Remember Your First Best Friend

I had a piece of Dove chocolate a while ago that had a wrapper saying, "Remember your first best friend." I remember her. She came to visit her Grandma next door when we were 7 years old. She was the oldest of 6 kids and I was the oldest of 7. We had fun playing Red Rover, Red Rover, Won't You Come Over, and tag. We also had some of the same teachers. I remember walking home with her some times. She would take me cross country skiing in her woods. Oooooo the scary hairpin turn at the big tree. If you didn't catch your arm around the tree, you ended up going off the cliff. OOOOOO I was soo nervous but it was soo much fun too. We went snowmobiling together with our friends and ice skating on her pond. Oh yeah! Horsebacking riding too. Sometimes that was a little scary when "Joe" decided he didn't want me on him. I stayed though. We went to concerts together in Albany on the van that Mr. Parsons drove. I slept over at her house a few times. I was never able to have friends over night but that didn't seem to bother her. We had parties at her house and other friends houses. She played clarinet and I played saxophone in the band together. We were in each others weddings and now I'm godmother to her only daughter. Yes, I remember my first best friend. She is still my bestest friend.

Do you remember your first best friend?

I love winter (from the inside). It's so beautiful and white and clean feeling.

Winter Scenes

Winter strikes again. These are views from my warm inside. We have over two feet. How much snow do you have? It's really cold too. It wouldn't be so bad if we could go for walks and enjoy the beauty of the snow; however, single digits is way to cold for my tootsies. The electric
went out today too for a half hour. It gets cold inside quickly. I was getting ready to start a fire in the fireplace when the lights came back on. Thank You, God, for electricity.

New Babies in the Family

Have you seen the new babies yet? They are absolutely awesome. Michelle has been busy creating. I don't know how she will be able to keep up with all the orders she is sure to get. Confused? Take a look at these life-like dolls she is making. She actually puts the hairs in the head strands at a time. She paints them so they look like they have veins and skin. She adds eyelashes! What a talent!

Happy Winter!

Happy Winter! Isn’t this a beautiful time of the year? I love the beauty of snow…especially from a warm home. We’ve had a few fires in the fireplace already. It is so comfy and cozy inside protected from the winds and freezing temperatures. Please forgive any grammar or spelling or other writing errors in this blog. I’m just going to type what’s on my mind and enjoy these few minutes with you.

You may not have noticed that I did not send out Christmas cards this year. I decided I had more than enough to do at that time and that I would just enjoy receiving cards from my friends. It was very nice. I need to learn how to receive as well as give. I received the gift of salvation, healing, deliverance from God, so why not receive Christmas cards from friends without feeling guilty about not sending for one year! So why am I writing a “Happy Winter” blog? I feel guilty! Not really….I just like communicating with friends and family. I wish I did it more. I love to receive emails telling me what is happening in my friend’s and family’s lives. It is interesting reading and nice to think that someone cares enough to tell me.

Most recently we purchased new furniture for the family room.

We had the other for over 25 years. It was definitely time. We were able to donate it to the church that I am now attending for their youth room. It was so big and very tough to get down and around the corners in the building. But Keith and Pastor Leecroft did it. So now we have Berkliner in the family room. Berkliner is a brand of recliners. The sofa has two sections that recline. The love seat has two sections that recline; and the rocking chair also reclines. The furniture is in the same place as the old was as it is the same size and won’t fit any other way. The corduroy-like fabric is a moss colored which means I need to repaint the family room. Speaking of repainting, I’m stripping wallpaper in the computer room so it can be painted. It is NOT coming off easily. I think I will paint it a green color as that is Keith’s favorite.

Keith is still working at WCA as the head of the computer department. He gets frustrated with all the budget cuts he has to make. There is no money to do what he knows needs to be done. Two of his managers quit in 2008, so he was doing three jobs for a couple months. They have both been replaced. One was internal who just had more responsibility added and the other was added from Pennsylvania.

I’m teaching 15 piano students each week. Some of them are moving along very quickly, others need a kick in the pants. I still enjoy teaching and know that it is my life’s calling along with worship. I am still playing keyboards at Healing Word Ministries and helping to lead worship. We’ve moved into a new huge building nearer Jamestown and more people have been coming. During January we are fasting and praying for 21 days as a church body for specific needs that Pastor Lee has outlined. Yup, I’m doing it too. I’m not doing the exact fast of no dairy, meat, or bread. I’m allowing myself dairy. So I’m eating vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy. It’s not too bad, though I sure do miss my breads! I’m not much of a meat eater.

I’ve decided not to do craft shows this year, except for one big one that I haven’t chosen yet. It just doesn’t pay to spend money to be there, an hour and a half to set up, sit there for 8 or 16 hours, and then another hour to pack it all up and people just go by and say “oh, isn't that pretty, cute, beautiful” and I see no money leaving their pockets. So if they aren't spending, I’m not either. So there!

Actually, I’m spending a lot of time on my two web stores: http://www.shades-etc.com/ and http://shadesetc.ecrater.com/. I did get one huge order for a funeral home here in Jamestown. The only reason I’m in business is to have money to give into getting the good news about Jesus’ saving, healing, delivering power out through whatever ministries God directs me to sow into. Keith is an excellent provider (even though the hospital doesn’t give much of a raise, we always have more than enough).


Jake and Zack are best buddies….most of the time.

Zack is definitely a “picker”. He loves to instigate anything with Jake. Jake will sometimes take a toy to Zack to play with too. Jake is still my sweetie. He sticks close by and Zack will shadow me around most of the time too. They both like to “swim” in the snow.

We are planning on traveling a little in 2009. My nephew, Jonathan, is attending my alma mater, Evangel University, in Springfield, Missouri. I left there in 1979 and haven’t been back. I’d like to see all the changes that have been made. Keith wants to go visit Bass World. The largest one is in Springfield. We also want to attend Faith Life Church in Branson. Each Sunday morning we listen to the past Sunday’s service on the internet. Keith Moore has the most inspiring and practical sermons. We’ve learned so much and grown spiritually as a result of being part of his internet congregation. His website is http://www.morelifenow.com/. They have services archived that are free to download to anyone. I also enjoy Pastor Lee’s messages on Sunday morning; however, Keith is not comfortable going to the church so it’s just me for now. We are reading the book of John together at dinner time. Keith Moore is doing a sermon on the sayings of Jesus from the book of John. I read the black letters and Keith reads the red letters. He says it is fun and is really enjoying the reading together. Last night he said I was his sounding board as he reads. He is understanding more of the Word. We both are. That’s what living here on earth is about, understanding and knowing our Father through His Word. Well, I could say I’ve preached myself happy…well, I guess I just did!

This is going to be the best year ever. It doesn’t matter what the media says. God is still my Father and He still provides everything we need for life and godliness.

Have a blessed and prosperous year. Cindy and Keith

Jimmy!!

You know what day it is? It's Jimmy's birthday. He's another year older and maybe another year wiser. Not too sure about that. Gotcha Jim! So what's he doing? Working, what else. Oh, playing with his boys and teaching his daughter, Brittany, to drive. Fun huh Jim?

Enjoy your day!

When Jonny Comes Marching Home Again, Claire too, and don't forget Joseph

So Jonny has been at Evangel University for one semester now. And from what I hear, he's loving it and getting a 4.0. That's pretty awesome. When we were talking online, he showed me himself (video talking) for a few minutes. Got to see Mike too. Jonny has a mustache and beard! When did he get old enough for that! I know the girls are loving him and he's having a fun time.

Claire is home in NY now, living with friends. Adam and Claire have jobs at Dunkin Donuts. I love their vanilla cream donuts. Addison has got to be having fun with all his relatives now.

Sarah and Joseph have moved into a new home in Idaho.

Bow Wow Pictures

I had a rare moment when Jake and Zack were near each other and not playing or barking. So I've captured some pictures here. Turn on your speakers too.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Best Gift

This is the inside of a Thank You card I received in the mail today. The outside simply said, "Thank you". I thought it was from Dad & Mom as that is who it was addressed from. When I opened the card and saw all the notes from my family, I started to bawl....in my driveway. This meant more to me than anything I could have received from them. It took some time and thought for them to write a personal note to me. It's at times like this that I really know that I've missed out on a lot by living so far away from them. I love all of them and wish I could show them in other ways than in just buying or making presents once a year.