A Wee Little Update

Well lets see....what all has happened since the beginning of the year. Well....we got some snow.

Then we got some more snow. Dad had a time digging the van out at the airport to make the very slow and slippery drive home that night.

Then we got a whole lotta snow.
The quarry hasn't looked this beautiful and pure since I've ever seen it.
At the next quarry you could see footprints where the deer had crossed the water to the other side. Oh for a couple of ice skates.

Then we got some land. A beautiful, gorgeous, lovely piece of God's earth. See that big patch of woods in the back? That's where I will bag my first deer. There were so many trails through there....This will be the view from the back of the house.

When we considered this piece of property, the first thing we did was pray. In these economic times, and in life general, one wouldn't want to jump into something like this if you're going to lose your financial income. Besides, God knows His land much better than we do.

Then, bum ankle and all, in the middle of an ice storm, we hoofed the parameter of the entire property. It was mah-vah-lus dahling. Simply marvelous. Everything was shellacked in ice giving it a glossy finish that creaked when the wind blew. The bright orange leaves layered in the woods crisping lightly with each step. My lips were frozen around my teeth as I smiled.
An hour and half later, yep, they were still frozen and I knew where I stood.

See that pond... That's my pond. The spring peepers are already increadibly loud. This is were Dad taught me how to use the chain saw. We spent the weekend pulling vines out of trees, cutting up trees, playing games around the campfire and laughing. It's great.

This was our view as we celebrated the close of sale over a bottle of wine and another jog through the woods. And the day we found out we had the property....

My man takes me out to my favorite resturaut. We laugh. We dream. We scratched out ideas on paper. At the end of dinner, the waitress returns with this gorgeous, beautiful, full length fur coat. As beautiful as this is....I have to look this sweet gal in the eye and correct her. "That's absolutely beautiful, but that's not mine."

She has this little sparkle in her eyes as she opens the coat, displaying my initals..."actually....it is" My poor man. I sobbed. I bawled. I left mascara in his ears, smeared on the side of his cheeks, across the collar of his shirt.

Now I don't mind telling you that wearing this coat makes me feel like a million dollars. The Queen of Sheba doesn't have anything on me. I grow an extra 5 inches when I slide this on. During those horrible cold days, I was wrapped in luscious warmth that didn't require a shiver to beat.

~ ~ CAMP WOW '08 ~ ~

Every year our company sends us out to a retreat for a weekend of fun. Well....lemme rephrase that. There are those that have made their way up in the company that have to go out a bit early for meetings and such, there are other of us that get to go out just for the fun of it. I would be there just for the fun of it. Beautiful Sawgrass in Jacksonville, Florida...here we come.

And oh how much fun I did have! I've been told in the past it's good to make friends with specific people in the company for whatever beneficial reasons. (*rolling eyes*) Being the person I am...with the personality I have...if I like you - I make friends with you. If I don't - I make work with you. That means we do a job in the most amiable way and that's the end of it.

Most people I make friends with. One was my roommate this year. This decision has to be made carefully. The two friends I get to work with daily had already roomed together and were heading out early for meetings. Hmmm......who can I room with and they not hate me in the end????

NESSA! She's got a strong personality. She's decisive. She takes care of herself. And she'll let me know up front what she can/cannot stand. I like it! You know, she first warns me the room has to be at 60 all the time. EXCELLENT! I sleep like a baby when it's cold. I'm liking this already.

So after changing planes in Memphis...and learning WAAAAAY too much about some fellow co-workers....we arrived around midnight. My roomy gets me caught up and I join the party that has been running for the past couple of hours outside by the pool.

It was so great to be greeted in welcome by fellow co-workers and friends from the other six companies that were invited.

Dmitri flashes his sign. I had no idea he could be so much fun.

I really this this is her Dr. Evil impression.

Tell me J isn't cool here...with the aviators...she went with the theme....

These are the two crazy girls I get to work with daily. We be kicking the PCM together.

One of the things we got to do was ride out on a schooner. This young lass was our captain.

I'd like to say this was trouble all in a row, but really, the last two are harmless.

This would be the row of trouble. Nice looking group of ladies aren't we?

Gorgeous view is it not?

We went gally-ranting around the little town. There was an awesome picture of a fellow rolling cigars, but the picture didn't come through very well.

Of course we each had to have our picture by the cannon. Ms. Mandy Vann was enjoying the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees.

Ms. J is classy as always.

And then there's me.

The day comes to an end to which we are called back for a nice dinner.

Tell me this young lad doesn't look like Tom Cruise. HAD to have a picture with him, as the theme was Top Gun.

Ms. Robin and Sherri, looking very fashionable.

J and Brad. Bring it....

Jacob...looking the part with the aviators

There's a fine group of ladies if ever I do see some.

Onto the karaoke!

My biggest surprise was when our CEO grabbed the mike and bellowed out that first memorable verse..."Jeremiah was a bullfrog!"

Denice talks us all into doing this whole line of hand motions to the song "Joy to the World". Of which none present will forget.

These are our friends that work downstairs. Two of the best!

Before we boarded the plane back home to our cold and not so sunny state, we took one more lap down the beach.

See.....treasure....

I just really like this picture. Cheese!