THE COZY CABIN

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

OMG it has been more than a month...

since I've written anything at all. I'm just not very good at this blogging thing yet.

Lots has happened in the past several weeks. Maybe I'll number them to make it easier to follow:

(1) Jacob has been at USMC boot camp in Parris Island, SC since August 25th. He's adjusting well, and seems to like it (once he got passed a little homesickness.) He did have an upper respiratory and eye infection, but that's all better. His platoon had 3 days of light duty recently due to a pneumonia outbreak, but thankfully Jacob didn't get that. He also survived the gas chamber training, which he said felt like his skin was on fire.

(2) Jordan is my 7th grader and he's almost finished with football. He played on his school's b-team, and their last game is 10/30. So far they lost 3 games and won 5, which is pretty good for his first time playing.

(3) After many months of searching for a job, Justin finally found one (yippee!) He is working at a machine shop that makes parts for everything. He started on 10/20 and it's taking him some time getting used to the hours (7am-4:30pm) as he is still a teenager and likes to sleep late (not anymore - ha!) After 90 days he will start getting benefits, and I hope he continues to do well.

(4) Perry plays in a bluegrass band, and his schedule of "gigs" has increased a little bit, but he really enjoys being in the band.

(5) In addition to my part-time job as secretary at an attorney's office, I started a second part-time job working in a department store. This is waaayyyy outside the box for me (being a secretary for the last 26 years) working in retail, but aside from my tired feet I really like it. Plus I've lost 8 pounds.

So that's what has been happening with the Stinnette family for the last few weeks. We are planning a trip to SC in November for Jacob's graduation from boot camp. I can't wait to see him and I'm happy he'll get a couple weeks home before going off to more training.

Fall has arrived, and the trees have been beautiful--although this week the temperatures have been more like winter. While at work yesterday, it started sleeting, but I'm glad that didn't last long.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Our Labor Day Weekend Camping Trip

For the 4th year in a row, we headed to the Wytheville, VA KOA campground for some good old fashioned tent camping (complete with air mattress and bath house nearby.) Why go there you ask? So we could travel over to nearby Hillsville for their annual GI-NOR-MOUS flea market where over 500,000 visitors travel to every year. There are hundreds of vendors selling everything ... you name it you will find it there. I found a playbill from the Gone With The Wind movie -- a one-page folded in half program -- for $2.00. I've been searching the internet trying to find if it's worth anything. I also purchased two pieces (cup and saucer) of depression glass in the Amber Sharon Rose pattern. I have started collecting this -- getting a piece each time I visit the flea market. Also I found for my friend Kim 9 skeleton keys and 4 smaller old keys. She will use these in her fabulous artwork. All in all a great trip to the flea market I think, and I spent less than $30!!!

While we were gone, a letter came from our son who is at boot camp in Parris Island, SC. He gave us his permanent address, so I'm sure I'll be writing lots of letters (already mailed two.) Please keep Jacob in your prayers.

Friday, August 22, 2008

I can't believe it's been over a month....

since I've written anything on my blog! So much has happened too. We went to the beach on vacation July 19-26. The weekend of August 3rd, my Stamp-Shack pal, Margo~flyingflower and her family, came to stay with us for the weekend and help with the big going-away picnic for my son, Jacob, who leaves for USMC Bootcamp on August 24. (Here's a pic of Margo and me.)