We Can Do It!

 We have all heard stories of Rosie the Riveter from WWII.  These strong women went to work to keep our economy pumping while the men were serving our country at war.  Fast forward seventy-two years, and it's still applicable, but this time it's about building houses and Women Power (power tools and wiring included!)  When a dear friend who we will refer as my "Lucy" asked me if I would help her build a house, I was a bit confused.  I am not a builder and can barely accomplish odd jobs around my own house.  As she started to fill me in on the details, I realized that YES! WE CAN DO IT!  

With this photo, we lured some of our other CAN DO women friends, and together with (14) other women teams, will be building the first ever ALL WOMEN'S build for Habitat for Humanity of Boone County.  This is so exciting, especially since the recipient of our efforts is also a women...actually a great-grandmother raising her great-granddaughter.  Perfect!

To get our fund raising started, each team had to build a birdhouse.  Two of our very creative team members came up with this adorable design.  Who wouldn't want this hanging in their yard?!

As the build progresses,  I will be sure to update you with some photos.  In the meantime, a dear friend posted this C.S. Lewis quote earlier, and I liked it so much for Ash Wednesday reflection that I thought I'd close with it here.

With that in mind, SAY YES to someone who asks something of you during this season on Lent.  That YES could expand your world and cause you to be an ambassador of Christ as He intended.
Until next time, God bless!

Critters of the Snow

Sometimes the look on their faces can say it all.  These critters get tired of the cold and snow too.     

Seriously, LET US IN now!

The good thing about animals is that they seem to know how to make their own fun...as seen on the video clip at the end- by the mesmerizing affect plain old H2O has on the cats.

Hope you stay warm and remember, in only (42) short days we will be CELEBRATING the first day of SPRING!!

Welcome 2014! (24 hours later...here comes the sun)

The beauty of a fresh fallen snow always catches me by surprise.  Senses are heightened with a change of the status quo.  The sound of the creaky crunch of the snow under foot is unique, not duplicated at any other time of year.  The fluffy white decor weighs down the evergreen branch until softly sliding to the ground allowing the branch to pop up causing a new shower of snow.  The muted sound of traffic combines with the sound of snow blowers and truck blades making the world sound like a completely different band.

The normally overlooked red berries of the Hawthorne trees gleam brightly against the white snow.  

Our four legged friends become animated as the snow falls all around them.  Both Hawk and Duncan bounced playfully around the arena catching snow flakes on their tongues while Leo tried it too.

12.5" on the ground - still snowing

A plain tree in the backyard seems to be all dressed up, and is appreciated as beautiful for the first time. These were just a few shots taken today...before the arctic air blasts in and we hunker down for the next few day. Hope you enjoy your transformed surroundings and stay warm!

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24 hours later the sun shines and the world sparkles, even though the wind chill is minus forty degrees!

Drifts!

Brock Barn circa 1850

"Twas the Night Before Christmas

Cookies baked, presents wrapped, stockings hung, house full of loved ones, laughter all around...Merry Christmas!

Hope your holidays are filled with laughter and love, and your 2014 brings you blessings.

We blinked, and  twenty years had passed.  As goofy as their mom was for dressing them up in the first place, and then for thinking it should be recreated, it brought smiles to lots of faces...so thank you "children" for playing along.

Merry Christmas to All! 

(and to all a Good Night!)

Row Row Row Your Boat...

     A few years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the world of rowing where terms like "sweep" (not cleaning) , "feathering" (not an '80's hairstyle), "weigh enough" (hmm...what's enough weight anyway?), and "port" (not a red wine) took on a whole new dimension.  What I discovered was not only a way to get a great work-out, but also a way to enjoy nature, the water, and being part of a team (unless you're sculling in a single of course.)  I was delighted a few years later when my son discovered the same world, at Florida Institute of Technology, his freshman year.

This past weekend we headed south to the Tennessee River and the delightful city of Chattanooga for The Head of the Hooch Regatta, where we were thrilled to see our son compete at the collegiate level.

With the sun shining brightly, the many colors of oar blades, tents, and shells made a great back drop for the event.

FIT Men's Rowing Team came out strong winning the Men's Championship Eight.  They were exciting to watch both days.  These proud parents were pleased to see their son working hard and enjoying the results with his team mates.  We are looking forward to attending future regattas.  Here are a few more shots from the weekend.

Extreme effort and concentration in the bow seat

Gold Medal Men's Champ 8 Boat

Clearly the coaches (seen smiling here) like what they do.  Through the years our children have been fortunate to have the guidance and training of great coaches from T-ball to football, track, and wrestling, who know how to get maximum effort from each individual player.  These coaches and team for Eric follow in that tradition.  We saw numerous examples of this during their efficient operation at this regatta.

Men's Open 8 blasting past the entire field for another FIT Gold Medal

Coordination and support by the entire team was evident all weekend which proved to the fans watching that the men of Florida Institute of Technology's Rowing team are truly a class act.

Job well done!

Solid endurance in the B Boat placing third on Sunday