it's nice to help others

Today while at Walmart we heard someone trying to start their car and by the sound we knew the engine was destroyed.  We saw smoke and went over to see if we could help.  There was a man sitting in the car, and the car was filled with smoke and fumes.  He was barely coherent, so we knew something was really wrong.  After quite a long time and making some phone calls on his phone we were able to contact his son who told us to call an ambulance.  When the cops came, they figured out that the man was having a diabetic/insulin problem.  We were happy to see him get some help.  Poor man couldn't drive anywhere because his car engine was fried and he couldn't think straight to even complete a sentence, and his legs were all bound up with bandages.  I don't know anything about diabetes, but that sure was a sad situation.  Thanked God we were there to help him!

Darryl bought me this really cool microphone shield for my new fancy mic.  It's outrageous!  We were all set up to record today but ran into a bit of technical problems that he needs to figure out.  At least we got a good recording of my guitar.  When we finally get it working correctly we will try again to record my vocals.  It so freaking cool.  We are going to add some percussion, and possibly some harmony, and whatever else to make it super sweet.  I'm so thankful that my husband invests in my talent.  It's awesome to know he believes in me...and not just because he's my husband.

He got me a cool mixer and a new mic with a pop filter.  So profesh...

Here's my new recording set-up.  Awesome!!  Can't wait to have a finished product.

On the phone picking Ryan's brain... haha.

The first song we are recording is my congregational song.  It's gonna be great!

It's super nice to help others!  It's also really meaningful when others help me or do something nice for me.  It doesn't happen very often, so that makes it all the more special when someone does.

hot things

We got a couple more potatoes today.  It's  so neat that we can go out in the garden and dig up a part of our dinner.  hehe  We are also getting some nice habaneros.  I haven't tried one yet.  I love hot things, but those scare me.

I moved my Thai Hot Ornamental peppers to a pot so that deer won't step on them.  I'm planning to bring them in the house as the weather gets too cold for them outside.  I'm hoping to have hot peppers forever.

 I'm taking some of these things to Grand Rapids to give to Ryan.

Jeremy Camp

 Darryl and I went to Collyde Summit this weekend.  It was really good.  We enjoyed all the times of worship by some really great worship leaders.  We learned things from different sessions we went to...mostly about worship and leadership.  Jeremy Camp did a concert while we were there, and he's really good.

one potato

my first potato!

Yes, it is a potato...that I grew in my garden!  How cool is that?  I just love this.  I took some rotten potatoes and threw them in my compost over the summer and they started growing, so I planted them in my garden, and now I'm getting potatoes.  I'm so excited.  So, yeah, I cooked it and I'm showing a picture of it here to show my husband what he missed for supper tonight.  awww, sorry... but it was DELICIOUS.  Just one little potato, but it tasted so good.  I can't wait to see how many more are out there!  (funny how stubby and flattened my fingertips look after playing guitar for a year!)

crock pot chicken with carrots...and 1 potato... hehe

And this is one of the rascally deer that is demolishing my garden.  I'm glad the potatoes are safe under ground!  They are eating all my nice new plants around the pool too.  Little boogers.

deer in my garden :(

Well, a week from today CBC starts.  I'm gearing up... practicing songs on my guitar.  Gee, I better get hustling, huh?

walking in the garden

Today's pickings

I went in the garden today not expecting to find many tomatoes left, but I ended up with a whole shirt full.  And there are still lots out there!!  I didn't realize I had planted Heirlooms, but when I checked 2 of the name tags, that's what they were.  I was glad I kept the tags, because those are my favorite tomatoes this year.  We also did Romas, and Cherry tomatoes, and I like those too.  Especially the cherry tomatoes, when I'm walking through the garden I just pop them in my mouth while I'm picking.  I think I got that habit from my parents.

This one is conjoined...

These will make a lovely sauce.

All blended up and starting to simmer.

A yummy finished batch!

It is so yummy with the fresh basil and oregano from my garden.  I also picked our first watermelon yesterday.  It is delicious!  It was so exciting.

Sugar Baby

I have 2 more in the garden that aren't quite ready yet.

I have more herbs in the garden that I need to harvest and dry for the winter.  That will be kinda cool, huh?  Something very special about using my own herbs in my dishes.

And I see the deer are coming back into my front yard eating my plants.

I am still working on my guitar and vocal skills.  I have been feeling pretty discouraged lately, and I'm not sure why.  Sometimes I feel like I 'm not progressing as much as I'd like.  I've always been so optimistic, but lately I'm trying to be more realistic I guess, and trying to make it sink in that it's going to take a really long time.

Darryl is so encouraging to me.  Gosh, I can't believe how insecure I am.

Josh Wilson/ Matthew West concert

Last night we went to a Josh Wilson/ Matthew West concert.  Darryl and I really enjoyed it.  As you can see, Emma was there.  She loved it.  A bunch of people from church were there too.  It got VERY cold before it ended.  I'm glad Darryl was there so I could sit on his lap to stay warm since I didn't bring any blankets with us.

Kymer's Camping trip

The bear I saw as soon as I was checked into my cabin. He loved that dumpster!

Sunday morning fire

The church camping trip has come and gone.  I'm glad I went, but as usual, I was glad to go home at the end.  It was fun being with the people, hanging out, swimming, going in hot tub, eating, and singing, but it was so dang hot the first couple of days.  I was very uncomfortable.  We also had some thunderstorms to add excitement.

I...
rode my bike.
went for a long walk.
got blisters.
road in a mini cooper with 4 other people (3 of us with no seat belts).
went to a farmers market and bought some stuff.
saw lots of bears!
slept in a cabin with people I don't know very well.
played guitar and led songs twice.  (the 2nd time was definitely better)

Let's see.  I think that about covers it.

Marlton getaway

Darryl and I had a fun little getaway down in Marlton this week.  I'm glad I went.  It was fun to go out to dinner and suspend reality.  

I had to go get fingerprinted for a TSA Pre card.  I'm super excited to be getting it.  It will make flying so much better.  I'm tired of getting pulled aside, and patted down.  I must look terribly suspicious!  The grey-haired terrorist, don't ya know?  (rolling eyes) Those airport folks are so nasty too.  I think they get some kind of sick pleasure out of looking at me like a criminal.  I think the nicest airport I've ever been to is Detroit, believe it or not.  They don't make you undress or anything, and they are so darn friendly and happy.   Such a nice change.   

I finished my fourth song!  I'm seriously looking forward to recording it.  Darryl is going to help me record all my songs so that they actually sound GOOD.  That makes me exceedingly happy.  I'm glad he sees (hears) past my crappy recordings... and knows how nice they CAN sound. 

Tomorrow is the start of our church camping trip.  Hoping that goes well.  You just never can tell about these things.