When we caught Momma Kitty, I was intending to catch Brodie. She was obviously pregnant and we obviously had a problem. Over the last several months, feeling sorry for a number of stray and feral cats behind our apartment, I occasionally leave them food. A lady several doors down has been doing the same for the last five years. Interested in trying to help these cats, I started doing some reading.

Earlier this week reading over at the Beehive has left me inspired to make a New Year's Resolution or two, after some thought here they are...

1) I am going to get some form of regular exercise at least 3 days a week. I was going to say every day, but who am I kidding here. I use to run cross country, that was pre-Asthma. The doctor has worked on my asthma medicine some, and I am actually good to start excerising and stuff tomorrow (had to let meds kick in and get over bronchitis first). My goal is to get out and do some serious walking (and work back up to running) at least on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Hopefully Tuesday and Thursday too.

2) Blog at least twice a week. I know very few read this, and even fewer are actually interested, but it's good to talk to someone other than the cat during the day. It also keeps my brain cells active, and if you haven't notice, my grammer and spelling could use the extra work out.

3) Secretly wean Gary off of sugar. I'm not sure how doable this is, but at the way the boy is eating (and drinking sweet tea) he'll be dead of a heart attack or some such by 50. I want to make him miserable for a whole lifetime, haha. :)

Today, Gary and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary. To celebrate, this was the gift he got me. I think it was just an excuse to get himself a wii game. What do you think?

I am terrible upset. Brodie has been lost for more than 24 hours now.

New Year's Eve and Day were alot of fun this year despite being sick. My favorite red-headed sibling flew down on Sunday and stayed until yesterday. He took that picture of us right before we left to go back to the airport yesterday.

I have asthma. I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before. It kinda sprang up out of nowhere a few years ago. It was February-ish 2006. I was sick, and wasn't willing to skip class to go to the infermery. Yes, yes, I know I'm a nerd. Then in a week I was so sick I couldn't go to class. After a few days of that, a friend or two literally carried me to the car (complaining the whole way that I would be fine in another day or two) and down to the infermery. To make a long story short (I know, too late) I had acute bronchitis. In another week, I had asthmatic bronchitis. Ever since then I have had asthma.

Asthma is not fun. Before asthma I did all sorts of things. I played softball and I ran Cross Country. I wasn't ever great or anything, but it was fun and it was exercise. Since the asthma, I can't run a quarter of a mile without seriously dragging on my emergency inhaler. I have had several major attacks that mean I get to go and visit the hospital (which I might also note is absolutely no fun). Anyway, my doctor in Alabama had decided it was time to see a specialist back in March, since we couldn't get it under control, and all we knew is that I am allergic to cigerette smoke. However, since I was getting married and moving to Florida I saw no point in starting with someone up there and then moving. So I figured a few more months wouldn't hurt.

I finaly got in to see Dr. Price last Friday. Come to find out (170 needles later) that I am not allergic to a single thing... well, except maybe a little to ragweed. Instead I have asthma and non-allergenic rhinitis. Basically it means something to the effect that my bronchial tubes are particually sensitive to things in 7 areas: smoke, gasoline, arosal sprays, perfume, cold weather, sudden changes in temperture and humidity, and something else I can't really remember. So he changed all my medicine around and I reckon we'll see if that helps any.

One the other hand, since I had to go off my meds for a week before he could test me, I have gotten bronchitis. Never fun, it has been particually annoying since the one cold day of the Florida year was yesterday. Laugh if you like, it was actually below freezing here. Also since I was involved in a massive water gun fight (I'll get to this in the next blog perhaps) I have the beginnings of ear infections. Joy. I feel like a little kid again. haha.

Anyway, several have been asking about me, and that's the update.

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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