OUR HOUSE

Here's my sales pitch - in case you're interested in my house :)

It's 4 bedroom 3 bath split level. 3200 square feet. Could have a 5th bedroom - but we're calling it a bonus room. It's an older home with hardwood floors throughout. We recently added a master suite - and it's SWEET. Complete with a heated jetted tub, double granite vanity and slate shower. We've remodeled the kitchen, added marble tile countertops, painted the exterior brick and put up cedar shutters. We've done other remodeling projects here and there - like painting the walls and trim, some landscaping, light fixtures, etc... The house sits on a corner lot of about 2 acres.

We're asking 229,900. It appraised at $280,000 before the master suite was added.

Here are some pictures!

Front View

Side Entrance

Open Floor Plan View

Kitchen

Kitchen

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bath





Master Bath

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Guest Room

Bonus Room

Funny Forward

Generally, I'm not a big fan of forwarded emails. You know, those chain letter types that say you're gonna die or lose a toe if you don't forward this to five hundred other people....

I took a few to read this one - because it came from my hubby - and he doesn't usually forward me emails. So I figured it must be good.

Laughed my head off.

Here it is:

Dear Mrs. Fenton,

Over the past six months, your husband, Mr. Bill Fenton has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this type of behavior and have considered banning the entire family from shopping in any of our stores.

We have documented all incidents on our video surveillance equipment. Three of our clerks are attending counseling from the trouble your husband has caused. All complaints against Mr. Fenton have been compiled and are listed below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the restrooms.

4 July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in housewares..... and watched what happened.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag of M&M's on lay away.

6. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they'd bring pillows from the bedding department.

8. September 23: When a clerk asks if they can help him, he begins to cry and asks, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'

9. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, and picked his nose.

10. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, asked the clerk if he knows where the antidepressants are.

11. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.

12 December 6: In the auto department, practiced his "Madonna look" using different size funnels.

13. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browse through, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"

14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumes the fetal position and screams "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!!"

And; last, but not least!)

15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door and waited awhile; then, yelled, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth...

I like some shows Oprah has done. However, this makes me want to ban her from my home. Take six minutes and watch ALL of this:

Christmas - Four Times!

I know we just celebrated Thanksgiving and that's when we're supposed to talk about what we're thankful for....but this Christmas I can't help but be grateful wonderful friends and family by which we are surrounded.

ANGELETTI EXTENDED FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Last weekend we celebrated Christmas with the extended Angeletti family. My grandfather, Poppie, is so special to me. Every year he blows us away with a book of special things. This year it was extra special......his book gives somewhere around 200 stories about his childhood, his salvation experience, his and Meme's wedding day, the births of his 5 children and his memories of raising them on a farm.

Now THAT is a legacy to be proud of.

A legacy to give God the glory for (which Poppie did beautifully in his book).

A legacy to be thankful for.

Something happens as you grow older (not that I'm that old) and you begin to realize the things you thought were "lame" as a teen are not so terrible after all. This is a sweet memory I am thankful for....more than ever before. I wish I would have cherished these sweet times with family sooner.

MILLER EXTENDED FAMILY CHRISTMAS

The Miller family Christmas was the next day. I'm reminded of the conversation we had in Sunday School recently. A lot of people in the class talked about sweet memories of the family getting together when the grandparents were living.....only to fall to pieces when the grandparents passed.

Not the Millers.

There were 12 children born to my grandmother Elaine and grandpa Raymond. They ALL still get together. This time is filled with people young and old that have come a long way. They were poor growing up and they all know what it means to be grateful. There is such unity of spirit because we all love the Lord.

THAT is something to be grateful for.

HAIR FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Our third Christmas celebration takes place on the eve of Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Eve day....make sense? It is at the Hair house. We get together and play games while we sip on Bebe's Russian Tea. Jo and I teamed up this year in Scategories and got cheated....by some cheaters.....our husbands. We were up 'til 3 o'clock! It's such a fun time. Bebe and Papa actually hung in there for the late night/early morning games.

Then on Christmas Eve day we have a time to open gifts and eat brunch. I have three letters for brunch......Y U M! Bebe is amazing.

I always cherish this time because there is such unity in this family. I love that we all have common goals. Everyone loves the Lord and wants His name to be made much of in our celebration. I love that.

We finish the day with a Christmas Eve service at our church before heading out to our 4th and final get-together.

ANGELETTI FAMILY CHRISTMAS

I am looking forward to this time more every year. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and wiser :) or if it is that I have a family of my own and can appreciate my parents even more now.....whichever it may be, I am shocked at the generosity of my parents......really all year round, but especially at Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we always have a huge crab leg, shrimp and steak dinner. It's miraculous. Mom and Dad spend the days before shopping and cooking and preparing for what they call their most favorite time of the year.

This year is extra special. Cori and Jake will be there with Piper and Monica will have her new hubby Josiah there. So we keep adding to our family and it's becoming more and more special as my sisters and I share in the joys of having our own families.

We follow the dinner with opening of pajamas and the Christmas story....then on Christmas day we open gifts and sleep.

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Can you tell why I'm grateful? I have the most WONDERFUL family.....any way you look at it.....maternal extended, paternal extended and immediate family. WOW! God has truly blessed me far more than I could ever imagine.

I give Him the glory and thankfulness for unity in families, for laughter around a game table, for 'God is so Good' sung around a dinner table, for crab legs and steak, for children's toys, for the uniqueness of every family member, but most of all, for His son - Jesus.

So when we see our children playing this Christmas - let's remember what God gave up - His own child - so that we might live and experience the joy that only comes from the Father - and in turn give Him glory and honor and praise. For He is good and He loves us.

Piper Laine Shivley

The past several months have been a little bittersweet for me. My sister Cori and her husband Jake just had their first baby and I'm SO jealous I can't be with them all the time.

When we were kids, Cori and I would have pretend weddings complete with dresses, rings, bridesmaids and of course, make believe husbands. Of course, we always followed that with a baby (which happened to be our baby sister...Monica...we enjoyed dragging her around the house).

For years Cori and I have talked about what it would be like when we had our own children. We'd do things mommies do. Talk, clean, shop, cook, shop, talk, clean....you know. Well, being apart isn't what we had in mind, but God had a different plan.

I miss Cori SO much. She has been such an example to me in so many ways. I never dreamed I'd become a mother before her....but we beat her to it :) She has been so patient and submissive in her wait for Piper as Jake finished Vet school. If I'm allowed to say this, I'm so proud of her!

It's like we have a new level of commonality. We both share a common joy, a joy that is unexplainable until you have a child of your own. It's been so much fun watching Cori and Jake become parents. It's such an exciting thing to share and rejoice in the truly miraculous blessing of a Child.

Little Piper is so precious. She looks so much like Cori (take note, Cori was bald headed for the first two years of her life!). We love Piper and we can't wait to spend the Christmas holiday with Cori, Jake and Piper!

Christmas is going to be so different this year!

This is our whole family!

Josiah and Monica
Candice, Shaun and Reagan
Art (Noah) and Sandi (BooBoo)
Cori, Jake and Piper

Reagan wants to hold her all the time.
She's always asking me to go get Piper.

She's so pretty! Just like her momma!

She stares! All the time! Just staring.
It makes for good pictures!

THE WORST OF ALL TIMES = THE BEST OF ALL TIMES

--- FOR MISSIONS ---

In our Thanksgiving service Wednesday night, we all spoke of what we are thankful for. Many people in the congregation talked about the HOPE we have in Christ. That in this economic crisis and the uncertain days ahead - we can rest and know God is not surprised by any of it. He has a plan and He is our HOPE. Oh! How wonderful to still be able to live with HOPE, even in times like these. May we be vigilant to speak of that HOPE - here - in our own mission field.

John Piper has a few things to say about taking advantage of this time - to continue to disciple and win souls - so that they too may experience the HOPE we have - in life during bad economic times -- and in death sure to come, bad economy or not.

The worst of all times is the best of all times for missions:

Such words do not have intrinsic authority the way Scripture does. They must be tested. Here is the truth I hear in those words.

1. During an economic downturn we are more dependent on God. That is the most fertile soil for creating missionaries.
2. During an economic downturn unreached people around the world do not expect you to come, but to look out for yourself. So they may more likely see your risk as love rather than exploitation.
3. During an economic downturn those who need Christ around the world may be less secure in earthly things and more ready to hear about eternal life.
4. During an economic downturn people at home may be wakened to the brevity of life and the fragility of material things, and so may become more generous not less. And when they give under these circumstances, it will make Christ look all the more like the all-satisfying Treasure that he is.

And so it may well prove to be that the worst of all times is the best of all times for missions.

Tag, You're It!

So, I've been tagged by Jo. I am supposed to come up with seven random things about me. I'm guessing that is what I am supposed to do. Believe me when I say I am having NO trouble doing this, because my life is randomness!

1. Growing up, my sisters used to make fun of me because I hated going anywhere away from home, even as a teen and young adult. They used to say I was going to live close to my parents forever......and now, I live two doors down! I STILL have a hard time leaving when Shaun and I go on vacation. How silly.

2. Before I met Shaun, I took the LSAT in preparation for law school, which I hoped to attend at the University of Memphis. Little did I know I would marry a lawyer who graduated from the University of Memphis and be a stay at home mommy! I wouldn't have it any other way. He's a better lawyer than I would have been and I'm a better mommy than him :)

3. I grew up a gymnast.....always making fun of cheerleaders.....my junior year I was given the opportunity to either do gymnastics at Georgia or try out for cheerleading at Arkansas. I opted for Arkansas (because it was closer to home). I cheered for the first time my senior year and went on to cheer for the Razorbacks. THAT was randomness because I really despised cheerleaders. I must say, though, cheering in college was different than the drama of high school.

4. I had a childhood blankie called pee pee. Enough said.

5. Kindof like Jo, Shaun and I have grandparents with the same name. Shaun and I both have grandfathers named W.L. and John.

6. When I was sixteen I would often cruise the town after school with my sister. We would see this mail man and honk at him. He was SOOO cute. Blonde hair, tan skin, that uniform.....mmm mmm good. Anyway, I must keep this g-rated. He was WAY too old for me. After all, he was Gina's older brother, and even she was a couple of years older than me! Turns out I married that hot mail man! He puts on his mail man uniform for me every now and then :) Just kidding.

7. I have a thing for chips and salsa. Any day, any time. When I am sick, it's my chicken broth. (chicken broth with LOTS of garlic is my grandmother's common cold cure). Anyway, chips and salsa warm my soul.

I'm not tagging anyone, since no one really reads my blog. Or at least the people that do don't have blogs. If you are reading and you want to post randomness, you can either post a comment with your blog address or post a comment about your randomness.

Have a wonderfully random day.

Don't forget to vote. Don't be random about that.

Kitty - M.I.C.

Help! Kitty is Missing In Crawfordsville! He must have read my blog. I guess he thought we are really going to have an obedience training course.

We think he's been gone about 2 days now. Poor thing. It's sad really. He's probably not living anymore, and he probably had much worse things done to him than what our little Reagan had been doing. See, we have a bad case of coyotes in the fields around us. He's been doing a good job of climbing up in the tree to flee from dogs and various other things that make him skiddish (is that a word?).

Well......this last weekend, we spent a couple of hours trimming tree limbs. Big ones. Lots of them. So I can't help thinking his disappearance is our fault. Maybe the little guy was afraid of heights that went much higher than those limbs we trimmed.

Regardless, we need a new kitty. We just bought kitty food. We also just bought a snazzy, bling bling bowl! He didn't even get to see his new bowl. So sad.

I often call for the kitty in an awkward sounding high pitched voice. Needless to say, our children imitate us. So now that Kitty is gone, if you're in the neighborhood, you may hear Reagan walking around the yard calling, "kitty kitty, here kitty kitty".......instead of singing her favorite tunes.

I have been telling her we'll have to get another kitty to feed all this food. So just a moment ago as I'm looking through a cookbook to decide what to have for supper, she tells me "mommy, I eat kitty food supper. Want some?"

I'm off to whip up a Friskies casserole.

If you see an orange kitty named Kitty. Send him our way.

Obedience Training Course for Kitty

Reagan is going to start teaching a class. It's going to be called. "How to scare the -you know what- out of your kitty...then he'll go limp and let you do whatever you want with him!" Just in case you can't bring your child and his/her kitty to the class, we decided to post online step-by-step instructions.



1. Hold the kitty by the belly. Squeeze him so hard that he almost vomits. Almost is the key word here. This will make him feel nice and ill so that he will cooperate better.



2. Proceed to run around in circles while holding him upside down. Still squeezing his belly nice and firm. This will get him into a nice comatose state.



3. Sit down. While kitty is still dizzy hold him by the face and tell him "no no kitty, you obey me".....and while you've got him there you can pry his mouth open to take a peek at his teeth. You could even attempt to pull his tongue out. He's comatose, remember, he won't mind.



4. Walk around while holding him by the neck. Simply put your pointer finger in his eyes....one at a time while singing him "Jesus Loves Me."


Congratulations! You've completed a 4 step crash course in kitty obedience training.

Good luck and God bless you and your kitty.