Today I went to Walmart before supper to pick up a few things. As I was going through the check out I was carded. "So what was I buying," you ask?

"Tobacco products?" No never, I would reply.

"An arsonal of firearms?" Nope not me, I would answer.

"Oh" you say, "I knew it you were a secret winno!" No, I answer.

Here are my purchases can you possibly guess what I was buying that needed carding?

I told the lady that she was kiding right. I was a little offended and I can't believe that you have to be carded for this sort of thing now. I mean it has been a stable of craft projects as long as I can remember. So what is it, you ask?
Yep, that's right, it's rubber cement glue. Is this a Walmart only rule? Is this a Florida law? Has anyone else ever heard of this? I mean what can you possibly do with it? Are they worried that three year olds will be eating it? I mean who lets a three year old loose in Walmart with enough money to buy glue for dinner? Rubber cement clue is the best glue for pictures and the like because 1) it never wrinkles and 2) it's now acid free making it great for scrapbooks. Why do you need to be 18 to buy glue?

Gary's niece (I guess that makes her mine too, haha) turned one on Wednesday. We had her birthday party last Sunday after church. We had a really good time visiting with each other even if Brystal had no clue what was going on.

Last Saturday, we went to the annual Varnum Cane Grinding. Gary's mother's uncle hosts it every year the second weekend in November. I had been to a cane grinding on mule day in West Tennessee, but it was different. They had an interesting grinder that you feed two shoots into at a time. We chewed cane and watched them make three batches of cane syrup while eating up the last of last year's with biscuits. The syrup was very different from what I have had of Alabama cane, I personally would prefer molasses any day.

The one down point, I forgot to bring my camera. Better luck next year.

I couldn't begin to list all the things that I'm grateful for, Linda I believe tried, but I'm not even going to. However this year more than ever I have many things to be thankful for. For the first Thanksgiving ever I have this pretty, amazing and loving husband. Also, being so very far from home I have learned the hard way just how close I was to my family, and how very hard it is to be away from them.

Ok, so what did you do and what did you find yourself most thankful for. Hurry now, everyone post, then I'll tell you what we've been up to since last Wednesday!

So what exactly makes a home a home? I refer to almost any place that I feel comfortable in as home. I go home to Alabama to my parents. We go home to anyone's house at Zion's Rest. I go home to Gary's parents upon occasion. Yes, I am slowing referring to Florida as home. Gary and I talk about heading home to our apartment.

So when did this place become home? Was it when we put up the paint that we weren't suppose to? Or when we finally got all of the furniture in and situated? I was referring to it as home before we were married and I was living here, so what made it home and when did that happen?

Gary and I feel we have been blessed to have such a beautiful, nice little apartment, and it is our home, however, it's also not our home. Ultimately it's still an apartment that we never get any closer to owning. Since I'm now doing so database work for a realtor, Gary has liberated me to keep an eye open for anything under $125,000. Not that we have any money saved, but that would be a steal in Florida. Well, I've found a few places and know Amanda and Eric have decided to sell their house. It's on family land surrounded by family, in fact it's more than an acre which is a really big deal in Florida. It's a little more than we were wanting to spend, but it might be swingable. Anyway, the whole point here is that we would like to have a house, cause you kinda need that before you go for kids (not that we are planning to have any soon), and we are praying about it and would appreciate it if you would too!

(I'm cleaning off the table after dinner while Gary is polishing off his last biscuit.)

Me: "Oh honey, you might want to take a look at this. My student loan people want their money back."

Gary B: "Ok."

(He starts to read and all of a sudden burst into laughter.)

Gary B: "Congratulations! You now have to work for a living for the rest of your life!"

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So I got a letter from the student loan people today, and no joke it says in big, bold, 20 point font Congratulations! Then underneath that it says at I have the exciting and important responsiblity to repay my student loans. No joke in those words.

Maybe I should start looking for another few classes to take, huh?

Gary has a cousin who is expecting a baby- Jay and Amber Ferrell. There have been a few markers for Down's Syndrome, and I know that they would crave your prayers in the matter, and for strength for them. If you want to know more of the details, check out the link under friends that says, "Life with the Ferrell's." I won't try to explain it all here, when you could understand Amber far better.

Also, for all the prayers offered up for Amanda, Gary's sister, we are very grateful. She is slowly recovering, and hopefully will continue to get better and better. The PB grapevine is wonderful.

November 4, 2006, I received a message from a Gary on myspace. He had posted a meeting that his church was having in November on the Primitive Baptist Friends Group Page. I had replied in the group comments that I liked the preacher that he would be hearing. On November 4, I received my first personal email from him and I replied.

“Well you are more than welcome to come to Florida it would be great. Oh I forgot to introduce myself. I am Gary C********* I am a member of Little Union in Lithia Fl which is about 45 minutes from Tampa. Hey you might know a friend of mine his name is Elder James Allen he just moved up to Alabama to pastor a church in Alabama. He was a member of our church before. I cannot remember the name of the church right now something like Pilgrim's rest maybe. So where in Alabama are you from? I have been to some places like Vestavia, Holly Pond, even the capital when Elder Hunt was Governor there. Well talk to you later.

In Christian Love,

Gary”

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“It's nice to meet you! My name is Danielle M******, and I'm a member of Elgin's Crossroads, in a very obscure place in North Alabama. Elder Randy Dillon is our pastor. I believe I heard Brother James preach earlier this fall at the Mount Zion Association. Pilgrim's Rest may be where he is at, I'm not recalling off hand either. Unfortunately I waited too long to request off at work, and they made the schedule up early so alas, I won't be able to come. I really enjoy Brother Adam. In any event I'll be praying for ya'll's meeting.

dani”

I never would have imagined that a year later we would be happily married and in Florida. The Lord certainly moves in mysterious ways. I thank Him daily for the blessing that Gary is in my life. He is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He takes so very seriously the commandment that the Lord gives that husbands are to love their wives as Christ did the church. He takes care of me and cares for me in a way no one else ever has. He is simply amazing.

Like all people he has his faults: the way that he lays wet towels on the bed, the floor, or on my wooden chairs even though I tell him everyday to just hang it up; the way that dirty socks always seem to end up on the coffee table next to his drink; the way he hates on the cat. He’s not perfect, but he sure seems close to me. He knows all of my faults in detail and I was very frank. However, he loves me for who I am, not who I’ve been.

The most amazing thing to me is that there was a time in my life that I almost walked away from the church, and if I had of one of the joys I would have missed out on in life is marriage to a good man. I can’t believe sometimes just how stupid I was in the past.

However, he is my husband and no one else in the galaxy can say that! So here’s to you honey and our first year together. I hope that I can spend the rest of my life with you.

I told you that alot had happened since I was last on line. So here are a few pictures from the last month...
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Tonight Gary's sister was in a bad accident and was carried to the hospital. Please be in prayer for her and ask your churches to be as well. She is going through a lot right now and the Lord knows far better than me what all she is in need of, and as far as I know there is no such thing as too much prayer!

Wearing a sweater and a wool skirt to church does not make it winter, fall, or even remotely cool. No matter how much you want it to be cold.

Through a series of unfortunate events (namely Brody eating our laptop power cord, the desktop refusing to admit there is an internet, and a lack of funds) we have been without the internet and ya'll for roughly a month. However a power cord is on its way here and we now have a phone that will power the internet and make calls for less that internet service and a cheap phone would have cost us.

In that length of time lots has happened. I have a new job, the North Florida Fellowship Meeting has come and gone (as well as several other meetings), Bro. Buddy has bought (and sold) a house, we have had several more friends over for dinner, two of the sisters have hosted our monthly tuesday luncheon, and something pretending to be fall has arrived. Perhaps I will have the chance to be catching you up soon on life in Florida.

However on Monday Gary and I, his parents, and an aunt and uncle will be flying up to pack up and move down Bro. Buddy and his family. So please pray for a smooth trip, and most of all be praying for Bro. Buddy. His platlet count has dropped again lately. While it is still in the normal range the stress of moving will not be good for him.

Yes I know it has been five days since the Auburn and South Florida game. But I wanted to take my time to fully examine the game last Saturday night. First the background story Danielle and myself left Saturday morning to drive seven hours up to the game. I tried to tell her on the way up that South Florida had a chance to win but she would not listen. As we were driving up we kept seeing Auburn and South Florida flags flying in the cars and I would blow my horn when I seen a South Florida fan. So we meet up with Danielle's family to go to the game and they even tried to get me to wear a orange and blue shirt but I did not let them to sway my conviction. Instead I wore my Green South Florida polo shirt and I was even nice enough not to wear my Gator hat. So we get down to the university and we park. I am getting excited but its only 6 o clock and the game don't start till eight. So we have to watch the Tiger walk and it was cool they had the band playing and the masses were all waiting for the players to walk by and they did. The only problem we had going to the game was that we had no tickets. So about an hour before the game Brother Rick was able to find seven tickets all right beside each other. For twenty bucks a piece. Which was great but also bad because they had to listen to my cheering for the Bulls. Granted to the fact that there is not a another green shirt with in another 100 feet from me. So the game finally gets started after waiting so long and the Bulls start the scoring off with a touchdown. Which is great and the defense of the Bulls is holding Auburn to very little yardage so far. Auburn comes back and scores a field goal which was pretty good for the kicker because he had no time to prepare. We then get another touchdown and now it is 14 to 3 and the fans in the stadium are pretty much quiet. But the Bulls cannot keep the tiggers from scoring and they allow them to score a touch down. By the end of the half Auburn is ahead 17 to 14. At the start of the third period South Florida was able pick up three fumbles and one interception but to no avail because our kicker missed two field goals and two field goals block. By the fourth quarter our kicker finally made a field goal to tie the game. By the end of regulations the two teams were tied 20 to 20. Auburn was first to go in overtime and the Bulls held to to a field goal. Now South Florida has a chance to win all they have to do is score a touch down to win. They rush the ball and get a first down. It gets to third down and about six yards when the Bulls go into a spread out offense with four wide receivers and Matt Grothe hits Jessie Hester for the winning touchdown. Now during this whole over time the fans are standing up and cheering their heads off But after the touchdown pass the whole stadium goes quite. Living in Florida I have seen some quite times in my life when a small hurricane eye went over our house the outside went completely calm and quite but that doesn't even compare to the type of silence that I heard that night after the Bulls Beat the Auburn tiggers. I have one quote I want to bring up and it was made by my darlin wife the non believer.

" Well dear, I wore your shirt to support your little team today, after all we are going next weekend to watch my team whop up on your even littler team. haha.When you wake up from your nap and delusions of winning stop dancing around in your brain, then get back with all of our bloggers on real expectations for next weekend"

I want to say one little thing GO BULLS!!!!!!

Today we had a good time hanging out with Brother Buddy and various Church members over at Brother Matt and Sister Kerry's house. It is always such a joy to hang out at their house and to play with the little ones and visit with other church members. When we first got there the little ones were ready for the pool, and they wanted me and Singing Gary (he's the song leader at church) to get in with them. So Gary got in and proceeded to blow water gun fish at the kids and spin them on the intertubes. I left my shirt on and fetched toys around the pool and helped the smaller ones until Gary hosed me down. I lunged at him not really thinking about the fact that there was a pool there and he tried to drown me. Glad to say that Sister Kelly loaned me a shirt and we managed lunch.




After lunch we had a good time talking and visiting with Brother Buddy and Sister Tina. The Lord seems to really be in the matter of him moving. Even though the housing market in Florida is rediculous we managed to find a great house for them, where the girls can sleep two to a room, and Abel and his mother can have their own rooms, even room to study. We are very excited with all the blessings. Brother Buddy was able to sell the house in 8 days, and we hope to move him down end of this month beginning of next. The Lord really seems to be very much in the matter. While I was talking with Brother Buddy, Gary was getting pictures of dress up. Jessica is Simba, Abbey Rose is a mom with a baby (she really likes making faces at Brother Gary), and Katie Sue is a fairy princess. It was a FANTASTIC DAY!

Yes finally it is here College Football. I know what took so long right! And if you don't know me I am a Huge Gator fan! Yes the National Champions not only Football but Basketball a well. But I will move on. Its great once again to get up and watch ten different college games and cheer for your favorite teams. Mine go as follow University Of Florida, South Florida Bulls, UCF, Miami, Florida State, and the SEC conference. Next weekend we are heading up to Auburn to watch them play against South Florida. I can't wait for the game to see if my Bulls and Auburn play. Now I know the Tigers should win but let me give a few reasons why they should have some trouble with the Bulls.


1. First the returning Quarterback for South Florida Matt Grothe is dangerous on the ground and deadly in the air. Last year as a Freshman quarterback and took the Bulls to a 9-4 record. He rushed for 800 yards and passed for 2500 yards.

2. Last year the bulls were lacking in rushing with injures. This year they have four backs that can take charge and relieve Matt from having to carry the whole load.

3. Third the Bulls have nine returning starters for the Bulls defense. They are not as big as you would like but they have excellent play makers and a great secondary.

4. Last the receiving corp for the the Bulls will surprise you they have speed and toughness that can revival any secondary in college football.

I can't wait to see who will win!!

For those of you who have not heard I finally got a job. Gary and I were going to have some serious trouble with bills this next month if I had not found a job by the end of the month and the Lord came through for us.

I'm working for Transam Associates, a medical transcription company. There are three parts to the business. They train people through an online school how to do medical transcriptions, they sell software and train others to use it in transcribing, and then they actually do transcribing for various doctors around the country. The couple that owns the business Linda and Alan, run it out of their home. They have this big beautiful house, and our offices are on one side, and they live on the other. It's a really nice set up. My job is to help Linda out with the last aspect of the business. In the last three to four months it has grown to the point that she can't handle assigning all the doctors to various transcriptionist and opening new accounts, and I'm helping with that, along with odds and ends that she needs doing. Right now, it's a full time job, BUT it may or may not stay that way, we'll see. I really enjoy working with them though, they are very Godly people and very sweet and considerate. VERY unlike some of the evil slavedrivers I've worked for (like the theatre).

I am really enjoying the job. They are letting me continue to have Monday mornings off to help the sisters down at the church, and I'm very grateful for that. They might even let me have off first Tuesdays to eat lunch with some of the sisters.

The only big draw back is that I work 9-5:30. I'm only 20 minutes from there, but traffic makes it at least a 40 minute drive. I'm glad to be able to help Gary with the bills by making a little money; however, I feel like I'm neglecting the house, and he's cooked almost all of this week, because he beats me home by 30 minutes or more everyday. I'm just hoping that I can still keep up my responsiblities at home as well as this extra job.

Ok, so the survey results are in and while seven of you thought I didn't really need to do anything to the new look, two of you did. To be honest, I agree with the two. It seems a little plan jane. Like it's lacking something. I don't really have anymore ideas. So if anyone has a suggestion, please start filling me in!

Also, for everyone who is wondering. We do now have a name for the cat, Brodie. It just seemed to fit one night. I kept trying to remember where I heard it and remembered Brodie Castle that we passed in Scotland, when a friend reminded me of my pictures of Deacon Brodie, the good sheriff by day, theif by night. I figure that really works for the cat, since I tell him how good he is and Gary tells him that he's Satan.

Other than that no real updates. Still searching for a job, so keep me in your prayers.

In the path already charted by Strem and Lydia...

There are lots of times in life where things are so crazy that you are just living to get by. Not really enjoying life, and certainly not living it. There are times when you are swept along by jobs, people, and general craziness. There are times where you feel like saying, "Lord, coming back right this instant would be great with me!"

Then there are times where there isn't craziness, or more likely despite the craziness, there you are feeling most like yourself and loving life. So here are my thoughts, in no particular order. What are your's?

I feel most like myself when...
I am reading a really good book.
I am singing.
I am at an awesome blossom church meeting.
I am teaching someone.
I am cuddled up with my hubby.
I am reading my bible right before bed.
I am listening to my hubby pray and holding his hand right before bed.
I am just being myself around real, and very cool friends.
I am sleeping in.
I am eating buscuits
or cornbread.
I am sketching.
I am working in the yard/flowerbeds.
I am playing with kitty.
I am writing letters, cards, or emails, especially to my grandmother.

This weekend I had the perfect weekend ever! I generally start on supper about 4:30 or 5 so that it is ready when Gary gets home. so on Friday I tried a new recipe for porkchops. It was near so hard as I expected and it came off perfect. It was my first time to cook porkchops ever. Gary loved it, which he defined as liking it enough to eat it again some time. Then we mostly were lazy just hanging out on the couch most of the night. I read some and he watched tv, and it was a nice cozy, don't have to rush off to bed, since he had to be up early kind of day.

Saturday morning we slept in a good bit before getting up and heading off to Ms. Abbey Rose's birthday party. She turned nine. There were several couples and family members from the church and bunches of kids everywhere. Ms. Abbey Rose is WILD about Ariel. Who wouldn't be with the awesome red hair and merimaid thing going on. haha. So they had a good time swimming, eating, singing karoke, dancing, and the whole nine yards. We had fun watching them and visiting. Brother Randy Miller and I even solved all the major world problems. All in the course of the afternoon. We got quite carried away visiting and stayed from 11:30 to nearly 4.

That wasn't all for the day though. Brother Ernie Stump from Alabama was flying in to preach for us Sunday so El Bethel decided to have a Saturday night service and have him over. So we met with them as well as several members of our church over Tampa way. He had a real good sermon on the saving we recevied on the cross (redemption) and the saving we get out of the Holy Spirit in our life time (regeneration) and the great difference in them. He had a good text and made me look at some things in a new light, leaving me with more questions than ever. That's how it should work though right? Be encouraged to study more and deeper. :)

Sunday we met back at Little Union for church and heard another good sermon on our Master and all the definations of that: teacher, lord, one having authority, commander-in-chief, pilot, ability to perform. We had a real good time at lunch visiting with everyone. Afterward we dropped by Granddaddy Garland's house, since he had surgery earlier in the week. There ended up being ten different people over there and before we left we just had a little prayer service. It was a really good time. We were about to head home ata little past five. When we found out that Brother Jim and Sister Kelly who had kept him all weekend were carrying out Brother Ernie and Sister Kelly's parents, brother, and sister were all coming along and they asked us if we wanted to come or not, and so we did. We had a GREAT time fellowshiping and hanging out all evening. Then for the rest of the night we just hung out and had a good time the two of us and the cat all on the couch.

I have to say I love my Gary Britt and I love being married and I love good church family. It really was the Best Weekend Ever!

As some of you may have heard, we have a new cat. He is a beautiful, loving, and playful fellow. Gary is now my hero, and after you hear about this cat, I think you'll agree.