We've added two new links for you to click on from the list on the right. The first one is www.idoubt.org IDoubt was started by some guys at our church as a safe place for people to express doubts and/or ask questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, etc. It's off to a great start (with only a little moderation needed)! It's not a debate forum, but a safe place for people to share their thoughts and feelings. "A gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight."~ 1 Peter 3:4
The other website is www.inyou.org InYou ministries is based in Roebuck (Spartanburg County), SC and led by Scott Wolfe. Scott and InYou have helped us tremendously to see the purpose and directions that God wants for our lives. We strongly recommend that you check them out and add them to your list of favorite 501c3's!
God Bless!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
We're baaack!!
Hello, we're home. We got home at about 6:45. We had a short but sweet visit to Sparkle City this weekend. We stayed with the Bradley family and had a wonderful time visiting with them. We even went to the Fish Camp to have Frankie with his golden locks (I'm jealous) wait on us. You go Frankie!! Dave Ramsey would be proud!!! John ate Catfish..... it was a literal fish, tail and all (but no head), battered and fried. I couldn't watch him eat it. But he says that it was good and now he can check that off his list of things to do in life...lol. Later Saturday night, John and Lance got their X-Box fix, except that now John wants a wide screen high def. TV. Thanks Lance. Andrea and I had a great time chatting and hanging out; the kids had a blast with Karis and Kayden. Kayden is a riot!! She is too cute!! Karis and Sadie were best buds. Thanks Bradleys for having us!!!
On Sunday we went to Braeden's birthday party at a skate park. It was really cool! I was impressed that Jake could go up the ramps and stuff and by the time we left he had gotten really good at his turns and flipping his board. Sadie had a great time slidding down the pipes on her butt...lol. We finally got to meet Medea's Adam's boys, our new little nephews. They are so adorable! Then we went back to mom and dad's house for a family birthday party for Dad, Adam, and Braeden. We had lots of cake and the kids had fun playing with their cousins all day. Of course, leaving was bittersweet. I wonder how long I'll continue to cry EVERY time I leave mom and dad's house....*sigh* I miss them a lot.
Okay, now for the real excitement......We pull in the driveway.....we were all very excited to see Spanky, who was out in the backyard. We came through the kitchen and out the sliding door on to the deck.... and saw Spanky in the middle of taking a dump. Well, he was so excited to see us that he didn't remember to squeeze out the last bit.... and ran into the house and proceeded to run ALL OVER with poop hanging out of his butt, and it smearing everywhere. Are you picturing this? So there's little poopy footprints because now he's stepped on it, run into the school room, jumped on the couch, and then onto my pants....my NEW pants. Of course, he thinks it's a game and a riot that we're all screaming and yelling and he's just so happy to see us, so finally I catch him and take him right to the sink......
I proceed to give him a bath, trying to keep him down in the sink while I'm using the hose like an enema to get the turd off his butt.... which is now smushed and ground into his tail because he sat down in the living room...... so I'm hosing his hiney (I did manage to get my rubber gloves on first)... Poor Spanky didn't know what the heck was going on....first we leave him ALONE, over night, we get home and immediately give him a bath/enema...... While the children are yelling and screaming and jumping up and down..... EWWW EWWWW EWWWW!
Anyway, we've been home for just over an hour.... I've used a whole thing of Clorox wipes, bathed, blow-dried, and brushed the dog, scrubbed the sink and surrounding area with scouring powder and bleach,...... then I went upstairs to change my poopy, wet dog smelling, soggy NEW sweater and pants.... But before I did, I went and gave John and great big hug while he was sitting on his throne playing his Xbox. I do have to give John some props though, for unpacking the car and starting the laundry before he retreated to his Xbox cave.
Never a dull moment.
On Sunday we went to Braeden's birthday party at a skate park. It was really cool! I was impressed that Jake could go up the ramps and stuff and by the time we left he had gotten really good at his turns and flipping his board. Sadie had a great time slidding down the pipes on her butt...lol. We finally got to meet Medea's Adam's boys, our new little nephews. They are so adorable! Then we went back to mom and dad's house for a family birthday party for Dad, Adam, and Braeden. We had lots of cake and the kids had fun playing with their cousins all day. Of course, leaving was bittersweet. I wonder how long I'll continue to cry EVERY time I leave mom and dad's house....*sigh* I miss them a lot.
Okay, now for the real excitement......We pull in the driveway.....we were all very excited to see Spanky, who was out in the backyard. We came through the kitchen and out the sliding door on to the deck.... and saw Spanky in the middle of taking a dump. Well, he was so excited to see us that he didn't remember to squeeze out the last bit.... and ran into the house and proceeded to run ALL OVER with poop hanging out of his butt, and it smearing everywhere. Are you picturing this? So there's little poopy footprints because now he's stepped on it, run into the school room, jumped on the couch, and then onto my pants....my NEW pants. Of course, he thinks it's a game and a riot that we're all screaming and yelling and he's just so happy to see us, so finally I catch him and take him right to the sink......
I proceed to give him a bath, trying to keep him down in the sink while I'm using the hose like an enema to get the turd off his butt.... which is now smushed and ground into his tail because he sat down in the living room...... so I'm hosing his hiney (I did manage to get my rubber gloves on first)... Poor Spanky didn't know what the heck was going on....first we leave him ALONE, over night, we get home and immediately give him a bath/enema...... While the children are yelling and screaming and jumping up and down..... EWWW EWWWW EWWWW!
Anyway, we've been home for just over an hour.... I've used a whole thing of Clorox wipes, bathed, blow-dried, and brushed the dog, scrubbed the sink and surrounding area with scouring powder and bleach,...... then I went upstairs to change my poopy, wet dog smelling, soggy NEW sweater and pants.... But before I did, I went and gave John and great big hug while he was sitting on his throne playing his Xbox. I do have to give John some props though, for unpacking the car and starting the laundry before he retreated to his Xbox cave.
Never a dull moment.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
A WOMAN SCORNED
You see folks, what John has failed to tell you is that I was hosting a ladies' Bible study at our home last night. I had worked hard on preparing the study on Judaism, spent countess hours cleaning the house and picking up yet again, and making sure that everyone had had a good dinner and dessert so that they wouldn't have to come downstairs AT ALL to interrupt our group. I asked two things of the family (and John, more specifically): Keep the kids upstairs. Keep the dog upstairs.
Considering the previous post by John then, I have to assume that he was too enthralled in his gauntlet world that he didn't realize that Sadie spent a considerable amount of time leaning over the stair-rail and watching our group. All of a sudden, it seemed odd to me that everyone was sort of looking past me and over my head.... I turned around to see a thumb-sucking sx year old on the stairs. Of course I asked her to go back up.
*sigh* Do I have to even tell you that she didn't listen? Afterall, what was mom going to do in front of all these ladies?? And do I have to say even further that the little darling came and stood directly behind my chair for some time; but how silly of me.... she was thirstly. "Go ask Daddy", I say. "He didn't listen", she replies. So I get her a drink and send her back upstairs. I can imagine this was all a blink of an eye for the X-box junkie.
Next comes Spanky, running into the group and jumping up on peoples' legs, sniffing, licking, and doing his dog thing. Well, at least one of the ladies was afraid of dogs, so I tried to get him; he jumped up on the couch between two others who weren't happy to have him there. Spanky thought it was really fun.... the game I was playing... trying to catch him. Well, finally I grabbed him and marched up the stairs and dumped him into the playroom. I asked John if he knew that Sadie had been hanging around downstairs and that the dog was harrassing my guests. "No", he replied, without averting his eyes from the tv screen. Well, obviously.
Did you catch the part that it was 11:30 pm before I finished cleaning up the kitchen and coming up to bed? And yes, there they sat. Gee, why do you think the kids gave me such a hard time about getting up for school this morning? Why has the boy been grounded to his room all afternoon because he was too cranky to listen to me read? The oldest girl is also grounded for not getting up this morning, until I had asked her six times and finally threatened her. She doesn't understand why she's grounded... she was just so tired and couldn't wake up. Hmmm. What about the six year old who has fussed and whined and sucked her thumb all day??
Yesterday, something really sad happened... one of the boys in our neighborhood came and sat on our porch and told us that his mother had left; moved out. I couldn't help but wonder how she could have the heart to leave her husband and children alone. It was heartbreaking.
"And that, your honor....."
Considering the previous post by John then, I have to assume that he was too enthralled in his gauntlet world that he didn't realize that Sadie spent a considerable amount of time leaning over the stair-rail and watching our group. All of a sudden, it seemed odd to me that everyone was sort of looking past me and over my head.... I turned around to see a thumb-sucking sx year old on the stairs. Of course I asked her to go back up.
*sigh* Do I have to even tell you that she didn't listen? Afterall, what was mom going to do in front of all these ladies?? And do I have to say even further that the little darling came and stood directly behind my chair for some time; but how silly of me.... she was thirstly. "Go ask Daddy", I say. "He didn't listen", she replies. So I get her a drink and send her back upstairs. I can imagine this was all a blink of an eye for the X-box junkie.
Next comes Spanky, running into the group and jumping up on peoples' legs, sniffing, licking, and doing his dog thing. Well, at least one of the ladies was afraid of dogs, so I tried to get him; he jumped up on the couch between two others who weren't happy to have him there. Spanky thought it was really fun.... the game I was playing... trying to catch him. Well, finally I grabbed him and marched up the stairs and dumped him into the playroom. I asked John if he knew that Sadie had been hanging around downstairs and that the dog was harrassing my guests. "No", he replied, without averting his eyes from the tv screen. Well, obviously.
Did you catch the part that it was 11:30 pm before I finished cleaning up the kitchen and coming up to bed? And yes, there they sat. Gee, why do you think the kids gave me such a hard time about getting up for school this morning? Why has the boy been grounded to his room all afternoon because he was too cranky to listen to me read? The oldest girl is also grounded for not getting up this morning, until I had asked her six times and finally threatened her. She doesn't understand why she's grounded... she was just so tired and couldn't wake up. Hmmm. What about the six year old who has fussed and whined and sucked her thumb all day??
Yesterday, something really sad happened... one of the boys in our neighborhood came and sat on our porch and told us that his mother had left; moved out. I couldn't help but wonder how she could have the heart to leave her husband and children alone. It was heartbreaking.
"And that, your honor....."
XBOX 360 and a bad dad
Do you all know that Kirsten bought "the family" an XBOX 360? Well she did; She is the most wonderful wife in all the land!
I have been able to find a few bits of time over the past few weeks to enjoy the new toy, and one of the things I like best about it is the Xbox Live Arcade. Old school games with new school interactivity! In the old days, I would leave my Colecovision turned on all night so my high score would not be erased- and after school I would invite my friend over to see my accomplishments. With the XBOX 360, my accomplishments are posted online for the world to see!
So, last night... I was playing Gauntlet:
I have been able to find a few bits of time over the past few weeks to enjoy the new toy, and one of the things I like best about it is the Xbox Live Arcade. Old school games with new school interactivity! In the old days, I would leave my Colecovision turned on all night so my high score would not be erased- and after school I would invite my friend over to see my accomplishments. With the XBOX 360, my accomplishments are posted online for the world to see!
So, last night... I was playing Gauntlet:
Sadie was watching me play and asked to join me. In hindsight, letting her play was like giving her crack.
3 hours later, at 11:30pm, Sadie and I, with our bloodshot eyes, are going for the new high score- beating down villains at every corner, and grabbing the treasure on our way! Then Kirsten walked in. Busted. Dad had turned into a 13 year old again, with his new video game, and lost track of time. But this time was different. This time I had Sadie with me. Oops.
Jake never had a chance- he was hooked on Gameboy right out of the womb- it was his destiny.
Lilly can take it or leave it. Last night while Jake, Sadie, and I were in the Den of iniquity playing our video crack, Lilly was resting on the bed, reading a book.
I know that Kirsten had high hopes for Sadie. Hey, at least Sadie did not suck her thumb for 3.5 hours!
Sorry Kirsten.
:^)
Monday, March 13, 2006
March Madness
This is a new thrill for the Vogels:
NCAA Men's Basketball!
Now that we live on Tobacco Road, amidst the Demon Decons, Tarheels, and Wolfpack, our only hope for survival was to join the fan-atics.
Oh yeah, one more team was lucky enought to make it into the NCAA: Dookies.
Luck for us, our team is going to win this year!
Luck for us, our team is going to win this year!
Next stop, Washington D.C.! Go Huskies!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Mom Speaks the Truth
This is what my mom says about mellow yellow (or as Frankie puts it... Sunny Delight): "you win...the color is awful. But you'll just have to live with it until you can save up to cover it up. What rooms were painted besides the living room? Kitchen and eating area? Does it go all the way to the front door? The sconces look great beside the fireplace! Mor".
Kir says: "No, luckily it ends before the entryway. uugh. But it does go all the way into the kitchen and around by the laundry room".
Kir says: "No, luckily it ends before the entryway. uugh. But it does go all the way into the kitchen and around by the laundry room".
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Mellow Yellow Anyone??
As some of you may know, all of the walls in our house have been an eggshell color.... not white, not tan, but somewhere in between. The paint also has a flat texture. If any of you have ever lived with flat paint, you know how easily it attracts fingerprints, dirt, and boogers. Also, if any of you know me at all, you know that this drives me absolutely nuts!! I'm am elated that they invented those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.... Can I get an "AMEN"!
Okay so we got a little money back from Uncle Sam this year. And since John hates to paint more than any other chore in the world, he hires Eddy the Painter to come and paint the living room/kitchen. Okay, Okay, I DID pick out the color. But you know how you can't really tell what it's going to look like on those little paper squares. I really thought it would look nice and buttery yellow. Well folks, it looks like a can of Mellow Yellow got shaken all over the walls. Not that Eddy the Painter did a bad job.......quite the contrary. He and his guys did a fabulous job. I even smiled and complimented a job well done.
Well, after a few hours of looking at it, I started to slip into a slump. There is no way that I can look at it day after day. REally, it makes me cranky just looking at it. None of our furniture or decore matches it. It's absolutely horrible.
Well, now John is aggravated with me and says I need to learn to live with it because he has no money left to have it repainted. But I'm telling you, I spend my life in these two rooms and I get cranky just looking at it!!! What's a wife to do? So I had this internal battle going on all day yesterday. Then I went to let out and put in a neighbor's dog.... which bit my finger really hard and made it bleed and black and blue!! Stupid dog!!! Needless to say, I sobbed all the way down the street and proceeded to bawl as I had to clean up the hideously yellow kitchen.
Well, we really don't have any money left so I guess I'll have to pray that God will help me get over my crankiness. If I had known this was going to happen, I would never have given up wine for Lent....uugh.
If any of you have pity on me (or my crankiness starts driving you crazy), I'll be accepting donations and suggestions as to what to do.
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