It's finally here...

It's finally here...election day. I have remained fairly quiet about who I am voting for, and I will continue to remain rather quiet on the issue for now. However, I do believe in the democratic process and I encourage you get out there and vote today. All voices can't be heard if all voices don't speak. I will be doing my civic duty this afternoon and then I will revel in the fact this election is FINALLY over. I am sooooo ready to talk about something else. How 'bout you?

Photos

Here are a few pictures of our niece and Drew with a pumpkin that we grew in our garden. She is getting sooooo big!

The Biggest Loser

So, I have effectively become addicted to the Biggest Loser. Do you watch this show? It's probably the only thing during the week that I have to tape if I miss it. (I know, I know, TiVo would help in this situation...but we're trying to save money.) Anyway, I have been following along and cannot believe the hard-headed people that are competing this season. I have decided who I want to win...but I won't tell you right now. I think it's amazing to watch people step onto national television and agree to step on a scale once a week in front of that same audience. They work their tails off, get yelled at by thier trainer, and consistently lose 8, 9, 10 pounds a week. I can't remember the last time I lost 10 pounds in a week! Maybe gained 10 pounds in a week, but not lost it....

It's been a while...so what?

I have been so busy lately because in addition to my job of teaching fifth grade, I am also doing my practicum this year in educational administration. I am gaining a great deal of experience and learning much, but it is quite the time killer. We are also helping with the Sparks in our church's Awana program on Wednesday nights. On Thursday nights we are taking Financial Peace University taught via dvd by financial advisor, Dave Ramsey. Whew...AND....the election has, as I have said, captured my attention this year.

Last weekend, we took some time to travel to see the movie Fireproof. Have you seen it? It was SO good. It was made by the same company that produced Facing the Giants, but I think Fireproof was much better. I really enjoyed the movie and was glad we spent the time and moolah to travel 2 hours to see it.

Election

In the past I have been unable to really follow elections. I would always try, but would inevitably fall asleep, get bored, or just plan lose interest. Not this year. For whatever reason, I am glued to the TV. I am watching the news ALL. THE. TIME. I am following all kinds of stories and really trying to be as informed as possible before hitting the polling booth. How about you? Are you glued to the election too?

In the words of my good friend, Becca...

Neuvo Coche! We have been driving the car that I bought the month I graduated from college up until 2 days ago...that's when we bought THIS! It's a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. We are so blessed with this car! It looks great and we got it at a great price. it is just perfect for us!

Pictures

It's been a while since we have posted much. Basically, my summer ended and I returned to school. The first day was Aug. 14, 2008 and I have had a GREAT time with this class.

We haven't posted any photos of our niece lately and thought we would for your viewing enjoyment.

The first one is of Drew and baby using the computer. We love this picture because she was SO interested in whatever Uncle Drew was doing. What a Great pic!
The Second photo was taken in July and she had just learned to grasp toys and swing them around. She was so active that day and kept me laughing all day.

The third photo was taken on my second to last week with her for the summer. She was able to sit up with plenty of support behind her. We like this picture too because of her smile. I hope all is well for you and I apologize for the quiet around here!

The last week

The last week has been a whirlwind of events.

Last Monday (July 28) I finished up stapling the last staple into the walls of my classroom AND I finished up the last assignment for the course I was taking. I was feeling pretty good about myself and the fact that I was really sailing right along in terms getting things done. I figured this left me a week, or so, to rest and relax before the big push for the beginning of the school year. (Which, for me, starts on August 12). So, then on Tuesday I got a call from my mother. My grandmother had died. We made arrangements and made a quick trip to Elkhart/Middlebury for my Grandmother's funeral. We are back now, and I am busily working at school preparing for the onset of the new year. Below, you can see a photo of my grandmother along with her obituary. Needless to say, we are both spent and exhausted.

Mary Alice (Jones) Smith
Mary Alice (Jones) Smith, 88, of 53169 CR 39 Middlebury, IN died unexpectedly and due to natural causes at 6:27 PM on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Goshen General Hospital emergency room. She was born August 27, 1919 in Plymouth, IN., to the late Elzie and Valira Marie (Palmer) Jones. On March 6, 1939 in Plymouth, IN she married Willard Richard Smith. She was a homemaker, and had worked for Barler Manufacturing, IXL, Goshen Rubber and Western Rubber all of Goshen. Survivors include Daughter, Sandra J. Pelfrey of Middlebury, IN; 4 Sons, Willard LeRoy Smith, Victor Irvin Smith, Terry A. Smith all of Middlebury, IN, Davey B. Smith of Elkhart, IN; 9 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, 4 Great Great Grandchildren; 5 Sisters, Esther Klapp of Plymouth, IN, Hazel & Alfred Stickler of Millersburg, IN., Betty Sullivan of Plymouth, IN, Margaret Wolfinger of Millersburg, IN., Barbara Bayse of New Haven, IN; Brother, Harry Jones of Waldport, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Richard Eugene Smith, 2 Brothers, Charles and William Jones. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 PM, Friday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Bristol.

Movie Review - Stepbrothers

This movie had potential to be funny and the story line was...decent. The problem is that the f-bomb was dropped WAAAAAAAAY too much in the movie as well as entirely too much sexual inuendo. If the producers had dropped the profanity and the sexual inuendo, I would have given this movie about a 7 on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the best movie ever). However, because of those factors I give this movie about a 1. I would not recommend this movie to any of my friends or family. I guess I am pretty opinionated about it, but I did not enjoy this movie much at all.

My New Favorite Song...

"Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns

Ped Egg Follow-up

I found a buy one get one free offer on the PedEgg. Click here to learn more!

New Movie Coming - Fireproof

I was reading over at Family Reunion this morning and she had a link to the YouTube Trailer for a new movie coming this fall called Fireproof. It is made by the creators of Facing the Giants and I am looking forward to seeing it!

You know it's hot when

you got outside to mow the lawn at 8:45am and it's 78 degrees but when you get done at 9:45 it's 92 degrees! Whoa! I just cannot believe the humidity this year around here. I just sweat bullets just STANDING outside. If I do any type of work, my shirt is wet, my hair is wet....yuck. Yesterday I took 3, yes THREE, showers due to sweating! Maybe TMI for you, but geez...I could use a break from the moisture in the air!

Comments

I have posted instructions for leaving comments for those of you that have emailed me and asked. Just scroll down and you will see it on the right. I hope it helps!

Product Review - Ped Egg

I have terribly calloused heels and often get a bit embarrassed when wearing sandals in public. I have used a lava stone in the past, but was intrigued by the Ped Egg when it came out. So, I finally broke down and bought one today. At first, I was a little nervous because it looks like, well...a cheese grater. I began slowly and cautiously rubbing it against my feet and I didn't feel a thing. Once I was done, my feet were smooth and callous-free. I highly recommend this product to anyone out there that has the same problem I have with calloused heels. I will warn you however, that when I dumped it out (after grating my feet down) I was a little bit grossed out. It really does rub a lot of dead, calloused skin away. It's safe, easy, and leaves your feet smooth.

Movie Review - Wall-E

We went and saw the movie Wall-E this weekend and it was so good. I have been wanting to see it since I first saw the previews. We saw Hancock the weekend before and were disappointed in it because it really wasn't what the previews made it out to be. So, we decided to pop for movie tickets again to see Wall-E and LOVED it. It has some good messages in it and is very creative. It had funny points throughout, but true to Disney Classic style, it has a positive message at the end. If you get a chance to go, you should definitely go.

Congratulations!

We wish to offer our congratulations to our friends Carlos and Shelly at the birth of their son at 1:34am today. Everyone has been so eager to meet little Carlos Andreas. May their family be blessed!

Quiet

It's been rather quiet around here lately. My class stared on July 7 and it has already been interesting. Our current topic of discussion? Merit pay for teachers.

For our anniversary, I smoked some ribs and they were sooooo gooooooood! We spent the evening at home and enjoyed the company of one another. It's amazing how much we still love to do that sometimes!

It certainly has been quiet. Nothing exciting to report.

What about you? Anything exciting to report?

4 Years

Today is our 4th anniversary. I am so blessed with such a loving, kind, and compassionate man to call my husband. I never knew I could love another person as I love this man. I tried to find a song that works for this special day, but I couldn't settle on just one.

The first is one that reminds me of our time dating: Frank Sinatra "Something Stupid"


The second says how I feel about Drew: Denise Williams "Let's Hear it For they Boy"

Bored.

Bored.

That pretty much sums up how I have been so far this summer.

Drew and I both got our fishing licenses and we have been fishing and that has been FUN! I even bought a new pole. Fishing for me, though, is only fun when I don't have to touch the worm or the fish. What's the point? You ask? I like to cast, reel in the fish, and be outdoors with no phone or pressing issues to deal with.

Next week I am going back to class...sort of. It's an online course and I know my schedule will become very busy in a short amount of time. Before long, it will be back to school and the daily grind of teaching and learning.

How is your summer going?