Zip the Lips

With Haley's departure date drawing closer & closer, my only desire is to spend as much time as possible with her before she leaves. Today, we had an opportunity to do so once again. After getting off work, we went later in the afternoon to a local craft show. Though neither of us were looking for anything in particular, it was giving us something to do rather than sit at home on the sofa. Our time at the show was quick as there were not many booths. However, I did purchase a Cardinals Christmas ornament as well as a Mizzou one. Not the most exciting show ever. Once we left there, we headed to Kohls as I was interested in looking for a few new shirts or sweaters. As we were in the clothing department looking around, Haley was a good distance away from me when she held up a sweater & called for me to take a look. I pointed my eyes in her direction & nodded my head as a sign of approval. She commented on how it "looked like me." She then looked at the price tag & very loudly proclaimed, "But it's still expensive!" I felt like crawling into the rack of clothes in front of me. I was rather humiliated. Remember, she was not standing near me--she was a bit aways so I'm sure plenty of individuals had to have heard her just about yell that out. People were probably thinking we're hobo's or something. Then, I must have had a shining moment myself--or at least it sounds as though I did. Haley picked up another shirt & mentioned that I should try it on. The shirt in her hands was short-sleeved & now that we're moving into cooler weather, I'm not interested in freezing in my wardrobe. Haley suggested that I buy a long-sleeve t-shirt to put underneath it. There was a display between Haley & I to the left so anyone or anything on her side to the left was out of my view. As she gave me the fashion tip I told her, "No, that would look gay! That's stupid looking & I'm not doing that!" I thought Haley's face looked a bit strange. Could have been because there was a lady standing right beside her that was dressed in the manner in which Haley had just proposed to me! After we had that bit of excitement, I moved in the fitting room to try on the stack of clothing in my hand. Someone before me, left a ton of clothes in the room & while Haley was kind enough to take some of them out & put them on the rack outside the fitting room area, she did not remove them all from my reach. There happened to be a shirt that someone had left in there that was just my size & caught my eye--it was hideous. I burst out in laughter & Haley was wondering why-(she assumed I couldn't get a shirt off-that I was stuck). I opened the door & was modeling the awful shirt that Haley had just said was ugly. She said it looked nice for an 80 year old. Since I still have a few years before I get there, I decided I'd wait on that one this time. We finally made it out of Kohls & on our way home, stopped at Starbucks to treat ourselves. What a grandiose time out.

Brother Ben & Sista Heather

In continuing with writing about my friends, I bring you the story of Brother Ben. "Now here's a story about Brother Ben, whose been a very unusual friend. He calls us dog, and says "What up G?" and now he's moving to Bethany." Those are the lyrics to the Ode to Brother Ben written by Haley, Crystal & I before Ben moved years ago. Ben, is definitely, an unusual friend-but in a good way. My first recollection of having met Ben comes from my Cousin Micah's 16th b-day party. Many of us were at Micah's girlfriend's house for the party when someone had the bright idea that we should all dance. Not knowing Ben at all, I quickly refused when he came to invite me to dance with him. From that point on, I have no memory-just that we became friends somehow. My guess? I would venture to say we got to know each other because of our many mutual friends & oftentimes, all hanging out as a group. Over the years, I have found Ben quite amusing. Brother Ben is, without question, my most naive friend (sorry Ben but you are!)--I'll get to that a little later. Being in the youth group together, we saw one another frequently & many times, a group of us would go to Taco Bell after church. I remember us getting a little too loud & rowdy one of the times. We would celebrate the beginning of baseball season at a number of Cardinals home openers & well as many other Cards games together. I recall Ben & I just driving around a couple of times all over St. Charles just to talk-one friend to another. I'm not sure now why we would drive around & waste gas (could it because gas was not over $3.00 13+ yrs. ago?)rather than just sit down somewhere else & talk. Crazy looking back! I remember fun times together during Disciple Now's at the Walton's & the DN Reunion at the Parrish's. I still love the picture I have floating around somewhere of Ben wrapped like a mummy in toilet paper!! Hilarious!! Honestly, I don't have any memory of us really keeping in touch one with another while Ben was attending college at SBU in Bolivar, MO but I also don't remember not keeping in touch. For a time, Ben was the teacher of the college/career class at FBC O'Fallon. I remember Ben inviting me to tag along with him to the MO Baptist Convention for a day when it was in St. Louis years ago. So, we went & I found it to be an interesting experience as there were some rather heated discussions taking place while we were there. Having ministered at the church he spent so many years in, it was time for him to move on in ministry--to a small town in Northern MO called Bethany. He was not there too long before Haley, Crystal & I paid him a visit. Despite the tad bit of a long drive, the cost of the hotel, etc.-it was worth it each time we went. Though there is not a whole lot going on in Bethany (well, there is a Super Wal-Mart that we went to three times in one day), there was (& still is) something about that town that I like. During one of our trips, Ben told us all about an Amish community nearby. Of course, since he told us about it, he HAD to go with us. While we ladies enjoyed it immensely, I'm not so sure that he was as thrilled as we were. In 2004, Ben, Haley, Crystal & I packed in the van & headed to Sebring, FL to visit our friend Greg. Ben is 1 of 2 kids in his family--the other being his brother. So, Ben did not grow up with sisters or girls in his house. I will not share all that we taught Ben during our long drive there & home but he definitely was educated on some things. As I said earlier, Ben is a bit naieve & well, just goofy. As we crossed over a bridge, Ben said, "Look at all that water!" Already having the knowledge that Ben had never been to an ocean, we were learning early that he was really going to be impressed when he finally did arrive at the beach! Afterall, if you can think a small lake is huge, the ocean is gigantic! He did not disappoint either. When we arrived to the beach, he said something to the extent of "Wow, you can't even see the end of it!" He was mesmorized by the expansion of the deep blue sea. While in FL, Greg recommended we go to Orlando & spend some time. We went to Disney World & just looked in a few shops & then ate some ice cream at Ghiradelli's (which, I still long to have another cone from there!). Though we never got close to the Magic Kindgom Castle, Ben informed us all that it was made out of plastic. We all 4 were laughing hysterically because Ben was thouroughly convinced that it was not an actual castle but just some big plastic thing. We kept telling him it was not & that it was an actual building that you could go into. Who know's--for all I now, he may still think it's a piece of plastic. We all had such a great time together on that trip. I am so glad we had the opportunity to share such a special time & make so many memories with one another during that week or so. When we went, Ben had just began dating a girl named Shellie not long before our trip. Months after our return home, I received a call asking me to come to Bethany to meet Shellie. Months later, he would call me again--this time, to say he was engaged & to tell me the wedding date. I was pleased to be in attendance & share their special day with them. Shellie & Ben are now married, they have a daughter & just days ago on October 23rd (which happens to be Ben's birthday also), Shellie gave birth to their 2nd child, a son named Jase. I am pleased that I have had a chance to further get to know Shellie--only wish we could all see each more often. She has made my friend so happy & that, makes me happy. Though, naive & a bit strange at times (but, who isn't?), Brother Ben has been a faithful friend to me for many years. I have often called him in years past to talk to him about guy problems & even a few years ago when I called to tell him about a guy I had been on a date with--he showed great concern when he told me that he already didn't like the guy just because he didn't like sports. Ben said he wasn't for me. He was right--things ended before they really got started for the guy & I. When I was admitted to the hospital last year with all of my medical problems, Ben & Shellie called me a number of times to check on me & express their prayers. I don't recall us ever not getting along really. I would say Ben has been probably one of my most loyal friends for many years. I have never doubted whether or not I could trust Ben when I would share things with him. Though I don't know much how our friendship began, I'm glad it did.

**For those that desire to know Ben's #1 moment of being naive, please ask & I'll divulge.**

Bubbly Gina With Baby On The Way

How nice is that..matching shirts?!

Well, at least one of us is still thin. If only it were me!

Years ago, when our family first began attending FBC O'Fallon, I was introduced to a bouncing, bubbly personality named Gina. I think I would be right in saying that I still don't think I've encountered anyone to this day that has had the bright & cheerful disposition that Gina had. Though I do not recall how our friendship really began, I remember we grew to be great friends. As a youth, I spent much time at the McGhee household. Likewise, Gina was at our house often. As time often changes things, such is true with our relationship. Having no contact with one another for quite a while, I was invited to Gina's bridal shower a few years ago. I went to the shower but was unable to make it to the wedding due to having other plans on the particular day. I was surprised to hear that Gina had called to talk to me after my return home from my hospital stays last year. Evidently, I was fast asleep when she called to see how I was. When I awakened, my mom informed me that Gina had called. I had to ask, "Gina who?" as we had not talked since her bridal shower. I made the effort & got her phone number from someone yet, I never took the time to call her. My sister had worked with her mom for quite a while so I knew that Gina was pregnant long ago. I was delighted to receive an invitation to the baby shower being held for Gina. My sister was out of town but my mom & I went to the shower held on October 4th. Though Gina has always been great with kids, it seemed so strange to see the bubbly girl, with child (pregnant) & worn out sitting on the sofa. Just as I have aged & matured, so too, has Gina. I enjoyed getting to see her & the rest of the family that I used to spend so much time with. One of the nice things about modern technology is the ability to regain contact with old friends. Gina & I have been able to do so through facebook. We have decided that we will do lunch sometime. Really, we have no good reason to not spend time with one another. Perhaps we will see each other again sooner than a year or two from now. I should share that days after the shower, Gina gave birth to a precious little girl, Leah Nicole. I look forward to meeting her gift from God & one day, sharing with Leah many stories about her mommy.

Movie Mania

To say I am a movie buff or an avid film watcher would be far from the truth. However, this past weekend found me soaking in the big screen (well, somewhat). Friday evening, my sister and I joined some others from our Connection Point Group(Sunday School) at our friend Amy's house for a Girl's Night Out. Now, last time we had one of these evenings, we spent a great amount of time discussing what celebrities we found to be attractive. We knew before we arrived that the game plan was to watch a movie. One of the girls stated that we had to watch a movie with a hot guy in it. So, a movie was selected (not by my doing as I had never seen it nor do many names ring many bells with me anyway). I am not generally one to race to the romance movies (I'm more of a action/suspense type of gal) but I will say, I did like the choice of the evening--27 Dresses. As a single girl who has worn several dresses (though I was honored to do so), I related to the storyline. So, would I vote this the best movie I've ever seen? Far from it but it was not bad for for the evening. As for the movie theaters, I rarely enter their doors. I cannot bring myself to spend the outrageous amount of money one must spend to see a movie. However, select theaters were featuring some of the summer hits for $1.00 showings over the weekend. Of those being shown, was Kung-Fu Panda which I had hoped to watch but never got around to. My dad, sister & I went to see it & while it was a "cute" movie, I'm glad I only spent the buck on it. I fell asleep through some of it (all the more reason for me not to go the movies!). Of the movies seen, by far, the best was viewed on Saturday afternoon when we, as a family, went to see Fireproof. I have added a trailer for the movie for all to see. Though unmarried myself, I thought this was an excellent movie. I have been pleased to hear the box office stats for the first weekend of it's showing. I pray that streams of people will continue to flood the theaters to see this movie & that God will use it to first & foremost, capture hearts as well as open eyes to marriages all over America as to what is needed for a successful marriage. So, 3 movies in 3 days. I venture to say that will not happen again for a really long time.