Time Travel Tuesday...First Car Edition

My first car…ohhhh how I loathed him. He was named Norman and he was a 1972 Chevy Nova…he was beige…he was ugly…he only had two doors…he was not a Honda CRX. He was sold at a garage sale for $200 to two guys who were going to “pimp my old ride” by painting it candy apple red!

No, really, Norman was a really good car…he was dependable and protected me several different times when I was on the rode driving. Of course, he protected me from other people since my driving skills were stellar and still are.

Pete bought me a Honda Civic with four doors right before Nik was born. Strapping a baby into the back of Norman was going to be too much for me to handle. I think Pete knew I would have a break down!

Now I drive a Windstar minivan and I love it. In fact, when I was selling Mary Kay and was qualifying for the red Grand Am, I was a little stressed because I wanted a minivan not the Grand Am! Lol! It was kind of hard for my director to use the Grand Am as incentive with me….chocolate probably would have worked just fine!

The only thing better than a minivan would be one of those conversion vans or 15 passenger vans that quiverful families are seen driving around in….you know we want to have a baker’s dozen when it comes to kids!

Check out some more car stories over at Annie’s!

Time Travel Tuesday--Wedding Edition

Pete and I were married on September 11th, 1993. My mom and dad worked very hard to make it a lovely day for us. We were surrounded by lots of friends and family...it was a wonderful evening...even if I did put Pete's wedding ring on his right hand rather than his left! lol!!

We spent our honeymoon at Panama City Beach which was a blast. Here's a post I wrote last year....

September 2006:

Even though to most people, September 11th is a day that is remembered because of the extreme tragic events that took place in 2001, this day conjures up different memories for me! You see, this is the day that I married my love, Pete. I wanted to post some wedding pictures but I didn't get them scanned in...so instead I thought I would take you (YOU--Pete! Because only 3 people really read this blog! lol!!) on a virtual honeymoon...making stops at some of the places we went on our real honeymoon!!

Our first stop in Crossville, TN or maybe it was Cookeville...not sure because it is dark!. We are eating the little ham sandwiches that Mollie Hill made for the reception...you know the ones....little rolls with swiss cheese and ham...so yummy. I probably ate most of them because they are one of my favorite things!

photo courtesy of The Honey Baked Ham Co. Show 653

you can get the recipe here too!

The next day, we're on our way to Panama City Beach!

photo courtesy of hcs.harvard.edu

Of course we stop at many fast food restaurants along the way...our car has "Just Did It!" shoe-polished on the front window...how embarassing!! We finally arrive in Panama City Beach where there is...well...no one around! We have come after the busy season is over...we think this is good. Now we just need to head on over to the Days Inn to check in. After checking in we go shopping...because I don't have a bathing suit! I pick a cute little multi-colored floral print one-piece and we purchase it and are on our way. We find out soon that there are very few restaurants open...since the summer season is over. Choosing the bright colored restaurant is a good choice..we will be eating there several times! The tables are on a deck overlooking the beach and the plates are bright fiesta ware...just wonderful and romantic. I think that it may be Salty's Beach Bar...

photo courtesy Panamacitybeachfanatic

Beautiful and bright Fiestaware...

photo courtesy HappyHeidi

The next day we head out to visit Zoo World but before we go we have to stop off in the lobby and have our picture made with Willard Scott....the cardboard version that is!!

photo courtesy Tuft E-news

Now...we can head off to the zoo.

When we get there we see lots of exotic animals. Our favorite is the capybara...he is so ugly that we can't help but love him. He is also the biggest rodent in the world!! Impressive...we take a picture of him that we'll leave on our fridge for several years...

photo courtesy Curragh's Wildlife Park

After we stop to take my picture with the peacock walking around,

photo courtesy Cullagh Wildlife Park

we head over to feed the camels and the giraffe.

photo courtesy Declan McCullagh Photography

This zoo is wonderful but we get thirsty...we order drinks but there are no straws. Why? Because straws could be dropped and the animals could get ahold of them and choke...and d.i.e. Not good. The drinks are good though and they quench our thirst!

That evening we go to THE restaurant...yep, the one with the deck on the beach and the fiestaware plates. Again dinner is great and it's still very romantic. I think I have a virgin banana daiquiri...maybe.

One day we take the cruise to Shell Island. I plan on gathering a ton of shells to bring home to Elizabethton. I hope to find some sand dollars too. A lady on the boat explains to me exactly how to find sand dollars...you have to go out into the water and wiggle your toes around and then you'll find them. I have a net so I can scoop up shells ...you know the big ones...but all I seem to catch are crabs. I yell back to the shore that I have crabs! LOL!! I yell at you (you Pete..because remember there are only 3 people who read this blog!) to come out and get my net...but you just laugh at me and take my picture...humpfff. I don't find many shells that day but we both get the tops of our feet completely burnt. On the way back to the hotel we stop at one of those wonderful Souvenir Shops and buy ourselves some flip flops..ahhhhhh....a little bit of relief!!

We spend the rest of our vacation in the pool,

photo courtesy Days Inn

walking on the beach, ????????, eating at THE Resaturant and having a great time. Toward the end of our honeymoon we decide to drive up the coast where we'll meet our friends Randy and his wife(who I can't remember the name of at all) and we'll go to the casinos in Biloxi, MS. (All I could find were post-Katrina photos) When we meet up with them, we'll buy THEM ice cream...now what's the deal with that??? They should buy US the ice cream...geezzz...cheapskates!! Later we go to several casinos where I discover that I can eat my weight in naked shrimp and that drinks are free forever. It's also confirmed that I probably should never set foot in a casino again since I have an addiction to the slot machine...that one-armed bandit! We also find out that you are not supposed to take pictures in a casino..ooops!

The next day we'll head back home. The drive will be long...but we'll sing and talk and just be happy to be together!!

Pete....I know that I have left some things out that I'm sure you remember. You're memory is so much better than mine. Ever since "the accident" you know my memory is not so good! lol!! What I do know is that I love you very much and that I am so blessed to have you as my husband. These past 13 years have been a wonderful adventure...with the birth of five children, my very own home, and all our kooky and funny memories!! I can't even imagine doing any of these things with anyone but you...you make them all perfect!! Here's to many more years!! I love you!!

Jenny

Visit more Time Travel Tuesday Wedding Memories over at Annie's!

Time Travel Tuesday

Today I'm going back to my first post and talking about why I started blogging.

I first got involved in blogging type activity when I put together Gus' Caringbridge site. Here's the first post from that site.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 09:01 PM, CDT
Gus is feeling much better today. His legs are not so tender and he is smiling more. He wore his white polo and new blue jeans this morning...and immediately had a leak!! Oh, well, you won't hear us complain about that!!
We are waiting on test results concerning his liver enzymes. The TPN (intravenous nutrition) causes liver damage so we have to keep track of the condition of his liver. It's a trade-off that hopefully/prayerfully will help his bowel adapt and grow. With elevated liver enzymes, Gus is somewhat yellowish...I call him my "Little Yellow Dumpling". He's precious no matter what color he is!!

Gus was in and out of the hospital and there were several times that I was away from my other children. I realized that a good way to stay in touch with them...and a fun way for all of us to communicate...was through blogging. I also realized that there were people out there that were very concerned about the well-being of the children during this hard time. I wanted to share with everyone that even though times were hard that the kids were doing well...I did this by blogging about whay they were learning in school and what they were doing. I blogged about how they were helping Gus and also helping me! Here's my first post from "Up the Hill Gang"

Crawling Through a Blue Whale's Aorta

September 27, 2005

We are currently doing a mini-unit on whales. Did you know that the largest Blue Whales have hearts that are the size of Volkswagon Bugs?? And that a human could crawl through the aorta! That is mind-boggling to me...and suddenly very disgusting! Oh, one more thing, the blue whale is the loudest animal coming in at 188 decibels...jets are 140 decibels and conversation between humans is 60-70 decibels. Interesting....they are big and loud...sounds like my two oldest boys!!!

Pete made a 94 on his Anatomy & Physiology exam...the class average was 68. We are all really impressed with his vast knowledge!! I believe he is studying bones right now.

Leif Erickson was who we talked about today during history. I came across this website that was very interesting... http://www.viking.no/e/people/leif/e-leiv.htm

We are really behind on learning sign language. I think we need to practice more during conversations. I've been signing with Gus when I'm bathing him, changing his diaper etc...but then sometimes I forget! It will just take some getting used to. I've finished the story props for Lunch by Denise Fleming and they are really cute, if may say so myself! Go visit her website. It's neat. http://www.denisefleming.com/

After Gus died I started Gus' Gang.

Welcome

June 5, 2006
Welcome to our new blog! Pete and I hope that you will visit us often and check out what Gus' Gang is doing. We are excited about this ministry and we look forward to encouraging families with chronically ill children. If you know of a family that you think needs to be encouraged by Gus' Gang please let us know!

and here's the second one since the first one wasn't too exciting! lol

Take a look...

June 5, 2006
at sweet Emma Cody!
Emma has set up residence in the East Tennessee Children's Hospital NICU...she's been there since January 2, 2006! She is a micro-preemie and is loved dearly by her family and her nurses. Right now Emma needs prayers for her lungs to heal, for her fundo to work and for protection of her bowels. Please also pray for Emma's big sister, Gracie. Times like these are very hard on siblings...let's shower this precious family with prayers!!
I'm a sucker for sucker pictures!!

Blogging has been very therapeutic for me and I've met a lot of neat people!

Check out other TTT over at Annie's!

Let's Go On A Trip!

Pete loves to play travel agent and plan out vacations for us. This time I found a travel planning site before he did…and I’m going to play travel agent!! Let’s see what HotelReservations has to offer us….

First, I’m going to check out the deals in St.John, USVI. I’ve requested a package that includes flights, Hotels and car rentals. We want a jeep so we can cruise around the island…we’ve heard that’s the best way to get around. We have stayed at the Westin resort and it was very nice but we need something a little less expensive. HotelReservations has brought up seven different packages. I was able to request that the packages be ordered by price so I can see which is the least expensive. I really like that each package has an average per person price and a total price. Also, the package details are all listed and there is even a section for people to review the hotel. In all honesty, I’m quite surprised at the prices…I really thought it would be more expensive to take our whole family to St. John! The total for the package (for 5 of us) is only $5422.

Next, I am going to check out deals in Bordeaux , France. I think a vacation rental would be nice for this trip. A vacation rental is a suite-type room. HotelReservations has given me three rentals to chose from in the Bordeaux area…the one that interests me most is the one near the beach! It looks like I have found an Internet Deal and the vacation rental can be booked for $71.74 a night! Again, the listing has a lot of details about the property and amenities.

Last, I’m going to check out packages in Myrtle Beach, SC because that’s where we go a lot. Of course, a long list of hotels were returned in this search! I see that the Sea Crest is one of the properties…that’s where I stayed during my Senior Trip a gazillion years ago!

Over all, I think HotelReservations is a great site for planning your vacation, I’m really impressed with the prices and the fact that packages can be created for you. I would feel very overwhelmed having to book a flight, the hotel room and the rental car. I also like that there is a lot of information about the property available.

This is a very nice site with great prices!

This is a sponsored post.

Time Travel Tuesday....When I Was 18

I turned 18 during my Freshman year at ETSU. I joined Delta Zeta Sorority. My dorm room was broken into and my eel skin pocketbook, mini recorder, $50 and my favorite pair of Benetton (or were they Esprit?) blue jeans were stolen. I loved to "Walk Like An Egyptian" down at Richard A's and Tu La Fe's...Matilda Bay Wine Coolers were my absolute everyones favorite drink.

This was my first time away from home...take a look at my dorm room. Can we say "spoiled"??!! My roommate Dawn's Dad laid the carpet and my parents took care of our cool Balloon Shades. Of course, we chose to use the popular colors of "Peach and Green"!

My sister and I on the day I moved into my dorm room.


That's me right there in the middle...I can't believe how slim my legs are. And look at those cool Kaepas!! I wonder what color triangles I have snapped in....probably peach! lol!

Oh boy...can't wait to read the other Time Travel Tuesday entries!!