Ghoti Hook

You would have thought that by age 31 I would have grown up and that my music tastes would have changed. Well, I recently found a mixed CD that an old friend Linus made for me when I think I had just finished my freshman year in college. He and Peter Ear digitally mastered it and even made an awesome cover for it. Definitely good times.



When I heard one song by Ghoti Hook it took me back, way back. I can remember being with Jill listening to this Christian Rock/Punk band in an upstairs room of sorts in the old Spanky's building downtown. Jill, do you remember that? I loved Ghoti Hook. Correction, I think I still love Ghoti Hook and who would have guessed that after 10 years I would still know all the words? Weird what our minds log and hang on to. Ask me what I did a week ago and sadly, the answer is “not a clue”.

There were also tons of fun time during this period in my life. Jennifer and John D. taught our Sunday School class at church and they offered so many fun activities that allowed us to be our goofy selves while surrounding us with Christian teaching and love. I can remember pie tasting and wearing one, dressing up like our favorite SS teachers right down to Jill being their scary devil child, CathyJo being a pretty hot soccer player and I was a pretty sassy pregnant teacher. I can also remember spending time at the beach both with the SS class and with Jill, Ed, and Jason and visiting Mount Trashmore was it? I remember “the movie” that night at the hotel. LOL!

As my mind wonders back to those days, I smile. I can also remember singing into a hair brush, road trips that seemed like they would never end, falling on my face on a sand volleyball court, and random and free things that we found fun. Well, just a little walk down memory lane, to a time that was simple and fun. Ah the memories.

Thankful Thursday

I am always thankful for my family, friends, life, health, love, happiness, Jesus, freedom, safety, laughter and so much more…

This past week I have been and am still particularly thankful for:

-my Dad - who turned 65 yesterday!!
-my Mom - who's birthday is tomorrow!!
-Jill's safe travels to and from AZ - welcome back friend
-another week that I got to have lunch with my Grandma
-a successful time getting the tree up with my BahHumBug of a husband (who I am also thankful for, just wish he would get into the Christmas spirit already)
-getting so much Christmas shopping DONE - and yes Jill, my spreadsheet rocks!
-getting Christmas presents to Oregon shipped already. I almost stroked out at the Post Office - poor Post Office worker - it wasn't pleasant.
-the prospect of getting to see so many of my friends that will come in for the holidays. I have already heard from 4! CathyJo-you guys coming in??

Take a moment to enjoy the Christmas season. Merry Christmas Early!!

To go or not to go? That is the question.

I have wanted to go back to California since Tanner was born so Larry's extended family could meet Tanner, especially Larry's Grandparents, Tanner's Great Grandparents. Mama and Papa (pronounced Mumma and Puppa), who are well into their 80s, send cards and money on a regular basis to their youngest great grandchild whom they have never met. I really want them to be able to meet Tanner while they are still alive and I want to show my appreciation for their unbelievably sweet gifts.

Larry is terrified of flying with Tanner. Ok, that might be a bit dramatic, but he is not happy about the prospect of traveling for 8-10 hours with a 1 year old, specifically on a straight 5-6 hour flight.

Those of you who know Tanner know he's a flexible baby and can go with the flow, but he is a wiggly little dude and doesn't like to sit still for long. Heck, I can't sit still for long and I'm not sure how a 5-6 hour flight would go either. That's why I think more flight legs is the answer. Luckily, and maybe this is a sign, US Airways is running a special from Lynchburg to Long Beach with 2 lay overs within our price range (kind of sort of if you can say a flight is within any one's price range).

Now, I just need to convince Larry this is possible. Also, I just heard from Larry's older sister Gina that they are going to be in SoCal the end of January for Patrick's 5th birthday so Tanner might have a chance to meet his aunt, uncles, and cousins for the first time as well.

Here's hoping and praying...

This Year Christmas is Going to be Different...

Trying to get it all done. That's the ever present syndrome that I face, as well as most women and moms I know. This Christmas, I am going to do it differently.

I have made a vow to myself, my sanity, and my bank account, that Christmas this year is going to be the best ever but it's not going to involve running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I am cutting back BIG TIME and I'm pretty excited about it (I've even made an Excel spreadsheet with projected price per person/per gift and have set up formulas to help me see how much I'm spending so I can make good choices - don't laugh Jill).

It's not just the money, although we are all feeling that pinch I'm sure, but it's the REAL reason. I have felt for sometime that we have lost sight of Jesus and that retailers make it too easy to get caught up in the buying and spending and the I wants and the I gotta haves. After all, its Jesus' birth we are celebrating at Christmas.

This brings me to point #2. Tanner is only 1 so he doesn't have a concept of what Christmas really is or is about or how in the world Santa fits in but I have been thinking about this (and I would love any suggestions or feedback on the Santa part). How do I start planting the seed that we get presents at Christmas because we are celebrating Jesus' birth without dousing the traditional Santa Clause (Jesus' role at Christmas seems like a no brainer to me so I think we're good there)? I don't want my kid to ruin it for others that believe in Santa, etc. I want to raise him to know Jesus and to understand the real meaning for the holiday and still have that magic that I can remember from my childhood and still feel on occasion.

May your life be filled with magic this Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

Chin Up

Every Thursday I write a Thankful Thursday blog which for me is a week in review and a time when I stop, catch my breath, and claim all that I have been and currently still am thankful for. It's a really amazing time for me because it allows me to remember all the truly awesome things God is doing in my life.

I also am the editor for our church's newsletter called Clean Slate. This has been my job for 3 months now which means there have been 3 editions of the newsletter. I love this job but it is truly challenging. Well, I just finished December's edition and it was a labor of love to say the least.

I also write a section in Clean Slate called The Juggler. It's a section where I mostly talk about all the goings on in my life and how I can only do as much as I do with God's help. You Moms out there should know what I'm talking about. Well, this month's article was written for someone else, my brother, Jason who's recent plight weighed heavy on my heart.

Jason, like myself, has a strong work ethic and doesn't like when work becomes stagnant. We like to always be working towards something and sometimes struggle when things slow down or we become dismayed with the task at hand. With all that said, Jason was going through some very tough times at work and was not happy. God is so good that He has allowed for things to change at work and from what I understand, this experience has changed many involved. I personally saw what was going on from Jason's perspective, a Wooldridge perspective, and Larry's perspective since Jason and Larry work together. All I can say is GOD PREVAILS!!

If you are going through anything, keep your chin up. It will help you stay focused on The Son :o)


Uncah Jay and Tanner - this past summer at the beach, definitely one of the sweetest pictures I have of the two of them

Thankful Thursday

I am always thankful for my family, friends, life, health, love, happiness, Jesus, freedom, safety, laughter and so much more…

This past week I have been and am still particularly thankful for:

-the time spent with Larry’s family. Big Larry and Linda are great in-laws – the kind you hesitate to use “in-law” with because of the negative connotation that goes along with it
-Pop’s willingness, as always, to keep Tanner or help in ANY way – what a big ole Christian heart!
-Tanner’s 1st birthday and birthday party were awesome – we had tons of guests (32 at the party and 4 overnight) in our house and it worked out great (minus the burning myself part)
-leftover birthday party cupcakes – yummy, especially after a long day at work
-another week that I got to eat lunch with my Grandma (please keep her in your prayers, she’s not doing too well and is in a lot of pain pretty much all the time now)
-travel mercies while traveling to and from Greensboro for work
-the price of gas going down – a miracle indeed
-the holiday season – I am so THANKFUL for so many things

Tanner's 1st Birthday

Last Thursday my little man, my little miracle, turned 1. Can you believe it? Man, the time has really flown by. The party was nutso but great (I can't wait to get those pictures online). Thanks to all of you who came, called, sent cards, emails and texts, and kept us in your thoughts and prayers through the birthday celebrations. Below are several of his pictures we had made.


Just Getting Warmed Up!


His Kung Foo Pose :o)


Sweet But Mischievous.


Aren't we cute?! Especially That Little Man!!