Happy Halloween!

Since we don't have any children yet, it's kinda hard to get excited for Halloween, but I am amazed at all of the decorations that people put out for this holiday. I do believe in decorating for fall, with a jack-o-lantern, but not much else from the Halloween store. (No spiders, ghosts, cobwebs, scary things, etc.). Not that there's anything wrong with it, but for me, it's so easy to turn the jack-o-lantern around and keep it up through Thanksgiving. (That's a trick I learned from Lovely Linda).

In the neighborhood behind our street, there is one special house that has EVERYTHING Halloween in their front yard. It is quite unbelievable until you see it for yourself. I went walking last weekend and took a few, but it really doesn't do it justice. If you live in Cabot, you should definitely drive by and see it at night - it's even more halloweenish. (Turn left onto Polk - the street right past Matthews Lane - and then take the next left onto Womack. At the night stop sign turn right, keep going straight, and the street will curve to the left. The Halloween House will be on your right - you can't miss it!)

My question is where do these people keep all of this stuff? You'd have to have an entire storage room devoted to Halloween decorations. Not to mention you spend a few days getting all set up just to take it down within a month...but I guess whatever blows your skirt up, have fun with it.

We've had a really busy couple of weeks and this is the first weekend in several that there wasn't ANYTHING scheduled. I'm so excited. We need to do some chores around the house, but for the most part, we are going to take it easy. Sleep late, enjoy the nice weather, grocery shop, and hang out are all on the agenda. So tonight our plan is to lay low -i.e. hide out in the house so nobody will think we're home cause we ain't got no candy!

Pray for Honduras

This truly breaks my heart....my first Honduras trip was about 3 years after Hurricane Mitch. The past couple of years that I was there, I have noticed that they were slowly rebuilding. Our missionaries are safe, but there are interpreters and others who do not have anywhere else to go.

This year, there will be three teams from Arkansas going to Honduras. God is preparing a huge work there, but Satan does not want this to happen. The next three months will be critical in praying and preparing for the spiritual battle. But we know who know will win and who is in control! Pray that the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission property is safe and secure. Pray that the missionaries will know what to do when they return back home.

TEGUCIGALPA, October 24. Honduras Officials say at least 29 people are dead and 14 others are missing because of heavy rains in Honduras. The rains began nearly two weeks ago in this Central American nation. The Honduran government says nearly 20,000 people are in shelters and more than 40,000 have been evacuated from their homes.

Safe drinking water is scarce in some communities, and thousands of acres of bananas, coffee and other crops are under water. More than 200 highways and 100 bridges are damaged. Landslides in western Honduras buried 40 homes. No one was injured because the area had been evacuated after another landslide blocked a river, creating a sudden lake.

It is the worst flooding in Honduras since Hurricane Mitch killed thousands in 1998

The Big 2-9

So yesterday was the first day of the last year of my 20's. Kinda scary, but I think I'm coming to grips with it. 30 is creeping up, but I do have 364 to get my mind right about it! It was a really good day, and I want to thank everybody who helped make it so. Seriously - I got about 30 messages on facebook alone - crazy! And humbling too.

Here's a recap of the festivities:

On Tuesday night, I met some of my college girlfriends at Senor Tequilas for dinner. It was good to catch up and visit with them, and yes - Jose our waiter made me wear the sombrero while they sang "Feliz Cumpleanos." Good times.

My SPP girlfriends and I went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe and it was delish. They are some really great friends, and I am thankful to have them as co-workers as well.

Brent sent me some really pretty pink roses.

He always does a good job in the flower department.

Then after lunch, my boss Emily took me and my co-worker Derek out to the Cupcakes on Kavanaugh place and we had some Y-U-M-M-Y cupcakes. Seriously - those are the best things. I got to make a wish and blow out the candle.

I had no idea what Brent had planned for last night, and he had me going for a few minutes. He said we were going home to grill some steaks, but I really didn't want to cook. Traffic was backed up yesterday, and I suggested we go the back way (by the airport), but he insisted on getting on I-30 heading north. Then our friend Sarah Clements called me and asked if we were on our way. Turns out, he was surprising me with dinner at Saddle Creek Grill in NLR with Sarah, Jeremy and Lucy Jewel. That place is fabulous, even though the waiter was no so fab (see previous post). Here's Miss Lucy Jewel. Her mom and dad (Sarah and Jeremy) went on our first date when she was only 4 months along. She is such a big (and cute) girl now!

For my present, Brent got me a very nice, red purse from Faux Pax and a gift card.

I'm also getting one of these soon...and a new 501 number soon.

Here's some of my funny cards. Brent's was the funniest though.

All in all, it was a really great birthday, and I can't wait to see what the next year will hold.

Debbie Downer at My Birthday Dinner

Last night at dinner, we had Debbie Downer for a waiter. Seriously - we needed the trombone every time he came to the table. I thought this was too funny and wanted to remember how the night went:

Debbie Downer: Hey guys welcome to Saddle Creek. Oh, so how's the Alltel/Verizon merger going? Are you going to loose your job?

Brent: Umm...well, I don't know anything yet.

Debbie Downer: I've got some family who work there who already know they are loosing their jobs.

(insert the "whamp whamp" here)

DD comes back to the table to take our order, and this is what he said...

Debbie Downer: When you get ready to order, just yell...literally...I'm deaf and can't hear anything. (Now that I think about it, he probably really wasn't deaf in the literal sense of the word, but probably has some minor hearing loss from listening to Nirvana too loud).

Whamp Whamp

Then at the end of the dinner, this happened:

Sarah: (Whispering) Do you guys sing Happy Birthday? It's my friend's b-day.

Debbie Downer: No, we don't do that here. Actually, you wouldn't want me to sing because it sounds like someone getting murdered in my house.

Me: That's OK - I wore the sombrero last night at Senor Tequila, so I'm good.

Whamp Whamp

Weekend of Picnics

It was perfect weather for fall picnics, and that's exactly what we did this weekend...twice. Saturday afternoon, we met up with our Sunday School class members and kids at a park on Kerr Station Road. It was absolutely beautiful weather - even requiring a jacket during most of it. We had a great time eating BBQ and visiting. We played laddergolf and bocciball, and the kids played on the playground. I took pictures, although the one of me isn't the best. (Might have to stage a do-over soon). ha! I am so blessed by this group of people. It wasn't long ago that I was wishing for the familiarity like I have in McGehee, and slowly God is answering that prayer.

Click here to see the pictures from Saturday.

On Sunday, we did the church thing, and then headed to Maumelle Park for some SPP picnicking. I was on the picnic committee, so we got there early to help set up, although we really didn't do that much. The food was good (Blue Coast Burrito), and the company even better. I have some good friends - mainly all in IT - and I was glad that Brent got to meet them. We played Bingo (didn't win a darn thing), and I took pictures for my company newsletter. We left after the final prize was given out and made it back home in time for adult choir and kids choir. Let's just say that I was worn out when I got home last night, and still feel tired. October's been a busy month, and it's not over yet.

Here are some pictures of the kids of my"girls" at work. They will all be appearing in the November issue of the Illuminate Us.

My friend Wendy, and her girls, Loren and Savannah. They are too cute!

Caleb Wiley getting a face tattoo from Jim Gunnell.Julie's Jackson trying out the toddler thingy.Can't believe he will be six next month!

A Very Busy Weekend: Reunion, Shower, and Les Mis

I graduated from high school 10 years ago. Kinda surreal to me, but it's true. This weekend, my former classmates met back up in McGehee for this first high school reunion. It was held during Homecoming week and Owlfest, which was a pretty big deal for the community. Brent was NOT interested in going with me to any of the reunion, but he was a good hubs and went were he was told.

Friday night we went to the football game, only to stay about 10 minutes. It was so muggy down there (in between cotton fields I might add), and we were both sweating by the time we reached the stands. There were a lot of people at the game, but not many that I actually knew. It was a little disappointed, although I found out later that most of my classmates met up at the street dance after the game. (Something that Brent Haywood was absolutely NOT going to). ha! Luckily, we got to spend most of Friday night visiting with Uncle Sluggo, Aunt Kay, Molly B, Ma, and Nannie. It was a real treat to be laughing like we used to - and Brent was in rare form too!

Saturday I had to go to a shower for Kristi Shirley in Crossett, so my mom and I loaded up and headed south. It's about an hour drive from there, so we had a good visit. I wanted to stop and get me some cotton to bring back, but I didn't ever get a chance. It is full harvest time in the Delta, and the sea of white is always so pretty to me.

The Future Mrs. Sharp and me

Yes, this does say "Pre Depression Price Sale" So next time you come through Grady (south of Pine Bluff), stop here and get your very own pre-depression mattress. Yeah - cause that's what they sell.

I tried to take a picture of the cotton field, but its kinda hard when you're driving

When we got home, I had plenty of time to relax and nap before heading to the fairgrounds for the big party. I was a little nervous about the whole thing, but I'm really glad we went. I got to visit with some old friends and do some catching up. I think there are a few people there that I wasn't very close with 10 years ago, but could be good friends with now. And vice versa. There was BBQ from a new place in town and of course a DJ. What reunion doesn't have music? Not that we got out on the floor and danced, but it was hilarious to watch the ones who did. About 10:30 Brent had had enough, so we made our exit. Yes, we were the first ones to leave and I'm perfectly fine with that. I realize that I am old and married now and you know what - I prefer to be in the bed by 10 p.m. at night! So I won't apologize for that.

All in all, it was a very good reunion, and I'm glad we went. It's good to reflect back and see how far you've come and how you've changed. I wouldn't go back to high school for a million zillion dollars, but I am thankful for the change that happened since then.

Ashley Stanley Barnes, me, Josie Amaya Fisher
Ashley Stanley Barnes, me, Amanda Williams Fenton

We had a total of 95 in our class, so this is about one third of them. Not a bad turn out.

On Sunday, we went to church and heard more about how to Fireproof our marriage. Brent and I have joked that we are now sufficiently fire retardant. After lunch, I went down to Dermott to attend the funeral of my dear friend Smiley Garcia. This was a tough afternoon, but I know that he is with Jesus now. And so many people heard the true Gospel this weekend, so I am praying that those seeds planted will sprout soon. Continue to pray for Kathy - I cannot imagine going through that.

When I left McGehee that afternoon, I had one more event to attend. Lindsey, Terri and I were going to the final performance of Les Miserables at the Rep. We saw it together seven years ago in London, and I'm telling you the Arkansas performance was just as good as the London one. It was so dramatic and they had awesome voices! It was a good ending to a very busy and somewhat bittersweet weekend. If you ever have the opportunity to see it, you need to take it. It is a Must-See!

Love you girls!

Prayer Request

Last night, God called one of my very favorite Honduran team members home. Smiley Garcia was one of the funniest, kindest Christian men I knew. He was the owner of a hauling company and had a grain truck accident last night. I am absolutely just sick over his quick passing, but I know that God is in control.

Please pray for his wife Kathy, another Honduras team member and a dear friend, and the rest of their family. They will need God's abundant grace to get them through this.

Smiley is in the green shirt on the left.