It’s been a long weekend… our town’s mayor collapsed at work earlier in the week, and they found a plum-sized tumor near his speech center. Husband and I drove up to see him and his wife on Friday morning- things look pretty bleak, but we are all praying; and I believe that God is able to heal JD and bring him back home to finish the work he’s started. Until that time, the rest of us are going to work as hard as we can, keep praying, and try to make sure that our little town is in the same good shape when he comes home as when he left.
Then Friday night our band/football team had to travel over three hours to the game (on the Mississippi state line). Whose idea is it to set these things up, and do they not care that gas is now $4 a gallon? Sure, we could have stayed home, but I want to be there for my child at every chance I get. We finally made it home and got into bed around 1 AM.
Up at 6 to get to the park for our bike group’s poker run (this one benefits families in distress in our area). We had a very good turnout and raised about $600, which was VERY good- this was our first try at a poker run like this. We finished everything up around 2 and headed out.
After we left the park, we ran into some other friends of ours, who invited us to a wedding (yes, here in the south, that kind of thing happens). On the way there, we had a nice shower, so we sat in wet jeans during the ceremony (that’s part of riding too). It was a sweet ceremony, and made me realize how fortunate I am that my husband and I have made a life together.
We finally made it home around 4 or so, got showered and cleaned up, and settled in for the night. I have learned/remembered some lessons that I’d like to share:

• everybody has problems – if you can get past your own ‘stuff’ and make others feel welcome, or cared for, you’re doing good.
• some people are just naturally negative about everything- take it in stride when you can, but sometimes you just can’t handle negative statements- when that happens, step away and regroup. Don’t let a negative person make you doubt who you are, or what you are capable of doing.
• you can do a lot more than you think you can.
• for those of you who are Christians – God is in control, and His hands hold the future. Don’t give up until the end.

Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

It’s Friday- tonight is the big game – Tigers vs. Bulldogs. I’ve still got to get my red shirt ready (we’re going to ‘red out’ the Dog House tonight). Not sure if we’ll take the bikes to Brantley or not. Probably be easier to find places to park up close, but I’m also not sure that someone won’t mess with them. (I don’t worry so much about the car, which really doesn’t make sense). We’ll probably end up taking the car, anyway. much less a chance of getting run over by someone not paying attention in all the traffic.
We’ve got the boiled peanuts ready – the World’s Largest Peanut Boil is this weekend, so we got some yesterday. Lots of things still to do to get ready, and I’ve still got some work to do on Dimple’s website.
Once again – Go Tigers!!!!

Well, it’s almost here. School started a couple weeks ago, and our first football game is this Friday night. Our biggest rivals, cross-county Brantley Bulldogs will host the game this week. Luverne has not been able to win in the last 5 years, but I’m hoping and praying we can take a winning team to the doghouse this Friday night, and show them the HAND!!!
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One another note, I’m working towards getting my new website up and ready to go. I’ve decided, after much thought, to change the basic setup of my business. When I started out 6 years ago, I was geared towards building websites for smaller businesses and churches. At first, I didn’t think I even wanted to get involved in the graphics side of the business, but that side has grown more and more, moving into logo and banner ads.
My interest in photography as also grown, and I’m developing a portrait line.
I’ve also branched out into print design, creating print ads, wedding invitations, book layout, business cards, letterhead and flyer design. I’m also encouraging my younger daughter, Little Red, to join me in designing custom handmade notecards and art pieces. I’m waiting anxiously to see if she’ll agree.
I may have more news later today.