kandpthrock

This is a hanging book shelf in early American style to match the file cabinet and it is for Andrea also. She must decide how she wants these two pieces finished.

This is a replica of an early American flour and meal bin. It is now converted to a file cabinet. Made for our daughter Andrea

You can see the team work here!

Time changes things consequently altering and modifying everything around you.  On the last day of March this year, the company I worked with lost the contract under which I worked and since that time I have been unemployed.  This outcome has left me with unlimited down-time which is not a good thing for me.  I am doing job-searches daily anticipating finding my niche but no luck thus far.

It may be in my DNA or simply from being raised on a farm but I must admit I am a workaholic.  It is absolutely necessary for me to stay busy.  My husband, Keith, suggested that we do a little woodworking; maybe build some birdhouses or maybe even cutting boards for Christmas gifts for the kids.  “What a neat idea,” I thought to myself.  “We would be working together finally, which is something we both always wanted.”

I will post photos of some of the pieces we have made in the last couple of weeks.  But let me warn you – do not expect to see cutting boards or bird houses.

Tonight our community and surrounding areas will come together at the clubhouse on Holiday Island to identify needs of our nation and prayers for these needs. We will focus on government, church, military, education, media, community and family needs. There will be twenty-six speakers from various walks of life to lead our program. What a committment from such a large group of people.

We are on count-down… less than 13 hours away from our National Day of Prayer Observation tonight at 7:00pm. What a fantastic opportunity to gather and pray for the needs of our great nation. These are troubling times however we must understand God is still in control and he does hear our prayers.

We can change the atomsphere of our nation and the effect it has on people one person, one community at a time. We must perservere steadfastly in worshipful prayer for each other, especially for our leaders.

I want to thank you all in advance for your participation and your commitment to pray for America. Matthew 12:21 says, “In His name the nations will put their hope.”

I had just returned home from working in Dare County yesterday when I received a phone call from my husband Keith. “I am going to tell you something,” he began, “but you have to promise not to be angry.” Suddenly I was flooded with all sorts of thoughts, “Did he hit a deer? Or, as he would say, did a deer hit him? Did he have a fender bender? Did he leave his favorite jacket behind and can’t remember where?” However, it was none of the above.
“I needed a haircut and due to my schedule, I knew that I would not have time to go to my barber in Hertford. I stopped at a local barber shop, just outside the gate of Camp Lejeune,” he said. “I told the barber that I needed a trim only. He replied that he knew what to do as he had cut hair for 30 years.”
“The barber must have cut Keith’s hair pretty short, but it can’t be that bad,” I thought as I tried to prepare myself for his arrival. “I will just have to smile and pretend I like it anyway.”
His steps were heavy as he climbed the stairs to the upper deck. As usual and customary, he called out to me as he opened the door, “Baby?”
His voice did not sound as strong as normal. I braced myself as I heard him approaching the study where I was working.
“Baby?” he spoke as he stopped at the study doorway.
With much consternation, I turned toward him. My eyes flew wide open and my jaw dropped. “OH MY GOD,” fell right out of my mouth like a gushing waterfall! “That’s not a haircut! You have been scalped!!!”
I guess the barber learned his tricks of the trade at the Parris Island Recruit Depot! Someone said, “I’ll bet it looks great.” NOT!!! Just try to capture a visual of a 70 year old, old fart who is half bald anyway and now he has a buzz cut!! Scary indeed! Our social life is on the shelf for at least two months…I think that is how long it will take for it to grow as there is nothing there now but the roots!
Today he must go back out on the job but I could not allow him to leave looking like an old wanna be Marine so I beat feet to the local wiggery and bought him a hair piece. You decide which one looks best. Love him anyway.

The Enchanted Fishbowl is a quiet, restful and peaceful retreat. Keith and I still work part-time and truly enjoy our life together. We call my children and grandchild ours and his children and grandchildren ours. Maybe I should introduce them.

Scott is Keith’s oldest son. He has five children, Quinn – 18, Devon – 13, Dillon – 10, Leo – 2 and Bella who is 4 months old. His fiancé is Lili Haile who is a native Ethiopian.

Robert is Keith’s middle son. He is single and has one son Robert who will be 15 in a few weeks.

Keith’s youngest son Bernard is married to Chelsie and they have two sons, David who will soon be 17 and Brandon who is probably 14 by now.

I lost my oldest daughter, Michele to cancer in 2001 when she was just 38.

Andrea is my second child and is married to Jesus` Sanz who was born in Spain but came to America as an exchange student when he was 17 and attained his American Citizenship many years ago. They have one daughter, Carla, who is 8 years old.

My youngest child Parrish is married to Jennifer. They are deep into animal rescue.
Because our children are fully engaged in their own jobs and children it is difficult for us to get together at the same time. Andrea decided it was time to meet Lili, Leo and Bella so ideas began to take shape and form. A date was chosen for Andrea, Jesus`, and Carla to visit the Enchanted Fishbowl and an invitation was issued to Scott, Lili, Leo and Bella.

Naturally, Parrish and Jennifer were invited as they had not met Lili, Leo or Bella either. In conversation with Robert he commented he had not seen Andrea and family or Parrish and Jennifer in a long time so he was invited as well. The guest list grew and it grew and it grew.

Scott, Lili, Devon, Dillon, Leo and Bella arrived from Woodbridge VA last Friday evening around 7:00pm. At about 10:30 that night, Jesus`, Andrea, Carla and their dog, Dante` arrived from Alpharetta GA. Early Saturday morning three Robert’s – Robert Senior, Robert Junior and his friend Robert from Fredericksburg VA showed up. A short time later, Parrish, Jennifer and their dog Gus arrived from Raleigh, NC. Can you imagine fourteen guests with two dogs?

Keith and I had spent Thursday cleaning house and lawn, and I spent all day Friday, preparing food for the weekend. We were exhausted yet exhilarated by the anticipation of everyone coming together. What a phenomenal weekend. I cannot express in words the joy that abounded throughout our home. The laughter and camaraderie was extraordinaire!

Conversations flowed, new friendships were founded and acceptance of family was sealed. We are so blessed in that God has given us hearts that are open to love one another. If we all lived by the verse of Scripture in Romans 12:18 NIV, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,” our world would assuredly be a better place to live. We look forward to lazy days this summer when this event can be repeated.