We finally got our power back this afternoon after losing it on Friday at about 5AM! I woke up and looked at my clock about 3:30/4AM and everything was fine. I could hear the rain coming down pounding on the roof and wondered if school would be in session or not. I fell back to sleep and when I looked at the clock again, it was dark... no red lights. The furnace was silent, the only sounds I could hear was the of raindrops .... the power went out!
Ordinarily, when this happens within an hour or two we are up and running again.... but not this time! As you already know if you watch the news or listen to the radio, we had a bad storm! ICE, ICE and more ICE! It really is absolutely beautiful to look at! Audrey took some amazing pictures but... it was also very destructive! 
Downed trees, powerlines, frozen pipes, icy roads, over-worked electric crews, cold houses..... 
Oh ya, this is the winter-wonderland life! :) Friday, during the day, we heated with the stove top (on for a while and then off for a while) and candles. Thank God for gas stoves, I could at least make hot meals! (Obviously, for safety reasons the candles and stove were OFF during the night!) The temperature inside on Saturday morning was 42* yikes, it felt like we were waking up on a camping trip! We could see our breath... now that is chilly! (It was 15* when I looked at the thermometer outside, so we were pleased with 42!) Austin worked diligently on a generator that a friend had loaned us. He had it going for a while so we could keep the fridge from thawing out too much and everyone charged up the cell phones! 
Thankfully, Darlene & Marc (my brother) regained their electricity Saturday and loaned us their kerosene heater for last night! It was in the low teens again last night, but inside it was a balmy 62* AHHHHH, the simple things in life are soooo amazing! We went to church Sunday morning (an awesome & appropriate message series by the way) 'In Pieces or In Peace'.... this week's message was about worry & anxiety! You can listen if you'd like http://www.gccnh.com/ at the bottom of the page, part 3!!
We were on our way home discussing the next plan of action (empty the fridge into boxes for the back porch, drain the water lines etc.)when my cellphone began to ring, it was TJ with "GOOD NEWS.... the power is ON!" THANK GOD!! We had been told not to expect it to come back much before Thursday ... so having it back 4 days earlier is a true blessing!! :)
The crews had arrived to repair the lines that had snapped.... all that is left are a few orange caution cones and some random branches of trees & sawdust beside the road! (This tree is in our front yard, draped over the lines coming in from the road to our electrical box!)
The crews had arrived to repair the lines that had snapped.... all that is left are a few orange caution cones and some random branches of trees & sawdust beside the road! (This tree is in our front yard, draped over the lines coming in from the road to our electrical box!)
We had two families join us for dinner yesterday! The Hacker family of 4 and the Walsh family of 2! 11 people around the table was a beautiful sight! I could go on and on about the yummy food & dessert, but I'd rather go on about awesome friendships!! What a blessing these two families are to us! 
We eventually all regathered for coffee, tea and desserts (Did I mention they were DELICIOUS?!!) and games!! We had a lot of fun playing 'Apples to Apples' (for the first time) and then a few rounds of 'Fact or Crap'! (yes, I really did use that word, it is the title of the game)!! Laughs, teasing, friendships strengthened, warm weather (I think we hit a balmy 42*) and late day snacks!! 
A guy that Audrey knows who plays in the Christian band "Blueprints of the Heart" was in a car accident Saturday night. Shorty, the drummer, was killed and the other three of his friends are in critical condition in a MA hospital. PLEASE keep them and their families in your prayers as the doctors are not being too hopeful for these young men. 
To take a peek at more day book entries
(Hmmm well, I guess I'll have to plan another project quickly, 'cuz I doubt I'll ONLY get batting if I head to the fabric department!)
These books make you long for the day when a person's handshake was as good or better then a signature on paper! Based on his life, Mr. Moody (who also wrote "Seabiscuit" another book superior to the movie) writes in such a way that makes you feel like you are right beside him through everything that happens!
This is Travis at about 21 days old!! He was the perfect size for his teddy bear (later named Mr. Bearly) to hold him! WELL.... 21 years later, lots has changed!!! (Hair, vocal chords, size, clothing styles .... just to name a few!)
Gary went out to help feed and water the bunnies....... (Sookie is checking him out too!) 
and then he helped to collect the eggs! (Yes, he did carry two eggs inside!) 
Audrey asked him what happens if you drop an egg. At first he said "pick it up" and then he laughed and said "splat". He had fun listening to the rooster! (Cock-a-dooodle-do)
I challenge you to start writing them all down and then keep adding to your list as time goes on!! It is wonderful to be able to look at the list especially when we are down or feeling overlooked and lost! 
Start your list..... it is amazing!! Here's an idea; make a thank you notebook!! List each month and then either look backwards January through now .... or start now and go forwards!! :) THEN make it a part of your personal thanksgiving day devotional to thank God for the year of blessings! Keep your list growing.... recognize every gift is from God..... small or large. (Read James 1:17) EVERY good & perfect gift is from above!! :) 
Another way to use juice lids was to glue construction paper on one side and then put one chore on each lid. THEN, put them all in a paper bag and let the kids draw out which chore would be their responsibility!
Have you read Jotham's Journey?? This is our family FAVORITE advent devotional!! There is something for everyone of every age in this book! The author keeps you on the edge of your seat chapter after chapter! I can't recommend this book HIGHLY enough!! It isn't too early to start planning! AND... no, I don't mean making your lists and checking them twice, UNLESS that list is one of good cheer and encouraging tidings for others! Make sure to add an advent devotional to the top of your to-do list!! The first day of Advent this year is November 30th! :)
He drew a circle that shut me out-
I was chatting with another friend in MA about Facebook and Myspace and the pros & cons of the programs. We chatted while she made herself an account and then I said to her, "You know, it is really neat to use the Facebook program to find old school friends." I proceeded to tell her when you put in your high school name & year of graduation other classmates will pop up. etc. etc. Well.... I had the flash thought... maybe, just maybe I could find Rebecca! (Naaa, I don't even know if she still has the same last name!) 
Nothing is sacred .... No one is safe! :) 
Everyone is a possible 'great photo shot'... 
I got her a few books on digital photography (potraits & lighting, nature & close-up nature etc.). She has been busy taking some AWESOME pictures!! I can't wait to see what she comes up with every time she leaves with her camera in hand! She has a great eye ...
We had another awesome Sunday service at Grace Capital yesterday..... the sermon topic was being content and living with less so others could live with some. Sounds simple enough right... well, make it practical.... read Luke 3, especially focusing on verse 10 & 11. So the people asked him, saying, 'what shall we do then?' He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." 
Years ago when I worked at Plymouth State College (now PSUniversity), a co-worker 'Joyce' would make plum jelly. I had NEVER heard of making jelly from plums, but when I tried some... OH MY WORD WAS IT DELICIOUS! It has been 20 years since I've worked there and FINALLY we have plums (fresh grown) enough to make some myself!! Pete helped his aunt (thank you) pick her plums.... I think this has been the most I've ever seen come from that tree! WOW!! 
