tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162661782024-03-07T01:28:56.055-05:00Every Little Thing She Does...a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend, a fiance, a child of GodAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-58150780231787356902010-08-29T12:36:00.001-04:002010-08-29T12:38:12.273-04:00Just in case you miss me...<strong>We</strong> can now be found <a href="http://spannsontherun.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />After all, my single-girl adventures are over. :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-76369269905755565722009-06-05T08:00:00.000-04:002009-06-05T08:16:48.993-04:00On Being a Boone...Yes, I am getting married in just a few hours. Yes, I have a million things to do. Posting on this blog should not be one of them, but I have been "itching" to write. I am so excited to marry that Bryan Spann boy, but there is something I must confess.<br /><br />I love being a Boone.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />(I am already crying. I am a hot mess.)</span><br /><br />I got up to do my quiet time this morning and was <span style="font-style: italic;">overwhelmed </span>by God's love for me once again.<br /><br />Here is today's verse:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">John 16:20</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>I didn't understand this verse when I "peeked" at it a couple of months ago. I was actually disappointed! I wanted a special and meaningful devotion for my wedding day and at the time, I just didn't "get it." I <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">wept </span>this morning when I read this verse because I felt truly loved by God. I am amazed that He cares even about my small worried, and today's quiet time proves to me that He does love me and He does care - even about the small things.<br /><br />I have been grieving. I'm not sure if I'm grieving the loss of my identity, my "freedom", or something else but I definitely feel like I am giving up part of myself today.<br /><br />I love being a Boone. I am so proud to be a Boone. I love hearing people ask, "You're one of those Boone girls - aren't you?" I love it when people tell me that I sing like Mama or that I have Daddy's eyes. In a silly, but small way it makes me feel famous. :-)<br /><br />I know that I will always be a Boone girl, but it is an act of submission to "give up" your maiden name and take on your husband's last name. And I do this with a <span style="font-weight: bold;">joyful </span>heart. I am excited to be a Spann. I cannot wait to meet Bryan at the mill tonight at 6:00. I know that when I see him, <span style="font-style: italic;">my grief will turn suddenly to joy</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you, Father, for showing me that you love me - especially on days like today. Thank you for giving me peace that today will go smoothly and I won't be a blubbering mess. :-) Help me to be a good wife - to shine Your light for Bryan and love him as You love us. Guide us as we travel together for the rest of our lives. Walk with us through the hardships and remind us to rejoice in you when we are blessed. Thank You for your Ultimate Sacrifice, Your Son. Help us to keep Him at the center of everything we do. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love you. Amen.<br /><br />Abigail Lee <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Boone</span><br /></div></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-39891913602968024042009-04-20T22:14:00.002-04:002009-04-20T22:25:53.164-04:00Suggestions, Anyone?So I'm working on some of the finer (*read: fun for me, not Bryan) details for our big day. One of my "tasks" is to work with the ceremony musicians to determine what should be played before, during and after the ceremony.<br /><br />Our ceremony musicians are members of Mama and Daddy's church in Arden, NC. It's actually a family - a dad and 2 or 3 of his daughters (the 3rd daughter is a maybe). I had the chance to watch them perform together over Christmas and I loved it. It made me miss being able to sing and play with my own family. It's all instrumental - guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, etc. I'm really looking forward to it.<br /><br />I picked out some of my favorite hymns for them to play before the ceremony. I know we'll be walking "out" to "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" but beyond that I'm kind of stuck.<br /><br />Here's where I'm asking for help from my faithful blog-public.<br /><br />I need song suggestions! Particularly songs for the bridal party and yours truly to walk in to. If you can think of a sweet song for us to include I would love to hear from you. I'm open to sacred and secular music. I would actually love a good Beatles song in there somewhere.<br /><br />So.... whatcha thinkin?? ;-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-61396940848312557562009-04-06T12:10:00.002-04:002009-04-06T12:27:56.772-04:00She's Baaaccckk!Hello peeps -<br /><br />A quick update.<br /><br />The Cleanse:<br /><br />It was supposed to last 10 days. We made it 8. :-) Day 7 was definitely the hardest - it was also the big snow day here in Atlanta. All I wanted to do was make a big pot of homemade soup. We made it through the day, but there was lots of kicking and screaming on my part. Bless my sweet fiance and his patience. :-)<br /><br />On the night of Day 8, we caved. I heated up some V-8 Tomato Herb soup, and sliced some Nine-Grain Italian Bread from Publix and relished every bite. It was the best freakin' meal of my entire life. We eased back into food pretty slowly. Breakfast and lunch for the next two days were strictly orange juice - again, heaven sent after drinking lemonade and salt-water-yuck for eight days. We ate alot of <a href="http://jkmassonrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/10-vegetable-soup.html">Kari's homemade 10 Veggie Soup</a> as well. I highly recommend it. It's 0-1 points per serving, and really filling. I will be making another batch this week in an effort to keep myself on the right track before <a href="http://bryanandabbygetmarried.blogspot.com">our big day</a>.<br /><br />Overall, I lost 11 pounds and Bryan lost 13. We have tried (fairly hard) to eat right since coming off the cleanse and have been pretty successful. We haven't gained any of our old weight back. In fact, Bryan is even down a couple more pounds since the cleanse. I am headed to the gym as we speak in an effort to whittle off a few more pounds before the wedding.<br /><br />I think we may even "cleanse" again one more time before June. Bryan had more energy during the cleanse than I did, but afterwards we both felt an odd sense of "renewal" - like we had restored our bodies a little bit. Does that sound cheesy?<br /><br />If you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them! I'll post again soon with a non-cleanse related update!<br /><br />:-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-12693168767456733852009-03-01T10:30:00.002-05:002009-03-01T10:41:28.674-05:00Days 6 and 7There's not much new to report!<br /><br />We're still plugging along...<br /><br />Bryan has lost about 11 pounds, and I'm down about 9 pounds. The weekend has been a little easier than I thought it would be. We even went to my sweet friend <a href="http://adifferentbird.blogspot.com">Nicole</a>'s birthday party last night. Everyone around us was eating fajitas, drinking adult beverages and having a piece of really delicious-looking cake. HOWEVER, it didn't bother us! I could look at it and appreciate it without feeling like I was going to start foaming at the mouth if I didn't have some.<br /><br />I went wedding dress shopping yesterday with my maid of honor, Sherry. It was fun! I will admit to procrastinating on this part of wedding planning. I haven't wanted to try on dresses that I would feel chubby in. I had some "chubby moments" yesterday, but I did find 3 dresses that I like. I want to try a couple of other boutiques that people have recommended before I make a final decision.<br /><br />We have 3 more days left! I can't believe I've been doing this for a week now. It's nice to know there is real (healthy) food in sight, but I feel a real sense of accomplishment in knowing we've made it this far.<br /><br />Check in with us tomorrow!<br /><br />Right now, I'm sitting in our office listening to the rain and hoping it will SNOW! I could use a day off or a teacher workday. :-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-53644578721635487832009-02-27T17:56:00.003-05:002009-02-27T18:25:58.638-05:00Days 4 and 5 - The Magic Lemonade DietThis isn't getting any easier. :-) I had dream last night that I was eating, and I woke up feeling guilty!! Today (Day 5) has been the hardest for both of us, but we're plugging through! I'm excited when I think about the fact that we are halfway done.<br /><br /><br />A few more answers to your questions:<br /><br /><em>1. How much of the weight loss is water weight?</em><br /><br />Honestly, I don't know. My best "guesstimate" is that at least half of what I've lost so far is probably water weight. And, that's what I'm expecting to "pop" back on once we reintroduce food to our diet next Wednesday.<br /><br /><em>2. How often do you have to pee?</em><br /><br />A lot. Frequently. Thank goodness I have two other teachers in my room - my children would never get anything done.<br /><br /><em>3. When you can eat food again, what will your diet be like?</em><br /><br />You are supposed to reintroduce food <em>slowly</em> to your body. On the first day, we can have orange juice for breakfast and lunch. I'll probably bring a little of my magic lemonade and water to keep me "full." For dinner that night, you're supposed to make homemade veggie soup. So, if anyone has any good recipes, I'm all ears. For the next few days, you add in more fruits and veggies - keeping it as "raw" as possible. You add in lean protiens and whole grains slowly, and in moderation.<br /><br /><em>4. What is this teaching you?</em><br /><br />That I am much stronger than I thought. :-) That I can live without a lot of the foods I thought were "essential" to my well-being: cookies, crackers, chips, diet soda, WINE, etc. Even on Weight Watchers, I found a way to work those things in to my diet. I'll still indulge on special occasions, but I know now I can eat so much healthier than before.<br /><br />Thanks for checking in on us! Let me know if you have any good veggie soup recommendations!!<br /><br /><br /><strong>PS - </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I do not smell like death. Neither does Bryan. </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>And, I would make a very good pirate! I have newly acquired survival skills! </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>:-) </strong>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-47447913562564703712009-02-25T18:12:00.003-05:002009-02-25T18:37:16.008-05:00Day 3 - The Enlightening One Shares Her EnlightenmentsWell, the author wasn't lying when he said Day 3 would be the hardest. I. am. hungry. I am actually craving specific foods - mainly cheese. Actually, I would eat anything you put in front of me right now - even the cafeteria corn dogs they served today at lunch!!<div><br /></div><div>But I can do this!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to answer a few more of the questions that you guys have asked...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">1. What is the reason for the 32 ounces of salt water?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>While it is absolutely - without a doubt- the hardest thing I have to do every day, it is essential to the cleanse process. It, um, makes things "move." Quickly. Like, within 30 minutes of drinking it. What a way to wake up, huh?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">2. How much weight have you lost so far?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As of this afternoon, I've lost 7 pounds. That's a lot in 3 days. Bryan has lost around 8. Stupid boys, it comes off of them so much faster! It's also been really hard to do!! Keep in mind that wasn't the only reason Bryan and I elected to do this, but it's certainly been a benefit. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">3. Why this cleanse? Why ten days?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I'm actually not sure about the ten day time period, other than to say that the author recommends it. He says that doing it for a shorter period of time doesn't allow the body to rid itself of all the toxins that have built of over time. He actually recommends going for longer - up to 40 days!! (That, I can't imagine. I just couldn't do it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>We actually tried a different cleanse that we found at GNC over the summer, but we had disappointing results. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll look at my book and search the message boards tonight again to see if I can find some more concrete answers about the ten-day period. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Keep checking in with us! :-) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-9685434532344399092009-02-24T15:30:00.003-05:002009-02-24T15:37:51.713-05:00Day 2 - The CleanseWell, this isn't easy - but it's doable.<br /><br />I still say the hardest part is drinking 32 ounces of salt water every morning. Bryan would probably agree. It's just gross.<br /><br />Alot of people have asked how hungry I am. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm probably at a 4. If I drink some "lemonade" or water, I'm okay for an hour or so. I drink alot of lemonade and water. I can have up to 12 glasses of the lemonade every day, and as much water as I want. So far, I've only made six glasses each day. The ingredients are expensive!! I don't want to use them all up!<br /><br />The worst part of my day yesterday was coming home to an empty house. Bryan worked a little late, and so I got home first. Empty house + hunger = a major opportunity to cheat. But, I didn't!! I put on Dr. Phil and made myself comfy on the couch. It was really hard to ignore the Teddy Grahams and sandwich fixins' calling to me from the pantry, but I did it.<br /><br />I found myself looking forward to the tea last night. I think because it was hot, it made me feel more full. I woke up a couple of times feeling hungry, but all I had to to was think about the salt water flush that I would be drinking in a few hours, and it put me right out of my misery. :-)<br /><br />Thanks for your emails and comments. They are encouraging - even if you all do think we're crazy!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-65992307644125621732009-02-23T11:37:00.004-05:002009-02-23T12:14:54.488-05:00Cleansing, Cleansing 1-2-3<strong>Lord, what have I gotten myself into?</strong><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Bryan and I made a decision this weekend that I am seriously starting to re-think. We are trying the "<a href="http://therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm">Master Cleanse Diet</a>" for the next ten days. We bought the book a couple of months ago and I've been debating on whether or not to actually try it. We went to Harry's last night and spent about $75 on the ingredients --- now we have to do it! </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306041407578732466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp93w4ixmSgv1Eie2nj99KUl0r3-uEYD0pa41KUd2yz-cs2cxYhPRZzmdPeZxdyJvOgU-5PPGo4sa9a4v5LWXTFVpPyfbpOlAR0PNIJYgWosY9lEPyGQk8E8KXp8bNJA6VjX-KQQ/s400/BookPack_small.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><strong>Why???</strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Bryan and I want it to "jump start" our wedding weight-loss. I've been using Weight Watchers (and will continue to do so after the cleanse). We're hopeful this will also serve as a way to get the junk food out of our diet. The program claims it will help your body start to crave fruits and veggies instead of pizza and chicken wings. :-)<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong>What is it?</strong> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306037752093870018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAIKIm5Lm0UWsJfC64rJZTO3fnyg867dmZz2hSmty3l7uG1dLFKwXc1b8PdaNkuHtlDCgyKzIK4-3gbrh-EK-Vgq0JyCTULMOb3wtGkzRMakk2Spd_sYY6An5wi_BS_lrYCTaoA/s400/master_cleanser_K4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The ingredients<br /></span></em></p><br /><br />It's a "lemonade" concoction of fresh squeezed lemon juice, organic maple syrup, cayenne pepper and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flouride</span>-free water. At night we drink a cup of Smooth Move senna tea and in the morning a disgusting salt-water flush. After this morning's gag fest with the salt water, I'm not quite sure how I'll get it down tomorrow. You're supposed to drink at least 6 8-oz. glasses of the lemonade during the day, and all the water you want.<br /><br /><br /><br />I thought it would be a good idea to chronicle the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Cleanse">10-day (yes, 10 days of this!!) cleanse</a> on the blog. If nothing else, I can look back and see just how crazy I was!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>How is it going?</strong><br /><br /><br />So, five hours into Day One I'm really doing okay. I'm a little hungry but if I drink some lemonade or water, that usually does the trick after about ten minutes. I'm really glad Bryan is doing this with me. I don't think I could stand the thought of smelling dinner cooking or watching someone else eat after consuming nothing but lemonade all day.<br /><br /><br /><br />The lemonade itself isn't bad at all. It's actually pretty good! I think I put a little too much cayenne in mine. When I make another batch, I'll <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definitely</span> put less in. The "heat" in the back of my throat is a little nuts. If I wasn't at work, I'd be in trouble. For me boredom = eating.<br /><br />I'll keep you guys posted. Feel free to leave notes of sympathy, or tell us how crazy we are! :-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-70428847311109401342009-02-21T13:38:00.003-05:002009-02-21T13:49:54.207-05:00From the mouths of babes....Every Friday, my kiddos write their "Weekly Goals." It's something I use to communicate with parents, and a chance for the kids to reflect on their week. Each kid writes two "glows" and two "grows" to wrap up their week, and I make comments on the side.<br /><br />Yesterday I couldn't help myself. What started out as a giggle snowballed. I guffawed. I became that kid who laughs at words like "fart" and "butt." As I was going through my stack of Weekly Goals, I came across this gem:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">"I will make an A on my testes."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLVY5-yF1ySZOY3BdQPBfqmONr7iONutFjMDocdr0V8YFDXvi76ZS-0ayqxw4h3fNQVdu931qU-BgIlvT8MVPg3QQmqWzB3jq51OKAXbAWrZSaHEE3LHJ0n5KqGa8TaPkxcix7g/s1600-h/a_plus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLVY5-yF1ySZOY3BdQPBfqmONr7iONutFjMDocdr0V8YFDXvi76ZS-0ayqxw4h3fNQVdu931qU-BgIlvT8MVPg3QQmqWzB3jq51OKAXbAWrZSaHEE3LHJ0n5KqGa8TaPkxcix7g/s400/a_plus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305324379998716706" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wouldn't you? </span><br /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-46211544930042302202009-02-10T07:36:00.002-05:002009-02-10T07:56:07.991-05:00I am so STINKIN' excited!Valentine's Day stinks when you're single.<br /><br />Since Nat has recently joined the "singles" category, I invited her to spend the weekend with me! (She's available, people!) There is all sorts of fun stuff going on this weekend - <a href="http://sevensharpnine.com/">7Sharp9 </a>plays at Hemingway's, Roper's Birthday at <a href="http://www.midtownbowl.com/">Midtown Bowl</a>, and (finally) dress shopping!!<br /><br />I know we will take a million pictures. I hope <a href="http://absolutelyspoo.blogspot.com/">Jennie and Chris </a>will be able to come down and spend some time with us. I hope Friday gets here soon! <br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301147242231696562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEDbMVoQrynZb4vfH8dT0HJkzf8zFjmO6QV-ZUM_yvUzTilfwlMLONyzu7L-COdE3eJBVCF-YECXqVnMCH5Je8wLZ7LeYkFDKCL5ztqGGC9ll56o7GSI0J6aCOVc5JXXrSTPoIQ/s400/Land+Ho!+136.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">There will be lots of <em><strong>sister time</strong></em> this weekend!<br /></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-5233563229938424102009-02-04T17:57:00.002-05:002009-02-04T18:04:56.096-05:00A Good Belly LaughI needed to laugh so badly yesterday. It wasn't a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day - just a frustrating day. I came home in a funk, went to the gym in a funk, and drove back home in a funk. Yuck.<br /><br />I logged onto Facebook, and came across a video posted by my (almost!) sister-in-law, Leigh. It was the best six minutes of my day. Thanks, Leigh!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/83JDXXKzOXg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/83JDXXKzOXg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />If you can watch this without laughing, there might be something wrong with you. :-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-30561881827438693472009-01-31T13:38:00.006-05:002009-01-31T13:53:17.089-05:00Saturday SurprisesBryan and I have a lot in common. We love the outdoors, good wine, good music, and the company of the people we love most. However, there is something I religiously watch or record on the Moxi box that he puts up with only because he loves me -<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinckLdbxrcwP7QC7nDEN6L7hdxuG88naNzd3nGQfG4N1TiKh9eCwXPVewbNnaDf1pHQb3SrXGx2qgL6t9tQG1zVQTZLXK53-CQhg_Oqdh3QqwuiiAIorowtBriGUUjKcBl872_IA/s1600-h/american_idol_tv_show.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinckLdbxrcwP7QC7nDEN6L7hdxuG88naNzd3nGQfG4N1TiKh9eCwXPVewbNnaDf1pHQb3SrXGx2qgL6t9tQG1zVQTZLXK53-CQhg_Oqdh3QqwuiiAIorowtBriGUUjKcBl872_IA/s400/american_idol_tv_show.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297529921206165282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">He absolutely loathes this show. </span></span><br /></div><br />If you know me at all, you know that one of my regrets is never auditioning for the show. I'm not fantastically awesome, but I have a pretty good set of pipes. I'd be interested to see what Simon has to say about me. :-) Alas, I'm now too old.<br /><br />I have always admired the contestants who make it onto the show and use their time to give glory to God. I love to hear their testimonies and see how HE has changed them.<br /><br />While I was blog-hopping this afternoon (read: avoiding the gym), I came across a video of Jason Castro. Somehow, I missed the boat on this guy. He's got a new fan in me today...<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GrT90EgrnTc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GrT90EgrnTc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-88462750616963214702009-01-25T16:04:00.002-05:002009-01-25T16:13:55.816-05:00Tagged!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS-4qJeFJXS1tMt9PguGsiGvkz1DMK5kXP9v-kTQvAty22bCEOIE_y49p2h_ZZLtu1_btgCybp4nhm5UllEvPEUTwItQPZue6cZh8CB0UUyk_MCCQhlRfyBwAX25IyIRjikzF0Q/s1600-h/Birthday+Week+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS-4qJeFJXS1tMt9PguGsiGvkz1DMK5kXP9v-kTQvAty22bCEOIE_y49p2h_ZZLtu1_btgCybp4nhm5UllEvPEUTwItQPZue6cZh8CB0UUyk_MCCQhlRfyBwAX25IyIRjikzF0Q/s400/Birthday+Week+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295340701523043266" border="0" /></a><br />Sherry, Abby, Nikki and Michelle<br /></div><br />This picture is from my 26th birthday at Piedmont Park. Screen on the Green was showing my favorite movie ever - Breakfast at Tiffany's. SotG is one of our favorite summer traditions, and this picture makes me even more ready for summer vacation. I look a little, um, "disheveled" and I clearly remember prancing across the street back to the car. :-)<br /><br />I thought that "The Texter" took this picture, but (gasp) I see him in the background. I can't remember who else came with us!<br /><br />Ok, here are the rules:<br /><br />1. Go to your 4th photo album.<br />2. Post the 4th picture.<br />3. Give a little "photo history" for all to read.<br /><br />I'm tagging - <a href="http://jkmassonfrance.blogspot.com">Kari</a>, <a href="http://adifferentbird.blogspot.com">Nicole </a>and <a href="http://absolutelyspoo.blogspot.com">Chris</a>. Get busy!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-63157389364887390082009-01-23T22:34:00.002-05:002009-01-23T22:36:10.191-05:00Whew!I have worked 4 nights out of the last 5.<br />I am a babysitting machine.<br />I am sleeping in tomorrow until I just can't stand it anymore.<br /><br />And then I get to do it all over again.<br /><br />Someone remind me that June 5, 2009 will make all of this worth it. :-)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-82186857082909302222009-01-21T08:43:00.002-05:002009-01-21T08:50:23.202-05:00YesterdayI watched 17 not-so-little heads bow as Rick Warren spoke the invocation.<br /><br />I smiled at those same seventeen faces when they asked me to hold their hands as President Obama began to speak.<br /><br />I was amazed at how quiet they were when Obama spoke... and remembered how quiet they are <strong><em>not</em></strong> when I am trying to teach sometimes. :-)<br /><br />I refused to believe that this excitement could be linked to something evil - some right-wing fear-induced "sin" of my country. A country I am proud to live in. A country that chose change. Change that begins today.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-28526755171383992422009-01-19T11:50:00.001-05:002009-01-19T11:52:31.735-05:00I Resolve...To try and blog at least once a week this year. :-) I said try. I started this post on 01/02/09, and you see how long it's taken me to finish it!! :-) Here's a few pics to get you caught up on Winter Break 2008-2009!<br /><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286791772849123986" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG9PZWxtEwhJNivr9xUnch7DTgzelc2uAoqsFLV1C_U0U9wAmg4oyG9voCFqt9tgsy_VNI-UvQmyPIBWnDYZldQeWetEP6tmnhPchwR_pB1LiTZMLhAl2bMFHZgEOa9wS3kFIeg/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+077.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree...</span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286791781092810978" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi080mbn_2-1HgNgzBsMDRReUiMsVOFaX6X7-FY59uqg5hRCxfwwKr7rEF-00iikHIUHYppzBk3BFPQDH3MpT-d7RPr_tNCAjByOl6kqrISKb87HinQDWxfVhbQcFSv5Wn5B4a_5A/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+075.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Complete with a Charlie!</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Yes K, that monstrous beast is still here!)</span></em></p>I drove to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Thomaston</span>, GA to spend time with my "other" family - the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Matsons</span>. Mark was my youth minister in high school and he and his wife Angela "adopted" me into their family. There are three other "kids" like me - Allison, Louis and Jenn - and (minus Allie and her hubby) all of us got together to sing at Mark's church and spend time together for the holidays. Sadly, I didn't get many pictures while I was there... life as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Matson</span> is never dull! :-) However, I did get my new favorite picture:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHK_eZbutkbB43CA6kJ61etqTJShC12oVvyuwzYKBoe9_CK4HH029ByDi0BfFWw-krjfCUC7BHTLcnKbD5pC1kJTOKYlN4asPVQn15Z3WXl4SiHjpWiKXwUR9rU3GbIXA5hWpzQ/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHK_eZbutkbB43CA6kJ61etqTJShC12oVvyuwzYKBoe9_CK4HH029ByDi0BfFWw-krjfCUC7BHTLcnKbD5pC1kJTOKYlN4asPVQn15Z3WXl4SiHjpWiKXwUR9rU3GbIXA5hWpzQ/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293036382459942578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />With my baby sister Grace!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Mark and Angela adopted Grace a couple of years ago, and she is the best thing ever!</span><br /></div><p align="left">I also spent my first Christmas with Bryan's family this year - it was also my first holiday away from my own family in almost 30 years. It was wonderful experience, and I am even more excited about becoming a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Spann</span> in a few months' time. </p><br /><p align="left">We headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hazlehurst</span>, GA (Bryan's hometown) on Christmas Eve to spend time with Bryan's parents and grandparents - Nanny and Pa. On Christmas morning, we woke up and spent the day munching on sausage rolls, drinking coffee, opening gifts and watching a John Wayne marathon. (Daddy, you would be proud! I actually enjoyed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">JW</span> movies!)</p><br /><p align="left">After lunch I got back in the car drove back to Marietta where I met the newlyweds, Jennie and Chris. Bryan had to work the next day, so he stayed at Nanny and Pa's to enjoy some extra family time. The Newlyweds and I made our way to Weaver-Vegas to spend a few days with the Boone family.<br /></p><p align="left">This is the result of our annual game of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Santa">Dirty Santa</a>:</p><p align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS_7DMonu-6Vwoes6Tc3ahVz4DEqE65m_iQxxuYqB3H2h-EUqvcNqBUNUhEo0mJE8Kt7hivP4L33I_Nv7vTf9jpLtuJCw0QsElR6Gn6D90uNYd_FfpqaRlmSsQiY21LXu7uWEaQ/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+099.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286791786449053554" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS_7DMonu-6Vwoes6Tc3ahVz4DEqE65m_iQxxuYqB3H2h-EUqvcNqBUNUhEo0mJE8Kt7hivP4L33I_Nv7vTf9jpLtuJCw0QsElR6Gn6D90uNYd_FfpqaRlmSsQiY21LXu7uWEaQ/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+099.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Dad with his Benjamin Franklin "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bling</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bling</span>."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S6LTTYJKVrga1GjurE0ym5OK52UDPHONqlf1cSthgS4w53rOFGi5wlZTBpRs1Ij6OnUDpaiSFW6rAQf-6HShQE4EDmM6bzjtVXiPVnu6IWO1T8ZKKlyaKqX22A_4Ev4hyBiFuA/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S6LTTYJKVrga1GjurE0ym5OK52UDPHONqlf1cSthgS4w53rOFGi5wlZTBpRs1Ij6OnUDpaiSFW6rAQf-6HShQE4EDmM6bzjtVXiPVnu6IWO1T8ZKKlyaKqX22A_4Ev4hyBiFuA/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293036383600156306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boone children...</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34jiUPGYj8x_loGRxFxqlHckoCklj5hbwjalTWgiF4ehcDDkETB5_-nTaVy1UjMK8xUPn_K6WqkLxYjhYjA-Xo9_hHDvjdZQLKmcTolitUB7kR4z4b1LcMC-oIj-W2yyS5ovV-A/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+104.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34jiUPGYj8x_loGRxFxqlHckoCklj5hbwjalTWgiF4ehcDDkETB5_-nTaVy1UjMK8xUPn_K6WqkLxYjhYjA-Xo9_hHDvjdZQLKmcTolitUB7kR4z4b1LcMC-oIj-W2yyS5ovV-A/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293036388472570594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Being Boone children!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We also drove to Greensboro while we were home to spend time with Mama's family and celebrate Aunt Sherry and Uncle Nash's 50<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> birthdays. It was so nice to be around cousins I don't get to see very often, and spend time just hanging out together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02u9IlIZT9I7wYWyMT8xFQ_L34WjMIpk4cjQuaBbol0EzBZIzherTZ7JNX-XYkbrCiZ46RbIxO62RxnS6n-GkmzcO6GOmV8X3yYX3WFO9hKQWAxmvoLJ5e0llqMvu3EilBnvLjw/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02u9IlIZT9I7wYWyMT8xFQ_L34WjMIpk4cjQuaBbol0EzBZIzherTZ7JNX-XYkbrCiZ46RbIxO62RxnS6n-GkmzcO6GOmV8X3yYX3WFO9hKQWAxmvoLJ5e0llqMvu3EilBnvLjw/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293036402334047282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boone girls with Daddy Tom and Mama Carol</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXDeQBO2bxYi32y3eLF9OAWewen2z0v8a4WIooERq7bludzYrOmsU0CYPxhJ1ofySANsTkon_1u-gz37EfS-X4D9yKNz_mosK3zwWqc_uktMTUh5XyUqqDAAILe177yT5lqs13g/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXDeQBO2bxYi32y3eLF9OAWewen2z0v8a4WIooERq7bludzYrOmsU0CYPxhJ1ofySANsTkon_1u-gz37EfS-X4D9yKNz_mosK3zwWqc_uktMTUh5XyUqqDAAILe177yT5lqs13g/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293043751921415650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Birthday Boy and Girl: Uncle Nash and Aunt Sherry<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdkUZMegr7F7O9kPvXtJ48oBcv2EOclnrQmyLmWwT43w1lrx3kKswl-WZc7n1ERMqnlYdI9OvCTq-3a0NfXA92ZuMaJ1ZZyDH4BIGvucHbX7Pyv4WhGFImpiHIXz8zdWJb2qIrw/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+106.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdkUZMegr7F7O9kPvXtJ48oBcv2EOclnrQmyLmWwT43w1lrx3kKswl-WZc7n1ERMqnlYdI9OvCTq-3a0NfXA92ZuMaJ1ZZyDH4BIGvucHbX7Pyv4WhGFImpiHIXz8zdWJb2qIrw/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293043760112823874" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mama and her birthday brother<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOVfKbzLsSSakB1PtQgAqF2nbHkBduHUV2begPXZ1-htsnvPY95yz3Ys94O-xbB2LShOD6z2evsD6X3Phfhl0euFS8OY6b7jxB_atavy75I3y6J-mRDJFWuzdsLnnOUyoYzWsZg/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOVfKbzLsSSakB1PtQgAqF2nbHkBduHUV2begPXZ1-htsnvPY95yz3Ys94O-xbB2LShOD6z2evsD6X3Phfhl0euFS8OY6b7jxB_atavy75I3y6J-mRDJFWuzdsLnnOUyoYzWsZg/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293043768120352818" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Shook siblings (L to R)<br />Tommy, Mama, Tia (Louise), Betty, Nash, Norma<br />Mama Carol and Daddy Tom<br />You have no idea how rare this happens! :-)<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewrFlkkw965j7ZE2fBSMzAbIpB6TtFwS4DKbWO3x4jmCMgth64GJXQFqeGGC0EQaxxnClS02-0letuE9SU0gUMwwgTO-zj7EvC0pReVSsX2byk9hIhKBnRyCGoI_xrh-F4Ig2kg/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286791793875921426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewrFlkkw965j7ZE2fBSMzAbIpB6TtFwS4DKbWO3x4jmCMgth64GJXQFqeGGC0EQaxxnClS02-0letuE9SU0gUMwwgTO-zj7EvC0pReVSsX2byk9hIhKBnRyCGoI_xrh-F4Ig2kg/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+121.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boone girls with Uncle Nash</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Eventually, I had to come home. :-) Here are a few more pictures from the last week of Winter Break...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Y6prwnSbLzOjNXVUSBSMmdnLroA8cUbbMgwK-sNwWY6agyTnl6xnBj1uzkgbK8AFW-CvcDjsbH2nnmIJlx_GfBEzSPXQI0-vFR6PM0HMNM8yxDcenKJXD_3W96R9MGH7o6gvg/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+135.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286791805645216018" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Y6prwnSbLzOjNXVUSBSMmdnLroA8cUbbMgwK-sNwWY6agyTnl6xnBj1uzkgbK8AFW-CvcDjsbH2nnmIJlx_GfBEzSPXQI0-vFR6PM0HMNM8yxDcenKJXD_3W96R9MGH7o6gvg/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+135.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">NYE @ Atkins Park with friends</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We did get to spend a night with Bryan's cousins, Jerry and Angie who were in town from Denver, CO for the holidays. It was a special treat for all of us. Jerry and Angie moved from Marietta to Denver a couple of years ago, and we miss spending time with them. Bryan and Jerry were actually born only a few days apart, and grew up a lot of more like brothers than cousins.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYOBrfQvaHRDQMuUtD0-9HD4himGfsAw_eYPIKKZESCMoSP-Yl9r1WA02NbPKtGU4ezz7oa_hk2oboj6voSQGOEsCKUNnoHkdtxhTIBgz67q8PNmNehG2EmKs8A55zhFTvDLOOQ/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+142.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYOBrfQvaHRDQMuUtD0-9HD4himGfsAw_eYPIKKZESCMoSP-Yl9r1WA02NbPKtGU4ezz7oa_hk2oboj6voSQGOEsCKUNnoHkdtxhTIBgz67q8PNmNehG2EmKs8A55zhFTvDLOOQ/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293037197448435666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Angie and Abby</span></span><br /><br /></div></div></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQeYKSQd6fsEvM4UdLKpZkAxjLS5g-sIm1LDdk_UFr1WhNjJoxBTPdEWqQMI8l6R1MvInobXyb2VSGLbMMzQPMruYHoqVc8e3gyGJg0dwevdPDF1gzRTwkhfdqu9DEoEt0l4cGQ/s1600-h/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQeYKSQd6fsEvM4UdLKpZkAxjLS5g-sIm1LDdk_UFr1WhNjJoxBTPdEWqQMI8l6R1MvInobXyb2VSGLbMMzQPMruYHoqVc8e3gyGJg0dwevdPDF1gzRTwkhfdqu9DEoEt0l4cGQ/s400/Thanksgiving,+Christmas+and+Winter+Break+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293036406500402082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bryan and Jerry</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I hope this gets me back on the right blogging "foot." I promise I'll try to be better!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-87274314635051403392008-11-24T17:30:00.001-05:002008-11-25T09:28:12.941-05:00Doctor, Doctor Gimme the News<div>So a few of you have been praying for me in the last few months as I trekked back to the GI doctor's office for some testing. I waited for awhile to post and write back to some of you. BIG apologies. All my tests came back fine. However, I had a "nagging" feeling that I wasn't finished yet. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I was right. :-P</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>For those of you who don't know, I've been under the care of a GI doctor since my early teens. I've been diagnosed with acid reflux, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IBS</span>,"sluggish stomach," and every other GI condition you see in drug ads on TV.<br /><br />I have not been diligent in taking my medication in the last two years - particularly the pills that control my acid reflux. When Dr. Lucas called me back a couple of weeks ago, she told me I had done significant damage to my esophagus. The "up and down" of the stomach acid has created several <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-cancerous spots that we will have to monitor closely every year. Before this latest round of testing, I was going in for an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopy">endoscopy </a>once every five years. Now I have to have one every year. Boo.<br /><br />That was not the only reason she called back. When she was poking around in my insides, she did a biopsy on my small intestine and found that my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intestinal_villus">villi </a>were "blunted" instead of long and skinny.<br /><br />How does this all come together?<br /><br />1. I have weird, unruly villi. :-)<br />2. I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">IBS</span>.<br />3. I might have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celiac_disease"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Celiac</span> </a>disease. (A gluten intolerance = Gluten free diet = No fun.)<br /><br />She ordered a blood test to determine whether or not I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Celiac</span> disease. I get the paperwork for said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">blood work</span> and off I trot to the place I will now refer to as "The Scariest Lab Ever."<br /><br />The Scariest Lab Ever is inside of a nearby hospital, so initially I feel fine. I walk up to the window and sign in. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thirty minutes later</span>, my name is called:<br /><br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Mih</span> Boo...."<br /><br />Is that me?<br /><br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mih</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Abigay</span> Boo"<br /><br />Yup. That's me.<br /><br />I walk back to the window and I am greeted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tomeka</span>. (Toe-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">mee</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ka</span>) I hand her my paperwork.<br /><br />"Ooh! What dis?!"<br /><br />Oh my.<br /><br />"Um, this is the paperwork my doctor's office sent. I have to have blood drawn for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Celiac</span> Profile. See?" (I point to the box checked on the paperwork. There are also <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">instructions </span>beside it.)<br /><br />"I ain't never seen this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">afore</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">I'ma</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">haffa</span> call somebody."<br /><br />Yes. Yes you will.<br /><br />She opens the door for me to come into the tee-tiny lab. Panic sets in. <span style="font-weight: bold;">She is the only one in the lab</span>. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">She </span>will be drawing my blood. HOW DID SHE QUALIFY TO DRAW BLOOD???<br /><br />Five minutes later, she is wrangling with my arm and I am trying very hard not to curse. I swear she was actually wiggling the needle around in my arm.<br /><br />When she is finished, I hear, "I hope dis is right."<br /><br />You and me both, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Tomeka</span>. You and me both.<br /><br />Within two hours, I have a massive bruise on the inside of my arm. When I ask my sister <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Kadee</span> eabout it, she said that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Tomeka</span> went through my vein instead of just going inside it.<br /><br />Shocker.<br /><br />Two weeks later, my doctor's office calls me back. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">blood work</span> was done incorrectly and they don't know whether I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Celiac</span> disease or not.<br /><br />Imagine that.<br /><br />I have to go back, but I can't yet because my insurance won't pay for it. Evidently they haven't met <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Tomeka</span>.<br /><br />I'll let you know when I go back. (No worries - I don't have to go back to Tomeka.) Until then, keep your fingers crossed!<br /></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-91228204587679288242008-11-18T12:09:00.002-05:002008-11-18T12:31:46.998-05:00Our Latest AdditionWe are pleased to welcome our latest addition to the Smyrna Zoo: <div><div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270046524981157538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7ZF1aQHALhXdX-hXOHr1coAyJ27vNZ2KHf1yTjyDXNCfDgdsdHrNgRk0f1bb-Hyu1W-pM_n0J8x3km1KUkSitZMylad5LLd9o0PEU2tSkW9SgkXORF5OLwZCHEbb1myqiKHTng/s400/Land+Ho!+187.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Booney Bird!</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div align="left">Because I have been terrible about updating since going back to work, I haven't had the chance to introduce Booney to his new adoring public. For obvious health concerns (aka: a house with four cats), Booney lives at Fair Oaks in my classroom. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270046533582007378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGd0p545tLtI1EnFXG3z47DSWuHrT9ZBTmPdidBsGtf819k8AsxwSsK5B7Rc6sFkt1TagW9_eSj70Db5HZzHCKT0_bDQovtvRnuv5daU4wWUic8AOWW91MlfzC2jp7qINyrdZRg/s400/Land+Ho!+185.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em>Peek-A-Booney</em></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">He's actually our class pet at school. On the <strong><em>first day of school</em></strong>, we were outside for recess when I heard, "Miss Boone! There's a bird on the playground!" I made the <strong>HUGE</strong> mistake of replying, "If you can catch him, we can keep him!"</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Ha. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">In all seriousness, he is a lovely bird and probably would have been cat food if left outside to fend for himself. Our best guess is that someone decided they could no longer care for him and "set him free." </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Because all <a href="http://www.cockatiel.com/">cockatiels </a>can live on their own. In the wild. In Georgia. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270046566439948482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXMPkBh45-NE21lmEAWMdMYbVVbZGkxkNNqlbiZu0kUfc6J5l_g-KwBkYFY7eB2uyARtzSiVx0yDzZYVm2Rm3Q55GPvRaacMoY2PKAaoLcg1XknwZw5kVjZ1QkiiHy_ggH14o5Q/s400/Land+Ho!+184.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><em>Chillin' in the classroom.</em> </p><p>He really has been fun to have around. He plays with our jewelry, eats erasers, squawks when we leave him alone in the room, and sits on our shoulders while we work and teach. We let him out for most of the day in the classroom - with the door closed. There was a brief "escape" from the classroom that ended with my running up and down several hallways screaming "<strong>BIRD</strong>!" and muttering four-letter-words under my breath. Luckily, it was 3:30 and all the children had gone home. </p><p>The kids did name him - although I do think his name is fabulous. When they found out I would no longer be Miss Boone, they decided the bird needed to be a Boone. There is also a popular book we've read, <a href="http://www.loislowry.com/goonybird.html">Goony Bird Greene by Lois Lowry</a>. They combined the two. Hence, the name "Booney Bird." :-) </p><p> </p><p>Come see us - all six of us at the the Smyrna Zoo. Thanksgiving Break should be interesting! :-)</p><p> </p><p> </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-7634475153194478392008-11-17T11:59:00.002-05:002008-11-17T12:03:40.928-05:00Look, Ma! He's Famous!Well, almost.<br /><br />Bryan was recently interviewed for a Food and Wine article in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AJC</span>. It was published last week, and I've been fighting off the ladies who want a piece of my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">connoisseur</span> ever since. I am ever so proud of my wine-0.<br /><br />:-)<br /><br />Read it <a href="http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2008/11/13/wine.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Tell him how smart he is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/bryanspann@gmail.com">here</a>.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-89366343926027607242008-11-05T17:42:00.007-05:002008-11-06T07:25:12.212-05:00Election Thoughts<blockquote></blockquote>I've been trying to think of what to say about the last 24 hours and how they have played out across our country. <div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265312104663583202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4_Cw33mea-kxCNy_AY2Ug5niQLun0PdFdQwPQhxJvvuDSSPX3AUAckqPL8b0QOUY2hvRzg9GkdtmbSkeV6zdvbXBnEUDObH2wH0hsutbMfX5AnDZwuxxAryewnfenTD_8_tAxw/s400/OBAMA.450.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">(courtesy of the </span></span><a href="http://nytimes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">New York Times</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">)</span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;"><br /></span></div><div>Before I say my piece, here are few wise words from some blogs I read that have said exactly what I've been thinking...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From C<a href="http://blessedendurance.blogspot.com/">harles at Blessed Endurance</a>:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">"I'm hopeful that good things are to come for the United States, both for its citizens and for its role in the international community."</span></span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From <a href="http://adaysgrace.blogspot.com/">Lydia at A Day's Grace</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">" Did Obama win last night because Christians didn't pray with enough fervor? NO! Obama won because, amazingly enough, God has a plan for his life and he was meant to play a role in our nation's history. Is he evil? No. Is he wicked? We all are. So, please folks, get off your high horse of judgment and stop posting dooms day type scripture that does more harm than good. I'm all about some scripture, but the intent of most of the scripture I've seen posted as of late has been to make digs and allude to negative or wicked character. God doesn't like His words being misused - so I would encourage one to study their own heart before using God's word to name call."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); LINE-HEIGHT: 20pxfont-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); LINE-HEIGHT: 20pxfont-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); LINE-HEIGHT: normalfont-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" ><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I watched both candidates carefully. I prayed about it. I voted for Obama and I am proud of my vote. I may not agree with everything Obama says and does, but I do believe he is (and will be) the best man for the job. </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However (like most people these days) I have a soapbox: </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am tired of people calling him the messiah of America. I am tired of people implying that he thinks he is the messiah. I am tired of the paranoia-hysteria that seems to have overcome some Americans. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He is not the Anti-christ.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Obama has </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">deified himself. The media has, and people need to wake up and regonize it. It's time for people </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">EVERYWHERE </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to realize that he is simply a man - a child of GOD, like each one of us. </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am excited to see what GOD has planned for Barack Obama and our country in the next four years. I am ready for change. </span></div></blockquote><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); LINE-HEIGHT: 20pxfont-family:'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13;" ><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-55696172821308096402008-10-16T16:06:00.007-04:002008-10-16T16:53:59.980-04:00Where in the World Has Abby Been?<div align="left">I know I have been very absent lately from the blogging world, so I thought I would take this rare moment of free time and post one BIG update on what's been going on...</div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Babysitting</strong></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">If I'm not at home, chances are I'm babysitting. With the wedding getting closer and closer, we are trying to make as much extra moola as we can. I'm sure my friends are ready to disown me - I haven't been anywhere fun lately. However, it has been a wonderful source of extra income <em>and</em> I get to spend time with these sweet faces.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257846642036232034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLujnYP9Mx16WpjBdxiZV_V8Jh6zUwbxDyl-mSjAMRJ2j-57lsJe7sN6X02A6j5WwSub_00ff23RIsNTg0dN7chUhE1ChtL6Es4xyLBQqOg7ke0msYR8oUsFj_fzZj1AxX0NrB_A/s400/2008+122.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Thomas </div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257846634475568482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkb0flQDq2OkyZ6MsvleCmQ1mrKsrJATpCVUESNNej_DmX-tH7o07TwUUxPjt4Qs-FABjX6ikv3ocSzCbxlCguGmIQ-nIhBb0VqDHLUZ5yCpoZkwhONHyz-75jv_eRkGpjCasBA/s400/2008+131.jpg" border="0" />Liam</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257846625215276898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdsb4vI_Y2oRliz6H3Ibl6xSrnA337EAc7poP0UyxgLMzaWeep_jKbEYsgwsHhrOzgt_hJetwJxOkGtGdO2OJoCRoo72FKtaxvHUk41lHyWey1gwRccauPaASXIgvW067tKzhYA/s400/2008+130.jpg" border="0" />Chloe</p><br /><p align="left"><strong>A Little Fair Oaks Fun</strong></p><br /><p align="left">I did sneak out a few Saturdays ago for some fun with the girls. We all met at Hemingway's on the night of the UGA-Alabama game. While I drowned my sorrows, we danced and had a good time giggling at the redneck bachelorette party beside us. (Think: lots of AquaNet, fishnet everything, plastic pee-pees, and not so many teeth)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257850257432331378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfCctIuQEuaSncDKOV4Ll2RXlgxJcwdq_7lskaP-hxceFWMbma_v_oX-yWeNyu7543OeolTQ914rWz-Kp50hYf3rCI7dKh5CJhfHs-S7IRRKuQsGpx8wtGKJORHZ3G_cpfhexEw/s400/2008+129.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">With my Muffin and Toni<br /></p><div align="center">on a Hemingway's night<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257850251531272162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXoEKfddN4Z0ujvAszSeOu2v3wH0xI2DSTs0DFyCtb7utfzqcL2LY1oC3L0evFchrm4hc_57NPOWlV4HYcs5LaSSwe9sVaVxnkOtqVBNjS4xi4dnWwBm2qmdgoCN-4CliAhzOAQ/s400/2008+128.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">With our F. Oaks Scarecrows</p><p align="left"><strong>A Visit Home</strong></p><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257852968076155378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOkbzSejM2eX7Pg_vwOyBoiKROKGMraunIg2BqjKWNPrjRNWYy-82bnuA8G61bbdcaFtuBkMezTl3WKPO7gW-0KmzcuBUhlltteP0AdhUCL0gez5SPjB1ESc8wGBbUREKwsC9Qg/s400/2008+118.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Bryan and I waiting for the concert to start</p><p align="left">Midway through September, Bryan and I headed to Weaver-Vegas to help out with a fundraiser for the now-restored grist mill that belongs to my aunt. We were so busy during the day that I forgot to take pictures! </p><p align="left">However, Daddy's band also had a fundraiser that weekend that culminated with a concert "on the green" in downtown Weaverville. It was really neat to see the small town atmosphere - Can you imagine a barbeque roast and band concert in downtown Atlanta? :-)</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257852984722797842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26HggI7byNmeEI-J_JBE72CWjQfpKrd-KQzRSxojOJDEAL8C9NwznKJE8orUnLEhDVyKf3qHrGxpxgny4m5BPyfUayDWs8xcgbAluySTG8ZVyP7YSbeCf6pK9sAUlE-gL5XwG6Q/s400/2008+120.jpg" border="0" />And the band played on...</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257852971723112098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezyYXkftCYxOVjfrczKxRxI47beYOIPjKkUzFUGBa_qOsObEqgJEL3QTthz0xIAktBiOYrK8P2Wt7kWpxMy56RsiLyvF7iq9FrYbohA1N-DCnBvluI6_kv9l-Bh31u45TMreosQ/s400/2008+121.jpg" border="0" />Apparently Mama's butt was a little bonier than Nat realized</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257852974213065794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvNgCf-8tKU6xp1EC8b03D2l8a7Pg7gqpJ0lXoUrd5HfRSiRjHxh_6ERxURHca6bzI1SgLNlQageb46Ss9jkuHZbcChRz60q9hLGKzVq7GwUZZsabk7y2yBJaWZ8xL45DCrt8Kg/s400/2008+117.jpg" border="0" />Nattie cheering on the band. :-) </p><p align="left">On a side note, we did decide to move our wedding back to North Carolina after our weekend in the mountains. Bryan and I both fell in love with the mill and are excited about having our ceremony at a place that means alot to my family and our history. The reception location is TBD, but hopefully I'll be able to work that out soon. <a href="http://www.francismill.org/">You can check it out here</a>! </p><p align="left">I'm headed home this weekend for some sister time and I'm hoping Kadee and Jennie will be able to lend me their wedding expertise as I try to nail down a site in the next few days. Wish me luck! </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-13216818568909603872008-10-07T07:53:00.003-04:002008-10-07T07:58:57.521-04:00Thanks, Nicole!I heard about this fantastic contest from my wonderful friend <a href="http://adifferentbird.blogspot.com/">Nicole</a> at her blog. The site is <a href="http://www.hangbagplanet.com/">http://www.hangbagplanet.com/</a>. They are giving away 24 handbags every 24 hours on October 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> to celebrate the launching of their new website. I accidentally sent out invites to my entire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">GMail</span> address book.<br /><br />WHOOPS! My apologies.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Anyhoo</span>. Visit them, peruse the handbags and enter to win!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.handbagplanet.com/">http://www.handbagplanet.com/</a><br /><br />Good Luck!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-32454714102238029772008-09-17T10:16:00.001-04:002008-09-17T10:18:07.611-04:00Still Alive!!Just coming up for air...<br /><br />I've got several fun posts coming:<br /><br /> - A weekend in Weaver-Vegas with Bryan and the fam<br /><br /> - An interesting night out with Mama and Jennie<br /><br /> - School stories to share<br /><br />:-) Love you guys!<br /><br />AbbyAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16266178.post-22728442993062457112008-09-02T12:47:00.002-04:002008-09-02T12:51:23.064-04:00Not Playing HookyI have the day off.<br /><br />I went to the dentist at 10:40.<br /><br />I asked him to have the nitrous running when I walked in the door.<br /><br />He numbed up the entire right side of my mouth.<br /><br />Then he proceeded to do something called "gum scaling."<br /><br />I was glad my mouth was numb.<br /><br />The noises his machines made almost gave me a triple anxiety attack.<br /><br />He filled two cavities - one of which he told me was almost to the point of needing a root canal.<br /><br />Thanks, dude. Makes me feel so much better about being here.<br /><br />Bryan picked me up (nitrous oxide = no driving).<br /><br />I bit my tongue three times on the way home.<br /><br />I almost choked to death trying to swallow Advil.<br /><br />I'd rather be at work.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05718390588299837925noreply@blogger.com2