Tonight is "Movie Night with Billy & Gina" at the BSU. We thought once a month (if possible) on a Friday night we would invite whoever wanted to come to the BSU and watch a movie with us. We will usually have popcorn and whatever else we can think of.

We don't know what movie we're going to show yet; I had even thought of one of those old 'silent' movies! Either way, hopefully we will have a few show up just to relax and watch a movie together.

This week at work has been a little stressful, and I don't really see it getting any less stressful for at least the next couple of months. So I will just have to face it and deal with it!!

Hope you all have a great weekend; I don't have anything really big planned on Saturday except for some shopping and perhaps 'garage sale-ing'!! Sunday evening our church is having a fall picnic at one of our parks north of town. Hopefully it won't rain!

I've had a busy but very nice weekend. Friday night I went to the high school football game to watch mainly the band play at half-time, but also got to unfortunately watch our team get beat 51-7. OUCH!!

Then on Saturday morning I headed up to Osage Beach, MO to the Tan-Tar-A resort to join Billy and the group of college students he took to an annual event called "getaway". They have different classes you can attend with a worship time on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Here are some pics of this morning:


We didn't get to bed until around 1:00 Sunday morning, then back up at 7:30 so I'm pretty tuckered out!! I think everybody who attended had a great time, and we ended up with around 40 students going!

This week at work we finalize our 'consolidation' of Clerk's offices. Which means all employees will know what area they will work in and with who. It will be a challenge for some, and a breeze for others. But in the end I hope we don't end up with 'too many chiefs' and not enough indians!!

Birthdays.....

Well, tomorrow I turn another year older. I will be 44. (EEK!!!) Where did the time go?? My sister will turn 42 on Tuesday - yes, were born 2 yrs and 1 day apart. My father's birthday is also on Tuesday as well. (but I won't reveal his age)

One birthday my sister and I received matching brushed suede shoes (it was sometime in the 70s). They were multi-colored; I think blue, maroon and maybe green.(?) Well....my parents were on a Monday night bowling league, and me and my sister always had to go and keep ourselves busy while they bowled. One Monday night after we got our new shoes, we were in the bowling alley bathroom 'hiding' in the stalls. To 'hide' we would stand on the toilet seats. Well.....one of us slipped and in went a new suede shoe into the toilet. Truthfully...I can't remember if it was myself or my sister!!
And I don't remember what happened when my mom found out either...perhaps it is a memory I have chose to forget!!

We pretty much have always celebrated our birthdays together until about high school. We've had them in the garage of our house, and even at McDonald's when my mom worked there. Wish I could find the pictures of that McDonald's birthday because I believe that is when we got our new shoes. Now that we are older, we usually try to get together and at least have cake. This year my mom graciously made a red velvet cake for us. Ashley made the cookies.

Perhaps one day my sister and I can get matching shoes again. Then again...maybe not.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!! May your foot never slip into another toilet again!!

Summer To Fall....

This morning felt like fall; it was only in the mid 50's; quite a change from our 100s we were feeling a few weeks ago!

I love the transitions between the seasons, but probably summer to fall is my favorite. Maybe it's all the activities that go on during that time - school starting, football, marching band competitions; all trying to start and finish before it gets too cold to do anything outside (and enjoy it!).

Fun meetings and training sessions await me at my job beginning in October; I'm not looking forward to learning a whole new computer software program that will run our whole court system, but I guess I have no choice!!

There will also be a different band competition every Saturday in October, along with some home games. So it's going to be a very BUSY month for us!!

My first Sunday teaching the 2yr-olds Sunday School class went 'well'; I really hadn't had a chance to go over any materials, so me and another lady just winged it. Sydney did very well with me in there; she didn't want me to leave when it was time, but after lots of kisses she was okay to let me go. I look forward to getting to help with the class. But I'm definitely not used to teaching 2yr-olds!! Last time I taught a class was for Junior High girls!!

I guess that's it for now; I'm sure I will have lots more stories and pictures as activities start to pick up!!

Rainy Days & Banana Bread

On this rainy Saturday.....

I decided to do some baking (thanks Mom for the idea!!):


First I made some banana bread:

Then I made some peanut butter cookies:


Yep, sure does make a rainy day better!!

The last 2 mornings we have awakened to heavy rain and thunderstorms; Thursday morning the storm knocked out the power at our house for about 2-hrs. (Of course it was off while we were all trying to get ready for school and work.) This morning we again woke up to storms, but at least our power stayed on this time.

It appears our weekend will be rainy and soggy, but we do need the rain, and my Mom was wise to point out that the rain in September helps the trees look pretty in October!! The band is supposed to march tonight at the football game, but I kind of hope they skip this one out. It's no fun to sit in the rain, and I'm sure it's not good on the instruments.

I have decided to help out with the 2-yr olds Sunday School class at our church; they have needed a worker, and I am available. Besides, it means I'll get to spend more time with Sydney. =)

We also offer ESL classes at our church as well, and those classes are on Sunday evening. I helped in the nursery last year, and told them I would help again this year. I had another lady with me last time, but unfortunately her family left the church a few months ago. So I will have my hands full of 'little ones' on Sundays for a while!!

BSU activities are in full swing; the next big one coming up is "Getaway" at the Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage Beach the weekend of the 21st. It's a weekend full of good music, great speakers, and informative sessions. BSU'ers from all around the State attend.

I guess that's about it for now; hope everybody stays cool, warm, wet or dry..depending on what part of the world you live in !!

FAMILY REUNION

We had a wonderful family reunion with Billy's grandparents; I don't know the final count, but I bet it was over 100! Here are some pictures:










Hope everybody has a fun Labor Day weekend!!!