Valentine Weekend

Wow - what a wonderful weekend! Eric, Julie, Randy, and I went to the Keys for the weekend (thanks to Randy's free hotel stays from all his travels) It was a beautiful place. Romantic Hotel, hot tub, swimming pool normally has a waterfall on it but either they were repairing it or had it off everytime we were at the pool but hopefully it will be repaired prior to RC and Brittney going for her birthday.

We took our bikes and parked on Key West and road the island from one side to the other. Ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Of course I had the Cheeseburger in Paradise & a Margaritta - the others weren't as traditional (but hey if we are going to live the song.........) We took pictures at the "Southern Most Point of the Continental USA" It was so relaxing and kicked back - even more relaxed atmospher than Hawaii. I know I would be bored there fairly quickly but.......I could do it for a couple of weeks.

Valentines day was back to work and spending time with the boys, but was still a good day. Ethan brought me a red rose and a heart shaped lollipop, so I still had something pretty for V-Day. This week has been crazy at work - I know why I was aprehensive about the buy out - MEETING MEETING MEETING to discuss the previous meeting - GAG!

I'm homesick this week knowing my mother is spending time with my granddaughter and daughter but I'm glad that Nanny can be near even if I can't. I understand Rylee loves her Uncle Shawn and Aunt Tasha, but then again what's not to love! I cannot believe it's been 5 months since I've seen her, she doesn't even know me which is sad, for both of us.

Well that's pretty much it for now. Hope God blesses each of you.

Ultimate Valentine

."For God so loVed the world,
.........That He gAve
.............. His onLy
............. BegottEn
.................... SoN
......................... That whosever
..........believeth In Him
............ Should Not perish,
..........but have Everlasting life."
.................................. John 3:16

Quote worth remembering

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace... and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

Weekend

Wow I cannot believe the weekend is over. I didn't get nearly as much done as I had planned! Friday night Brittney made RC a birthday supper and invited us over. It was wonderful - close to heaven, She did the work while I played with the boys - we ate (pork chops, potatoes, green beans - UMMMMMMM makes me hungry just remembering it). I helped with the dishes then Britt & I lost a couple of games of dominoes to the guys (I think they were dealing off the bottom, cause Britt and I usually win!)

Saturday I spent probably close to 2 hours on the phone with Nyki - then had to hurry out the door to get to Weight Watchers for Randy to weight in - I'm joining again and getting serious about it THIS WEEK!!!!!!! Met up with Britt and the boys for some errands, back to our house to play Literati while Randy hung a ceiling fan, RC came and helped him after working all day with his friend Russell. They had to go to Home Depot to get something else and picked up supper - then when Randy sat down to eat he ran out of gas so he had to finish up Sunday. The boys spent the night with us. I talked to Shawn and Tasha earlier in the day while they were sorting clothes I always enjoy talking to the kids! Which makes me feel guilty about not getting around to calling my mom cause she might enjoy hearing from me!!!!!!!!!

Sunday I taught the 2 year old's first service class - Luckily Randy helped out, but we (the person who hates for people to be late) was more than 15 minutes late - I forgot how long it takes to make Pancakes & clean up and get the boys ready (I did get up an hour early but guess that wasn't early enough). Luckily we have an exceptional church where people just step in and cover for those of us who are running late. (Not that I haven't done that myself for others - but was embarrassed it had to be done for me!) Randy and I went home - started working on the fan again, Eric came over to set up the network for Randy's PS2 - but ended up helping with the fan since the PS2 is in the room we had the electricity turned off in. Brice stopped by to see me and helped the guys - I know a ceiling fan should not be that hard but remember that there is no lights in the ceiling so they had to run brand new wire and rewire the switch to work on the light instead of the plug in the wall. But you should see my BRIGHT colored ceiling fan in the computer room (we're decorating in M&M's so we needed bright colors.) Randy and I just crashed after everyone left and now here it is Monday and my plan to do list is just as long (in case you didn't notice Randy was the one doing the "work" this weekend - I was just a bum)

Twila's Stress Reduced

As many of you know my company was bought out by Stanley Corporation. We were not sure how things were going to go from the buy out - but we have been assured that last Friday's Reduction in Work Force (RIF) was the only one coming. Tampa office lost only one employee and that was Jeff Johnson, a gentleman we were going to seperate in early December - but due to lack of documentation on past offenses my boss opted to put him on a performance plan. (I lost many nights sleep over this because Jeff is an extremely quick to blow individual (HOT HEAD) who is licensed to carry.) But with it being a RIF he was able to receive a severence package & leave in a dignified manner, so things went extremely smooth.

So after all the above stress my job is finally settling down to status quo so I'm beginning to sleep again.

Thanks to all of you who remembered me in your prayers for the last few months! Also a praise my raise that was given in November has finally been cleared so I should see an increase this week - yeah!!!!!

After 25 years and still going strong.