Belated State Fair News

Well, I'm finally posting news about our trip to the State Fair in Raleigh. I tried to do this right after we went, but my lack of technological savy got in the way. That and getting side-tracked by things like homeschooling, a job, laundry that never ends and two weeks of fighting a cold. Actually, I got on-line to take care of some business but couldn't resist the lure of "playing."

Andy's day at the Fair turned out to be a great success! He and Rebecca played at the two shows of the Folk Festival on Wednesday and did a fabulous job with their solo and duet numbers. Together, they played their award-winning "I'll Fly Away", and "I Saw the Light". Rebecca then solo-ed with "Ashoken Farewell" and ended with her behind-the-head version of "Get Up John." For his solo act, Andy started with "John Hardy" and moved on to "Bile Them Cabbage Down". To complete their part of the show, Rebecca re-joined Andy and they closed with the bluegrass classic "Old Joe Clark." The audience responded to them very well. As a matter of fact, as we walked around the fair later, people recognized Andy from the show and came up to tell him they enjoyed his playing! According to the winners listing on the State Fair website, they received Honorable Mentions in all their catagories!

But, their winning performances didn't stop there! Andy, under the guidance of his papaw, made a really cool wooden shelf to put on the wall to display some of his tractor collection. He entered the shelf in the county 4-H competition, where he won the chance to compete at the state level. He was so excited (and we were, of course, very proud!) to find his shelf in the 4-H exhibits with a Blue Ribbon attached to it. In the picture above, it is being used to display other 4-H projects. Rebecca also took home two blue ribbons for 4-H projects!

A cool part of the day for Andy was to have both of his grandmas there to celebrate his success with him! Winining is great but knowing you're loved whether you win or loose is the best feeling in the world!

That's a belated look into Shari's world...

Women's Weekend at Lake Junaluska

This past weekend was the annual meeting of the Western NC Conference of United Methodist Women at Lake Junaluska. It was my first time to attend a Conference UMW function and I totally enjoyed it! I learned alot about the organization of the United Methodist Women that will help me fulfill my duties as president of our local unit. It was motivating and inspiring.

I was accompanied by 13 other ladies from our unit. We ranged in age from the 40s to the 80s. I enjoyed getting to know these ladies better. One night, we sat around in one of our rooms, laughing and telling stories - I haven't laughed that much in years! I had fun teasing them about the trip being an eye-opening experience for me! Now, they're afraid of the stories I might tell. Oh well, I promised some of them that what happens in Junaluska stays in Junaluska! So, my lips are sealed!

Our main speaker for the conference was Rev. Angela Pleasants, pastor of Central UMC in Charlotte. Her message on Friday night talked about "me-ology" or being so full of "me, myself and I" that we can't see anything else. It is impossible to be a servant to our hurting world when all we can see is us! She continued this servant idea in her message on Sunday morning when she used the text of John 13:1-11 where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. She talked about loving others, even when they weren't making it easy for us! She made this statement:

"If you quit in the middle of the crucifixion, you'll never see the resurrection!"

When she said that, I felt like someone had smacked me with a big stick! I grabbed my pen and wrote it down. Wow! What powerful words! And, just when I needed to hear them, too! I've been whining lately about some things that weren't going my way but her words cut to the heart of the matter. If I don't hang in there when the going gets tough, when things aren't going the way I think they should, when I find out that what I thought I was signing on for isn't the way it is, then I will never see the blessing that God intended for me and for those I was meant to serve.

There's a little less whining going on today in Shari's world!

My Life as a Library Assistant

Well, a month ago, I promised an update on my new job. So, here it is.

The last week of June, I started working part-time at the public library as a library assistant. I am happy to report that after a little more than a month of gainful employment, I am really enjoying the job! I had nothing to wear since the dress code says no to denim, sandles and tennis shoes so I have had fun shopping for new clothes and shoes!

What does a library assistant do? One of my main responsibilities is to shelve returned materials - books, magazines, dvd's, audiobooks, etc. I enjoy this because it gives me a chance to see all the books I want to read someday! I do get a little nostalgic in the children's picture books though - when I put those Bill Peet, Virginia Lee Burton and Dr. Seuss books back on the shelf, I remember enjoying those great books with Andy when he was a little boy! I'm really learning my ABC's - well, I already knew them but I'm getting to use them more than I have in years. And, I'm getting intimately acquainted with the Dewey decimal system! For example, dogs are 636, cooking is 641, crafts are 745 - these are some of the hotspots in non-fiction at our library! I've found one section that I really dislike to work with - the trade paperbacks. The author's name isn't always easy to read so it takes a little time to get those books where they belong.

Another part of my job is to help out at the desk, checking out and checking in materials. There are several neat things about this part of the job. I love to see the pride on a little kid's face when he puts his choices on the counter to be checked out. After the toddler storytime, the little ones are so excited to take home a new picture book. I like the big smile that lights up the face of a teenager when they come in to pick up the new Harry Potter book that they've been patiently waiting for. I feel like I've made their day! And, I have issued a few new cards to some excited little 6-year-olds who are getting their first very-own library card. It reminds me of Andy's last birthday when the DMV gave him his learner's permit!

If you check the status of a book on the "cybrarian" and it says it is in mending, it might be on my desk. I get to put plastic covers on hardback books, glue pages back in, fix broken spines, clean scratched cd's and whatever else may need to be done to get materials back in circulation. This is one area where I don't feel very comfortable yet. Deanna is working with me to help me learn how to make those necessary repairs. She says it's not that hard so I'll get the hang of it.

There's nothing that shows you how much you don't know than starting a new job. The first couple of weeks, I thought there was no way I could ever remember all the things I needed to remember. Fortunately, each day, I feel like I learn something new and, just maybe, there's hope that I'll be able to do this! People come to the library for answers to their questions - with alot of help from George, Linda, Carol and Deanna, I'm learning how to answer those questions!

I've been fighting one germ after another this summer, a result of being in much more contact with the public than I have been in years! I started out the summer by getting bronchitus at the beach. That weakened my resistance and I thought I'd never get over that. Since then, I have battled colds and a nasty stomach virus. I try to remember to take regular trips by the Germ-X bottle while I'm working to lessen my chances for picking up another bug!

On Monday, we start back to school. Andy will be beginning his 10th grade year in our homeschool. I really do like my job but I know next week, I'm going to be smacking myself in the head asking myself what was thinking to try working part-time while homeschooling. When I applied for the job, I put it all in God's hands and asked Him to work it out the way it should be. The way my work schedule fits our homeschooling needs is just one of the ways that I see God working. Andy does better when we get on to school in the mornings and most of my work hours are afternoons and evenings. Only one day has morning hours - and he's going to do a shop class with my dad alot of those days. I've got the first 6 weeks of school all planned and up to Christmas mapped out. Andy and Joel will have to pitch in to help with some of the household chores, but I think it's going to go well - I hope!

That's life in Shari's world tonight. 'Til next time....

Happy Anniversary, Momma & Daddy!

Momma and Daddy have been married 50 years! WOW! What an accomplishment! In honor of their milestone, David and I (with our spouses and children) hosted a reception yesterday. For 2 hours, friends and family came to congratulate them and share in the joy of this happy occasion. Ina (the caterer) and her staff did an outstanding job with a beautiful cake and a table loaded with beef and turkey croissants, fruit and veggies, chicken salad puffs, mints, and cheese and crackers. With temperatures topping out at nearly 90 degrees, the lime punch was a hit! We chose to decorate in the colors that they used in their wedding so pink roses, white gladiolas and daisies and pink and green candles graced the room. A few gold accents served as a reminder that we were celebrating a "golden" anniversary.

I'm so blessed to be their daughter! I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't always think so - those times as a teenager that my ideas differed on curfew time from theirs or places I wanted to go didn't always get their approval! As with most of us (and I'm sure my 15-year old has said this same thing about me!), I remember saying to myself, "I won't do that when I'm a parent!" When I grew up, got married and eventually became a mom, I ended up doing things so much like they did! The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree after all. And, as the mom of a teenager, I'm learning that it really is true that what goes around, comes around! I've lost count of the number of times I have called them up to apologize for something I did as a kid after Andy's actions have reminded me of myself at that age!

Momma and Daddy, where does a greatful daughter start to say thanks for all the years of love, prayer, time, advice, and discipline (yes, I now appreciate even that!)? You've given me great examples of how to be a good person, a faithful Christian, a caring spouse, a good parent, and a loyal friend. I have wonderful memories of growing up - I was loved. I was safe and happy. I always knew that even if it seemed no one else loved me, you guys did and you always would! I hope that these are the things Andy will remember from his childhood as well. But, your role as parents didn't stop when I went out on my own. You've been there when I have needed advice, support, a different perspective, an attitude adjustment (when do we ever outgrow that?) or just someone to talk to. Your presence in my life is still as important as it was when I was little. There have been some difficult days that I know I could not have come through without you! Your prayers for me haven't stopped and I know you still worry about me at times. That's what parents do! Yesterday was my way of trying to say "thank you" for being such a great momma and daddy!

I love you guys! Happy Anniversary!

Time for the Annual Beach Trip

In just a few days, Andy and I will be off to Sunset Beach for our annual summer trip with the cousins. We started this trip back in 1999, when Andy was 7 years old. Since then, we've added 2 little girls to the list of cousins and we've gotten the packing down to a science.

Highlights of our beach week include:

* playing on the beach (which is where I would stay the entire time if I could!)

* going to Sunday morning "church-on-the-beach"

* the NASCAR SpeedPark

* playing miniature golf in Calabash (last year, we played in Ocean Isle - see the picture above)

* eating at "the Pink Restaurant"

* catching the latest summer kid's movie (Nemo will forever remind us of the '03 beach trip!)

* picking up souveniers at the gift shops (I gotta bring George back some taffy!)

* sleeping on the front porch

* sitting in time-out when a week of togetherness just gets to be too much!

* posing for pictures (3 scrapbooking mommas can take lots of pictures!)

* Friday night Pizza Parties (This year's will be a birthday pizza party for me and my niece, Hannah. Her birthday was a couple of weeks ago but she wanted to celebrate at the beach with me!)

This year, Andy and Charlie are adding a new highlight. They are cooking us a huge breakfast one morning, complete with eggs, bacon & sausage, biscuits and hashbrowns! We'll see if it becomes part of the tradition!

We're going a couple of months earlier this year than in the past couple of years. As the kids are getting older and in to more things, it is getting harder to find a week that there are no sports events, scout or 4-H camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. I'm not liking the weather forecast though- there's a 60% chance of thunderstorms a couple of days! With 7 kids, we need the sun to shine!

This year, I'll be chauffered part of the way down. Since Andy has his permit, he is looking forward doing some of the driving. He really wants to drive across the floating drawbridge!

It doesn't seem like 9 years ago that we made that first trip for family fun in the sun! I'm glad we've been able to give the kids this bit of tradition. It will be interesting to see what they do with it as they grow older.

That's it in Shari's World....

4-H Talent Show Winners!

Here are the Randolph County 4-H Talent Show winners for 2007! Andy and Rebecca played a banjo/mandolin duet of "I'll Fly Away". Rebecca also played a spirited mandolin solo of "Get Up John". Their acts took top honors at Friday night's 4-H Entertains. They will represent the county at the District talent competition in Rowan County on June 26th. Good luck Rebecca and Andy!

Grandma

Lydia Elizabeth Marley McLaurin

Sept. 18, 1918 - April 28, 2007

We buried Grandma today. After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage last Sunday morning, Grandma was reunited with Grandpa when she went to be with Jesus on Saturday night. Her funeral was truly a celebration of a life lived with happiness and compassion. Even though we will miss her, there's no way we would call her away from the joy she has found on the other side. Heaven is rockin' tonight with the sounds of her "honkey-tonk" piano version of

Sweet Georgia Brown!

Testing Time at CedarWoods School

Annual spring testing week has arrived at CedarWoods School. In the state of NC, homeschoolers must take a standardized achievement test each year. For the first 5 years of our homeschooling journey, we tested with the California Achievement Test with our local support group and 3 of those years, I organized this group service. Then, our support group imploded and that option was no longer available. A dear friend, working on an advanced psychology degree, did our testing the next 3 years using a couple of different tests. She has moved out of state and this year, we have chosen to go back to the CAT test. Since we aren't currently part of a group, we purchased the test from Bayside School Services and we're getting a friend to help us get it done this week. I could administer the test myself but I prefer to have an impartial 3rd party do it so no one can say I coached him. So, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Andy will be hard at work, bubbling in his answers to English, Math, Science, Social Studies and study skills questions. We'll send it back to Bayside and the results will be back in about 8 weeks. We'll use it to see if we are on track and making progress in Andy's high school journey.

More from Pigeon Forge

Here's a great band we heard at Saddle Up! They are Wylie and the Wild West. Wylie, of Yahoo fame, can yodel better than anyone I've ever heard! And dance! That tall, lanky fellow can move! For more info on these guys, check out http://www.wylieww.com/ We got a copy of their new cd, Bucking Horse Moon, and it's a keeper. Rodeo to the Bone is a hoot!

Saddle Up!

We spent last weekend at Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge, TN. It is a wonderful weekend of cowboy music and poetry. This is the 4th year that we have been able to attend, thanks to some special clients of Joel's.

One of our favorite acts was Brenn Hill, a great singer/songwriter of cowboy music. He wasn't one of the performers last year and it just wasn't the same without him! He's an award winning musician from Utah. You can learn more about Brenn at http://www.brennhill.com

I'll post more about Saddle Up! in the coming week. If you like cowboy music and poetry and you can't afford a trip to Elko, NV, for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, you can get a taste of the West the end of February at Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge.

Hello Again!

Well, I can't believe it is February and I'm making my first post for 2007. So much for my posting 2 or 3 times a week! But, life happens.

Homeschooling high school is a huge job, one that somedays I feel ready for and somedays I feel like I'm in way over my head. Besides the academics, throw in a little teenage attitude! You know, that "I-know-everything-about-everything-and-it's-all-about-me" stuff. I remember feeling that way when I was that age so I try not to take Andy's attitude personally. The hard part is not making a big, unnecessary deal out of things while making it clear that he doesn't know it all and it isn't all about him. Same ol' battles that parents have been dealing with since Cain and Abel hit those teenage years!

Some unresolved medical issues have also taken my mind away from posting. In the last couple of months, I've had CT scans, blood work, x-rays and an endoscopy, none of which have pointed to the real source of the problem. I guess no problems detected in all those tests is a good thing but I know the discomfort is not all in my head! As a Christian, I know that God has a plan and, in his time, he will let me know what I need to know.

My spare time project currently is knitting a baby blanket. The Brownie troop at our church is gathering blankets for Project Linus and they asked our Prayer Shawl Ministries ladies to make blankets for them. After I finished the Christmas present for my parents that I was making, I started on my blanket. I am using a pattern called Baby Blocks by Ann Norling. It is the pattern in Debbie Macomber's book The Shop on Blossom Street. I'm using Baby Coordinates yarn from Bernat called Baby Pink. It is a simple pattern of knits and purls, but it is still going to take me forever to finish it! Check out the pictures at the top of this post.

That's what's going on in my world tonight!