Broyhill Baptist Children's Home - Part 1

This post is a little overdue....and unfortunately it will need to be split into at least two posts.  But here is the beginning of the blessing.....

First of all, I must mention how much I love the children of Windy Gap.  I have worked with all ages and I honestly can say that we have a fabulous group of youth.  On Wednesday nights, I am a TeamKid leader.  Our TeamKids range in ages from Kindergarten to 5th Grade.  We average 15-20 kids on any given Wednesday....sometimes even more!  There are times when I wonder if they are really getting anything out of the lesson and they never cease to amaze me when they spout the answers to questions right back at me AND in grave detail! 

Sometime in late February, I went with the TeamKids from church to visit Broyhill Children's Home in Waynesville.  I do hate that I did not blog about this right after we went so that the details were more vivid.  But nonetheless I want to share my experience with you.

The TeamKids at Windy Gap take up an offering each week.  Albeit, a weekly offering is roughly $2-$5 it is amazing what the Lord can do with that money whenever you allow Him to use it to uplift His Kingdom. 

Kathy and Sandra the TeamKid leaders decided to put that money towards a visit with the kids their age who are living at Broyhill.  They called and set up a date to have a Hot Chocolate & Cookie Party. 

We all piled up in the church bus and headed over the mountain.  They look so excited.  haha 

We met with the house parents and the kids at the gym.  We had tables set up and we started making the hot chocolate.  While the other adults helped with those things, I was in charge of getting some games going to get the kids interacting with each other. 

The kids enjoyed getting to know each other and telling one another about themselves.  There's nothing like a warm cup of hot chocolate and some cookies that will encourage "new friendships." 

Some of our TeamKid leaders and the House Mother (I will think of her name soon) are handing out the deliciousness.

The children at Broyhill really wanted their new friends to see their house.  As the other adults cleanned up the cookie/hot chocolate mess, I had the kids hang out in the gym floor and talk and play games.  Then we all piled back on the bus and headed to the Cottage.

Look how the kids are acting like old friends!  I love it!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE these children???

Look at their precious little smiles! 

This is the end of Part 1. 

Part 2 will start with the visit to the Cottage where we had a bible study.....and it will NOT take me 7 months to get it posted.  I will work on Part 2 this weekend.

Good Gosh.....Look how smart I am!

I received this post in an email from a co-worker this morning.  I like it...a lot:

We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy a meal with my friends and family, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a latte with my dearest friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am!"

Coffee Dilemmas (that's a situation)

Can I express rather quickly, how much I really hate my coffee pot???

For some reason the blessed thing always overflows as it is "perking".  It is very frustrating.  I've never had this problem before and it only does it every once in a while.  But what a waste of delicious coffee!

Ahhh, I feel better now that I have that off my chest.

Funtastic Weekend with Fantabulous Friends!

Wow, I feel old! I went to my 5 year class reunion this past weekend at Carson Newman College. I was surprised that there wasn’t as many people as I thought would be there. There was actually very little Class of 2004 Alumni in attendance. O-well. It was good to see who did come.

I was able to get my window fixed on Friday afternoon. Thank you Lord! I had such a peaceful drive to TN. No noisy roar of an open window! Ahh….

I met up with my friend Kellye at Baskin Robbins. We then decided that we would entertain ourselves at the theater. Yeah, it was a crappy idea and an even crappier movie choice. We saw The Invention of Lying. I will save you the time of watching….DO NOT PAY TO SEE THIS MOVIE! Whether it be in the theater, on DVD, pay-per-view, whatever. It is NOT worth it. Even the one “funny” part in the advertisements on TV were not even funny when put into context with the entire movie. A waste of time, money and effort. Whew, I feel better getting that off my chest.

Saturday, I woke to a groggy/dreary day. But that did not deter me! I went to work at Chic-Fil-A with Kellye for a bit. Actually I just stood around doing nothing, but whatever. We then drove to Carson Newman where I helped her set up the tent for the Chic-Fil-A booth for the Homecoming Festivities.

I met a sweet little lady sitting on the park bench as I was waiting on Kel to finish up. I only know her name as Nancy. She graduated from CNC in 1969. She is a precious lady and I enjoyed speaking with her. She was telling me how the women of CNC had to wear dresses/skirts at all times, even to football games, etc. She mentioned how she and her friends would be risqué by wearing their pajamas underneath their overcoats to the SAC (not the one that we know…but a different one) to check their mail of an evening. She said that everyone had a curfew of 10pm on the weekdays. They also had to sign out in order to walk into town. Very interesting. She said that she was glad that things had changed. I told her that I was too! Haha

I was able to see some friends that I don’t get to visit with often (Dawn & Aaron). It was so good to see them. Dawn and I lived in Burnett Hall our freshman year. We lived across from each other; we also had several classes together. We used to get out of our English class early EVERYDAY and we would go eat lunch at O’Charleys. Always ordered the loaded potato soup, rolls, and water. $5 (including tip!) *Sigh* those were the days….

After college, Dawn and I stayed in touch. I was honored to be in her wedding in Lancaster, PA in October 2007. (I’ll try to remember to post a picture of us later).   It was so good to see you guys!

I then traveled to Knoxville to meet up with my so fun potluck roommate, Jennifer. Jennifer and I met in January 2003 - my junior year, her sophomore year. She had transferred from UT and I had transferred back to CNC after taking the fall semester off from Campbell University. We had never spoken prior to our meeting and to be quite honest…I was scared. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But it was friendship from the get-go. Jennifer has become such an amazing friend and I hate that we do not live closer to each other. Jennifer married Clint in 2006 and they honeymooned in Destin, FL. Which just so happened to be the same week that Matt and I were vacationing with friends in Destin. So we were able to meet up and have a great time. And I am sad to say that this past weekend was the first time I’ve seen Jennifer since our meeting in Destin! What a bad friend I am!!!

Anyways, we went to lunch, the mall and then back to Jennifer’s house where we lounged for a bit. We later went to dinner with Clint and his work partner and his wife as well as others. I had a grand time. Jennifer and I were able to reminisce about old times, look through old photo albums, listen to Clint tell stories. Plain and simply it was a wonderful time.

She has the most adorable little home and farm. They have done so much already and have more to do, but it is going to be FABULOUS when it is all said and done. Their garden was beautiful as well. They also have a super cute dog, Cymon. He was my friend and absolutely beautiful.

I WAS STUPID AND DIDN'T GET ANY PICTURES OF JENNIFER AND ME!!!!!  Gah!  I'm gonna find some oldies but goodies and post later.

Then I met with Kellye one last time to do a little shopping in Sevierville then I headed back home to NC.

-Kellie:  "I'm not sure what's on the other side of this, but I'm going to stick my head through it anyways."-Me:  "Oh Kel, it is a super sexy woman...You look great!"

I found a public toilet!

Since I was in Gatlinburg at the time, I figured it would be easiest for me to travel over the parkway into Cherokee to go home.  After I saw this (on the Gatlinburg by-pass!), I thought it best to take I-40 back home.

If you can’t tell by now…I had a great weekend.

Weekend Excitment Bullet Style:
*  Pumpkin Pie Icecream with Carmel Sauce at Baskin Robbins
*  Theater Popcorn
*  Free Chic-Fil-A for Breakfast
*  Seeing Dawn, Aaron, Roy, Raquel, (their sweet boy Carson), Kellye, Nick, Kara (and tons others) at Homecoming
*  Seeing JENNIFER and CLINT!
*  McAllisters for lunch...yummo!
*  Marble Slab ice cream....even bigger yummo!
*  Coupon for FREE JEANS at Old Navy!
*  Reminiscing with Jennifer in the Man Cave.
*  Playing with Cymon.
*  Story time with Clint.
*  Calhoun's with friends and new friends.
*  Coffee with really yummo fresh milk from the dairy (that has awesome labels.)
*  Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
*  Shopping for said FREE JEANS from Old Navy!
I think that sums it all up.....

This was Friday's post that I neglected to actually post.  Whew.

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Dear Mr. Stomach:

     I am so sorry that I have neglected you and your constant grumbling reminder that you are hungry.  I attemped to soothe your pains earlier, but due to your hinged-cousin, Ms. Right Elbow, I dumped your nuritiment all over your neighbors (The Thighs and The Calves); as well as the floor and my desk.  Soon it will be 5pm and I will attempt to soothe your pains once again.  Thank you for your patience.

Your friend who suffers with you,

Deidre

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Dear Mr Window Fixing Man:

     I am so thankful that you were able to locate a rear driver window for my vehicle.  I am even more estatic that you were able to replace it in a timely mannner.  I was slightly stressed that you did not show at your appointed time, but you have redeemed yourself by fixing the flapping plastic issue I've had for the last week.  God bless you.  I will make sure to tell everyone of your superb services.

Thank you,

     Girl Free of Flapping Plastic

It's Fall Y'all!

I decided to do a little fall decorating on Sunday night.  This is what I came up with...I still have some other things I want to do as well, but this is a good start for now.

Fall Arrangement on the Stove (because do I look like I need to be building fires?? haha)

Super Cute Wreath that I made.  I LOOOOOVE it!

Pumpkin Trio BEFORE Picture

Pumpkin Trio ALMOST DONE Picture

Pumpkin Trio Centerpiece.  This center piece needs something else, but I can't quite put my finger on it.  I'm going to try some candles and see what it looks like from there.

Smoky Streak - 5K in Webster, NC

I mentioned this in a previous post, but Saturday was the Smoky Streak 5K/10K that was hosted by WestCare Mammogram Department. They are trying to raise money to purchase new mammogram equipment. Matt and I decided that we would take part. We had a few friends who were also running/walking as well.

Saturday Morning was an early morning! We had to be down at the start/finish line at 8am to register. It was a lot colder than what I thought it was going to be, but I dressed warm. I believe it was about 42 degrees that morning.

We get there, we meet up with friends and make new friends in the process. The 10K started at 9am. The guy who won it finished before all of the 5K participants had been shuttled to the starting line! He finished in 32 minutes! Wow. I don’t believe I can ever do that!

I had told myself that I wasn’t going to set a goal. Because I figured that this race would be a cushion for the races to come. My second race I will just attempt to finish in a better time than this race. My goal being to beat my last race. This way I’ll feel more accomplished and I won’t be going out and hurting myself trying to finish in a specific amount of time.

I will say that I did set a goal. I knew that I would be walking most if not all of the race. But I wanted to complete the 3.1 miles in 40 minutes or less. Needless to say, I did not reach my goal. My finish time was 46.22. I was a little bummed but figured it was ok. I’ll do better next time.

Doesn't Matt look thrilled to be taking pictures before 8am. haha

My very first Race!

Matt's pink shoe laces.  He's such a man.

Just the girls. (Gayle, Katie, Clarissa, Me)  Tab was drinking her Muscle Milk and didn't want to be bothered with Flash Photography.

Group Picture.  We were supporting Kathy Ashe.
(Front Row: Lily, Katie, Gayle, Clarissa, Tabitha, Me

Back row: Jeff, Matt and Travis)

The Ashe's (Tabitha, Kathy, Clarissa, and Travis)

Waiting for the bus to shuttle us to the starting line.

(Clarissa, Gayle & Katie)

Running across the Finish Line!

(Katie, Gayle & Lily)

Jeff & Lily

My new friends.

Lily's cute little shirt.  It says "Find A Cure (Before I Grow Boobs)".  She is such a pleasant little girl!

What a Thursday!

As I am leaving work yesterday, this is what I see:

And this is how I am currently driving around:

Ghettofied.  Attractive.