Dad's Birthday

Michael Frederick Hall

Date of Birth...........February 28, 1943

Today would have been (and I guess actually is and always will be) Dad's birthday.  He would have been 68 years old today.  Even though he is no longer here to celebrate with us,  I will always remember and celebrate his birth because without God's plan for his life, the world.....my world, would be very different. 

Morgan made it safely back to TN last night.  The weather was horrible for flying, and she said that the flight was very choppy.  Lots of delays, flying through lightening, and not being so fond of flying in the first place made for a long trip.  She said that the weather there was horrible, and from pictures she sent back, it looked like it.  Lots and lots of snow and wind.  The whole group from TN got sick while in Nebraska.  Sinus, cold, fever, that type of thing.  I'm just glad that she is back on familiar "ground". 

Mom, again, went to church with us yesterday, then to Bob Evans to eat, and a trip to Wal-Mart.  It is so nice to be out and about with her. 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

Have you read......

.....and what did you think?

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.  Proverbs 14:15

Pizza and a Basketball Game

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

I Have A Great.........

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,  Psalms 16:9

Leavin' on a Jet Plane.......

 Morgan left today for a trip to Nebraska to tour architectural structures.  I wanted a minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, anything I could get, that would let me know where she was, what she was doing, and that she was OK.

This picture was sent to me in a text at 5:31am.  Waiting to board her flight.

I text back...."Have fun.  And be careful.  Send lots of pictures.  Praying for you!!  Love you bunches!!!!"  No reply.


This next picture was sent to me in a text at 6:06am.  She and Dustin with their tickets.

 I text back....."Yay! Tickets are a good thing to have." 
No reply


This next picture was sent to me in a text at 6:51am.  Her text also said...."That's the whole plane.  I'm gonna have a panic attack  I'm clostraphobic"

 Poor thing, I know how she feels.  I feel the same way on a plane. 
 I text back......"You will be fine.  Just breathe and pray.  Think how fun it's going to be. "No reply.


At 9:21am she sends a text that says, "Hey I'm in Chicago"
I text back....."Ok.  Fun flight?  How did you do?
She replies..."I can't send pictures because of AT&T jam in the airport"
I text back....."Ok.  Just take them and send them when you can.  Having fun?  Love you!


At 1:59pm she sends a text that says, "In omaha"
I text back...."Ok.  Good flights so far?
She replies...."Yeah"


At 2:46pm she sends the following picture in a text and says, "Baseball world series tell pops"



At 3:59pm she sends the following picture and says, "Go herd"

I reply, "How funny.  Dad will love that."
She says, "Does his phone work"
I reply, "Yes."

That's all we've got! 

She is flying back to Tennessee on Sunday.  She is blanketed in prayer, but more prayers would be greatly appreciated by this Momma! 

 Lord, please keep your hand of safety over her, allow her to remain healthy, not to be seperated from the people that she is traveling with, and allow her to gain knowledge and wisdom from this trip.  In Jesus' name.  Amen

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 

New Thirty-One Stuff....

Paula just came and brought some things that I had ordered a couple of weeks ago from a party that one of her friends held. 

Yay!  I love this stuff!

A Zipper Pouch (with my name on it).  A Mini On-the-Go Organizer (for me to hold my Rewards cards, gift cards, etc.).  A Manicure Nail File (gift for me from Paula).  A Key Fob (gift for me from Paula).  A Rosette Clip (Valentine's Day gift for Molli that didn't make it in time). And, a Littles Carry-All Caddy (with a "M" on it for Mia, as a Valentine's Day gift that didn't come in time - late is better than never). 

I still have an order that hasn't come yet from Tarah's party - can't wait.

I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me.  John 10:14

One of My Favorite Activities........

.............Decorating!

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.  Psalms 27:14

A Surprise Self-Photo, A Return, and A Finished Project

 Today I didn't have to go to work and Maci didn't have school because of President's Day - Yay!  I did laundry, vacuumed, dusted, changed sheets, and cleaned bathrooms along with cleaning out the fridge today.  Actually, I like to do housework.  It is so nice to go to bed, at the end of the day, and everything is clean and tidy.  Also, I like to start out the workweek with everything as it should be at the house, when I leave of a morning, and when I return in the evening. 

 Maci went bowling with some friends.  What a great day!

When I downloaded my photos this evening, for the blog, this cute face showed up.  I didn't take it, so guess who took a photo of herself........Maci!

Jim's Tundra phone (that is supposed to be as strong as steel), quit working.  Luckily it was one day before the warranty was up....how often does that happen?  He received the replacement phone and is getting ready to mail the broken phone back to AT&T.  Just wanted some pictures for proof.

 And, now for............my little project that I completed.  I got this desk as a Christmas gift when I was about 10 years old.  My Dad and Mom, along with Janice and Pete stained it in the garage at Fairplain.  I LOVED it.  That same year, I got a typewriter for Christmas.  I did alot of typing at this desk.  I purchased calendar desk pads each year for the desk.  I have always loved stationary and office supplies.  I even have a thank-you note that I had typed for the neighbors, for mine and Fred's Christmas gifts from them that year.  When they passed away, their children gave the note back to Dad and Mom.  Anyway, this desk (stained) has been used at every house we have lived in.  Jim and I used it in our first home as a desk for paying bills, etc.  When we got our first computer (at our apartment in Ceredo in 1989 - Wow! from Dad and Mom) we sit it on this desk.  After the girls were born, each one used it at some time for a desk, a library check out desk, and then the girls used it for a make-up table when they got older.  Since Maci just got her new bedroom furniture, that included a makeup table, the desk went to storage.  I saw in a magazine where someone had used a desk for a bedside table.  I use my laptop sometimes of a night before bed, and have just been laying it on the floor beside the bed when I am finished, so the idea of using the desk for a bed side table sounded perfect.  I didn't want to use it stained the original color, so I painted it black.  I purchased a piece of glass for the top so that it wouldn't get scratched, and began the hunt for knobs.  I knew what I wanted, and just had to surf the net and visit some shops till I found these glass ones that I love.  There is even a leather basket underneath to hold my magazines and books that I'm reading (and want to read).  I love how it turned out.

(Not sure what the brown strip on the bottom drawer is....is not there in real life.)

Hope that everyone has a great week!

By standing firm you will gain life.  Luke 21:19

What a Talent!

Morgan finally sent me a picture of her drawing that is in a downtown Tennessee studio.  It is amazing.  She is so talented, but this doesn't even come close to her designs that she graphs and then builds.  Her God given talent exceeds my understanding.  She has been blessed with this talent and my prayer is that she uses the talent for God's glory.

Today, Mom went to church with us this morning, then we ate lunch at Bob Evans.  I thank God for her, because in the last two years there have been many times that I believed she would never have been able to attend church with me, leave the nursing home, or even get out of the bed.  All praise, for her recovery, to God. 

Maci went to AB College today with the Bartrams.  Evalene was singing in a program today at the school.  And, Maci said that the program was very good.  She got to see Andrew today also.

This afternoon Jim and I took a nap and then I went back to church this evening.  Maci and I will be home tomorrow and I have a few plans for the day.  Love a day home from work.

But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  Matthew 5:44

Only Three Left....

Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.  2 Samuel 22:50

Another Beautiful Day!

 Today was another beautiful, warm, sunny day out....I could get very use to this! 

Maci's car had a little mishap today.  Going down the driveway, the brakes quit working.  Glad she was only in the driveway.  The problem is being repaired, because a girl needs her wheels.

I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Psalms 27:13

What a Beautiful Day!

Today, the weather was just beautiful!  Warm, sunny, a slight breeze......just beautiful!  Maci is wearing shorts today.  During lunch, I visited four little specialty shops in town.  It was so nice to be out and about.  I didn't purchase anything, but saw some furniture at Vail's that I will keep my eye on. 

After work, I stopped at Kroger's for a few things, then headed home.  Jim had fixed yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.  It was delicious! 

Maci is asleep on the couch.....she stays so busy, and gets to bed so late after completing her homework.  I hope to be hitting the hay a little earlier than last night also.  I did walk this morning, so I should have a little more energy (after one day - ha!). 

So happy that the weekend is only one day away, and Friday really qualifies for the weekend, so actually it is only one sleep away.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

A Quiet Evening

Today, I left work at noon and had a nice lunch at Crabby Patty's with Molli.  Molli was off to the grocery store and then school, and I headed to Ravenswood. I picked up my contacts at Ravenswood Eyecare, shopped a little at Big Lots (ha!), dropped off my water bill in Fairplain, and headed home.  On Maci's bed were these t-shirts.....

she is an athletic trainer at RHS.  This was one of her classes this past semester.  She sure looked cute in her khaki's, tennis shoes, and RHS jacket, down on the basketball court.

Jim and Maci headed out for some father/daughter time.  Here they are dressed and ready to go to the Marshall basketball game. 

 She always wants a silly picture...whatever!

 She sent me this picture once they were inside the Henderson Center.

It's nice to have a quiet evening, alone, at home, while I know that they were having a loud evening, together, at the basketball game.

 The only thing that will make it better, is a safe trip home, and a big WIN!

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.  Psalms 107:9

Can you hear me now?

There has been a breakdown in communication between the Oiler's, and it's not because of a disagreement.  Rather, it is because of a malfunction in the Motorola Tundra.  What did we do back in the day of land lines?

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4

Happy Valentine's Day.....Love is in the Air

 When I got up this morning and went in to our bathroom, this is what I found on the vanity....a card from my Sweetheart.  Then when I went out to my car to leave for work, this is what I found in my seat......another card from my Sweetheart.  I love surprises!

 Maci took my picture before she left for school.  I'm wearing my Valentine's Day shirt.

 Today at work, the Fed Ex man came in carrying this box and I overheard him, from my office, say it was for me.  I seriously thought......Flowers in a Box.....again, and chuckled to myself.  But, actually it was better than Flowers in a Box.

 Inside that box was this box with a card that said.....Happy Valentine's Day, from Jim.  And inside this box.....

 were these delicious looking strawberries.  That man knows my heart!!!

 Maci got Hershey kiss "flowers" from Trevor delivered to school today.  He's a sweetheart too.

 For dinner, Jim made his "famous" spaghetti.  Molli and Tyler came over and we dined like kings and queens.  For dessert, we had cookies.......

 and cake.......

 and heart shaped brownies and ice-cream (Tyler's favorite). 

 Molli made this plate of cookies for her Dad and I.  Jim loves her no bake cookies.  She is such a sweet, thoughtful daughter.

 Then it was time for gifts (from our hearts).  This is Tyler's Valentine's Day gift from Jim and I.......

 He is such a funny guy!  He was pretending to be a teacher from his high school days.  It was funny!!!

 This was Molli's Valentine's Day gift......

 This is Maci's Valentine's Day gift.......

 This is a picture that I received today, on my iPhone,  from our Tennessee girl dressed in her Valentine's Day outfit.  She's so cute with her jewelry and hair bow.  Her gift was mailed to her last week with instructions on it....Do Not Open Until Valentine's Day.....wonder how that went down?

 Gus' Valentine's Day gift......

 Trevor's Valentine's Day gift......

 Jim's Valentine's Day gift......I. Love. Him!

 Jim's gift of his heart to Molli......

 (That is not wine or liquor in the wine glass.....just pop.  We use these to drink out of for dinner.)

Jim's gift of his heart to Maci.....

 Tyler, Molli, and Gidget.

 Relaxing with Gidgy Goo....

I'm off to eat one strawberry....which one to choose? 

Also, we miss you so much Morgan!  It's just not a complete family dinner and holiday without you here!  Your Dad and I love you bunches sweetie....can't wait till Spring break!

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.  I Corinthians 13:4-8