow afternoon if we don't get a load out. We always look forward to spending time with our friends down here. :o)