A Fast Week

It seems like yesterday we were down by the pool last weekend.
I forgot to say that at Sunday's wrap-up meeting, the big desktop workcamp computer blew up....I mean, literally blew up! I thot Pete A. had set off a firecracker when he came in, and then everybody could smell electrical burning......I ran to Steve, our computer genius on the Colonial Heights Blvd, and he was able to save the hard drive. Hallelujah!!!! It had EVERYTHING on it from the workcamp finances to my genealogy!
Tuesday night was a good Bible Study. It got a little intense a couple of times, and when the couple next to me said something about the TEA PARTY, Alicia pinched my leg to remind me not to say anything! I am learning lessons in tolerence.
I am meeting Allie tomorrow morning and we are traveling to Burke, VA for a memorial service. David Styles, Lizzy's dad (workcamp staff) passed away from cancer. Lizzy has been with us for many, many years.....her dad, David was a precious person. He and his wife Patti met in the Peace Corp....Lizzy was born in South Africa. We are so fortunate to have them all associated with Workcamp.
Mailed a few brochures out to new churches this week....and already had two new churches ready to register.
The neighbors across the street are having a Halloween extravaganza all weekend, each nite from 6-9pm. Not sure what kind of crowd they are going to get....hope the police aren't involved!
Al and Paul are at a Halloween party tonight at Mark Bliley's....told her he should have had it at one of his uncle's funeral homes.....Boo! Al is a witch and Paul is "Madam Mardi Gras".....just wait for the pictures!

A Dark & Cozy Day

It's a dark & cozy day....that's the way I see it! Wish I didn't have to get dressed and head out on errands. We had a terrific weekend. Even tho it was the weekend of Al's "supposed to be wedding", she got thru it with flying colors!

Paul came Saturday afternoon and he & Al spent most of the time in the kitchen cooking pumpkin cookies and pumpkin pancakes for Sunday morning.

Our Workcamp Wrap-Up group was small, but we achieved much and had lots of fun doing it! Each person held a sign in front of them with their name and a love note to Sister JR so she could put the face with the name. Hope to send the photos off to her today.

Rick Hill who used to do our evening programs lives near the sister's home, so he went by and saw Sister JR and goes back Friday. His congregation is near Emmittsburg, MD.

It looks like Al is finally getting "in" with the Colonial Heights School System.....she is supposed to call them today before 11am....thanks to Lynn Watkins (our tshirt person).

Things have slowed down a little for me and it feels good . Only have a couple more paper deadlines to meet, but a big weight has been lifted.

Yesterday was Alicia's birthday. Saturday nite we started the fire pit and roasted hot dogs and marshmellows, wrapped up in blankets and had a good old time! I am STILL holding out on covering the pool.

Will really enjoyed Paul's little dachshund, Nog this weekend.

Well, Bible Study is tonight....we are talking about SARAH.

Off to the post office.....

Jobs, Wrap-Up & Pool

The photos are of the last cotton fields that haven't been picked on the way to church. Just tidbits of information. We are keeping the pool open til this weekend is over. We plan to have a little fire by the pool Saturday nite as a last hoorah.

The diocese job had been filled that I talked about previously, so Al is pounding "the internet" looking and applying. Something is bound to come up soon!

Tim called from London last nite with some news....he has decided to officially change his name.....

The Workcamp Wrap-Up meeting is this coming Sunday afternoon. First is a board meeting and then a session with all invited. I will be SO glad to see everyone!!!

I posted Sister JRs mailing address so I pray that everyone involved in workcamp will send her a care card. I can't imagine going thru all of what has happened to her at her age.....she is one of the dearest people I know.

Well, I'm mailing out some Workcamp 2011 brochures today, so I better get into gear!

Donk's, Cotton, & Sister Lucille

Today was a Tabernacle Sunday. Just before leaving for church I was looking at the newspaper.....there was a brief death notice for Sister Lucille Baker. I was shocked....she was the youngest, most active of the Sisters of Charity that were with us a lot. I tried to call the home in Emmittsburg, MD. Just a recording so I will call them first thing in the morning. The notice said she passed away Oct 7th. I just don't know why we didn't get a call....

Saturday night we went to the Hee-Haw show at Donk's. Allie, Lois, Wayne and all the Scudders headed down to Mathews. It was a fun night! Jeffrey sang a couple of songs and played background for the other performers. The show was long , so we didn't get a chance to chat afterwards....We are looking forward to going to the Christmas show!

I'm a little distracted. Watching the new season of Paranormal State. Will write more later!

Hot & Cold

The photo is of Ellen Rose....she & her date for the homecoming dance at PGHS came by to have me take pictures.

Allie has spent a couple of nights with us....she'll be heading back to Richmond today. She has to attend a Virtus class at Our Redeemer in Mechanicsville tonight. It is a Catholic requirement when anyone is working with teens or younger children. She's also excited about her application thru the diocese to work part-time as Catholic campus minister at Randolph-Macon College is Ashland. It's the perfect job for her while she decides what to do with her life. So, Glenn & Sheila, prepare for a phone call....she put you guys down as a personal reference!

JR's Bible study is tonight....a hot topic: David & Bethsheba....the lead in from the last study was about David & Saul. I have got to change the flood light bulbs in the kitchen area....last study we just didn't have enough light in the living room. We never read in there....it's our TV room.

Tim & I are still waiting for the final DNA test results!

I am pushing for an end to this workcamp financial paperwork and also the Cameron Grant! After the 15th I will be a sane person again!

I have a great idea for a Christmas gift/project....now if I can just get in gear and start on it!

Snake, Neighbors & Homecoming Photos

Today was the perfect afternoon for a neighborhood picnic. About 40 of us gathered down the street at the Jeter's house by the pond for a neighborhood gathering. We used to have them quite often before all the kids grew up, and it was so good to see neighbors of 20 years! Lots of good food and good conversation. Allie came down from Richmond and brought Paul with her. The four of us had a really great time.
I did take a dead snake to the picnic in a ziplock bag....much to the horror of Allie. Last night I killed this little snake that was at our back door. Daisy the cat had alerted me to it and so I beat the snot out of it with the broom handle. I knew the guys at the picnic could identify it....it was a COPPERHEAD. Now I am looking left & right for them all the time!!!!!
We are still awaiting the final set of DNA tests for our blood origin. Because of Tim's cheek swab, we do know that we are in the "J Haplogroup"....that's all I can say right now.
The Scudders came over briefly tonight so that I could take Ellen Rose & her date's photos before the Prince George High School Homecoming Dance. So cute!

I've Waited Too Long Again!

Just a generic workcamp photo....too busy to dig around today for a picture! I am heading to Petersburg traffic court today for "following too closely" and the accident I had about a month ago. The officer said not to pay the fine, but to come to court because the judge would most likely dismiss it. We'll see!

John's Bible studies are going great. The last one was on David & King Saul...lots of discussion...fun group! Looking forward to next Tuesday.

I should have lots of photos from this coming weekend. Jerry Jeter is hosting a neighborhood picnic like we used to have when all the kids were little! We are so excited to get together with our neighbors....they are wonderful people! Allie is coming down with Paul for the event. Then afterwards we are inviting the Scudders and building a fire in the pit by the pool for one last hurrah. Then we will cover the pool for the winter....I HATE IT! Guess I will put the hummingbird feeders away too.

Al came down yesterday afternoon and we went to a matinee of the movie "Case 39". Creepy, but good. She still hasn't heard from Colonial Heights Schools yet about subbing and has applied for a REALLY neat job part time in Roanoke....don't want to spill the beans just yet in case she gets an interview....it's very interesting tho and right up her alley....there, that's enough hints!

Looks like we might go to Donk's on the 23rd for their Hee Haw show....Lois and gang want to go also.

I'm still looking at plane fares and hoping they will drop for us to go abroad in February....

And now for the big news....Tim in London did a DNA swab for genealogy a couple months ago. He did it for both his mother's line and also paternal line. We are waiting for the results of further testing, but "hold your breath"....it looks like my family is of Jewish descent.....I really don't want to jump the gun on this, so I'm waiting for the certificate, but Allie and Tim are already celebrating! Cross your fingers....would love to be of Middle Eastern descent!

Really want to set up a blog and podcast for JR's sermons. I'll figure it out, but just haven't had a lot of time to play. the Workcamp finances were low....thus our own finances were low....but thanks to Pete A. the Lutherans came thru yesterday with a $5000 grant that will get us thru the end of the year. I went by Home Depot yesterday and began paying off the remnants of our summer orders.

Ok, I guess that's enough to digest for right now.