tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991836211036307042024-03-13T09:12:35.977-05:00Rocky Top TexasChristy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-60614205479568775472009-07-25T22:06:00.006-05:002009-07-25T22:15:39.564-05:00Putting in hardwood floors...Here are some pictures of the process...we still have a bit to go but we are certainly getting there!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvIyInnBCI/AAAAAAAAAI0/f6BCJfmk5XA/s1600-h/066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvIyInnBCI/AAAAAAAAAI0/f6BCJfmk5XA/s320/066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362600544947340322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJBlIn1EI/AAAAAAAAAI8/jE2AgsEnHgc/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJBlIn1EI/AAAAAAAAAI8/jE2AgsEnHgc/s320/067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362600810300036162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJcUJmNMI/AAAAAAAAAJE/WPRlpVSLQCg/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJcUJmNMI/AAAAAAAAAJE/WPRlpVSLQCg/s320/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362601269597189314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJdNVlwoI/AAAAAAAAAJM/tdZtyuXxZuA/s1600-h/098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJdNVlwoI/AAAAAAAAAJM/tdZtyuXxZuA/s320/098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362601284948312706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJduz_PtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ddF1PnyxzcU/s1600-h/110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJduz_PtI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ddF1PnyxzcU/s320/110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362601293934182098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJuqE3NZI/AAAAAAAAAJc/xsLqh4PJnkU/s1600-h/111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJuqE3NZI/AAAAAAAAAJc/xsLqh4PJnkU/s320/111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362601584720557458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJvJzwZ5I/AAAAAAAAAJk/_Gm2NszGyuQ/s1600-h/114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SmvJvJzwZ5I/AAAAAAAAAJk/_Gm2NszGyuQ/s320/114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362601593238742930" border="0" /></a>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-56073637078311686142009-06-26T00:27:00.002-05:002009-06-26T00:33:27.373-05:00finally....now get off my caseso i don't feel like writing a blog post. my dad threatened to join facebook today since I am on there more often. not sure of my feelings, but my actions thought it best to do a blog post. :)<br /><br />taking the easy way out and doing a list.<br /><br />1. We are having a baby. if you didn't know that I am not sure you should be reading my blog.<br /><br />2. today we found out that it is a BOY!!!<br /><br />3. Ironic that on the day we find out we are having Jackson (that will be his name), Michael Jackson dies. Can I put that in the baby book?<br /><br />4. I have been so busy lately that I have forgotten to do homework assignments. For those that knew me in high school or college, that should be a big shock.<br /><br />5. We are putting hardwood floors in at the house and Clay has insisted that I blog about the process.<br /><br />6. Trust me when i say #5 is a PROCESS. More details to follow....<br /><br />7. Texas is HOTTTTTTTTTTTT. thank goodness we have snowcones. they make life bearable.<br /><br />lots of life has been going on. I am ready for things to slow a bit, but I am learning that life doesn't ever really slow. your perspective just has to. hope this blog will lead to more and fewer weeks (okay, months) will lapse in between them.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-83575680415965930212009-01-20T22:13:00.003-06:002009-01-20T22:42:36.064-06:00My girlThe story really started almost twenty years ago. Standing in line at Hardees waiting to get some biscuits and gravy with my dad. I was around 7 I think. He probably doesn't remember this conversation but I do. Vividly. You see, in my neighborhood, there was this high school girl. She drove a red 1965 mustang. I am pretty sure her name was Stephanie Hawkins and I thought she was the coolest person alive. I wanted to be just like her so that morning in Hardees I asked my dad if when I was in high school if I could have a red 1965 mustang just like her. He said, "I tell you what if you are valedictorian I will buy you a 1965 mustang.<br /><br />Fast forward to senior year. I realized that I wasn't quite going to be valedictorian (only months later did I realize I was 1 little point in calculus away from it but that's another story) so I decided to remind my dad of the conversation and see if I couldn't negotiated a new deal. We agreed that I would get a new car based on scholarship offers. December of that year I wrecked the car he had gotten me at sixteen and got a nice scholarship letter from my #1 school. So on January 1, 2001, my dad bought her for me.<br /><br />She was beautiful. Perfect. Even if she was a few years old. I instantly fell in love. This week, Clay and I will most likely be getting rid of her. In ways I am very happy but part of my heart is breaking.<br /><br />She was with me the week my 12 closest friends and I headed to the beach to celebrate the end of high school and the beginning of our "real" lives -- you know, back when 30 sounded so old. I still treasure that picture of my two best guy friends asleep in the back seat cuddling each other and a teddy bear of mine.<br /><br />She was with me the day I drove off to my #1 school. Complete with a letter in the dashboard from my dad telling me how amazing he thinks I am and how proud he was. (I just removed the letter yesterday) And she was with me the day I drove home to transfer schools.<br /><br />She was with me for more camps than I can count. She has hauled everything from vats of salsa to more dish washing liquid than they sell in Walmart. Unfortunately, we had some spillage with the soap and to this day if you put some water in the back, the carpet will have suds.<br /><br />She was there when I realized I loved Clay. He was driving when I looked over and then looked to the backseat. I could literally see our future kid seating in his carseat. It was then that I knew he was it for me.<br /><br />She was there the day we packed up our world, waved goodbye and moved to Texas. She didn't carry much on the trip. She just transported the two most important things --- our dogs.<br /><br />After just over 8 years, I have put over 96,000 miles on her. These days she is far from perfect. In fact, she probably has more things wrong than right.<br /><br />But I still love her. And hate to see her go.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-83370720310566620032009-01-10T21:55:00.001-06:002009-01-10T21:57:26.999-06:00I feel just a tad guilty.I had lots of great plans to type a wonderful, beautiful year in review post. But I just didn't get around to it. I had all the intentions in the world to write an amazing, inspiring post detailing my 2009 to do list (I prefer "to do list" to resolution) Instead, my blog sat alone and un-updated. I think it feels a bit neglected and I feel a tad bit guilty. Unfortunately, my blog is probably going to continue to feel that way.<br /><br />On Monday, I officially start grad school. If you are reading this blog, chances are you are know that I am going back to school. If not, don't feel bad...I kinda forgot to tell my mom. Ooops. Thankfully, she was pretty understanding. In fact, she informed me that she once forgot to tell her mom that she was pregnant. Boy, I hope that was when she was pregnant with my brother...<br /><br />Anyways, I am taking two classes over the next eight weeks and hope to finish my masters (in counseling) in about 18 months or so. I may try to significantly reduce that time frame if I am able to balance work, life and school better than I anticipate. I never was one to take school slowly. I am really excited about going back -- just slightly nervous that I won't be as smart as I once was.<br /><br />I am so excited that I have already started reading and am about one week ahead of schedule. Oh, and tonight, Clay and I made a special trip to Wal-Mart to gather all my school supplies. I think Clay had to remind me two or three times that I was in grad school not elementary. At least I didn't purchase the Jonas Brothers folder!<br /><br />So all this to say, if my blog doesn't have tons of updates it is because I am busy learning about ethics and human development. And I don't think you really want updates on that.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-77961442563834690892008-12-19T10:22:00.002-06:002008-12-19T10:35:22.322-06:00I think I can, I think I can...continue repeatingSo somehow we are only six days from Christmas which means I really gotta go get Clay's gifts. Yet, my spot on the couch with Clay's old sleeping bag and a little puppy curled up beside me is just so comfortable this morning. 10:24 still counts as morning, right? Just not early morning.<br /><br />I had such high hopes for today- clean the kitchen, workout, get all the shopping done. So far, I haven't lifted a dish or if we are being real here, brushed my hair. I think if I would just get up right now, I still have enough time to get it all done.<br /><br />See friends, this is why I can't have a kid-I get zero done and have no one else to take care of but myself. My mom friends do like a thousand things with kiddos dressed in mostly clean clothes and attached to them at the hip or leg or wherever their little hands can grab onto.<br /><br />Sorry this post is a little boring but I am hoping it provides me with the motivation to get going on my 3 item to do list. okay, here I go...<br /><br />p.s. hi Uncle Wally....so glad you found my blog!Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-13719665196109641802008-11-30T21:34:00.003-06:002008-11-30T21:54:47.752-06:00My Christmas Wish ListNormally, this time of year I am begging Clay to go up to the attic and pull out of all my Christmas decor. Normally, I love to decorate the tree. Normally, I love to put all of the other decorations in the perfect spot around my house. Normally, the James Taylor Christmas album can be heard throughout the house. Normally, I can list several things I would like to receive and spend hours picking out gifts for people on my list. Normally.<br /><br />This year none of that seems to be the case. Granted if I could find that cd James Taylor would probably be playing but it must have gotten lost somewhere between Knoxville and Keller.<br /><br />I don't know what my deal is. I just can't get geared up for Christmas. I seriously asked Clay if we even had to put the tree up. To which he replied, "We don't have to, but I think we should." Can some elves just come set it up and twist and turn every pre-lit light until there are all working? I just don't feel like it. All I want to do is fly home.<br /><br />It has been a year since I have seen my friends. It has been a year since I have sat in my mom's house. It has been a year since I have played with Tyson (my dog that is really more of my mom's dog these days) And it has been a year or really more than that since I have ate at Steamboat, Wasabi and some other places near and dear to my stomach.<br /><br />I miss it all. I miss it all A LOT.<br /><br />So if I skip all of the decorating, can I just fast foward to Dec. 25 at 11:05 when my plane lands at home? I have zero desire to move to Knoxville at this moment, but that doesn't mean I don't want to spend a few days there. A few days spent enjoying the comforts of home. A few days playing with that dumb dog and eating at all my old favorites. A few days spent laughing with friends until the wee hours of the morning. Friends who know me. I mean really know me. You know, the ones who can tell stories that get you fired.<br /><br />That is what I want for Christmas.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-27934510929090212042008-11-22T11:53:00.005-06:002008-11-22T12:49:57.982-06:00The Bigs and the LittleA couple of videos of the dogs playing...the last 10 secs of each are pretty boring. I wasn't quite sure if they were done fighting.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwVyHBj_RWcaQL6gT4tdTI2Lxw0kIJAnUPMGnSCJ73Yoky3nJmqprHJUi37jDdPLXeN9NbDs4DHQ_wnEdDS9Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVPDq2pdm7oqC1ulFRu_prYI-pVeDdZTA1KjVKacNmVruzq51Q7AtIFkdq8JNw4UqfpJG5_hLFwR12wcniCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-41300758871219955892008-11-22T11:47:00.003-06:002008-11-22T11:53:37.858-06:00November Cakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShGjl3boyI/AAAAAAAAAIA/PRRwfNuDchI/s1600-h/4.20.08+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShGjl3boyI/AAAAAAAAAIA/PRRwfNuDchI/s320/4.20.08+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271540941111141154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShGxfCM42I/AAAAAAAAAII/CGg6Vf4palY/s1600-h/4.20.08+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShGxfCM42I/AAAAAAAAAII/CGg6Vf4palY/s320/4.20.08+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271541179795432290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShG_wMpEGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/YbTIbs9MBa8/s1600-h/4.20.08+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SShG_wMpEGI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/YbTIbs9MBa8/s320/4.20.08+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271541424920793186" border="0" /></a>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-73003269001532325972008-11-12T23:01:00.002-06:002008-11-12T23:27:03.546-06:00Another Amy Beth PostSeveral months ago, I wrote a blog about a girl I knew in high school who took in a friend who was having a baby. Well, the young lady had a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I have the blog on my links...it is entitled Ministry So Fabulous, but I thought I would repost her blog post from today just in case you didn't have time to click the link:<br /><br /><h2>All her scarlet letters.</h2> <p>On Monday night, right before Roomie began pushing, I got as close to her bed as possible, looked her in the eyes and, with tears rolling down my cheeks, thanked her for not having an abortion.</p> <p>Listen to me. Please, please listen to me.</p> <p>If you think that Christian girls in their twenties are not having abortions, you are dead wrong. I could give you a list of girls I know who seriously love Jesus and have seriously had an abortion. When you are “caught” in actions that you shouldn’t have been in, you would be amazed at the choices that suddenly seem applicable to your situation. Things you never thought you would do can suddenly seem like the only option out.</p> <p>This is the ugly truth, you know. It would be so sweet for me to be able to tell you that Roomie never considered that option, that I would never consider it if I was in her situation.</p> <p>And it would be a lie.</p> <p>About two months ago, I began literally laying myself before God every morning and asking Him to show me how to best love Roomie. Through tears, I would beg Him to let me experience some of the emotions she was feeling simply so I could understand what it felt like to be her at this time in her life. Once He began letting me feel them, I wished I had never asked in the first place.</p> <p>I’ll never forget driving to a meeting in another city for Starlite when God began granting my prayer to feel what Roomie felt. As I drove, I thought about what she must have felt like. She was 23, just like me. She was highly educated having just earned a master’s degree, just like me. She was planning a vocational career in ministry, just like me. She was wanting love from her family, just like me. She was lonely, just like me. She believed he meant it when he said he loved her, just like me. </p> <p>And in one moment, with one bad decision, the rest of her life was changed.</p> <p>When I hear Christians talk about wanting to put an end to abortion, I sometimes just want to <em>scream</em>. I want it to end, too, but if it became illegal today, I am convinced that we would be in one heck of a mess unless the body of Christ suddenly wakes up and gets a spirit of adoption, of fostering, of being willing to take these babies into our own homes.</p> <p>We are asking for something that we are not prepared to receive.</p> <p>When we get down on our knees before God and beg Him to put an end to abortion, we need to also beg Him for hands that will reach out to all the babies that would suddenly have a legal right to life. And listen, I’m speaking to myself here, too. A year ago I would have never believed I would have done this, that I <em>could</em> have done this. There’s nothing glamorous about this experience, no big amount of thanks at the end of the day.</p> <p>But there <em>is</em> a baby, swaddled and asleep at this very moment, given a chance to <em>live</em>.</p> <p>And a girl who can take all her scarlet letters — <em>S</em> for sin, <em>A</em> for alone, <em>U</em> for unwed — and trade them in for a new letter: W.</p><p>Because, in His eyes and mine, she is <em>wanted</em>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>WOW. Amy Beth, very well said.<br /></p>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-8961738585592881882008-11-02T00:37:00.002-05:002008-11-02T01:00:57.347-05:00One yearToday marks our one year anniversary in Texas.<br /><br />They say the first year of marriage is hardest, but I completely disagree. The first year you live away from almost everyone you know is the hardest. We miss our family and friends and that wonderful, crisp autumn air that is abundant in Tennessee right now. But we know that for this time, this is the place God wants us. To celebrate our first year, I thought it would be fitting to document some of the things I (we) love most about our new home:<br /><br />1. Our Church - we absolutely love our church. It is a place where you can just be yourself, no matter who you are. God is doing some amazing things in the lives of those at our church and I can't wait to see what He has in store!<br /><br />2. Our Texas friends-Clay and I were fortunate enough to know a few people when we moved to Texas and it has been great reconnecting with them. Even more special have been the people we have met here. I have been lucky enough to have a couple of best friends who have "been there since back in the day" so in Knoxville I never really needed anyone else. Now, I have been so much more open to meeting new people. At 26, I honestly haven't "made" a real friend in a long time so sharing experiences over lunches or walking through the neighborhood with a new friend are really some on my cherished times in our new world.<br /><br />3. Cheap furniture- okay, the first two were fairly serious so I needed to have a little humor. But seriously in Texas you can find some great wood furniture for next to nothing. Today, Clay and I found several pieces that we love. When we returned home, Clay found similar furniture on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> for double the price. We plan on buying out the store as soon as possible!<br /><br />4. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NASCAR</span>- not really, but I couldn't do a post today without telling you that Clay and I spent Halloween in a box at the truck race at Texas Motor Speedway. Clay's work had a box and lots of tickets so off we went.... Honestly, it wasn't that bad. We had free food and drinks and didn't have to set with thousands of drunk rednecks. We only stayed for about half of the race ( I mean, how many times can you watch them go around) and while there were a few exciting moments (a pretty big wreck during the second lap) it was pretty uninteresting. I was surprised by how large the track/infield were as well as how loud it was. I think that will probably be my one and only NASCAR event for my lifetime. :)Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-13198754255218009452008-10-22T23:28:00.002-05:002008-10-22T23:38:09.809-05:00Amy Beth, I do NOT want your Starbucks card!Okay, so a few months ago I wrote a <a href="http://rockytoptexas.blogspot.com/2008/08/inspiring-story.html">post</a> about a girl I went to school with who started an amazing ministry for girls and who also happens to be quite an inspiration.<br /><br />Her name is Amy Beth and she needs some help! Sometimes the best ministry happens when you haven't spent a dime. In random moments. When you least expect it. But most of the time in order to get to those moments you have to spend some $$$. Amy Beth's ministry (Starlite) depends on the generosity of others to help spread the message of Christ's sacrifice and the beauty found in God's love to hundreds of young girls.<br /><br />Not only is Amy Beth an amazing woman of God, she is also quite the savvy business woman. She has worked out a deal to get lots of $$$ donated just for people downloading Microsoft Live search. <a href="http://ministrysofabulous.com/2008/10/20/a-huge-favor-por-favor-see-how-i-did-that/">Click here to see all the details and how-tos</a>. Also, you get a chance to win a Starbucks card...can you say Pumpkin Spice Latte?<br /><br />Oh, and please post the link to your blog...since I know lots of you have lots more readers. Wouldn't it be awesome if 1,000 people downloaded it? Think of the lives that could be impacted all because of a download.<br /><br />One more thing: we baptized 68 students at UNITED tonight. How absolutely amazing. I am so honored to get to do what I do.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-27990943955077405922008-10-16T23:25:00.002-05:002008-10-16T23:38:19.190-05:00When is November?I really don't think I can write a blog right now. But I am forcing myself to update this thing before a whole month goes by without me writing a thing. October has been an eventful month...too eventful to record it all. So here is a quick update of what has been going on(at some point most of these will be a longer post):<br /><br />* The first weekend of October my dad came for a weekend visit. Since he is traveling the rest of October, we made this weekend my birthday weekend. It was fantastic! We went out for nice dinners, went to Beth Marie's for ice cream, and all kinds of other fun stuff. On Saturday, I went to Canton for the 1st time. (Canton will be a blog all on its own so more to come later) The best part of the weekend though was Sunday. Our church held a Baptism Bash and 500 people were baptized. 500!!! It was one of the most amazing things I have ever been a part of.<br /><br />*Second weekend: I (along with my Student Ministry team) got to go to Sacramento for a great conference. There were some amazing speakers and some really great worship times. One of my favorite moments of the conference was a speaker by the name of Phyllis Tickle. She is 75 years old and quite possibly the most intelligent person I have ever seen. She spoke on the emergent church and how the movement came about. I think in her hour long talk she used 37 words I had never heard before and another 52 words that I had heard but didn't have a clue as to what they meant.<br /><br />*Third weekend: Clay is in TN for his friend Justin's wedding. I am quite sad that I was unable to make the trip but I know Clay is having a wonderful time. As for me, I am going to <a href="http://greatwolflodge.com/Locations/Grapevine/">Great Wolf Lodge </a>! Just me and 298 of my closest friends....our student ministry is holding our fall retreat this weekend. And I am so excited to see what God is going to do in the lives of our students.<br /><br />So like I said, October has been too busy for blogging. Hopefully, this update will silence my critics until I have a little more time to write.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-67634450044373280932008-09-22T23:38:00.003-05:002008-09-22T23:48:39.962-05:00Pretty close to perfectIt was almost magical. Yet, completely and utterly mundane. I wish I was as good of writer as some of my blog friends, but I know I don't have the words to paint the picture of what I so badly want to share. I will try my best but know that I don't really expect you to get it. I just want a record. A record that I can cherish when my car is one day full of arguing boys headed to football practice or chatty girls going on and on about the latest drama in their juvenile world.<br /><br />Headed home on a long, straight stretch of highway. Underneath the oh-so-big (I can't believe it is really this big) Texas sky with the sun beginning to go down. Windows down. Feet on the dash--almost hanging out the open window. Alone in the car with my husband. Perfect songs on the radio.<br /><br />No looming decisions, no second house payment, no real worries. <br /><br />Just me and Clay and a time of peace that I have so desperately longed for over the past few months. I know other storms may come in the future but we will cross those bridges when we get there. For now, I am just going to close my eyes and enjoy the wind across my face.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-89680824761906881922008-09-17T01:11:00.004-05:002008-09-17T02:31:49.545-05:00Late night and a little randomIt's a little past one in the morning as I begin to type this blog. I am wide awake as I often find myself. This past year there has been a lot of being wide awake in too the wee hours of the morning, pacing the house, working, doing anything to get rid of all the nervous energy welling up inside of me. But that anxiety seems to be leaving....all of that is really another blog post. One that I have been waiting to share for months on end and will hopefully be written in a few weeks.<br /><br />No, tonight is not about fret or worry or useless energy. Tonight I am just plain awake. I hate when I am up this late on Tuesday since Wednesdays are my longest and most energy consuming days of the week. So what do I do, I look through my books. When we moved to Texas, wait no when we moved to our 1st house (as owners) in Knoxville, I gave away my bookshelf. Thinking, well actually, I don't think I was thinking when I left it in the garage with all of our other "old" furniture to be carted off by Goodwill. Ever since that day, we are just shy of two years now, my books have been in boxes.<br /><br />There is something you have to know about me--more than most any material possession in the world I love two things: stationary and books. My friend Shannon says it is because I am an old soul. I don't know what it is but I love books. Its not so much that I like to read them (well, I do the first time). On nights like this I love to look through them and see what I circle, underlined or made notes about. It just always makes me reminisce about what was going on in my life when I read the book or think about how I have changed since that time.<br /><br />Tonight, though, I came across a special book....my high school yearbook. It was actually my junior yearbook which I haven't flipped through in years. Usually, my senior year is the one that has the least amount of dust of it. In fact, I use it fairly often.... in fact, it seems every time I get a friend request of facebook, I need to remember "just who the heck is this person."<br /><br />Rather than looking through the pictures, I read the things people had written. And, I think I almost woke Clay up from laughing out loud. I mean, one guy took up an entire page and seriously wrote, "I really think that song is true 'God must have spent a little more time on you.'" This is NOT a guy I dated. Just a guy I was decent friends with. I would really like to know how many girls' yearbooks he wrote that line in and what kind of return he got on his investment. I know I thought he was an idiot but even back then I was pretty cynical. Then, there is the completely blank page with the paper clip and a note still attached. The note reads: "Brooke's page" I don't think my best friend wrote in my yearbook senior year either. It was always one of those "we see each other so much, let's not waste time on yearbook signing day."<br /><br />When I was little, I remember reading an entry in my mom's yearbook that said, "Good Luck with George or Fred." She married George and to this day claims she has no idea who Fred was. I used to think she was lying and didn't want to tell me who this Fred guy was. Now, I totally understand where she is coming from. Tonight as I read, I couldn't remember what some of these people were talking about. One girl told me she loved me and my mexican boy....I am 99.9% I never had a Mexican boy. I wonder what my child is going to think when he/she reads through my yearbook....<br /><br />So, what picture of you does your high school yearbook paint?Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-22665451561741847962008-09-09T20:42:00.004-05:002008-09-17T02:31:39.145-05:00The cutest cake I have ever madeThis week I made a cake for my friend Ralonda. While I may not be much of a girly-girl, I LOVE this cake. I found the idea on a website and I am pretty sure if Ralonda could be a cake this is the cake she would be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SMcnD-xMvtI/AAAAAAAAAGM/KgqylVZpfco/s1600-h/4.20.08+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SMcnD-xMvtI/AAAAAAAAAGM/KgqylVZpfco/s320/4.20.08+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244203240438677202" border="0" /></a><br />I need to work on my fondant bows, but I thought it turned out ok since it was the first one I ever completed. I worked on one before, but Bear ate it the loops before I could assemble them!<br /><br />The cake received a lot of great response and I am thinking about having a booth to take orders at our church's "craft fair" Not sure if I am going to go through with it or not but I am now taking suggestions for my cake "company"'s name... I use the term company loosely. I am not sure how many cakes I will really ever be commissioned to do, but a little extra money from time to time will be nice.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-26342294792382667472008-09-07T19:13:00.004-05:002008-09-17T02:31:27.064-05:00I loveeee FFL!It is that time of year again. Oh, how I love this time of year...<br /><br />the crisp fall air...no, I live in Texas now so fall doesn't come until the first week of December.<br /><br />the joys of college football....no, Tennessee has decided to put its focus on the basketball program so Saturdays this time of year aren't quite what they used to be (although, hope remains for a few upsets this season)<br /><br /><br />No, I am talking about the start of the NFL season. Years ago, I despised NFL football, much like I still despise all other pro sports leagues. However, last year I got hooked on Fantasy Football and I think it may be my new favorite thing.<br /><br />Thursday night was the opening game and all it did was make me LONG for Sunday. Today Clay and I have watched football ALL DAY long. and i love it.<br /><br />Between the two of us, we are playing in four leagues. Playing in so many leagues makes it difficult to really cheer on your players. All day Clay and I have been cheering on our guys only to remember that we are playing against those guys in other leagues. Needless to say, it has been a little frustrating especially since I am not sure Clay and I are going to win any of our games. But that is okay I still love Fantasy Football. Besides there is only one game I care about winning...<br /><br />the one I play against Clay.<br /><br />should be an easy one ;)Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-20707362675605433492008-08-25T00:18:00.007-05:002008-09-17T02:31:16.176-05:00New Cakes!A friend from work gave me the great pleasure of doing a few cakes for her baby shower. I decided to try out a few recipes that I had been wanting to try, specifically a recipe for a better tasting fondant. I was pretty happy with how the cakes turned out especially since I made three different flavors including one I had never tried. However, the better tasting fondant was way too hard to work with and still did not taste as good as I would like. Oh, well back to the drawing board on that one. Anyways, here are the pictures:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJCiSRDZvI/AAAAAAAAAGA/gYO_YzxaSDI/s1600-h/4.20.08+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJCiSRDZvI/AAAAAAAAAGA/gYO_YzxaSDI/s320/4.20.08+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238322473371657970" border="0" /></a><br />This one was a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.<br />The "M" is for Madeleine, the soon to be baby's name.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJB0iOkTuI/AAAAAAAAAFo/f8KQ0N5qtfI/s1600-h/4.20.08+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJB0iOkTuI/AAAAAAAAAFo/f8KQ0N5qtfI/s320/4.20.08+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238321687382216418" border="0" /></a><br />This cake is lemon-raspberry, a new flavor suggested by Matt.<br />Matt is now my flavor connoisseur/taste tester.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJCK4oueZI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RwuLJsF0mN0/s1600-h/4.20.08+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SLJCK4oueZI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RwuLJsF0mN0/s320/4.20.08+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238322071354636690" border="0" /></a><br />This is my almond flavored cake that I do all the time<br />since it is easy and most people like the taste.<br /></div>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-40362729922202161752008-08-02T09:01:00.003-05:002008-09-17T02:30:47.636-05:00An Inspiring StoryAs I was blog stalking the other night, I came across the blog of a girl I went to high school with. She was a couple of years younger than me so I didn't really know her that well. Now, thanks to the world of the blog I feel like I know LOTS about her. Hey name is Amy and she runs a girls' ministry that provides after school programs for girls in elementary, middle, and high school.<br /><br />I hadn't been on her blog in several months so I was surprised that the first entry was entitled "Fetus Friday:a blog carnival where new moms ask and smart moms answer" Amy often jokes about "Imaginary Boyfriend" and I thought for sure if she were pregnant she would have put some status up on Facebook to announce her impending joy. So I went stalking, er I mean searching, for the story.<br /><br />Basically, a friend (I don't know the age or any info on the girl) came to Amy and revealed that she was pregnant. Roomie (as Amy calls her on the blog) was in a heartbreaking situation. Amy decided to find a place where the two of them could live and help with the baby. For the full story in Amy's words, <a href="http://ministrysofabulous.com/2008/07/16/huge-changes-and-when-i-say-huge-i-mean-huge/">click here</a>. <br /><br />Amy is 23. She is a very mature and together 23 year old, but I find it I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E that she is willing to go so far to help this girl. Most people would just say "let me know if you need anything" and then secretly hope the person never calls. One of the things that impressed me the most:<br />"I guess it all comes down to this: I spend quite a bit of time talking about how we shouldn't judge others when they make mistakes and how we need to love each other as Christ loves us and so forth. Those had better not just be statements I’m making on a stage while the spotlight is on me; they better ring very loudly in my private life, too."<br /><br />WOW.<br /><br />Amy and her Roomie live in Tennessee and I know most of you who read the blog live in Texas, but if you want to help <a href="http://ministrysofabulous.com/2008/07/28/registry-info-for-roomie-and-baby/">here is an entry</a> by Amy detailing their needs. More than anything, I am sure Amy and Roomie would both appreciate your prayers in the next several months.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-74746972791050041342008-07-12T05:55:00.006-05:002008-09-17T02:31:02.580-05:00My favorite time of the yearToday, I leave for our student ministry's camp. We are taking 240+ students so I am happy with that I guess. I was hoping to hit 250, but I think we have a good group going. Our church will be meeting up with another group and together will have 450+ students so it should be an AMAZING week.<br /><br />While I am sad to leave Clay, I really can't wait for camp! It is my first time in 5 years to go to one...I can't believe it had been that long.<br /><br />Most of my work is done on the front end and in just a few hours we will find out how good my organization skills really. I have a few things to print this morning, but finished all of my pre-camp work at 11:59 last night. Yay for being done the day before!!! okay, so it was 1 minute before the day of, I am still counting it.<br /><br />I have been working a lot of long nights trying to get everything done and was a little worried I would oversleep this morning. But, like a kid on Christmas, I woke up early. In fact, I dreamt that I was at the office, printing out my files for check-in. Andy (my boss) came in and was saying something about excellence, value and quality work. Then, Stephanie came in and said "You better hurry. Kids will be here in 15 minutes." Finally, Greg said something about how I really needed to get going. Then, I woke up. I half expected the dream to meant I had overslept, but it was still 30 minutes before I ever intended to wake up!<br /><br />Sorry for such a boring post, but I had to find something to do with that extra thirty minutes. Please be praying this week (thru Wednesday) for the students going. Pray that they will be opening to hearing the message God has intended for them. Also, please pray for our adults going. While camp is always a lot of fun, it can be exhausting for those of us who aren't quite as good at functioning on a few hours of sleep as we used to be. Please pray that our adults would be well rested and that God would truly pour into them this week.<br /><br />Talk to you when I get back.<br /><br />ps- sorry for any spelling errors...it is kinda early for me!Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-21008499215283843502008-06-26T22:36:00.003-05:002008-09-17T02:30:17.875-05:00Sick Dog, Part 2 and 3Short and sweet: He got sick again.<br /><br />After hours.<br /><br />$460.<br /><br />Seems fine...time will tell.<br /><br />Just when I think I have hit my max out of pocket expense for our pets for a week (or year...):<br /><br />Scout won't walk and is showing other signs of being ill.<br /><br />$100 later: She too is fine.<br /><br />Maybe I really should buy pet insurance???Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-7819144694814394602008-06-18T23:17:00.003-05:002008-09-17T02:30:05.079-05:00One Sick Puppy....Literally. So anyone who knows my husband knows that his one true love on this earth is not me; it is Siler. For those who do not know my husband, Siler is our dog. That's right I am secure enough to say it out loud as well as write it on my blog: I come in second to a dog. But I am kinda okay with it since the dog is as close to being a person as a dog can get.<br /><br />Today, when Clay arrived home from work and went to let the big dogs out of their crate, he found the crate a complete mess. And by mess, well hopefully you don't need a graphic description because I think that would make me sick. Once out of the cage, Siler immediately threw up...which paled in comparison to what was in the crate. It is times like these that I feel bad that our two big dogs share a giant crate.<br /><br />Once I arrived home, I made the decision to go ahead and go to the vet. We have been down this road before. Siler eats all kinds of things (socks, towels, the packaging that sheet sets come in, zipper and all) and then he gets sick. This time we couldn't figure out what on earth he had eaten so I though we might as well go to the vet to be on the safe side. Plus, I didn't want to risk him getting sicker and us having to go to the super expensive emergency vet.<br /><br />Our super cheap vet closes early on Wednesday. As does our friends super cheap vet. Lucky us. So we ended up at the brand new vet in our neighborhood. The office is nicer than any doctor's office I have ever been in. One shot and $60 later, we were on our way home. Add this to the growing list of healthcare costs we have incurred with Siler. Apparently, he just has an upset stomach and we need to give him Pepcid AC. You know, the human medicine.<br /><br />Once home, Siler played with Bear (whose name is really Sasha for those who were confused by the last post) for a little bit and seemed to be feeling somewhat better. Currently, he is sleeping. In a straight line. In the bed. In between my husband and I. With the covers pulled up to just underneath his arms. Just like I did as a small child in my parents bed after a nightmare.<br /><br />Oh, and the vet told us Siler has a cataract. In each eye. I will start saving now. And maybe, go ahead and pick up pet insurance on him.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-46740041569151084242008-06-05T21:12:00.004-05:002008-09-17T02:29:47.456-05:00Little Meets the Bigs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidpFJpbFI/AAAAAAAAAFA/jawbY3_HVGE/s1600-h/4.20.08+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidpFJpbFI/AAAAAAAAAFA/jawbY3_HVGE/s320/4.20.08+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208586298136816722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidp6nD9xI/AAAAAAAAAFI/FHeY2akhTn0/s1600-h/4.20.08+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidp6nD9xI/AAAAAAAAAFI/FHeY2akhTn0/s320/4.20.08+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208586312487270162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidqRsGNDI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/gsOztmYl-Q8/s1600-h/4.20.08+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidqRsGNDI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/gsOztmYl-Q8/s320/4.20.08+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208586318682403890" border="0" /></a>I kinda think they were trying to figure out if she was a moving snack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidqxBQSwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/dqLUb0JdkMw/s1600-h/4.20.08+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEidqxBQSwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/dqLUb0JdkMw/s320/4.20.08+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208586327092644610" border="0" /></a>This one kinda looks like a dead rabbit, but I promise there were only a few attempts on her life.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-54985212787423779052008-06-05T21:08:00.006-05:002008-09-17T02:29:35.241-05:00Recent CakesAs promised, here are pictures of two cakes I recently made. This first one was made for my friend Matt's 30th birthday party:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEicYi2r24I/AAAAAAAAAEw/Nxv8A_3dkkI/s1600-h/4.20.08+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEicYi2r24I/AAAAAAAAAEw/Nxv8A_3dkkI/s320/4.20.08+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208584914540944258" border="0" /></a>This one I made for my friend Greg's birthday and was my first attempt at a 3-D "shaped" cake. I need to work on writing on a curved surface but I was pretty happy with how it turned out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEicvtmfHpI/AAAAAAAAAE4/eq4_wewlZhw/s1600-h/4.20.08+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PaSgj3OmzIk/SEicvtmfHpI/AAAAAAAAAE4/eq4_wewlZhw/s320/4.20.08+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208585312562781842" border="0" /></a>Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-58345130800194247972008-06-05T20:30:00.003-05:002008-09-17T02:29:20.096-05:00Found!After much searching, including sticking my hand down in between the couch pillows (Major ick!) I have finally located our camera cord!!!! I cannot tell you how very excited I am that I can finally put some pics up. I can, however, tell you where the cord was finally located.<br /><br />Earlier this month, my dad brought down an old blackberry phone that I could start using since my current phone for lack of a better word stinks. I decided I didn't really like that blackberry so all of the cords and equipment were put back in the box and put up. I am not blaming any certain person for putting the cord in the box; I just know I didn't do it.Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199183621103630704.post-3340236188223038402008-06-01T23:32:00.006-05:002008-09-17T02:29:07.089-05:00Letter to a FriendDear Steven,<br /><br />I apologize for not updating the blog more. Life has been kinda hectic, and I just haven't found the time to write about how Siler is friends with a toad in our backyard and all the other super exciting things taking place at and around 12300 Durango Root Dr.<br /><br />I apologize for there not being much content to my last few posts. I believe you can refer to the previous paragraph for the reasons as to why content has been somewhat lacking.<br /><br />Finally, I would like to apologize for not putting up more pictures. As Clay often tells me, "Christy, pictures make the blog." Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful on multiple occasions in locating where I put that stupid cord that connects the camera and the computer. Today, my friend Carrie told me that she can just put her memory card from the camera directly into her computer. I thought for sure my newer Dell would have this wonderful, convenient feature, but it did not. But then I thought, Clay's mac! Aren't macs suppose to be the most brilliant, easy to use, coolest computers on the planet? Alas, Steve Jobs did not find it important to include the memory card slot on his uber-cool product. So, the search continues. But I promise to post the following pictures once the cord is found:<br /><br />1. Cakes I made recently<br />2. The dogs meeting Scout<br />3. New pics of the Scout<br /><br /><br />So again, I am sorry my blog does not really meet the standard to which you aspire. I used to be an overachiever so I will try my very best to channel that personality and make this blog worthy again.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Christy<br /><br />P.S. - I hope this post doesn't turn into a fight between us like that one time you made reference to me in the college newspaper and then we didn't speak when we saw one another in public...oh, and I didn't get an invite to that party. Glad we are friends again and there is no bitterness....Christy Widenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593237393536920119noreply@blogger.com0