Points Earned on Science Project

Russell came home with his sheet listing the points earned on his science project

He received 100 of 100 points (A+) They really liked his name (Eruption Palooza!)

I told him to ask what determined his project as 2nd place instead of 1st since he received 100 of 100 points.

I'll be posting a picture of his completed project soon, hopefully sometime this week.

Today is Linda's birthday! I spoke to her earlier and they were getting ready to go out and then prepare a shrimp pasta dinner for her. Sounds good!

Today was my first day back at work. It was a long day! Really emotional at times. I cried all the way home thinking of mama. I miss her so much.

Gotta hit the sack! More later in the week I hope!

Mom's Farewell

This is the video we played Saturday night when our friends and family gathered at the church to "celebrate" mama's life. As some of you know, I was making a video for mama for her birthday (3/23). Instead of a birthday video I made a tribute video to her. I'll eventually finish the one I made for her birthday and send/give that to anyone that would like it.

It was spitting snow off and on today. I remember that it snowed when our Grandaddy was buried. (November 1977)

Today was one of the hardest day's of my life. I know it will get worse before it gets better. Thank God we have family and friends to lean on. What a tribute to mama's life - all of the people that came out to celebrate her homecoming. I know she is having a grand time in heaven - laughing and joking with family as well as old and new friends.

A Time of Sadness

My mama passed away yesterday. The doctor's believe it was a heart attack. I'm so glad she did not suffer. She always said she wanted to go quick! The good Lord heard her wish and yet again answered another prayer.

I know she is with the Lord and in a better place. It's so hard to believe she is gone. I'm glad we had her with us as long as we did. She loved unconditionally and was a blessing to all of us.

We will make arrangements today.

Tomorrow is her Birthday. She would have been 82.

WE LOVE YOU MAMA
WITH ALL OUR HEART
I KNOW YOU ARE CELEBRATING
UP IN HEAVEN
WITH GRANDADDY, NEZ AND DAVID
AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT HAVE
GONE ON BEFORE YOU.
WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY
LOVE AND KISSES TO YOU

Science Fair Winners!

Science Fair Winners 2008! Russell placed 2nd in his class! First place was Lauren Knight who did a project on whether long or short hair kept your head warmer. She is in remission after going through a very long battle with leukemia. (PTL) Third place - Thomas Musselman (one of Russell's buddy's). There was a tie for third place with Paige Spencer also winning. I didn't get to see any of the other kids projects, sorry to say. I wanted to get pictures of all of them. I'm hoping the teacher will send home the grading sheet for the projects.

Russell was very pleased! He wants to keep the volcanoe's in his room on top of his dresser. I'll post another picture of the project with the poster board and his ribbon later on.

Bekah (niece) also placed second in her class for her science project which was measuring the amount of protein in dry/canned cat food.

They also had an Easter program and each class gave a presentation. Tomorrow is the last day of school and then out for a week and a day. Russell will be going to his Dad's for spring break. I will miss him.

We had our Easter exchange today. Chris found a basket with lots of Pirates of the Caribbean items in it. I had looked and could not find one so I'm glad he was able to find it. Russell was tickled and played with the stuff in it most of the evening except when studying for his Spelling and Science test. I received an azalea which I plan on planting outside. Tomorrow is the Easter party at school and I'll be taking off from work at 1:00 to head to the school. Hope I remember my camera!

I'm off next week and the plan is to get a lot of stuff done in the house. I want to finish going through things we want to put in a yard sale and also re-arrange Russell's room. I also want to get out and collect more items for the Afton Christian School Auction.

Science Project Almost Finished!

Russell worked all day yesterday on his project and finished typing it up this morning. I loaded pictures from the camera this morning, did some re-sizing of those and printed those for him. He is taking a break and eating some breakfast and will then attach his information to his poster board. Pictures below... the completed volcanoes after painting. Each volcanoe is shown after the chemicals. First one is baking soda and vinegar.... 2nd is mentos and diet Pepsi (not much happened) and 3nd one is quick acting yeast and hydrogen peroxide.

As much as I have enjoyed him working on this project I am glad it is coming to an end. There simply aren't enough hours in the day to do everything! He is in bed by 8:30 each night and I have not been getting off work at my normal time (4 or 4:30) so it makes for little down time where we can do other things together in the afternoons.


I'll post a picture of the completed project once we have it set up at school.

Shopping trip for volcano chemicals

A little behind on working on the volcano. Forgot to purchase a sealant for the volcano that needed to be applied before testing the chemicals for eruption reactions. Picked up that for around $3.00 at Lowe's this morning. We went the the Dollar Tree and got hydrogen peroxide, mentos, baking soda, vinegar, pebbles, "rocks" (and a few other Easter things that were too cute not to buy). Dollar Tree didn't have quick acting yeast so we got that at Walmart along with aquarium plants which will be used to cut up and hot glue to the mountains as trees. While at Walmart they were running an Easter special to have your photograph taken with the Easter Bunny for free. So Russel and I both had our pictures made with the bunny! He told me he would do it if I did. We also received free copies which we added borders and messages too. Pretty fun morning.

When we got back home we tested the sealant on the volcano to make sure the paint would not run and have put a first coat of sealant on, waiting for that to dry (20 minutes) and will put another coat on. It should be completely dry an hour after the last coat. Then I will assist with the glue gun, attaching the glue to the pieces while Russell places them on the volcano. He will also begin typing up his information to go on the poster board. It's coming along well. I'll have to say that I've had as much fun watching him as he has had working on this project. One night when he was working on it and I was taking pictures he told me that he really hoped he won because then he was going to do a TV commercial about the "Kid That Used His Brains". Anyone know of a good producer?

I have no idea what we will do with this when he is finished. It is quite large but I guess we'll have to find somewhere to put it for a while.

More later.

Volcano Science Project - Painting the Mountains!

Russell came home after school today and started painting
his volcanoes. He has finished the green coat of paint. Now
he has red and brown that he will be adding after the green dries (tomorrow? - depends on how much homework he has) Hopefully he'll finish his homework in after school before I pick him up. He is excited about this project and really wants to place in the fair. Last year he won first place in his class In kindergarten he won third over the entire school. Now they give awards (usually 1-3) for each class. He did a really good job painting. He wants to name the volcano's and has come up with
all kinds of names. He has made up names as well as naming
them after family members that he wants to remember (David, Grandaddy, Ranny) I told him we should give that more thought and concentrate on completing the painting for now.

Wasn't too bad being back at work today. I do look forward to retirement thought (five more years!)

Last Day Before Returning to Work!

I loaded my digital camera software onto the laptop and loaded all of my pictures from the camera onto the computer. Did some editing, shared a few albums online and next step will be to archive them to disk.

I'll also attemp to upload a picture or two, or three to my blog. Hopefully it will work out.

Here goes.....

This is one of the pictures of Russell opening one of his birthday gifts in January. He also received boots and Pirates of the Carribean action figures. He had said he wanted boots and a shirt like Chris wears. :) He'll wear it to the next motorcycle event we attend no doubt.

We made a trip to Waynesboro today to pick up supplies for Russell to complete his volcano. Paint.. brushes... Needed printer cartridges for the printer so picked those up as well. The battery in one of our portable phones was dead and it was just as economical to pick up a new phone as to purchase a new battery so we got a new phone which is now charging. Also got a new universal remote for the tv, satellite, vcr in the living room. We switched Russell's satellite receiver with the one in the living room. The remote to that receiver was fading fast. This receiver also enables us to select future programs for taping and will switch to multiple programs we want to tape where as the receiver we had in here previously would not automatically switch to programs.

Guess I'll get off of here and heat up some left overs!

One More picture... this is one of Russell playing with Heather's puppy last Christmas. The puppies name is Puppy. :)

Back To Work On Monday!

It's been nice but my time off from work will soon be coming to an end. <Sigh> All good things must come to an end.

Chris and Russell got their hair cut earlier in the week and both look very nice. Chris also trimmed his beard yesterday.

Russell made the salt dough for his volcano's Thursday when he got home from school. He made three volcano's, one large and two smaller ones. He made two batches of salt dough and had flour all over the place. Maggie thought it was great and was trying to eat as much of if off the floor as she could. She soon found that she couldn't do that - it made her sick. He finally finished and we got the mess in the kitchen cleaned up. The volcano's have dried now and he'll be painting them next week. He *may* put some trees on the volcano's - not sure if I want to have him using a glue gun though. I'll have to help with that.

Chris and I were both off yesterday and stayed in for most of the day. It was rainy. We ventured next door to the new restaurant, "Dogwood", for dinner. He had steak, mashed potatoes and pinto beans. I opted for steamed shrimp, fried okra and a baked potato. It was A LOT of food. We could not eat it all. It was delicious. We will be going back. They were very crowded and had people standing inside the door and on the porch waiting to be seated. Saw a few neighbors there.

The meal scheduled for 2PM today was cancelled. The Bible study group I've been attending was supposed to have a meal today to "close" out our meetings. There is a benefit meal for Debbie Beaver today at five and I understand they didn't want to conflict with that. Lisa was making deer BBQ and I was planning to make what Russell calls "Kristy's special". (brown hamburger, layer in a pan, spread cooked noodles on it, spread spaghetti sauce and cheese on it and heat it in the oven till the cheese melts)

I need to slip over to Waynesboro to pick up a printer cartridge so Russell can work on his science project this week. Next weekend will be the last weekend to work on it before it is due. The project awards will be presented at the parent teacher night. (either March 18th or 19th) I left a message with Christopher to see if they will be around so I can visit.

I've written to several motorcycle organizations to inquire if they are interested in organizing a benefit ride for Afton Christian School. Hope to hear from them soon.

Back to washing and drying clothes! Can't wait for warmer weather!

Busy Two Days

Had a busy day on Monday. Headed over to Waynesboro to visit businesses and see if I could get donations for the Afton Christian School Auction. I probably visited 25-30 places and left letters with all that did not donate. I only received two items - a pair of diamond ear rings from Lemons Jewelry and a $10.00 gift certificate from Maurices at the Town Center. I have phone numbers for all others and will call them back once they have had an opportunity to discuss with their managers/corporate offices. Hope to go back tomorrow and see if I can gather more things - probably in Staunton and/or Charlottesville. I'll have the week after Easter off as well and will visit places then too.

Dropped by to see Christopher, Ashlen and Justice. Justice is setting up well on her own and very talkative--Babbling on and on. She is always happy every time I see her. She was eating "country breakfast" baby food. Didn't look like anything I would want to eat but she seemed to enjoy it. I'll slip by later this week for another visit.

Mama had a doctor's appointment on Monday and goes back the beginning of April to discuss scheduling a time to have surgery on her back.

Yesterday was spent at the house cleaning a bit. With the rain outside I couldn't get very motivated and didn't get a lot accomplished.

Russell has an appointment for a hair cut this afternoon and once we are home and have eaten he'll begin the process of mixing the ingredients and forming his "volcano" for this years school science experiment. He's making three volcano's and using different chemicals to see what different types eruptions he'll have.

Chris is better and has been working this week. We will spend the day together Friday since it is a holiday for both of us. (Spring break day)

I've been installing software for my camera on our laptop so I can begin to (hopefully) upload and post pictures. I'll have to get busy and take some new ones! I think the last ones I have on there are from Christmas.

Will get a bite to eat for lunch and then get ready to pick Rus up from school. He has enjoyed being able to sleep later this week since I'm not working (he's not the only one enjoying that!)

Off From Work This Week!

I'm off from work this week! Yippie!

Tomorrow I plan on going out to get some donations for the Berries and Bid$ Auction being held at Afton Christian School the end of May. I hope to see Christopher tomorrow while I'm in Waynesboro. Tuesday's weather forecast is calling for rain so I'll stay around home and clean / wash clothes. Wednesday (and probably Thursday) I'll head out for more donations for the auction. Friday will be a day off for Chris and we'll spend the day together.

Chris has been sick since Tuesday of last week. He was able to get an appointment with his doctor on Friday and is taking antibiotics and a few other meds. The doctor was unsure if it's a sinus infection or the flu but gave him the antibiotics in the event there is an infection in his body. From what I've read on the internet about the flu, it comes on you fast (which this did & Russell had the same thing a few weeks ago) and a cold takes a while to come on. Chris has had body aches, stuffy nose, sore throat, head ache and I believe a temperature. The reason I *think* he had a temperature is that he feels warmer than usual but when I take his temp it is only around 97 degrees. Other times it has been 95 degrees. We are going to take his temp once he is well to see what kind of reading we get. His headache had gone away yesterday but came back this afternoon. We did make it to the grocery store (which we really needed to do) but his head started hurting more while we were out. I called the pharmacy to see if he could take something for his head ache in conjuction with the other meds he is on and they gave the all clear for him to do so. He has had a cold cloth on his head a large part of the evening.

Russell will begin his science project this week. He wants to do a volcano but told me Thursday night that his teacher said he couldn't. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow when I pick him up and let her know that he will be using several different types of chemicals, reading about the types of volcanoes, etc. I think once she knows this he will be able to proceed. I believe he will do a much better job if the project is something he is really interested in rather than something else. He will be making three different volanoes and using different chemicals to create the "eruption". I can't wait for him to do this and see the expression's of excitement on his face while working on it. He is with his Dad this weekend and they are supposed to be working on a base for the volcanoe's. It will be 2' x 3' with a border around it so the "lava" won't spill over the edge. Some of the ingredients are vinegar and baking soda (the usual), mentos and diet soda. I can't remember what the third item is. I've been reading on the internet how to make "salt dough" and the recipe calls for flour but can't find if it needs to be plain flour or self rising flour OR if it matters. If any of you know what type flour to use or if it matters please let me know.

Dale is still sick and made another trip to the doctor this week. He is better but not over his sickness completely.

Mom just called me to say that he is taking her to her doctor's appointment in Waynesboro tomorrow morning.

Mama, Lisa and Bekah went to see Waverly and Colton this week and reported that the baby sleeps all day and stays up all night. I can't wait for everyone around me to be well so I can go visit.

I talked to Chelle one night this week and she reported that her friend who had the transplant is doing well. Praise God!

There is going to be a benefit for Debbie Beaver at Hebron Baptist Church next Saturday at 5PM. I understand they are having a spaghetti dinner. We also are having a meal at 2PM with the bible study group that has been getting together to study Purpose Driven Life.

Please keep all of these people in your prayers.

We had baked chicken for supper tonight. I'm hoping to be able to start a diet of sorts tomorrow. Cut back on what I eat and drink. This will be hard to do but I need to try and lose some weight.

I went to Cirque Du Soleil Wednesday night at the John Paul Jones Arena. It was very interesting. Chris picked up Russell (even though I told him I wouldn't go because he was not feeling well. He told me to go because I needed to do something fun since I had been working so much). They stopped at Ashley's on the way home and Russell got pizza for supper. Chris said he came home and worked on his patriotic poster for school and studied for his Science quiz. Russell took his bath and was in bed at 8:30 (usual time) and Chris went to bed too. I got home about 10:30. It was hard to get up the next morning!

We finished all of the 35 mm slides we had in hand at the office which needed to be scanned and processed (probably close to 2000) and I'm glad that those are finished! We will have a delivery of about 500 on Monday that will be processed. We had a back log from the beginning of January when we did not have student employees and we also took this task on from aonther area of our unit which caused our backlog. The students are on spring break this week but we have 2-3 that will be in/out this week and they can also work more than their normal hours. Another full time staff member is out of classes this week so it shouldn't be any problem getting the new slides processed and a few other tasks completed. I picked a good week to be off as to not make it hard on fellow staff members. I'll also be off the week after Easter Sunday and am looking forward to that. Things should be calmer at work then as well since we will be fully staffed and have worked through our backlogs this coming week.

Matthew had a birthday on the 28th and Guy on the 24th. Happy Birthday to you both!

Hope everyone has a good week!