Overheard

Tonight David and I were sitting in the den while Jere and Caroline were playing. They have both been talking alot about the election. Jere's class will be registering to vote tomorrow (mock of course) and then voting. Caroline just knows what she's heard. In fact, until recently she thought John McLain was running for president.

Anyway, here is what took place tonight:

Jere: "What do you want to play, Caroline?"

Caroline: "Sword fighting. You be McCain - I'll be Obama"

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

How do I begin to explain in words and pictures how meaningful of a weekend I had? I will attempt.

Friday afternoon I headed to the host hotel for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - the Westin. Yes, we were slumming, but you have to do what you have to do. After checking in for the Walk and getting my wristband I met up with our Team and we went to dinner.

August is wearing the grey long sleeve jacket.

We had a great dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery and headed back to the Westin and their heavenly beds. Sleep was short because we had a 4 am Wake Up call! We came downstairs to catch the shuttle to the starting line and this is what we saw

Yes, it was raining. Fortunately we were prepared and put on our rain slickers. Here we are boarding our tour bus to go to the starting line

Just because I was feeling crazy at 4:45 in the morning I took a picture of our bus driver. I think he's very patriotic.

We arrived at Frazier Park for breakfast and to wait until the Opening Ceremonies started. Breakfast took about 10 minutes. We waited in the rain until 6:30. At the time it seemed like along time. Here is our group waiting -


Right after this picture was taken, August led our team in the sweetest prayer time I have been a part of in a long time. She thanked God for the healing He had done in her life and for another year here on earth. She also prayed that the monies raised would be used wisely and for the researchers who are working for a cure. Of course, she prayed for safety on our walk, too. At the end of her prayer, there was not a dry eye among us.

The Opening Ceremony started at 6:30 - stretching, warm up - woo hoo. We were ready to go. They had a few local survivors share their stories.

We were off. In the rain. Thank you Lord for my rain slicker!

The organizers of the Walk did a great job on providing frequent water stations and portolets. If I can avoid a portolet I do. On Saturday, we walked right past Carolinas Medical Center. Our little group of 4 took a slight detour into the Lobby of CMC to use their facilities. And I have proof.

I highly recommend using alternative facilities if you ever have the chance.

We saw several interesting "fans" along the way.

All I'll say about the fans is that they had to fundraise to participate so I'm sure Breast Cancer has in some way touched their life. Sad, but true.

And here we are at Mile 13 - August is in the middle.

Saturday ended at Charlotte Country Day School for us. We then took a shuttle to the Wellness Village set up at Park Road Park. There we received the most heavenly massages ever - oh my word I was drooling (and asleep!!).

I'll share more pictures as I get them. I have several stories to share, but need the photos!

Warming Up

Tomorrow I "leave" for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I use quotation marks because the event is here in Charlotte, but I am staying at the host hotel with our team. Today I've been getting my things together and making sure the laundry is caught up here so that David and the children have clean clothes to wear.

Jere has a football game Saturday morning that I will have to miss. Today he said, "what happens if you're not there to see us win the game?" I wanted to reply that I was pretty sure that wouldn't be the case because they've lost the last six games - out of six games. But I didn't. I just told him that I was sure they would win the game and he could call me and tell me all about it.

Can't wait to return and share pictures from the weekend! Have a wonderful weekend!

Play Dates

My two were off from school today for Fall Break. Last week I had arranged for Caroline to have a play date with a friend from school today. Long ago (i.e. within the last couple of years), I realized when I had a play date for one I might as well have a play date for the other - it just works well for us to do that. So Jere has a friend from school (his cousin) playing today too.

Today has been lots of fun and I must say, I get more done during these play dates than I would when it's just my two. Earlier today I made this yummy apple cake to bring to a friend tomorrow. The recipe came from my friend/neighbor Cathy - any recipe she gives me is a sure thing! I will post the recipe in a bit on the what's for din-din blog. I have not tasted it, but can already tell it is going to be yummy!

The girls are playing with sidewalk chalk and the boys are running around as usual! Do you find it's easier to have play dates for more than one child or am I crazy?

Yummy Food and Fellowship

Today after our core group time and lecture at Community Bible Study we had a luncheon. These ladies can cook! We had salads of all kinds, party ham sandwiches and incredibly yummy desserts - banana pudding and mint brownies.

The Wild Rice Chicken Salad was so yummy that we all requested the recipe. Here it is hot off my email:

Two boxes of Uncle Ben’s wild rice (cooked to package directions)
Cut up chicken
Celery couple of stalks
Grapes (optional)
Water chestnuts (optional)

Mix all together with Mayonnaise (1/2 cup to a cup) just depends

Season with season salt.

I'll be making this very soon!

Food for the Week

Here is the menu plan for the week. We had the Spicy Vegetable Soup last night and it was delicious. I'll share the recipe in a bit.

Monday - Spicy Vegetable Soup, Parmesan Biscuits
Tuesday - Shrimp and Grits, Salad
Wednesday - Sandwiches/ Leftovers
Thursday - Chicken Divan, Wild Rice, Salad
Friday - Pizza - or out to eat

Proof

David had a great time on his trip. He shot a ridiculous number of dove. And he brought home an injury! This is from shooting so much -

As a side note, he allowed this picture to be taken knowing it was going to go on the blog. And the little bit of farmer tan that he has is from all of his outdoor activities - golf, hunting, football. I think it's cute though!