OFFICALLY UNEMPLOYED

Audy and I both are now officially unemployed! Yesterday we finished up the last "event" Books Are Fun for 2007. We all felt a sigh of relief as it has been a busy year. I am thankful not to look at the merchandise for awhile!! Audy has been going into work with me and has learned how to help with the packing up. And I know Keith and I appreciated his efforts greatly. For some of you, you are probably wondering what is Books Are Fun. It is a franchise owned by some friends of mine and they set up mobile gift stores. We sell anywhere from children's books, small gadget toys, bibles, cookbooks and etc....It use to be that most of this stuff was packed into big Rubbermaid bins but this last year we created a new packing system that is easier on the back! We usually have 7 or 8 carts about 6ft. high and 3ft. wide and on them is the different books. And the rest of the stuff is set up on tables. We usually set up in conference rooms or small foyers. So just picture a mini Barnes and Nobles. We go to several hospitals and factories all over the upstate. It is a fun way to meet new people and sometimes they remember you from the last time.
With that behind me until late February I hope to be starting a new part time job with American Greetings (greeting cards). The position is called a "retail merchandiser" and I will be going into a dept. store setting and restocking their products. I have my official interview on Friday and very excited. I should be able to do this and keep my job with Books Are Fun And my busy schedule with the grandchildren.
The unemployment office has assured us they will be cutting several checks this week. That would be nice BUT we have an awesome God who has supplied for all of our needs. And the neatest part is the cards and emails from dear friends all over praying for us and that means so much.
I am pretty much ready for the holidays. I do have a little baking left to do but can whip that up at a short notice. Our church is having only a morning service so we are spending the day with Skip and Jessica and going for a ride to the mountains. So look for pictures....

I have gotten some beautiful Christmas cards and newsy letters from family and friends. Please forgive me for not sending out cards this year. With the stamps up to 41 cents it seems foolish to spend that kind of money at this time. Please know we appreciate them so much.

We took the kids to Roper Mountain for our annual Christmas lights. They remember that from year to year. What it is is a large area on a "hill" they call Roper Mountain and has a Science and Observatory. During the holiday season different business donate time and money and setup beautiful Christmas lights. You pay $10.00 to drive around the little mountain and see Candy Land, hanging snowball lights, Santa and we can't forget the waving Snowman! See them at ropermountainlights.com Anyways their favorite part is they get to get out of their car seats and stand up through the sunroof on our car. Well this year we had a little bit of rain....BUT they put their hoods on and still stood to the tradition! That's kids for you! From there we always drive through Bob Jones University and see their lights. They have done some major construction over there so it was just beautiful. Back to the house we went warmed up with some hot chocolate. Memories continued.