Ally's Homecoming 2008!

rest

I'm glad the weekend is over. I know I promised to write and update, but I am honestly too tired to even write. I will post homecoming pictures when I can.(Ally looked beautiful but homecoming is so overated..I hate that I fall into the trap of spending a ridiculous amount of money for one night) (I'm sorry but it IS ridiculous!) Today I am taking my girls to the movies and we are going to sit and eat popcorn and enjoy a movie marathon! Talk to you soon.

I'm late..I'm late..for a very important date.

Friends, family, email buddies...

I have about two minutes to let ya'll know that I'm here!! I'm sorry I haven't responded to emails the past few days! I honestly haven't had even two minutes..until now..ONE MINUTE LEFT!!! : ) I'm going to take a break on Monday and do NOTHING but catch up..so please hang on until Monday! I love you all and I pray that you have a beautiful weekend! Please pray for Ally to have a safe homecoming, for us to have a smooth pumpkin festival and for Sunday to go well. We have 55 people coming for dinner and my girls and I are going to be the servers! Yikes!
Love you all! Susan

Daniel and ICorinthians

I finished my study on Daniel! How incredible are the prophesies that God showed Daniel? I started reading 1Corinthians and it has shaken me up! Go and read the first few chapters with Paul telling the church that they shouldn't allow sinners in the church! What do you think about that? That goes against everything that I've been believing these last few years. I've felt that we are all sinners and all need forgiven. No one is better than another person. "He who is without sin cast the first stone." But Paul says that we shouldn't allow sinfulness in a church. For example if a church couple is living together and not married, we should kick them out of church until they stop sinning! wHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS???? It's been driving me crazy thinking about it. Have we been being disobedient to God by allowing sin to occur all around us? Don't we all sin???? Is one sin worse than the other? Should we kick out all the obese people, because they are obviously comitting the sin of gluttony? Ack... this is disturbing! I need a pastor to explain it to me! Susan the student of the Bible

Pumpkin Festival!

www.volantshops.com

It's the pumpkin festival in Volant this weekend! If you don't have any other plans come out and visit us in Volant. Autumn Pumpkin Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 4th & 5th
Saturday Shops open 10am - 6pm Restaurant open until 8 pm!
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Activities include:

Saturday and Sunday all day events:
Hayride at Northwest Savings Bank 12 - 4pm
Behind Northwest Savings Bank in the grassy area see the Bee Keeper and Miller's Harvest Market. Come sit, relax, and enjoy eating at the Outdoor Barbecue.
Crafts for all including tin punching, pumpkin decorating, bracelet making, and ecorating trick or treat bags
Also try your hand at pumpkin bowling
Make a corn husk doll at the summer kitchen
Enjoy a Hand Dipped fudge apple from Attic Treasures
The Kitchen Shoppe will be selling pumpkins, gourds, and apples on their porch
Pie sale in front of the Depot Shops 10 - 5pm. Pies will be provided by the Dumplin Haus

Saturday events include:
Chili Cook-Off at the Fire Hall 11 - 4pm sponsored by The Kitchen Shoppe proceeds benefit Volunteer Fire Dept.
Al- Ray Combo Polka Band on the deck at Bulk Foods & Candy Co. 1 - 4pm (weather permitting) sponsored by Bulk Foods & Candy Co. and Volant Merchant's Assoc.
Visit Amish baked goods sale in front of Volant Mills
See apple butter being made in the grassy area behind Northwest Savings Bank
Cookies on a stick sold in the upper Depot lobby proceeds to benefit Hospice
Roast some marshmallows in the public gardens behind The Blue Heron Art Gallery

James Creek galleries will be taking and printing pictures of families and couples n front of their store

Sunday events:
Fall Tea serving sweets and savories and a variety of teas. Tea etiquette and history will also be explained. Reservations required by Sept. 26 please call 724-533-2450.
Baking contest at The Kitchen Shoppe 12 - 2pm prizes at 2pm. Pie baking demonstrations at 12 & 1pm, free recipes, and Sample gourmet pumpkin foods.

An auction.

Joe and I took the day off today to attend a reataurant auction! Eppingers restaurant in Portersville was liquidated today. We got some good deals on some equipment for our new restaurant. Yeah!! We got a donut display case, some beautiful new soup bowls, a table and a grill! Joe was most excited about the grill. I was most excited about the donut display case :)
We saw some friends at the auction.. Kevin and Mary Lee Green. Kevin is the director of the City Rescue Mission in New Castle. WE first met Kevin and Mary Lee about 6 years ago, at First Baptist Church. They have followed our dreams of planting a church, and that was the first thing MaryLee asked me about when she saw me. It made me smile. I just love people!
Then we talked about the mission. They were at the auction hoping to get some good deals for the City Rescue mission's kitchen. Unfortunately the bids went pretty high on the items they were interested in.
The rest of the week is going to be equally as busy. It is the pumpkin festival in Volant, Ally's Homecoming is on Saturday, and we have a busload of guests coming for dinner on Sunday night!! Joe said to me yesterday, "Do you think we'll ever have peace again?" We haven't had much peace lately. But life has been fun and exciting!!

Please pray

For my friend Anne today. She has a dr.s appointment tommorow. Pray that she hears good news! Dear Lord, YOU are the almighty healer. I pray that you bring healing to my friend Anne. Bathe her in your healing waters Lord.Replenish her strength. Rain drops of comfort upon her. Be with her. Let her feel your love, your gentleness, your peace and comfort. Let her feel YOUR strength, let her feel YOU!
In your Son's name, I pray. Amen!

The Ilyiad and the Strip District!

I had such a blast today with Lauren! We both decided that we are city girls. I love the city and so does Lauren! We both love culture and art and creativity! We love being surrounded by people and we love new experiences.
We saw the Ilyiad at a beautiful theater today. It was a play done in the traditional Greek style. It was sooo good!! I loved it!
Then we went to the strip district and walked around and had lunch. We ate at a little place called the Enrico Biscotti company
enricobiscotti.com
They were voted one of the top ten bakeries in the country by the food network! That was AWESOME to check them out because I soon am going to be opening a bakery in New Wilmington! I came back with a lot of ideas!!! Joe and I are going to have to take a field trip to spend more time learning from the masters!!
We also checked out The Macaroni Company, Whollys fish market, Mon Aimee Chocolat store and a sweet little five and dime store that Lauren loved!! We stopped and had coffee at a little cafe' and sat outside and drank our coffee and ate chocoate! Oh we also stopped at Pittsburgh Popcorn company.. YUM!!!
My stomach hurts from eating so much junk food. But it was wonderful to get ideas for our restaurant.
Lauren and I had so much fun being together. We snuggled and cuddled and held hands and walked around and just enjoyed each other's company. We needed that bonding time together! I am so grateful!
Now...tonight, I have to go and pick Ally's dress up and have her final fitting. Then Joe and I are going to get some cheese and wine and watch the Steeler game together!
Tommorow we both work, but afterwards we're taking the girls to Boardman so Ally can spend her birthday money, and then we are taking them out to our favorite Wing place 3WS, where wings are 1/2 price! Busy week ahead, but more fun then usual is planned! I hope you have a great week too dear reader! Live life to the fullest! Love God, Love others and Love yourselves! Susan

"Always be the best, the bravest, and hold your head up high above the others. Never disgrace the generations of your fathers." -The Illiad

Lauren and I are going to see The Iliad in Pittsburgh today! We are then going to the strip district for lunch! Woohooo! I love the Theater!!!!! I love being with Lauren!!!!!


There can be no doubt that Homer’s epic story of Achilles and the Trojan War is one of the greatest works in world literature. The Iliad has had a profound influence on every generation since it was first performed by ancient Greek bards in the Mediterranean over 2500 years ago. Described by The New York Times as “A performance of staggering power,” the Aquila Theatre Company’s production of Homer’s Iliad creates a “stunning, stirring, and memorable” theatrical experience.

Joy..Joy..Joy

I've got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the depths of my heart.

where?

way down in the depths of my heart..

way down in the depths of my heart.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.. down in my heart to stay!

I am joyful : )

Have you ever wondered....?

Why isn’t the number 11 pronounced onety one?
Crime doesn’t pay … does that mean my job is a crime?
Do prison buses have emergency exits?
How come you can kill a deer and put it up on your wall, but it’s illegal to keep one as a pet?
If a bouncer gets drunk, who throws him out?
What happens to an 18-hour bra after 18 hours?
If an escalator breaks down, does it become stairs?
If a guy that was about to die in the electric chair had a heart attack, should they save him?
Why does the Easter Bunny carry eggs? Rabbits don’t lay eggs.
Why isn’t pink called light red?
How can something be “new” and “improved”? If it’s new, what was it improving on?
Was the pole vault accidentally discovered by a clumsy javelin thrower?
In some books, why do they have blank pages at the very end?
What happened to the first 6 UPs?
Why is an electrical outlet called an outlet when you plug things into it? Shouldn’t it be called an inlet

Scarves!

I bought four different scarves for the fall and winter season!This one is from the Gap! I have never worn scarves before, but this year I'm crazy about them! Do you like to wear scarves? Have you bought any yet? They're hot!!

Daniel and other things

I've been studying Daniel in my Bible lately. You know what is amazing to me? I've read the Bible continuously once, then I read it again..not just reading it but studying it..and I've read different books, chapters, sections, verses many, many times...Every time I read the Bible, God speaks to me, or shows me something new, or I see something in a different way.. A light bulb turns on..a paradigm shift...looking at the words from a different angle! You know what I mean? It's soooooo awesome!
Well I've been reading Daniel and talking about it with some different friends. I feel like God has me reading Daniel to show me something. I feel my Holy Spirit guiding me there. Daniel was such a faithful God follower. He stood up for his beliefs when he was all alone, and even facing death, he would not bow down to any other Gods. Something struck me while I was reading Daniel. There is going to be a judgement day. We are all going to stand in front of Christ, and we are going to be held accountable for our lives, what we did here on Earth. God lets us have that free will..he doesn't make us be a certain way..worship Him..do good..etc. It's our choice! I want Jesus to be proud of me, when I stand before Him! I want to bring people closer to Christ! I want to change the world! I want to do good! I soooo want to do good! I want to make a difference in people's lives.
When I open this new restaurant, I want to touch people's lives! Not only do I want to bring good food to a community, I want to bring good times, family moments and memories. I want to be able to talk to my customers and show them Jesus inside of me! I want to love on them. Show them encouragement and love! I LOVE PEOPLE!!! I love to make people feel good! I love to show respect and thoughtfulness and kindness! I want to make people smile! I want to hug them and show them how important they are! I want to give..to give back, all that Jesus has done for me and has given me! Oh Lord, I pray that you allow me to spread your love as much as I can!
Lord please don't ever stop showing my heart, that life and love is all about YOU and don't ever let me forget that YOU are first and most important! Guide me, teach me, give me wisdom, grow me, fill my heart with your love so I can give it away!
Thank you Lord for everything!! I love you so much!!!
Yesterday a woman came into my restaurant with her two daughters. She must have cancer, because she was wearing a wig, and she didn't look healthy. I know of this woman. Last year, her thirty year old son died of a heart attack. I could see it in her. She looked beaten. She loooked so sad.
I treated her with as much kindness and respect as I could. But I should have paid for her lunch. I didn't think of it at the time..it wasn't until later in the day...Dang..I could have brought her just a little bit of happiness. Dang.. Lord help me to see those little things that I can do..to bring people happiness. Don't let me miss opportunities! There are so many opportunities!

This explains what's going on with the economic crisis..

Did you know?

It took twelve years for Leonardo DaVinci to paint The Mona Lisa's lips?



It's true!

Happy Birthday Alexandra Nicole!

My Ally girl turned seventeen yesterday! Ally is so very sweet and kind and compassionate and caring. She is friendly and happy and has a wonderful personality! She is funny and smart and loving! I am so proud of you Alexandra Nicole! You shine! XOXOXO Mom

A busy tuesday..

Today was a fantastic day but I must admit I am exhausted! First let me tell you that I had an AMAZING morning meeting with my mastermind group! My friend Anne is such a joy to be around. She is intelligent and honest and witty and such a great, great leader! She has organized this group, and she does a wonderful job leading us. Anne, if you read this..it is such a pleasure to know you. I look forward to getting to know you even better!. I can see into your heart which is so giving and loving and tender! You care about people! *big hug*
I met Wendy Farmerie the owner of Silk Road Fair Trade Market, and Terri Patterson from Flowers on the Vine in New Wilmington! I can't wait to get to know these women better and to work with them!
After our meeting, Joe and I met at the Tavern and took measurements. That was fun visioning what we are going to do once it's ours! We then went out to breakfast and talked about our future!!
Next I picked the girls up from school.. I took them to Steamers for a little girl's afternoon out. We had fun laughing and talking together!
Then I had a jr. women's club meeting! Woah! That is going to be interesting! They fundraise for a huge event in March called A Night at the Races! I'm really excited about being a part of this group, but also a little concerned about being a part of this group! I will be so immersed in the Tavern, and taking care of my girls, how will I have time for anything else? I will have to pray and think more about this!
I do love meeting new people though! I think it will be good for me to be involved!
That's all for tonight! *yawn* Tommorow is Ally's birthday! She is seventeen! I can barely believe it!

A life lesson today...

I love the Lord so much! Today, I was listening on my ipod, to sermon's by my favorite pastor in the whole world..Perry Noble. He has been doing a series from Exodus.. It's midnight now what? Today his sermon was about how bad things can happen to good people..even Christians *gasp*..but we need to keep praising God and trusting Him. He talked about Paul who had been following God with his whole life, who got put in prison and was severely beaten and held in stocks. Paul sang hymns to God while he was in prison, probably hurting so badly...
It made me cry. God is so good. I often want to quit and give up so easily if something isn't going right.. but we have to trust God and to keep going and keep praising God as we're going. God didn't say our lives would be easy..as a matter of fact, most of the leaders in the Bible had a really difficult life while they were following God.
Last night, I got mad at Joe. I was feeling neglected and needed some affection and he said he had too much on his mind to give it to me. My first thoughts are.. "I want a new husband." honestly.. that's how I think. I want out of this marriage..it's too difficult! It's not fair. I don't get treated as well as I should by my husband. I deserve more! I want somebody who will give me more!
I slammed our bedroom door and went into our spare bedroom. Joe came in about 10 minutes later and said, "Sue, come to bed. Let me love you." He said, "Sue, we're a team. The only way we're going to get through this journey we are embarking on, is to be a team together. We can't get broken..we've got to stay strong..together."
I came to bed and he loved me. But..you see.. I didn't see what he was saying..I didn't get it, until I heard Perry's sermon today. Until I heard it from God too.
Even through tough times..you've got to stay comitted! I've got to stay comitted! Divorce is not an option! Do you know what I'm saying here? Divorce has become so easy..it's an easy way out. It's hard to stick it out..to fight...to stay commited. But God wants us to. We made that comittment before God! We made a vow! Through tough times ..good and BAD. and there will be bad in all marriages.
We're a team. God brought us together. We are so much stronger as a team.
I PRAISE YOU LORD FOR MY HUSBAND AND MY FAMILY!
SUSAN
You can listen to the sermon here
www.newspring.cc

Crush

Busy Week Ahead!

I have an extra busy week scheduled. Tommorow I have two appointments, laundry to do, shopping and planning for Ally's birthday, and tons of errands!
Tuesday I have a mastermind meeting in the morning and Joe and I meet with our real estate agent and also have inspections sceduled at the Tavern. I have a jr. women's club meeting in the evening.
Wednesday, Decorate for Ally's birthday,pick up the cake and balloons etc..then work (training a new busperson/hostess), and Ally's birthday.
Thursday work (training another new busperson/hostess) Pick up Ally's homecoming dress that has been altered
Friday (Emily is off, so I work an extra shift
Saturday Working a 10 hour shift, training new employees, and Ally's teenager birthday party at our house in the evening.
Sunday is my Sabbath. : )