Ok...the much anticipated pictures

Pictures from vacation with my sis, nieces (Shanea & Dee), and aunt and cousin (Susie & Patrick) to Gulf Shores, Alabama; May 27th - 30th, 2009.

We all had a ball.

Just to recap: This was my aunt, cousin, and nieces first time to ever see the ocean. My sister had been planning this with myself and our aunt for a couple of months. The girls didn't know a think about it until we got to Memphis. We stopped at Graceland as a diversion and make them think that's where we were going. But, this is where we let them in on the secret. It was a great surprise and fabulous time. It was so awesome and refreshing. I'm attaching the riddle I wrote that told them where we were going. Enjoy.

A VACATION RIDDLE FOR SHANEA & DEE

The day will start early to begin our journey.
Destination 'south' is all that comes from our mouth.
Where are we going? Where will we stay?
It's all been a secret, a surprise; this vacation get-away.
We've scrapped; we've saved; we've all planned with care.
A few more hours and we will soon be there.
We will start in Dora, Missouri on Hwy CC,
Then on to town and get on Hwy 63.
We will drive through Hoxie, Arkansas and make a stop in Tennessee.
A photo op at the gates of Graceland for Elvis fan Shanea to see.
So where to now? What is our destination end?
Let’s get back on the interstate and begin driving again.
Carter and Cash have a famous song.
I'll hum a few bars so Dee and Patrick can sing along.
"Yeah, go to Jackson!" is all we have to say,
Cause we're headed south on I-55 this vacation day.
Continue on from Jackson and through Hattiesburg, too.
We're driving through the state of Mississippi; clear straight through.
On down to Mobile; in a completely different state.
We will clear five states all on the same date.
We're almost there, just hold on tight.
Cause this surprise, we hope, will give you the time of your life.
It's extra special, you see, where you're fixing to be.
All to add good things to your memory.
There'll be fun in the sun, and good times for all.
There'll be no need for malls because we'll be having a ball.
In the sun, in the sand, You, Nay, Lindsay, Patrick and Susie,
We will make a castle or two.
Wake up early to check out the land,
To find a bunch of sea shells out in the sand.
Feel the waves on your toes, and the salt in your face.
For a few sweet days we will slow down our pace.
Destination Alabama. Gulf Shores to be exact.
Our Beachfront condo awaits, and that's a fact.
We've all kept it a secret for the ultimate surprise.
Because in a few short hours,
The Gulf of Mexico will be right before your eyes!


Written By Lindsay M Collins, May 15, 2009

Amazed by Power!

I am in awe over many things. For example: the stars and planets, changing seasons, life, and the different weather; thunderstorms for instance, simply because I think God is so awesome!

Thunder storms freak me out most of the time, yet I love to watch them. I love to watch a storm front roll in and all that goes with it. I have always wanted to go to Kansas on one of those Tornado Chaser expeditions. I figure it'll only take seeing one/chasing one one time to cure me of that desire! I have also always had the desire to see lightning strike; not just in the distance because I have seen much of that, but to see it the moment it hits what ever it hits and see the bottom of the bolt. CRAZY, I know, because it is deadly!!! Well, let me just say I am cured of this desire and I didn't even go out looking for it.

Let me set the stage: Beautiful sunny day, breezy, and thunder rolling in the distance.

OK..It's Sunday afternoon (6/7/09) and church has just dismissed. We go outside and thunder is rolling in the distance. I tell my mom, since my dad is out of town, that I better get to their house and put the garage door up for Tucker. She agrees since she has to take the church van and I'll get there sooner. Tucker is my sister's Lab, who by the way is terrified of storms and will only go in my mom and dad's garage. He literally trembles and circles the house until that door goes up. Anyway, I get to my mom and dad's and Tucker is ready to go in the garage. My mom gets there, the door goes us, and Tucker is safe; the storm is miles away. My mom and I were to put the panels up around the tomatoes (YUMMY) in the garden after church so I needed to go to my house and change from my church attire. As I was arriving at my house I could see the rain in the distance. Side note: I just love watching and hearing rain come in. We live kind of high up and in open spaces so I can see and hear the rain coming from a distance...LOVE IT. Ok, so I'm at home; putting windows down, changing clothes, and grabbing some food items to take to my moms for lunch. The rain came and went; seconds of those big rain drops. But there was a lot of lightning and thunder associated with this front. Everything looked to be over and done with so I'm all ready to head back down the road. I've got my car keys, Diet Mtn. Dew, and back of lunch items in one hand pushing the screen door open and pulling the door shut with the other hand. About the time I got the doors open I dropped something out of my hand and had reach down and pick it up. Got everything back in my hands and ready to shut the door and head out. About the time I was pulling my door to I looked across my yard in the direction of my mom and dad's place and my sister's. In the line of this view, about 25 feet in front of my porch, is a walnut tree. Are you ready for this??? I sure the heck wasn't. So, about the time I looked toward my mom and dad's house lightning struck! It was a huge bolt of lightning and I knew it was close. So close I didn't even hear thunder, just this incredible jolting smack..which we know thunder is the sound of lightning. I was looking to see if I could see where it stuck and as soon as it did so leaves began to fall from my tree, bark was in the yard, and I felt as though I was riding in a muscle car that had just taken off fast from a stop light...you know, threw me back in my seat! I immediately knew what had happened and I was stunned. I ran back in my house and just screamed and was like, "Oh sweet mother of Moses that was close!!!" I kept saying, "Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!" I couldn't believe what I had just been a witness of. It was amazing, yet so very scary!! Power is magnificent.

I was in a hurry so I could get back and help my mom. I was frustrated because I was dropping things out of my hands as I was closing the door to leave. I am so very thankful that I dropped that stuff out of my hands, otherwise I would have been off my porch and on the ground about 15 feet from where the lightning struck.

God is so amazing and I am so very thankful He was looking out for me yesterday!

Until next time . . .

Thanks Friend

Thanks to my wonderful friend Sara, I have a new layout. She found this awesome site that has great blog backgrounds. Check it out...www.shabbyblog.com I know you won't be disappointed.

History Made...STATE CHAMPS

WAY TO GO DORA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASEBALL.......STATE CHAMPS!!!!!


Wow, so exciting and I wasn't even physically there. Thank goodness for radio. Well, it was one of those classic games; behind in scoring late in the game and have a 7th inning rally to take it all: the Class 1 State Title in High School Boys Baseball.

I couldn't get the online feed for Q94 to work on my Mac, so I headed out to the car to listen to the game. I can honestly say this is the first time, other than listening to the 1st game of the Final 4, that I have listened to a game on the radio. I actually liked it though. You are physically there, but the excitement and intensity are so great because you can't see what is going on, just hearing. So, there is definitely something about our senses when one is unable to work. Since I couldn't physically see the game, only hear, it's like you hear every word and detail the announcer is telling because you don't want to miss a moment.

So, here's a brief run-down. I got into the game in the 3rd inning with a score of 2-1 (not in our favor). We were the visiting team which meant we batted first, but didn't get the last bat. Ok. I don't remember the innings of scoring, but at some point Santa Fe jumped out to a 5-1 lead...things were looking bleak because we just couldn't get our bats going. Then, we scored one, making it 5-2. So, we fast forward to the top of the 7th, the last chance at getting runs on the board. It is time to rattle those bats. It's the top of the 7th and the first man gets a hit and gets on base. This is all it took to get those boys pumped and the fans cheering. When it was all said and done those Dora Falcons scored a whomping 6 runs in the top of the 7th to make it 8-5 (OUR FAVOR). We had 11 boys come to the plate in the 7th and a fantastic inning and comeback. Now all we had to do was hold them. Santa Fe had exceptional defense throughout the entire game, but fell apart in the 7th. A good team like that just needs to get rattled and that's just what the Dora Falcons did. They never give up; which sure makes it a nail biter and tense on the fans. Well, those boys held them in the bottom of the 7th; not allowing them to score another run. So, the final score was 8-5; making the Dora Falcons the Class 1 State Champs in high school baseball.

I am so glad it was my sister's day to drive because there would have been no way I could have concentrated on the road driving home. It was all I could do to concentrate going to pick her up after work. I don't even remember driving over there because I was so intune to the game. Anyway, everytime the boys would get a run or a good hit or something I would squeel or shake my fists...my sister was getting so tickeled. I couldn't help it; the excitement and enthusiasm was just going all through me. Even though I would have loved to be there, I can't imagine it.

This was a great day for the Dora Falcons and the entire community. A day that none of us will soon forget!!!

WAY TO GO DORA FALCONS....We are so proud of our STATE CHAMPS!!!!!

Until next time . . .

History in the making...

It is amazing how proud one can be of the local high school baseball team even though they've been out of school for 12 years now. This just proves that no matter how long one has been out of school they are still proud of their school and the accomplishments they make.

After a stunning season (20-3) the Dora Falcon boys baseball team is playing for their first ever Class 1 State Title today at Meador Park in Springfield, MO. Unfortunately I have only had the privilege of seeing one game this season, but I've heard lots about our boys. They were ranked 2 in the state at the beginning of the season; they have never quit!

Over the years Dora has always had exceptional sports teams. I'm not saying this just because I am an alumni, but it's the truth. We have had very good runs in Districts and Play-off games. But, never in the history of the school has a team made it to the Final 4, let alone a shot at the State Title!!!

So, today (June 4th, 2009) at 4 pm the Dora Falcons Boys Baseball team from Dora High School (Missouri) will take on Santa Fe in a shot at the Class 1 State Title. I know many will physically be there and many will be there is spirit; me being one of them. Thank goodness for Q94 (93.9) and radio because that's were I, and many others, will be listening and cheering on our team.

GO DORA FALCONS!!! Win or lose you are already winners and we are all so very proud of you. GO BIG RED!!!

Until next time . . .

I could be a beach bum!!

Hello fellow bloggers...it has been a bit since my last post!

Well, I could definitely become a beach bum; that is if I lived near the beach! My family and I just recently returned from the most relaxing mini-vacation ever. Myself, along with my sister, two nieces, aunt and cousin got home Sunday after four days at the beach; Gulf Shores, Alabama to be exact. My sister and I are the only two who had ever seen the ocean so this was a great treat for the rest of the group. My nieces didn't even know where we were going so they were totally surprised! It was a great, priceless, moment when we told them where we were head...we told them after we were on the road.

The look on their faces when we arrived at the beach is something I will not soon forget. I will always cherish the moment and remember that I was with them their first time to the ocean. That's one of those special moments.

Well, we got lots of sun...lots of sand...and LOTS & LOTS of shells. We walked those beaches forever trying to find that perfect shell. We all got a lot of good ones. A couple of mornings we were up at 3:30 and 4:00 am to go beach combing trying to find those 'hard to find' shells. It was great. I think I could sit by the water for hours and just breath and be perfectly content.

That is what I found myself doing alot; I would just stand there and clear all my thoughts. It was almost like my thoughts were going out with each wave. Me and God has some great talks too. I'm pretty sure some people thought I was crazy because I would walk up the beach, right at the waters edge, and talk and sing to God. It was awesome.

Gulf Shores is definitely a place we will revisit.

Pictures at a later date.

Until next time . . .