We were supposed to make tracks for Steve’s parent’s house in Charlotte yesterday morning but a few inches of snow arrived on the scene and changed our plans.
I know, I know. We Southerners are stymied by a couple inches while you hardier folks in the more northerly climes don’t even bat an eyelash until the snow drifts loom over your rooftops. We are Snow Wimps around here, no doubt about it.
In our defense though, many of the roads on our prospective commute were reported to be snow and ice covered yesterday and we just didn’t feel like spending six hours “skating” our way to Charlotte. Although Steve has had a lot of experience driving in those conditions, most of the other people haven’t.
And so we hung out as a family all day, ordered in pizza (a rare treat) and watched Angels in the Outfield together, all snuggled together on the couch under a big afghan while Snowy took turns napping with each of us in turn. (He’s an equal opportunity napper.)
Tomorrow morning, Nathan will fly back to Florida from Charlotte. Since the airport is 20 minutes away from his grandparent’s house in Charlotte and two hours away from our house in Manteo, we figured it would be a lovely idea to have him fly out from there instead of here.
Actually, it’s not such a lovely idea to have him fly out at all, but . . . life goes on. We sure have loved having him home.
Speaking of Nathan, you know how college kids are always reputed to bring home their dirty laundry for their moms to do?
Well, Nathan is no different. A day after he arrived he said, “Mom, are you going to be doing laundry anytime soon? I’ve got something to add to a load.”
He then disappeared up the stairs to his room and returned with his arms full of dirty, stinky College Dude stuff.
Or not.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Two little ol’ socks comprised his entire “load of laundry” that he brought home from college. I got quite the chuckle out of that.
And then because Nathan is always full of entertaining thoughts and ideas, this was his contribution to our after dinner entertainment last week.
Would anyone like to take a guess as to how he got the salt shaker to balance like that? (And yes, we are very easily entertained around here.)
Before I close, a Smithellaneous friend e-mailed to say that she had gotten a new Kindle for Christmas and is very excited about ordering some books to put on it. Her only problem? She’s not quite sure which books to order.
So she and I thought it would be fun to ask you all for some of your favorite book titles and a sentence or two synopsis if you have the time to add that. I am ALWAYS on the lookout for new books and since we’re a family of friends here on Smithellaneous, what better thing for us to do than to share the books that are special to us?
Thanks in advance; I’m looking forward to see some of your reading lists!
I’ll close with our annual Christmas photo. Have a happy day!
18 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):
Drive carefully...ice is nothing to mess with..and I live in Wisconsin :).
Book titles:
1.Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers: My favorite. Fictionally based on Hosea this story will capture your heart and soul. It is a long one but really worth reading whether you are a Christian or not.
2. Any book by Francine Rivers...she is a wonderful story writer and you will not be able to stop reading when it is time for bed...or breakfast the next morning :).
3. Any book by Lori Wick. I know her personally and she is another wonderful Christian writer that will show God's love through each of her stories.
Good luck :). Do you have to pay for each book that goes on a kindle or is there somewhere you can download them for free, like a library? If you pay for each book, what is the average cost? Thank you!
What a WONDERFUL family photo! You all look MAH-velous. Still praying for a Christmas-time miracle for Snowy. I'll get back to you with the books later. God bless.
LOVE the Christmas picture! Sure would love a copy for our refrigerator. How's that for subtle?! I've been reading the Karen Kingsbury series and truly enjoy her style. Good spiritual concepts woven throughout.
If I had a kindle, the first book I would probably buy would be the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon in spite of the fact that I own the whole series in hard cover and have probably read each one a hundred times. I love the way she writes and the story line is very engaging. I just wish it didn't take her 5 years to write each installment.
My daughters love the Hunger Games series, and Jill (who is Sarah's age) also love anything Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.
If she will let you borrow it, Water for Elephants is not appropriate for Sarah, but for an animal lover like you it is one of the best books ever. Sara Gruen has a little different writing style and it takes the first couple of chapters to get used to, but it is such a great story. The movie is coming out soon with Rob Pattison and Reese Witherspoon too!
Hope these ideas help!
My non-techie self is wondering what a kindle is.
Loved the Christmas picture--what a good-lookin' family! :-)
Love deb
Hello from my new notebook computer that my family generously gave me for Christmas. Now I don't have to wait to be at the office to leave you a message. I have been on vacation since Dec. 20 - I enjoyed 8 wonderful days with my daughter and Grandson - it a wonderful Christmas but I had Snowy and all of you in my heart and thoughts. I am so sorry that Snowy's condition is not curable and I know how it feels to lose a loving and well loved dog at Christmas time. I hope that Snowy enjoys many more days with all of you and when his time comes to go to Heaven you will have known that there was never a happier and more loved dog than he. It is completely right and expected to grieve and worry about our four legged family members - they are the best of God's creations and it is hard to have their lives end. Snowy, you are a brave sweet little guy and you will always bring smiles to the faces of your family - Stay safe in your travels and I hope for the very best for all of you. Mary H.
I can't seem to get this to post by my Google account - I will work on that.
Beautiful Family Picture for a Beautiful Family!
Hi Deb (Anon 11:47), Becky, and the Rest of the Smithellaneous Gang!
A Kindle (by Amazon) is a Wireless Reading Device. The best invention IN THE WORLD. According to the news 6 Million were purchased this holiday season. I have had mine about 18 months. If you go to www.amazon.com the picture of a Kindle is right there. The books are SUPER CHEAP. A NY best seller, brand new, hardcover book is about $35 (new) at a bookstore or a 6 month wait at the library, if you purchase the book to be put on the Kindle, usually NO MORE THAN $12.
The Help: Kathryn Stockett
The Quiet Game: Greg Iles
Anything by: Barbara Delinsky
Anything by: Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes, My Sister's Keeper (way different than the movie).
Hope this answers the Kindle Question. If you have anymore questions, Deb (or anyone), just ask.
Happy New Year!
Jodi
If she likes history, or Abraham Lincoln, I suggest "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I've read it at least three times. Starts with a brief synopsis (2 or 3 chapters) of his early life then proceeds with his election to the presidency and his time as president. Goodwin is a wonderful author.
No one has said anything about the salt shaker yet, and I know that answer, so I'll just blurt it out - it is balanced on ONE GRAIN OF SALT!!! My son, Jacob, loves to perform this trick at restaurants!
Mindy Barker
Hello all. I'm in work today and then off til the 10th Jan and I don't have a computer at home. Therefore I would like to wish you all a very happy new year. I will keep Snowy in my prayers and hope and believe that his cute little face will be on the blog when I get back.Love and prayers to you all.
Two things...
My very new favorite book is called Same Kind of Different As Me. How two men from two totally different backgrounds became friends and led hundreds to Jesus. Even better it is true...
Second, we were in Charlotte last week to visit family. If you have not visited the Billy Graham Library you have to go! It is free! I could have spent hours there!
Good Luck!
The family picture is great! Happy, Blessed New Year to All.
Oh, I saved the family picture and will try to e-mail it to the drugstore for a hard copy. Need to replace an "older" one that I have on my refrig.
I'm in Virginia and we got nailed too. i don't blame you for waiting. Great blog! :0)
I also got a Kindle for Christmas and I am reading Elizabeth Edwards book called "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength From Friends and Strangers". The great thing about the Kindle is you can get a free sample of a book you think you might want to read. They will send you the first couple of chapters so you can read them and decide if you want to buy it. I got the sample of this book and could not put it down. This is an extraordinary memoir written by an amazing woman who has since lost her battle with breast cancer, and lost her son to an auto accident when he was 16. This book will help anyone dealing with any kind of adversity. I highly recommend it! The books you download to your Kindle cost less than buying them at Target. The only downside is that not every book is available to download.
Debbie in FL
Glad to hear that Snowy is doing better than expected. Enjoy!
Love the family photo.
Hugs,
Connie F-G
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