Introducing our sweet, precious little angel Ellie Grace!

Just 45 minutes old here:

Check out her full head of black hair 2 inches long!

Here I am right after my very first bath!

Sometimes I'm a little drama queen!

Sometimes I'm not!

They already did my footprint!

My Momma and Daddy are real proud of me!

So is my Pop!

I never really bought into that whole Texas Tea....Theory!

They opened a new Dunkin Donuts store in Carmel,

10 minutes from my house......

WITH A DRIVE THRU.

This is bad........

VERY BAD!!!!!!!!!

MAKE

IT

GO

AWAY!!!!

Pray for my dad!!

As most of you know, my dad has been blind in his left eye my entire life. He lost sight way back in the 60's, I think - so did a couple of neighbors who also lived on King Street. Now-a-days, you'd sue someone if something like that happened, but back in those days you just dealt with what was given to you. He's had that same disease in his right eye but it's never caused him a problem.

He woke up the morning of 9/11/07 and was having trouble seeing things close up. He can't see clearly enough to sign a check, he can't see what's on the computer. His distance vision isn't the same but it's not as bad. He says everything close up is really blurry.

He immediately went to the eye doctor but is going back tomorrow (Friday 9/13) for more tests and to determine what's going on and what needs to be done.

Obviously I don't want my dad to lose sight in his only good eye. He does have a cataract so it might just be that but we don't know yet.

Please say a little prayer that this can be fixed and he can go about his normal every day life.

Thanks everyone!!

We hung out with Kellie and Brian yesterday. Kellie wanted me to take some "portrait-like" pictures of her (and Ellie) and Brian before Ellie comes to join us. Next weekend hopefully we'll get to do some outside shots at the art museum. We couldn't this weekend because of the art fair they had there and because of the rain that wouldn't let up!!! These are my favorites :

In looking through a book I hadn't picked up in quite some time, (thank you Jean for reminding me) I found a great little poem that I had forgotten all about.

I've found a little remedy
To ease the life we live
And make each day a happier one---
It is the word 'forgive'.

So often little things come up
That leave a pain and sting,
That covered up at once would not
Amount to anything.

'Tis when we hold them up to view,
And brood and sulk and fret,
They greater grow before our eyes;
'Twere better to forget.

Wanna know who's gonna be on Dancin' With the Stars this Fall? Here's a spoiler, thanks to TMZ.com

http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/dancing_with_the_stars__spoilers

OH and Jenny, don't get your tu-tu in a wad.......MY boyfriend Helio is gonna mambo his way right into my life!

The full moon is at it again. Shining big and bright in the sky. I took these pics as the sun was setting and the moon was rising.

Introducing Miss Elizabeth Grace (Ellie) Wooden!

Look at those fat cheekies!!!!

Kellie and Brian had a 3D Ultrasound done last week. This is one of the best pictures they got of Ellie. The little bunny didn't want to have her picture taken that day, she has her hands in front of her face in alot of the pictures.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY OUR COUSIN JOHN NEEDS A BLOG!!!!

10. Establish an electronic connection to home

9. Constant and sometimes instant communication with the fam

8. Post pictures of beautiful & picturesque Tampa enticing us to visit

7. Update us on new recipes he's tried lately

6. Gives us all another blog to view and leave comical comments on

5. A consummate musical buff, he could suggest great music to us

4. Peer Pressure - Everyone else has a blog, why not John?

3. Show us fun videos on YouTube

2. Blogging is cool

1. Keep us up to date on his life & stuff because we miss him!!!!!

Heinz Commercial Outtakes and Gag Reel

There's nothing better than free stuff!!!!

Meteor Shower This Weekend!

This info courtesy of Sky & Telescope Magazine

August is the best month overall to view meteors from the Northern Hemisphere, according to Robert Lunsford, operations manager of the American Meteor Society. And conditions are ideal this year because the Perseid meteor shower peaks on the new-Moon night of Sunday–Monday, August 12–13.

The Perseids are one of the two strongest and most reliable annual meteor showers. (The other is December's Geminids.) And while some showers produce brief bursts lasting just a few hours, the Perseids have a broad peak. So don't despair if clouds are forecast for Sunday night — or if work obligations prevent you from staying up until dawn on Monday.

Even now, a week before the peak, you can see up to a dozen Perseids per hour if conditions are perfect. That's stronger than some meteor showers at their best! The meteor rate increases to roughly 30 per hour in the predawn hours on Saturday, 45 per hour on Sunday morning, and 80 per hour before the sky starts to get light on Monday morning.

So stay up late or get up early this weekend, take a gander in the northern sky and watch the heavens come to life!

1970's Blast from the Past

Who remembers this stuff???

I loved my Gillette Supermax hair dryer
with the comb and brush attachments!

How about Blue Jeans Cologne?
(lovin' the 70's disco clothes!!)
I remember taking "Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific" Shampoo to camp with me!

IT'S THE YEAR OF CORN
AT THE INDIANA STATE FAIR....

SIT A SPELL AND GNAW ON AN EAR, Y'ALL!

The Indiana State Fair runs August 8th through 19th

The Evolution of a Sunset

I bought my sweetheart some "healthy" orange juice the other day. You say, why are you calling it "healthy" orange juice, Andrea?

Isn't all orange juice healthy?

Well, I thought so!!! But recently I've been noticing some "even better for you" orange juice in the store labeled "LIGHT AND HEALTHY!!!" So, I decided to get it for us, since we deserve to be light and healthy, right?

Tell me if you see anything wrong with this carton?????

Let's look a bit closer, shall we?

Can anyone tell me what the heck ORANGE JUICE BEVERAGE is?

Let me tell you what it isn't.

IT'S NOT JUICE!!!!!!!

It might be made from oranges because clearly there were a few "pulp-esque" strands floating in this "beverage".

The carton says it's 100% pasteurized orange juice, but I'm not sure I believe it! Tropicana goes on to note, vitamin D3 is in this wonderfully watered down drinkable liquid. They make themselves especially clear by saying vitamin D3 is NOT found in any other orange juice. I'll tell you what vitamin D3 is.............IT'S GOT TO BE WATER, FOLKS.

Heck Orange Julius from the mall food court contains more JUICE than this "beverage".

Beware of labeling!!!

Tonight's science lesson is brought to you by:

ANDREA'S MIDNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Have you ever wondered what the phases of the moon are called? Well wonder no more. The 14 days leading up to a full moon are referred to as the WAXING phase. When the Moon is a Waxing Crescent, the dark side is to your left and the bright side is to your right. Easy enough, right?

After 14 days of waxing, you're graced with a wonderous full moon (as we saw earlier this week). Then, the whole process is reversed and the Moon appears to decrease in size.

After about 3 days of vivid fullness and glory, the moon slowly begins to go dark on the right side, while the left side stays just about as bright as it was when it was full. This is the known as the WANING phase.

---------

So, it's midnight and I remember I left my camera in the car. I head out the door to get it. I look up in the sky to check out the moon (as I always do) and there in all it's glory is a beautiful, deep RED waning moon. I was able to get a few good pictures of it. Here they are:

If you're not paying attention to the moon and all of it's glorious phases, you're really missing out on some cool stuff! Check it out when you're out on a crystal clear night. Cause......it's a beauty!

THE DOG IS FREE!

THE DOG IS FREE!

LELAND AND I CAN
LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!

Check out this story on TMZ.com
http://www.tmz.com/2007/08/01/the-dog-may-be-free/

It's nights like this that make me wish I had a better camera!
Check out the full moon over Westfield.

Electronic Rubber Neckin'

For those of you who like to do a little part time rubber neckin' - I've got just the tool for you! The Indianapolis Star has a new fancy-dancy feature.

It shows LIVE 911 calls as they are happening. You can't hear the call, but you can see where they are in Marion county and what the call is for.

It's interesting - especially late at night. If you've got nothing better to do, and feel like checkin out the action in Indianapolis, go here:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/LOCAL0802/70416062

I just read that Tammy Faye died Friday. Poor thing, I saw her on Larry King this week. She looked pretty close to the final stages.

When she was on the Surreal Life, I gained a new found respect for her. She was loving to everyone on that show.

I'm sure I could stand to work on being more like her in that way.

Spend an evening with DOG the Bounty Hunter at The Centre in Evansville on Monday, August 20 at 7:30pm.

Considered the greatest bounty hunter in the world, Duane 'Dog' Chapman has made more than 6,000 captures in his 27-year career. This highly intense, charismatic ex-con and born-again Christian is the king of the comebacks. This modern-day hero once served time in a Texas prison. 'I am what rehabilitation stands for,' Dog says.

Now on the right side of the law, Dog is tireless in his efforts to bring in the bad guys and encourage them to turn their lives around. Over the years, the list of fugitives Dog claims to have either helped catch or single-handedly brought to justice reads like a who's who of America's most wanted, including the high-profile Max Factor heir, Andrew Luster. Dog credits much of his success to his knack for getting the most out of his informants. 'Seventy percent of all my captures happen because some good ol' American has turned them in by giving me information,' he says.

Tickets go On Sale Friday, July 13 at 10:00am. Seats are $29.75 and $98 for a VIP seat which includes a Meet & Greet Pass and an Autograph Session. All tickets are subject to Ticketmaster Fees, Handling Charges and Facility Fees.

Tickets can be purchased at The Roberts Stadium Box Office, The Centre Box Office, All Ticketmaster outlets including fye in Eastland Mall and Evansville Schnuck's locations. Tickets can be charged by phone by calling (812) 423-7222 in Indiana and (270) 926-6661 in Kentucky or on the Internet at Ticketmaster.com.

Click here to order tickets.

IVAN STEVENS - CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY

I'm sure you all remember me talking about little Ivan Stevens of Camden, New Jersey. He was the little boy featured in ABC's documentary titled, "Waiting in the World to Change". See my post from January: http://andreasmindworks.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

Mom and I pooled our money together and sent a donation to Ivan's minister. That was back in January - at that time, I recieved a personal call from the minister, Rev. David King - Sr. Pastor of Community Baptist Church in Camden. We talked for quite a while and he told me that Ivan was getting the house he longed for so much. (Thank you Jesus for the wonderful people that are still in this world)

Today, I got a picture of Ivan in the mail from Rev. King. I was so surprised! Ivan said in the documentary that he wanted to be Superman and fly in the sky to find his mom and brother a house with nice curtains. Here's the picture I got of Ivan (with his mommy and Rev. King) - notice - he's got on a Superman coat. Too cute!
Rev. King now has a building he wants to refurbish to provide a safe place for the people of Camden to come for warm food, safety, worship, job searching help, day care, after school care .... the list goes on and on. As you can see, this building needs LOTS of work. Over $600,000.00 worth!

I'm planning to send another donation. It's not much but if everyone does just a little bit, we CAN change the world.

If your heart tells you to do the same, please make your checks payable to :

Community Baptist Church
Rev. David King
1529 Mt. Ephraim Ave.
Camden, NJ 08104
856-964-3330
or by Paypal at: www.dkingministries.com

NIDO IS NEATO!!!

The other night, Richie was watching Future Cars on the Science Channel. He loves shows about flying cars and cars of the future. I watched with him and found the future car of my dreams!

It's Nido!

This little car is built for safety! There are honeycomb/accordian-like panels that protect the people in the car. They crush panel by panel absorbing most of the impact. Whoda Thunk? These little genius honeycomb things help prevent brain injuries, whiplash and other serious injuries that usually go along with car accidents. Oh, but it doesn't stop there! Nido is also built to minimize injuries to pedestrians too - should you have a problem running people down on a regular basis, that is!

I think it's a cute little car - but we all know I love the "high ride" feature of Rich's truck. Don't know if I will ever buy another "low-rider", but if I do, Nido is on the top of my list.

Check out some of their other prototype cars: http://www.pininfarina.com/index/storiaModelli/modelli.html?modelli.php?ids=2569cba69fedad1efc8e9589d7718341

Do you think they will offer it in pink?

You may not be born yet, or maybe you are.
Don't worry little angel, I'm coming to get you.

Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
See beyond our wildest imagination
Lord, we come with great expectations

Went out to see Bo the other day, he wasn't there....so I took some pictures around the farm.

Caught a great sunset totally by accident. Just stepped outside saw the beautiful sky and turned around to get my camera. Here's what I got:

Did ya hear? Bob Evans died.

Rich loves Bob Evans biscuits and gravy. Whenever he leaves work to go there he always says, "I've got a meeting with Bob, be back later."

We love you Bob and we'll miss you! Thanks for making such great sausage!

My dad had some kidney stones "removed" yesterday. He was a nervous wreck but sailed through the surgery just fine. They actually blasted them inside his body. He will expell them as he tinkles over the next few days. He's very, very sore but getting better.

I'm sure he'd love to recieve some get well wishes from everyone!

For Kelsey Smith

WITH HOPE
by

Steven Curtis Chapman
Album Title: Speechless

1 Thess. 4:13-14 & Heb. 6:9, 10:23

This is not at all how we thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

The Children of War

This picture was on the internet today. It broke my heart to see the scared look on the boy's face trying to take shelter behind a U.S. soldier. I can't imagine being a kid living in Baghdad. Wish I could swoop down, grab them all and protect them.

The strangest part of this picture to me is the stark contrast of emotions. Some are just walking across the street looking in the direction of the gunshots, others are just standing around, some are running. I guess this image is evidence how the human mind can adjust to even unthinkable situations.

I'm still praying for resolution in Baghdad but I'm honestly not sure how this whole thing is going to end up.

These are the lillies blooming on the west side of my house.
There's only one little plant that comes up every year.
It blooms like crazy trying to make us proud of it.