Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - A

EDIT: WOW and DOUBLE WOW! The last letter of my EOYOL album
- and kind of neat that the year ends with "A" and AUburn.
Keep in mind this album was completed in 2007
- and here we are in 2009 looking forward to Drew graduating from AU in two weeks!
We're so very proud of him!
A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: A

ARTIST

Could I be? I love paper products, paint, photography, and all things crafty. And I enjoy pulling it all together to create a little joy in life. I took art lessons very briefly as a child [so glad to give up piano lessons] and I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure why I didn’t continue. Then I took a basic art class in college and ended up dropping it because I was so confused by the lingo the teacher used. There are times I wish I’d stayed with it and learned some basic design concepts, so I’ve enjoyed learning about and applying these techniques to my scrapbook layouts. I think I might be artsy, but an ARTIST, I’m not so sure…

AUBURN

The University that both our boys plan to attend [Drew as a transfer student in the Fall of ’07, and Matt as a freshman in the Fall of ’08.] Auburn is located in South Alabama and is about 3 ½ hours from our home. They have a wonderful engineering school that both boys and their friends are interested in attending. So happy we secured an apartment directly across the street! This is where my money, but more importantly, MY HEART , will be for the next five or six years. …War Eagle!

AESOP’S FABLES

Stories told by Aesop, a cleaver Greek slave who made animals talk and act like human beings, “to point a moral without hurting anybody’s feelings.” This was one of our favorite books when we were young. On hot summer days we would take it to the side porch and Lorna would ‘direct’ us as we acted out the different stories. Favorites were: “Country Mouse – City Mouse” [Crusts eaten in peace are better than cake eaten in fear,] and “The Eagle and the Crow” [Know yourself! Do not undertake more than you are able.]

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - B

Edited: Wow - wow- wow - can we be up to "b" already?
I remember pre-posting all of my EOYOL way back in January when I was working out of town more than I was home and it seemed so tedious and far away
- and it has been,
and I'm happy about that
- that I haven't rushed the year
- that I've taken the time to enjoy The Moments.
As we move fully into the holiday season, I hope to
remind myself to
slow down and
enjoy.
I hope you do too -

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:B

BEST FRIEND
Without a doubt – Craig is my absolute BEST FRIEND. I love him, and him alone. Without him I am incomplete. He is the one I hoped for and longed for and I am so happy to have him go through this journey of life by my side! I tell him everything and so much more than I tell any girlfriend I have. He knows all there is to know about me and still loves me completely. I am blessed.

BOOKS
My love of books and reading definitely is a tribute to our Mom. I remember she always received “Reader’s Digest Condensed” books in the mail and she signed us up for book clubs too! One of my earliest memories is going to the library each week to check out books. My favorites were: Toby Tyler, Henry Huggins, The Bobbsy Twins, and Tough Enough. And later, when the grandsons visited, they looked forward to this little outing too!

BLACKBERRY
Jam, hot, on buttered biscuits. A special treat for a cold winter morning. Every summer mom and some of our aunts would go pick blackberries near Aunt Billie’s place [by the spring.] We weren’t allowed to go because of snakes. After washing them they were home-canned in quart jars and saved for winter. Recipe: I part blackberries to 3 parts sugar; cook over medium heat until thick and syrupy. Spoon over one of Mama’s delicious buttered biscuits.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - C

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: C

COUSINS

Such a [HUGE] part of my life as there were 32 on Mama’s side, and 12 on Joe’s side of the family. We have cousins that range from being older than our Mom to a few years younger than me. I’ll always remember going to Mama Moland’s and being excited that ‘the box’ was coming too! The box held all sorts of clothes that we passed from cousin to cousin between the girls. And as the youngest girl cousin I always got the last pick. But so much fun anyway! These cousins and aunts [on both sides of the family] have certainly helped mold me into the person I am today.

CAMPFIRES

Campfires are a special place to commune with God, friends, family, and nature. My earliest memory of a campfire is not actually of a fire, but of hearing Joe and Mama laugh and talk about Ronnie, a young neighbor of ours in Chattanooga, playing in the fire and being told he’d wet the bed if he continued with it. I had wonderful times at youth camp [church] singing praise songs and sharing our testimonies around a campfire. Mama and Joe would have fires in the backyard for the boys to roast hot dogs and marshmallows on, and we continued that while camping with friends and at our own home with our fire pit. There’s just something relaxing about sitting around a fire and visiting with friends in the quietness of the night.

CELL PHONES

Luxury? Necessity? So good to be connected to others most of the time. So very different from when I was growing up when all we had were land-lines and it was sooo pricey to talk to someone long-distance.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - D

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:D

DREW
Our first-born precious son who is quiet and focused so much of the time. Love the painting he did [shown this page] when he was in third grade. There was a vase with the flower and lots of other things sitting all around it. They were told to paint what they saw and it’s easy to see that Drew zeroed in on the flower. It’s a good trait to have. [See the contrasting drawing on the EOYOL - M post] Drew is such a great young man who loves the Lord and seeks His will as he makes his way through life.

DISNEY
The happiest place on earth! Where we can escape from the ‘real world’ – on most visits anyway- and enjoy a little magic, if only for a moment. We’ve made trips to Disney since 1996, usually every two years or so. We stay in the campground with two – three other families that travel with us, and always have a blast! Our favorite things change from year to year, but we always love Epcot and Tomorrow Land in the Magic Kingdom. Craig and I enjoyed a special fireworks show a couple of years ago [during a quick trip to Disney alone] when we took the ferry from the Polynesian Resort to the Magic Kingdom and it stopped in the lagoon so we could watch. Really spectacular!

DISHWASHER
This is one of my favorite appliances that makes our crazy busy life soooo much easier. I often ask myself, “Why do I dislike unloading it so much?!” So I try to stop and say a little ‘Thanks” that I even have one!

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -E

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: E

EDDIE BAUER

This is my absolute favorite clothing line. I love the style, the comfort, and the fit. I can’t remember when I first bought “Eddie’s” clothes, but I know I’ve worn only this brand of jeans for the last 15 years. I have dresses, t- shirts, pants, and sweaters, even a bathing suit from “Eddie” and love them all!

EQUALITY

Something I believe in strongly. As a [white] child growing up in the sixties I don’t remember prejudice in my house. Instead I remember Joe allowing his friends of color to do work for pay [digging our basement, etc.] He would go pick them up and drive them home and say to us that he wanted give them a job because other people wouldn’t hire them. I also remember his anger at Wallace when he blocked education. When schools were desegregated I was told we were merging school zones and that there would be a lot of new faces in our classrooms, nothing racial. My memories…so different from the world’s…

EASTER

This is one of my favorite times of the year. A time to celebrate Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection! Our Christian faith – completely. Easter Egg Hunts, and dying eggs have always been a part of the celebration [and Mom and Dad surprising the boys with a basket full of goodies,] but the real joy is celebrating our Lord with songs of praise – and thanksgiving for what He did [so willingly] to allow us to have eternal life.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - F

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:F

FOUR LEAF CLOVERS
Good luck? Assurance? Genetic? Mutant? Joe was always able to find them easily and I begin having this ‘gift’ in my teens – the ability to just randomly glance down and pluck a four-leaf clover up without a search. Matt has done it since his pre-teens [the photo shows Matt with some he found at a rest stop in North Carolina.] Mutant clovers have grown in the yards of several of the houses where I’ve lived [Joe and I would let them grow extra big before cutting them] – Lewis Street, Circle Drive, Clovis Road, and now Louis Drive. My most recent find – without searching – was May ’07 when I was dealing with some medical issues – I was out near my garden, where I’ve been many times before and glanced down and there it was. I took it as God’s assurance that He is always with me – just as four leaf clovers seem to be a constant in my life as well.

FIREFLIES
Lightening Bugs. Little lights of summer. [Couldn’t resist this cute photo that shows my love of other bugs as well!] When I was younger I would catch them in canning jars with my cousins. We would take them to bed with us in the ‘back bedroom’ [there were only two…] Imagine 5 -10 kids, all with glass jars of fireflies, giggling and “trying” to go to sleep? Good times.

FAITH
Our faith is such an important part of our lives. Our basic belief is that God sent His Son, Jesus, to live on earth and die for the sins of the world [the final sacrifice] but there’s so much more than that – we believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – a triune God who created man to commune with and glorify Him. When we accept the gift of salvation we have eternal life, and so much joy! A God who will never leave us or forsake us – and peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - G

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: G

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT

A fun, relaxing evening of ‘girls only’ time. We’ve had as few as three, and as many as ten attend. Sometimes it’s dinner and a movie, other times, pedicures and coffee. This is always a wonderful time to catch up with friends I haven’t seen for a while and re-charge together. We always talk about doing it monthly, but with everyone’s schedules we usually only have time to get together quarterly.

GOD

My Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Friend through life. I can’t remember a time when God wasn’t real in my life. I do remember when He became my Personal Savior and Lord. During the week of Vacation Bible School when I was 7 - our teachers shared with us about God’s salvation through Jesus, His Son. That evening when I was sitting on my bunk bed and talking with Mama about it we prayed together and I ask Jesus to ‘come into my heart’ and be my Savior. Later when I was15 and at church youth camp I remember clearly submitting my life to His Lordship. I can’t imagine how anyone goes through life without the assurance that God gives me – not for a perfect life with no problems, but that He will ALWAYS be with me and give me His peace – peace that only HE can give. (John 14:27)

GARDEN

Vegetables, flowers, a healthy lawn and shrubs. Craig and I have always enjoyed nurturing something from a tiny seed and watching grow. We especially enjoy growing fresh veggies – tomatoes, basil, zucchini, and yellow squash, along with green peppers and banana peppers – yum –IE!

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - H

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:H

HOT AIR BALLOONS
Our enjoyment of hot air balloons began at our first Jubilee [Decatur, 1989] and has only grown since then. Beautiful, oh so colorful, and seemingly effortless flight is a wonder to behold. From time to time we discuss the possibility of owning our own, but so far [] we’ve managed to just get our balloon-fix from helping friends who have one. Getting them up and taking them down is a lot of work – but so very worth it!

HAND WRITING
Joe had near-perfect handwriting and would always hand-letter Mama’s VBS posters and Bible verse strips. In second grade he sat me down at the table and made me practice writing [with a finger placed between each word] until mine looked pretty good too. Throughout middle school and high school Jackie and I had almost identical handwriting. I wonder, did Aunt Christine sit her down too?

HOUSE
This is one of my favorite television shows. I’ve loved medical shows all my life [think: Medical Center, Marcus Welby, MD, etc.] so now that I have a little time to watch TV again – I’m loving “House.” He’s a quirky, grumpy doctor who is, of course, brilliant and can usually solve any problem. And boy do they come across some severe medical problems on this show! Still, if I’m not home on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., we record it and I watch as soon as possible

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - I

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: I

I LOVE YOU

Our little sign to show that we do indeed love each other, more than words can say. I can’t remember when we started using this little non-verbal [sign-language] cue as a “send-off” when we say our goodbyes. We’ve been together over 27 years now [started dating in ‘80] and I’m pretty sure this started before we were married. We’ve hoped to have our boys use it as well, but this has happened only occasionally when they were younger.

INTERNET

Impossible to explain system that keeps us connected and gives us the world at our fingertips. [My definition.] At the risk of sounding like my mother did when I was a teenager / young adult –“My how things change!” I can’t help but think how different my life would have been if I’d had access to all of the technology available today when I was in college! [No electric typewriter and white-out, no waiting for the mail for special letters, and no worry about long distance calling…] So – we really do love being connected to others, having knowledge [so] easily available, and living in this ever-changing world. – Yes, I love technology….

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - J

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:J

JUICY FRUIT CHEWING GUM
This was our favorite gum that was given to us during church services – to keep us quiet, I assume. I can remember Mama always had some in her purse along with Certs [breath mints.] We were given only a couple if we would sit still during worship. Even Mrs. Duke [pastor’s wife] gave them to Johanna and me when we would sit together on Sunday evenings.

JEWELRY
Baubles and gems – I don’t wear jewelry much [other than my wedding rings, blue diamond ring, and hoop earrings,] but I am particular about having the real thing – and I LOVE my Sweet Baboo! [Sabu]

JUNE BUGS
I’ve since learned these are called Japanese Beetles and many people HATE them, but during my childhood they were a special treat to play with. On warm summer days when all the cousins were sent outside to play at Mama Moland’s we would catch June Bugs and the uncles [who were also banned to the outdoors] would tie strings to their legs so we could hold onto them while they flew.

JOE
Our father, who has never been called that, or Daddy, or Dad. Everyone in the family says they tried to get Lorna to call him “Daddy” when she first began to talk, but I think she must have spent so much time with Joes’ brothers and sisters when she was a baby and toddler that “Joe” is all she ever heard. So, Joe – it’s always been.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - K

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: K

KITTENS

Baby cats. I wish there was some serum we could give them to keep them small and oh so playful. I’ve always had cats and kittens – from my earliest little black and white cats [one broke its leg and Joe took it to the vet to be set,] all the Siamese, and the ones we have now – Coffee and Cream. Two precious little kitties that we’ve had since birth. And although I’m now allergic [go zertic!] I’ve always said that I believe a house is not a home without at least one!

KRISPY CRÈME

Doughnuts. The best in the land! Warm! And when the ‘hot’ sign is on, there’s just nothing better than to have one soft and gooey and sweet. I was first introduced to these delicate confections when I was 8 years old and visiting Cindy in Huntsville. We stopped by the shop after church on Sunday evening and Uncle Elton took me inside to choose from more doughnuts than I’d ever seen in my whole life! Now that we live here we occasionally go by the same shop [when the ‘hot’ sign is on!] and get a doughnut or two. And every time I go inside, I think of that first time I was so impressed with all the different varieties.

KITS

A grouping of scrapbook supplies that are coordinated to complete several layout designs. Faith Based Pages Monthly Kits is the little ministry God has given us to help others put their faith on their scrapbook pages. While this little journey of faith has had its ups and downs, every time I think about giving it up God reassures us that we are doing what He wants. And it’s grown from a little monthly kit company to a whole community of friends who share the same desire to put their faith in their scrapbooks.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - L

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:L

LAWN MOWER
A machine that is used to keep our yard tidy and neat. I so enjoy the mind-less task of mowing the lawn. And now that we have a bigger lawn and a riding lawn mower I always think of those long summer days riding lawn mowers through the fields with Debby around her house [of course, the blades were up!] We would ride for hours and the tops of my legs would get so sun-burned [no sun screen back then.] So much fun until we got our little Honda 50’s then we thought we really had it all! These days I enjoy riding up and down the hills of our back yard, mindlessly mulling over the things in my life…


LUNCH
Throughout our marriage, Craig and I have always made the effort to meet for lunch to reconnect, compare schedules, thoughts, and dreams at least once a week, without the boys. We believe it’s made our marriage stronger and helped us be a team in parenting. Now that my work is a little more flexible, I often meet with girlfriends for lunch too. -- A nice little break in the middle of the day or work week.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - M

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: M

MATT

Our second precious son who is full of energy and always ready for fun. [As a child, Matt once said that he could only have one activity / sport after school because he wanted to be sure to have time for friends.] Love the painting he did [shown this page] when he was in kindergarten. There was a vase with the flower and lots of other things sitting all around it. They were told to paint what they saw and it’s easy to see that Matt’s perspective is to see the whole scene and take it all in. What a great perspective to have! It’s such a joy to see his love of the Lord as he grows into a young adult.

McDONALD’S SWEET TEA

I admit – I’m addicted and drink at least one [32 oz] each day! Many times I get it half and half, and I could drink 2-3 daily, but have recently learned that tea can hinder the absorption of iron… not good news for me these days.

MUSTANG

My first car! A ’68, painted ‘robin’s egg blue’ – just like my cousin Doug’s. We actually drove around a small town and stopped people with 68’s until we found someone willing to sell theirs [I know- I was spoiled…] So many in my family have driven Mustangs – in some form or fashion- through the years. I’ll always have fond memories of it…

MERT

Mama’s crazy nick name that most of the family calls her. No one has ever really explained where it came from. But it’s the name she answers to whenever her sisters, nieces, or nephews are nearby.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - N

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:N

NICK NAMES
I’ve had many nick names throughout my life – Pumpkin, Toe-head, Jude, and Pokey – all terms of endearment [I hope anyway!] The unusual thing about one certain nickname is that 3 people I’ve been closest to have all called me the same thing – without ever hearing the others call me this. Jud – my longest lasting nick name. [Thanks Joe, Laurie, and Craig!]

NEST
I have the tendency to nest anywhere I might be for several days – a hotel room with photos of my family on the nightstand, - a hospital room with my own quilts and pillows, - or my office that is filled with many, many things that remind me of home. And at home, I want every one to feel welcomed and at ease in my own little nest.

NARCISSUS
This is one of my favorite flowers. Seeing them open up their blooms into bright beautiful orange and yellow [and even white] trumpets of flowers is one of the best ways to welcome Spring. Love having them in my front yard to welcome me home each day after the dreariness of Winter.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life - O

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: O

ORGANIZER

People have made fun of me in the past for keeping my color-coordinated calendar. But I’ve done this long before palm pilots were around. Pink is for me, yellow is work, blue is family and Craig, green is for Matt, and orange for Drew. I can tell at a glance who has an activity scheduled for each day. It may be a little [?!] OCD, but it’s helped me keep my sanity in this crazy, chaotic [and wonderful] life I live.

OCEAN BREEZES

There’s just not many things better than sitting under a beach umbrella in the late afternoon sun [think ‘golden hour’] with a good book, on the sandy white shores of The Gulf, [or on the deck of a ship] and a soft wind blowing warmly from the water. We were blessed to live near The Gulf for a few years and love to visit as often as possible.

OMELET

A tasty meal of eggs filled with meat, cheese, and, on occasion, veggies. I learned to make an omelet from watching Julia Childs on television when I was in elementary school. I was lucky to have parents who didn’t mind my experimenting in the kitchen as long I cleaned up my messes. Gotta say – ‘ole Julia knew how to make a delicious looking omelet and mine turn out pretty good too. I’ve enjoyed teaching the boys how to make their own delicious egg – meat- and – cheese treat too!

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -P

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present:P

PRAISE SONGS
Choruses and songs sung to the Lord – anywhere I might be, -out loud, or just by myself in my head. Praise time is one of my favorite times of worship at church. – Just singing praises to my King! I love hearing Craig sing next to me. And seeing our boys sing praises to the Lord is a special blessing. The photo shows Drew as he begins choir tour to Mexico and Arizonza.


PHOTOGRAPHY
I’ve loved taking photos since my pre-teen years with my little ‘110 Instamatic.’ We thought it was so neat to have a flash built right into the camera [before that we had to place a flash bulb into a socket each time it was needed.] Craig and I became close friends while taking photos together [and developing our own black and white prints] in college using our Canon AE-1s. And now with the digital abilities we have today I feel like I’m in ’photography heaven’ I’m not a brilliant photographer, but with digital I can take a million photos and usually have at least a few that turn out looking brilliant.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -Q

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: Q

QUIET CLEAN HOUSE

As a working mom. one of favorite little selfish pleasures is to be all alone in my own home. And if it’s nice and clean, then that’s an extra treat! I sooo enjoy sitting in our living room and looking out of the house at the trees in our front yard. I’m blessed to have such a sweet family of boys and I love every minute I have with them, but, on occasion, I do enjoy being alone in a quiet clean hose.

QUOTES

I’ve always kept a little book to write down favorite, random quotes I find. They can be about anything – love, friendship, God, life, etc. It’s fun to refer back to quotes that spoke to me at different times in my life. Now my quotes are more likely found tucked away on the computer in a file all their own.

QUILTS

Little bits of memory that are sewn together with love. Some of my earliest memories are of bedding down in Mama Moland’s back bedroom with five or six quilts piled on top of us during a cold winter’s night! There were always cousins around to share the fun and if we were lucky we got to sleep in the big feather bed up front! And when a storm ‘came up’ we’d head to the cellar and bundle up under quilts and tell ghost stories by the light of kerosene lanterns. I love quilts - whether they are full of fond childhood memories or newly purchased – they represent a tradition of warmth and caring in my family.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -R

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: R

RAINY DAYS

These days are so relaxing when there’s nothing pressing to be done and we can watch the rain fall softly through the trees. When Craig was youth minister we played a game with the kids where we snap, clap, and then stomp so that it sounds like a rain storm moving in. Fun. The smell of rain in the summer is wonderful, and crazy as it sounds, I even like the smell of rain hitting asphalt on a hot summer day.

ROLLER SKATES

Metal, with keys we’d wear on a shoe string around our necks and use to adjust the skate to fit over our shoes. I think we both had a pair, but must have always shared with friends because it seems like we were forever changing the size of the skate to fit another shoe. We spent many summer days skating up and down our street and always looked forward to the year when we had a newly paved street.

RICK AND BUBBA

A favorite [talk] radio show that we listen to from 6 – 10 most mornings. These guys are living life fully and while there are times when I’m annoyed, the funny, funny stories they share truly brighten our days. And it is so refreshing to see that they do not change to gain popularity. They are who they are and we love that they are unashamed of their relationship with the Lord.

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -S

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: S



SCRAPBOOKING
I’ve loved scrapbooks all of my life. Mama would take hers out of the little yellow suitcase and let us look through it only occasionally when we were young. During high school and college I begin keeping my own memory books and while there were always plenty of photos – it’s the memories that I hold dear and hope to preserve. Once a couple of years ago, the boys were looking through some of my high school ‘work’ and declared it a time capsule! And that’s what I want – our memories preserved so others who come after us can see what our ‘every day’ lives were like.

SPRING
In the South – a special time of renewal and new life! I’ve always enjoyed hearing Mama point out each little new green leaf as things came back to life, but in the Spring of 1978 when I drove home from the baroness of winter in Utah and smelled [and saw] the lovely magnolias, iris, and other spring flowers of the South – I knew I was truly home.. It’s a special time and place to be!

SIAMESE
My favorite kind of cat. And I’ve had several throughout my life. My earliest Siamese was Samantha when we lived on Lewis Street and I had Kinker for several years while we lived in Mobile. But Toonce was a favorite and she lived with us for 16 years! Really beautiful even into ‘old-age.’ Now that I have quiet non-Siamese cats, it just seems a little weird…

Encyclopedia of Your Ordinary Life -T

A few years ago I had the opportunity to complete this extraordinary scrapbook album designed by CathyZ and based on the book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Rosenthal. While I still haven't read the book, I love the concept of this album - a random sampling of those ordinary facts about your life [my life.] The homework involves keeping a list, A to Z, of random memories for several weeks and then gathering photos [or not] to support these memories. Love it. The album is really very simple [a la Cathy Z] and easy to put together with only two square photos per page and two to four 'definitions.' Have I said I love this album? And I want to share some of my life with you so I've committed to do just that in 2009 [keep in mind this was completed during the summer of 2007.] I'm going backwards and today I present: T

TOMATOES

My favorite food – in any form- salsa, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, in a salad with mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. But the best is warm off the vine with a little salt on each bite, eaten like an apple. Love a good sausage biscuit with a slice of fresh tomato, Oh! And bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwiches are pretty yummy too! And now with my ‘little’ stomach issues I must limit my tomato consumption, can you tell I’m in serious tomato with -drawal mode?

TIRE SWINGS

A joy of summer. If I didn’t have one then a neighbor did. I had a HUGE [catalpa] tree in the back yard that Joe hung an old tire from and we would swing for hours. Sara Lou had a smaller mimosa tree in her front yard that we hung a stick from and would swing and twist from it until it broke and we fell. We’d land so hard that it would knock the breath out of us – but we kept going and going! So I have fond – if sometimes painful- memories of the tire swing and made sure our boys had one to play on as well. The only one who ever broke it and fell was Miss Kim from next door when we were just playing around with them all one evening.