Wednesday, August 27, 2008

My 100th Post

Gosh! It's been a long while since I have posted! Things here at the Carter house have been crazy busy. There were days when I resorted to crawling under the covers, assuming the fetal position, and sleeping. Long and hard. Thankfully, it has done wonders for me.
Well, everyone.....this is my 100th post! WOO HOO!
And, it's gonna be a long one, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Ragan told me everyday for about 2 months that the band Mayday Parade was coming to Tucson. I tried to mask my "who really gives a darn" feelings because she really wanted to go. Now, I know full well the kind of "folks" that attend concerts such as these, and I was, to put it mildly, very reluctant to let her go. Finally, Makenzie and Justin said they would go with her. They all had a wonderful time despite the mosh pit....
Here is Ragan with one of the band members. She was so excited. She had her belt autographed and got some body's guitar pick....I believe it was the base player's.... She shook hands with all of them and got pictures.
Who might this half naked boy be with my daughters???? What's with all the tattoos?? I guess no one ever told him his body is a temple......:)

She prattled on about the concert for days. She says she wants to marry one of the band members....I forget which one.

I say, OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!

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We are in to our arm pits preparing for Mark's mission. We are learning more and more about Uganda. We also found out that the son of his mission president is on our ward (church)! That sure did my heart good.

This is a picture of the Ugandan flag.

I have been asked on several occasions how I feel about Mark serving in Africa. If I am being honest, I have to say my first reaction was shock. Then, when it all began to sink in, I had to stuff the emotions that wanted to demand a "do over". When thinking of Africa, it conjured up images of mud huts, malaria, and orphanages. But, after researching it, I have found that it is a very civilized country. We have also received a lot of support from family and friends and that has helped A LOT! :)

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When I wasn't sleeping my days away, I was finishing up a few projects for Halloween. This is a little wall hanging that I made. It is my own pattern and I used up quite a few scraps making it.

This is a picture of the finished table runner I showed last week.... I would have put it on my table but it is covered with....well, everything....{{sigh}}

Next time I make one of these I will use more contrasting colors. But, I did take a solemn vow to use up my stash before buying anymore fabric. Another {{sigh}}

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I thought I would include a few pictures of my sewing buddies.

This is Rusty (cat) and Macy (dog).....

They are lovely little friends. They keep me company all day long. Macy follows me everywhere and lays at my feet whenever I stop. Rusty lays near, too. Just waiting for a completed project to curl up onto.

Macy believes she is a lap dog and very often crawls up onto Craig's lap while he's watching TV. **Craig is very happy to oblige! Can you see his other TV buddy laying beside Craig?? That's Rudy.

She is such a pretty girl!

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We have quite an assortment of critters her in Arizona. Mark found this moth on the door last night. He brought it in the house to snap a picture. (Ohhhh...if his sisters only knew....) He thought I might like it to show the preschool children, but I took pity on the poor thing and had Mark set it free after it's photo shoot.

It sure was a big'un!! But beautiful in it's own right! ************************************************************************************* Craig and Jill had a very memorable time in China. Their goal for her performance was for her to make the finals. She threw her season best to advance to the finals so they achieved their goal!! They both knew that it would take a miracle for her to medal so they weren't expecting that. This picture was taken right after the competition. She finished 12th in the world. GO JILL!!! Here is a shot of the Olympic Track Stadium as it is filling up with people. And for your viewing pleasure, here is a shot of Craig with "a couple of locals"! :)
The grounds were immaculately kept. Not a blade of grass out of place!
Well, that's it for now! I do have a little give away in the works so watch for that! I am also furiously working on opening my Etsy Shop. Thank you for being patient!!!

12 comments:

Nicole said...

Your dogs are beautiful. If I ever got myself a dog in would be a lab like yourr, I've always thought they were so pretty, but right now our kitty is keeping us busy. I love your wall hanging and table runner, the fabrics you used are so cute. I can't wait to get out my fall table runner. I had Felicia quilt it and she did such an amazing job. I can't see what your doing for your giveaway. I'm trying to set up an etsy shop too, it's been a learning experience and sorta a pain.

lera said...

Cute wall hanging and runner.

Sawyer is sitting on my lap and loving your dogs.

Amanda said...

Glad to hear that you're feeling better - a good sleep can do wonders can't it. I remember how I felt when my eldest son - aged 16 - went to a rock festival. I just couldn't find enough reasons to say no, but I didn't sleep a wink through the whole weekend! Well done on reaching 100 posts.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I am so glad you are learning some things about Africa that will make it a little easier for you when Mark is there.


WOW 12th in the world - that is amazing! When you think about it, it's mind boggling! A huge congrats to Craig and Jill!

Have a wonderful long weekend!

familywithfivekids said...

Great newsy post! Lots going on in the Carter home! I've been thinking of you lately and should call just to 'chat' :)

Anonymous said...

Happy 100th!
I am so jealous that Craig got to be in the 'bird's nest'!! I was fascinated with that stadium

that guy with Ragan has some wicked hair! I must be old because I had no idea who you were talking about :-)

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

That is quite a post but you having been saving up for a few days. I am so happy to have found your wonderful blog...
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Holly said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I was wondering about Jill at the olympics. We weren't able to watch as much as we wanted to...but how cool that Craig could go and that she placed 12th...IN THE WORLD! Way to go!
I am so glad that you're feeling better about Uganda. I will be calling you for advice in about 15 years if Micah decides to go on a mission:) I don't know how you're doing it!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

I am sorry it has taken me so long to see your post Jo Anne. Your quilt and table runner are so awesome! I don't do Halloween, but they are cute. LOVE you animals. My black lab seems to think he is a lap dog too sometimes, but most times he's happy to lay on the furniture by himself.

Mark and Jill did a great job and 12th in the world is nothing to sneeze at. How did her knee turn out?

As for Mark's mission... that is where God wants him to be. Yes we as Mother's want all control, but sometimes we have to let them follow God and their faith.

Mary

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 100 post; I think mine is coming up soon.
I love your pumpkin quilt hanging, it's so cute!
I found you via Red Cinnamon Prims; I'll be back to see more great crafts!

Anonymous said...

Yea, congratulations on the 100th post, and boy you covered a lot of ground. That fetal position thing - it happens to the best of us. I'm not sure I'm fully recovered, but I think I more prone to whining than you! :)
Prayers for Mark and Uganda, I'm sure you are anxious, but what an opportunity.
The concert thing, we seem to be in similar positions in life. My oldest gets his driver's license in a week and he wanted to know if he could drive himself and a friend to Tulsa (2 1/2 hours away) to go to a concert. My reaction: OVER MY DEAD BODY!
You have some great projects going on too! Phew, I'm sure I missed something, but i love to stop in here and see what's going on.

PARKER KALAEKOI KAM said...

That is wonderful that Jill threw her best to get into the finals. I hope a memorable time also means he had a good time!