So, I’m Fixin To Have A Birthday…

On Sunday, I’m going to turn 35 and I couldn’t help but ponder all the things that have changed in the last 35 years. Perhaps these random ponderings will strike a chord with you too.

***When I was a kid, cartoons were for kids! Rick and I fought on Saturdays over who got to watch "Smurfs" and who got to watch "G.I. Joe"…or maybe it was "Transformers." Either way they were all good shows. I also loved watching the "Gummy Bears" and "Jem and the Holograms." (Got a Jem doll when I was in about the 3rd grade and I though it was the coolest thing ever with it's flashing earings!!!) We were living in the motor home at the time, so our tv was only had about a 4 inch screen....though I think we did get maybe a 12 screen later on. I have lots of fond memories from growing up on the road, but those Saturdays of watching cartoons with my brother are some of my fondest.

***Remember when phones were those things that hung on the walls as opposed to fitting in our pockets? I’ll never forget the time Rick, Kyle, Sara, and I accidentally tuned into two ladies on a party line…we didn’t actually have a party line, so that’s why it was so odd. Rick and Kyle on one extension, Sara and I on another…all of us trying to figure out what was going on. Ha ha ha!!! Good times!

***In Lexington, we used to play with all the kids on our block. It was mostly boys, so the games of choice were generally football, or some sort of racing game. But it was a lot of fun.

***We had an 8 Track Player in our motor home for awhile. We listened to Ray Stevens, the Cathedrals, and the Imperials as we travelled down the highway. I’m sure there were probably others too, but those stick in my mind.

***Remember when it only cost a dime to use a pay phone, well…back when people still used pay phones.

***In Jr. High, I remember taking a computer class where they were trying to teach us these crazy long codes in order to do anything with the computer. I thought I’d never figure it out…sure glad I didn’t have to. Then in High School, Dad got the internet at our church for the first time. Email seemed so amazing. Now, email is so common hardly anyone writes letters anymore. It’s sad too, because there’s nothing quite as uplifting to a day as getting a card or letter in the mail from a friend. I like to send letters. Sending them makes you feel good too.

***When people moved away, it used to seem like such a big deal because it was expensive to call and, except for letters, there wasn’t an easy way to keep in touch. Now, I can call anyone online with Skype and actually see them as we chat. Plus most cell phones include unlimited long distance, so we can actually talk almost as much even though the other person is hundreds or even thousands of miles away. And let us not forget Facebook and blogs. Now, we can all be connected literally at the touch of a button. AMAZING when you stop to think about it.

***When I was a kid, I never thought I’d get to meet and get to know so many amazing people as those who are a part of my life. 35 years (well, Sunday it will be 35 years…let’s not rush things. Ha ha!) and I’ve been blessed to meet people from all over the world and have friends that mean more to me than they will ever know. My family is amazing and God is good. What more could a person ask for? Thank you Jesus! I can’t imagine the exciting things you have in store for my next 35 years.

New Year, New Location

Well, It’s been a little over a month since I moved to North Vernon, IN and if you’ve ever met me, it will come as no surprise that there are still lots of boxes in my apartment. However, they are slowly (very slowly) disappearing. There is new lovely carpet in my apartment and my office is nearly all put together. It’s feeling more and more like home here all the time. It's great to be close enough to family and friends to be able to see them sometimes.

On New Year's Eve, I got to travel to Xenia, OH to see my dear friend Erica. We got to go shopping and we didn't get lost once! That could be a record for us. :-) Then I went to Springfield, OH to bring in the New Year at the "New Year's Eve Pickin' Party with Rick James and Friends." If you missed it, you missed out on a great evening of fabulous music, cool prizes, and great fun with wonderful people.

The winter has been a snowy one and I have been loving every minute of it. As many of you are aware, I have always been a big fan of winter. In fact, I basically get through the summer months by reminding myself that winter is just around the corner. I know! I know! I can hear you all screaming at your computer screens, “Toni! You’re crazy!!!” Be that as it may, I LOVE winter. I love the snow and the cold and the windy days. The more snow the better. I was quite bummed that the huge winter storm that hit the northern part of Indiana missed us for the most part. I’d love to wake up someday and be totally snowed in with snow drifts so high that I can’t get out my door. THAT would be amazing!!!

Starting Sunday, I’m beginning the series, “Lights, Camera, Action” with the kids here at North Vernon Church of the Nazarene. That means that this week we are decorating the children’s department with a movie theme. It’s coming together well and I’m really looking forward to Sunday! It’s going to be a ton of fun!

That's it for now! Until next time...