September

September (Full Version)

All Forums >> [General] >> Blog Towne

Message

dianetavegia -> September (9/2/2008 7:45:35 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/november_2005.jpg[/image] Psalms 1: 1-6 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Ah Tuesday…. It felt like a Monday all day long. I get my days mixed up after a long weekend, but I’ll deal with it! I’d done a lot of cleaning on Monday plus all the laundry so I didn’t have a lot to do today. The daycare child had a busy weekend so she was asleep when mom brought her this morning. She went right into the playpen and slept for quite a while and then fell asleep while playing around 3:30 this afternoon. She was quite content to watch Pooh and Veggie Tales, color and play with some cars until then but just laid down and went to sleep. It was very overcast and not too warm most of the day. It cleared late afternoon. I did a few minutes weeding in my small front flowerbed while the toddler was eating and Nick was at the table doing school work. Yesterday was our daughter’s birthday. She woke this morning with a fever and sore throat. She’s supposed to sing tomorrow night and is trying to move it to the 9th. This is the semi-finals. She called in sick to work and went back to bed. Whoops. The only change they can make is to move her to tonight. She thinks that’ll be good because there are not as many singers tonight. This is her final chance to make it to the Big E. Someone has already chosen her favorite song so she’ll have to sing another. I called and spoke with my mother in Mobile. She had planned to go home today but there are tornadoes in her county so she’ll probably wait until tomorrow. I’m so glad she can go to my uncle’s house when bad weather comes their way. I don’t worry about her when she’s there. I really like Jim getting home before 3:30! Most days the daycare child leaves by 4:15. It seems like half the day is family time. This afternoon, Jim took Nick for a haircut. I’d tried cutting it with the Flowbee but Nick has such coarse wavy hair, like his birth father, and it just doesn’t look nice when I do it. Have seen the commercials for ‘The Locator’? This man finds long lost relatives or mothers who gave up their child. Nick wondered aloud what it would be like to talk to his birth father. Maybe someday the guy will ask to see him. I doubt it, tho. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/old_bike.jpg[/image] Scooter got a pair of my dollar store reading glasses while I was ignoring him/ cleaning yesterday. He made me chase him all over the house. I heard a ‘crack’ and by time I got them away, one lens was missing. I was concerned that he might have swallowed it! I searched high and low and couldn’t find it. I kept thinking ‘intestinal blockage’. Late yesterday, I was about to put him out back and thought to look behind a cabinet that holds my microwave. There was the lens! How it got there, I have no idea! It couldn’t go under, but had to go around and behind. I was sure glad. Did I tell you about Patches? We put away all the naked Barbie dolls so now she’s bringing up stuffed animals! Several times a day! Last night she woke me around 3:00 a.m. trying to pull a huge lion up onto the bed by the tail. You have to tell her ‘good job’ or acknowledge her in some way for her to hush! DirecTV still has not turned the networks back on. I’m tired of waiting! Any day now! They claim they have to reapply for waivers. The new dish didn’t make one teeny bit of difference. Well, there is absolutely NOTHING going on around here. Boring! Not much to share. So, have a nice evening and God Bless. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/calendar.gif[/image] Diane Tavegia Carnival Cruise Lines August '09 Special Price to the Bahamas for $349 while spaces last! Book NOW. "Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com “Travelocity” “Expedia” “Orbitz” Airlines “Princess Cruise” ‘Grand Circle” “Africa” “Europe” “Spain” “Tahiti” “Bahamas” “Honeymoon registry” “Honeymoon Wishes”

dianetavegia -> Saturday (9/6/2008 8:01:58 PM)
[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/cabinandwaterfall.jpg[/image] Nail Prints….. Isaiah 49:15-16, God says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands." Psalm 91:9-11 If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the LORD, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. It’s so cool here! We also have a nice breeze. I think we’ll have an early fall. We’ve been really blessed this summer. There’s a chance of a couple of hot days, tho. I really like the fall because of new t.v. shows and new episodes of t.v. show favorites. There are a few interesting new shows coming on! As soon as I check them out, I’ll make a schedule until I learn it. T.V. is pretty much our only form of entertainment. I am so glad the weekend is here. I slept in until about 8:15 today. I would have slept a bit later, but I had someone dropping by around 11:00. Other than the dump and buying gas, we didn’t do much today. We’d gone to Mary and Jon’s last night to return a movie we’d borrowed and to visit. We stayed until after 9:00. There was a football game going on so we had to listen to the battle of the bands and the announcer, but it was funny. [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/catcatchingleaves.jpg[/image] There’s a two day marathon of House on USA and I’ve watched a bit of that. I really like House. Tomorrow is our oldest son’s wife’s birthday. She’s a beautiful young woman, college professor and mom to our Jackson. Our other daughter in law has a birthday on our wedding anniversary. Speaking of our anniversary, it’ll be 38 years on October 10th. Isn’t that amazing? Wow…. I’ve been married to Jim 2/3rds of my life! It’s hard to remember a time I wasn’t married to him. I’ve started some cute crafts. I have no use for them but think I’ll make a few and then send the ‘makings’ to our granddaughters for them to copy. I saw them on the Carol Duval Show. I like all the DIY / craft shows. I even enjoy Martha Stewart. Most of her crafts are a bit out of my price range. She does have a lot of great ideas. You’d think I’d have more to say since it’s been a few days. Sorry! Not much going on. I’m reading and listening to information for my travel website. I’m going on September 20th for my certification. It’s called ‘First Class’. Having that certificate raises my commissions. So, hope you’re having good weather and enjoying your weekend. Keep safe! [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/calendar.gif[/image] Diane Tavegia Carnival Cruise Lines August '09 Special Price to the Bahamas for $349 while spaces last! Book NOW. "Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 347

dianetavegia -> Monday (9/8/2008 8:29:30 PM)
[img]http://usera.ImageCave.com/dianetavegia/1_01805_.jpg[/img] 1 Peter 1:6-7 “These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Hebrews 12:27 “This expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” James 4:6-7 “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” [img]http://usera.ImageCave.com/dianetavegia/40529730.CRW_8815SpringFlowersW.jpg[/img] It’s raining here. It got a bit muggy this afternoon. Of course, I have the central air on so it didn’t bother us, but I’m sure people who had to work outside were affected. It cooled off so much after supper. I turned off the air and opened our windows. We love fresh air. Jim and I ran to make a deposit and to pick up a few groceries tonight. There’s not as much traffic on the road lately. I’m guessing the gas prices have stopped a lot of unnecessary trips. Our gas is down to $3.46 here. I had a really hard time going to sleep last night. I guess the late afternoon nap is the reason. Anyhow, it was hard waking up this morning. My little cat has taken to attacking my huge black lab when he sniffs her. If it’s on HER terms, fine, but not unless she invites him. I’m surprised she didn’t cut his face today. He’s so very good. He just takes it and looks at her like ‘what’s that about?’ I’m looking forward to ‘Fringe’ tomorrow night. Hope it’s good. House is on after that. We really like House. Wednesday night I’m going to Atlanta to hear two speakers with the travel agency, work from home business I have. Should be very good. Well, have a lovely evening. [img]http://usera.ImageCave.com/dianetavegia/2022560162-11117b.jpg[/img] Diane Tavegia "Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 346 “Travelocity” “Expedia” “Orbitz” Airlines “Princess Cruise” ‘Grand Circle” “Africa” “Europe” “Spain” “Tahiti” “Bahamas” “Honeymoon registry” “Honeymoon Wishes”

dianetavegia -> Camera adds twenty pounds (9/9/2008 7:58:02 PM)
[image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/autumnwelcome.gif[/image] Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/261275.jpg[/image] Jim was home today. He woke in the middle of the night with a very bad sore throat. He’d sneezed all day yesterday. He slept in for a while and seems to feel fine tonight. I had quite a big mess today. The toddler decided to throw her spaghetti while I was in the bathroom. I mean sling it! It was stuck to the fridge, on the back of the sofa in the living room, on the carpet and handfuls on the floor all around the table. I don’t know what that was about. She loves anything pasta. Fringe is on in 25 minutes, followed by a new episode of House. Hope Fringe is good. I know House will be good. Hope I can stay awake for them both. I guess, tho, I should admit that today I was not sleepy at 3:00. I made a roast for supper. We had the roast, mashed potatoes and gravy and English peas. My boys really enjoyed it. We ate right after the toddler left. I went up to church today and picked up the upcoming Sunday School lessons for our youth. Wow! We’re going to be studying false religions and cults, comparing them to what the Bible says. This wasn’t planned. It is a continuation of the Fuel series we’ve been doing for several years. It just so happens that Muslims are our first false religion to study. I picked up lesson plans for two other teachers, took them to their house and put them in their mailboxes. One lady works at church and took hubby’s home. One of our ministers can take a set to another teacher leaving two sets to be picked up. Those people lived way out of the way for me and in opposite directions. A woman down our street does childcare and her teens and her 10 year old play outside all day. It drives our Scooter crazy. They have all sorts of scooters that make whirring noises. The kids squeal and a tiny child, who doesn’t want to ride on the scooter, cries. Bark, Bark, Bark from 10 a.m. til 6 p.m. He’ll get used to it, soon. I’ve had our windows open and the toys and kids are quite loud. It used to be just Nick and me home during the weekdays during the school year. [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/Dianelivingroom.jpg[/image] This is a new picture of me from today. Surely the camera adds 20 lbs! I know it ages you terribly. Certainly I don't really look this old at not yet 58! Have a great evening and God Bless, Diane Tavegia Holland America Line-ms Noordam Oct. 2008 14 days only $609.00 Rome/Civitavecchia, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Cartagena, Cadiz, Funchal, Fort Lauderdale Carnival Cruise Lines-Carnival Liberty Nov. 2009 16 days for $749.00 Rome/Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas/Canary Islands, Philipsburg/St. Maarten, Miami "Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/fall_wreath_leaves.gif[/image] 346

dianetavegia -> Pizza, Finally! (9/11/2008 7:05:04 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/Simple_flowers/bkflower2a.jpg[/image] Luke 11:11-13 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Philippians 4:8-9 “ Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9 Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” 1 John 2:5-6 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. Habakkuk 2:2 “Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets that the one who reads it may run. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/Simple_flowers/3.jpg[/image] Yesterday was a bit busy. I left for my training in Atlanta at 4:00. I rode with two other women. We stayed for all but the final class. It wasn’t going to start until after 9:30! Since I got home late, I really wasn’t in bed until later than usual. I slept four hours and then woke, wide-awake. I didn’t go back to sleep, either. Our house isn’t large enough for me to do cleaning or even laundry without disturbing someone so I didn’t accomplish much. Jim had to be up early because he had bus duty today. The toddler arrived earlier than usual, too. She was dead to the world, so I was able to hop in the shower and get some housework done before she woke for her breakfast. Jim finished his last assignment for his last course this term. He’ll start again on October 1st. He’s got his ‘teacher classes’ and student teaching to do. He also has to take math. WGU won’t transfer any courses in your major that were completed in another university. That means Calculus and University Math have to be repeated. That’s the only subject he has to complete, other than the teaching courses. The college only accepts A and B work. Nothing else passes. If I had to guess, I’d say he has a 3.5 GPA. Not bad for 40 years out of college! Our weather is so pleasant! It only got up to 75° today and we have a strong breeze, too. I’m hoping for an early and long Autumn. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/Simple_flowers/2948727390029210395S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Speaking of Autumn, I’m on the committee planning our yearly Trunk or Treat at our church. We’re going to hold it on October 30th because of a home football game. I think that’s silly, but I had only one vote and really didn’t care which night, as long as it wasn’t cancelled. It’s a very important and expected community outreach. I’ve been craving pizza for a week. Tonight we finally got some from Romero’s here in town. It was so very good. Romero’s is always buy one, get one free so we got a Romero’s Special (everything but anchovies) and a Mushroom, Pepperoni, Sausage with pineapple on half. We wanted pineapple on 1/3 rd of it but the people working didn’t know how to divide into 3 parts and put stuff on only one of those thirds. We had to take pineapple on half instead. Georgia schools…. Boy am I sleepy! When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.. I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Joshua 13:1,6 Here’s a better picture of me with my hair down. Nick took it Wednesday. [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/PROFI.jpg[/image] Have a great evening and God Bless, Diane Tavegia Holland America Line-ms Noordam Oct. 2008 14 days only $609.00 Rome/Civitavecchia, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Cartagena, Cadiz, Funchal, Fort Lauderdale Carnival Cruise Lines-Carnival Liberty Nov. 2009 16 days for $749.00 Rome/Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Las Palmas/Canary Islands, Philipsburg/St. Maarten, Miami "Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-11/1228749/ReadMyLipstickPalin.gif[/image] Read my lipstick - Palin 345

dianetavegia -> Weekend (9/14/2008 7:31:02 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/fall_05_m.jpg[/image] Matthew 12:20 “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.” 1 Peter 2:4 “Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him.” Colossians 1:26-27 The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/apt_w_fl_nature2_lg.jpg[/image] Friday: The week seemed to go pretty quickly. I hope we can have a peaceful weekend. I have several things going on next week. That being said, I slept well last night. I did have a hard time getting up at 6:30, tho! I wanted to sleep in. I had to call DirecTV today. I got our bill by email and right away knew there was a problem. The last time I called, the young man signed me up for two almost exact packages. The man today fixed it right away and gave me an extra $15.00 credit for my trouble. That was nice. I did some cleaning today. It’s a little warmer and quite muggy but it’s supposed to get a lot worse. We’ll have to turn the central air back on tomorrow and Sunday. No need to be miserable. We’re going over to Jon and Mary’s tonight. I’m going to do my ‘practice presentation’ on the travel business for them. Previously I’ve just had people watch one on my business website www.ytb.com/dianetavegia but I need to be able to use the PowerPoint in front of a group. I’ve been practicing on my own, but need to do it in front of people. Sunday: Whoops! It’s SUNDAY and I never completed my last blog. We had a HUGE turnout in our youth Sunday School today. We even had a number of visitors. Nick’s girlfriend came and they sat with us in church. She’s very pretty and VERY sweet. Nick usually sits up front with the youth but Kristen wanted to sit with us. We had spaghetti for lunch. That’s an easy meal. Nick doesn’t like spaghetti but likes the sauce and meat so he eats it either alone or over a roll like a meatball sub. I cleaned up the kitchen and took a two hour nap. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/11344560d7cd28a329.98106317.jpg[/image] Our weather is about to change quite a bit with lows in the 50’s°. I’m thrilled! I love spring, fall and winter. I can’t complain too much, tho, because we had a nice summer and Nick is no longer allergic to mosquito bites. That has been a concern for the last 9 or so years. Our precious Pastor Emeritus died last night. Dr. J. Broadus Marlow had retired from our church many years ago and he and his family remained here. He would preach several times a year and still filled pulpits in other churches when needed. He was 91 and married to Louise for 70 years. He’d only been ill a week or so after having surgery. His wife is very ill with osteoporosis to the point of breaking bones quite easily. We’d expected her to go before Dr. Marlow. He will be missed. I loved him dearly. One of my favorite things he did was when the men’s chorus sang, he’d always have them do one of his favorites and he’d get them to sing his favorite chorus or stanza over and over. The church loved it so. I have a busy week. I won’t be able to go to Dr. Marlow’s funeral because of timing and daycare but we’ll go to the viewing. Wednesday night I have a committee meeting for our church Trunk or Treat. That’s a fun thing we do for our community each year. This year we’re having it on Oct. 30th because of a home football game for our high school. Thursday night the founder of my Travel Agency is going to be in Atlanta and I’m going to meet him. Saturday is all day training for my travel agency certification. Next Sunday, Fireproof will be out and we really want to see that. My mother might be coming through this coming Friday. She’s going to the dentist in Birmingham on Thursday and Friday with another appointment two weeks after that. She’s thinking about going to her vacation cabin in Cleveland for those two weeks. She drives right past us, so I hope she’ll stop for overnight or even a few hours. She won’t stay here or even stay inside my house because of my cat and dog. At least we have a nice deck. Of course, we could go over to Jon and Mary’s too. That would be fun. Well, I think I should find something to do. Maybe I’ll do a load of wash! Have a great evening and God Bless, [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/yellow-flowers.jpg[/image] Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 340

dianetavegia -> Chilly tonight! (9/15/2008 8:51:00 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/67838933.1fmn8Lzx.MorningatMabryMill.jpg[/image] 2 Corinthians 1:4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. Colossians 1:22 – 23 But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message - just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7 It is God's will that you should be sanctified... For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Boy I had a rough night last night! I’m guessing that it was because I took a nap yesterday. I seem to remember not sleeping well last Sunday night, too. Jim and I went to bed at 9:30 but I couldn’t fall asleep until after 1:00 and then seemed to wake about a dozen times for only seconds. It was very hard getting up at 6:45. I’m sure sleepy now! The toddler I keep was quite sleepy today. Mom said she’d been up for a while during the night. She was asleep when she arrived and slept in for a while. I think she wears herself out, playing with her big sisters on the weekends. She tries to tell me all about it. Uhmmmm…. Katie….. Ashey…. Outside…. And then a whole lot of chatter. I just laugh when she does and agree with what she ‘says’. She’s a lot of fun. Scooter LOVES her and she loves him, unless he barks at someone in the street. She’ll tell him to hush! I wanted to rearrange the TV room and vacuum behind everything, so I did that first thing, while the toddler was still asleep. I don’t like to move heavy objects with a 2 year old in the room in case something falls over. Better safe than sorry! I removed the window air conditioner from the window in our TV room and put it away. I was smart this year. We have a closet in that room that is basically empty, other than games up on the shelf. Well, I put the window unit in it. Last year we had to get Jon to help get it up two flights of stairs and into the window. Now I’ll only need help putting it in the window. It’s heavy, so I put it on the rolling ottoman and then rolled it to the closet. I only had to lift it up to get it out of the window and then off the ottoman onto the closet floor. I’m not very big so it’s heavy for me. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/2119455350028016155S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Nick has been playing outside with Scooter four or five times a day. He had on shorts late yesterday and got 25 mosquito bites in just 20 or so minutes. He must taste good. Of course, Nick was playing soccer and Frisbee with the dog and got quite sweaty. When I go out, I just walk around with Scooter. Our pollen count is high again. Ragweed. We are expecting rain, so that will wash the air clean. It’s so very cool here today and overcast. I have our windows open. There’s quite a breeze too. I love chilly weather. I’m hoping for an early and long Autumn. The middle school where Jim works is having a softball game not far from our house today at 5:00. If the toddler is gone by then, I think I’ll go with him. I’ve not met the principal or most of the teachers. I’ve spoken with the principal several times since last spring. She’s very pleasant. This school system is as different as night and day. The kids are very well behaved and perform on a much higher level in their studies. He’s not had one horror story. What is going on with my photos in my profile and avatar??? It looks like I’m missing a front tooth! I have beautiful teeth. I did have a molar pulled about 18 months ago because it was cracked and was over half metal fillings, but that’s the very back. Oh, and something happened in my profile picture to stretch me taller. I tried resizing it and it shrunk it and made me look about 4 ft tall and 200 lbs. I chose the tall skinny rendition instead. See the photo in my blog to see what it SHOULD look like. So, we went to the softball game. Bremen won it in only 3 innings. That was good because it began to rain. It was a very chilly rain, too. I’m so very sleepy! Jim’s going to watch football and I’m going to bed early tonight. Have a great evening and God Bless, [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/more-flowers/Autumn_Flush.jpg[/image] Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 339

dianetavegia -> Fall like (9/16/2008 7:52:44 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/rainycity.gif[/image] Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Colossians 2:6, "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith." It’s quite chilly here. We covered with a light quilt last night. I love sleeping when it’s cool. We leave all the windows open and enjoy the fresh air. We only had a light drizzle yesterday so now our pollen count is extremely high. Our electric company had raised our flat bill to $150. a month this spring. I see on the news today that Georgia Power over estimated and made a mistake when resetting the bills for people who want to pay the same amount each month. We’ll all be getting the overcharges credited to our bill and 3% interest on that money. I assume that means our bills are going down, too. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/splendidcolors.jpg[/image] A Calico kitten has taken up residence on my front porch. She won’t let me get near her but she looks like she’s got blood on her underside and one foot. She doesn’t act injured, so it could be oil or something else. She curls up against our front door. I’ve put food out for her. We don’t need another cat and we don’t want an outdoor cat, but I can’t see leaving an animal unfed and without water. I can at least do that. If she’d let me approach her, I’d find her a new home. A local vet will neuter a feral cat for free or a very low fee. She looks too young for that, tho. Maybe she’s just lost and will find her way home. Ah, well, she didn’t return but another cat came and ate all the food. I hope she finds her way home. Poor kitty! Nick’s 25 mosquito bites are almost totally gone. I’m so thankful he outgrew his allergy. He was allergic to peanuts as a little boy but outgrew it by age 4. It’s almost time for House and it’s a new episode. I’m glad the new TV season is upon us. I am bored to death with reruns! I’ll have to create a schedule for us to follow until we learn what’s on and when. Well, enjoy this lovely weather! Have a great evening and God Bless, Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 338 Next Stop Paradise

dianetavegia -> This past week (9/21/2008 1:14:12 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/Red_Leaves.jpg[/image] Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. ” Matthew 6:1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Acts 27:22 "Now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' It’s quite chilly here today. Guess that Global Warming isn’t working out, eh Al? LOL It’s been a bit hectic around here for me because of meetings and more. I attended my Trunk or Treat Committee meeting on Wednesday night and we made a lot of plans. I think it’ll work out well. I’ll have our car to decorate and ‘man’ but I’m also in charge of food. Jim will cook the hotdogs but I’ll need people to wrap them and place them in paper bags with the condiments. I’m also going to ask our youth to have a face painting table and see if some will dress as Bible characters handing out tracts, etc. Thursday, my mother came through. She knew ahead of time that I had to be in Atlanta that night, but she got here early enough to visit with me for a few hours and then took Jim and Nick out to supper. She also took Nick to the sports store and bought him a skateboard. He is thrilled. Jim said they really enjoyed the time with her. She stayed overnight here in town and left for her vacation cabin this morning. I was late getting to bed because I was late getting home from Atlanta. I woke at 6:00 and went ahead and got up for the day. I got a few things accomplished before the baby arrived. I sort of wish I didn’t have training tomorrow because I’d like to spend the day with Jim and Nick. I know the training is important, but it will be a 7 a.m. til 6 p.m. type thing with travel. I need to get my hair trimmed. I think I’ll run up this afternoon and get Robbie at Wal-Mart to do it. She’s very good about doing exactly what I ask. My mother has lost a horrible amount of weight. She’s WAY too thin but cannot seem to gain any weight. She’s supplemented her diet with weight gain drinks and other drinks for seniors. She has always been a nice weight, only slightly plump for a short period of time, but has lost around 25 lbs in the last two years. The doctor cannot find a reason. She weighs about 25 lbs less than me, now. That being said, my mother likes to shop, has wonderful taste in clothes and had bought a lot of name brand pants and blouses in size 10. She brought them to me. Most of them still have the tags on them! I will have to hem a few pair because they’re too long even with boots on. My mother and I are both petites, but even petites can be too long. Anyhow, she brought me 7 pair of dress pants, several sweaters, a couple of casual blouses and two very expensive and very dressy blouses. I also got a fun sweater vest with designs down the front and gorgeous buttons. Saturday I went for my training and test. I knew most of the material already because I’ve studied so much over the last 6 weeks but I passed my test and am certified now. I even got a pin to wear. The class started right on time and actually finished about an hour or more earlier than expected. I was home from Atlanta by 4:15. Jim and Nick thought it would be much later so they had gone out in the afternoon for hamburgers. The bank messed up our deposit. Jim had taken cash to the bank and the lady shorted us $100.00. We didn’t catch it until after the bank was closed. He went down first thing Saturday morning. She was not working but the customer service lady and manager said they’d go through the trash and talk with the lady on Monday. I sure hope they find it or replace it! They’ve always been a very good bank and we’ve used them for over 14 years, almost 10 in this location, with no problems. I’m not sure how they will go about checking it out. Our daughter worked in a bank and she said they’d review films. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/morningonbowstringriver.jpg[/image] The only thing I have going on this week is a travel meeting / party on Thursday night. We’re giving away a 3 day/ 2 night vacation as a door prize. I’ve got about 20 people I want to invite. My business is starting to pick up. I’ve got a couple of people planning cruises for honeymoons, a family reunion, a high school reunion and a fall trip to see the change of colors all in the works. Also, we’ve just added Wyndham’s Group RCI Resort vacation e-Certificates to my travel agency website! 7 nights for $379. (PER GROUP). I think that’s a great addition! I woke at 6:00 today, thinking I had to get up. I got all my laundry done, emptied the dishwasher and a few other chores before my boys woke. Oh, I didn’t get all the clothes folded. We had a decent turn-out in my Sunday School class, tho attendance seemed down in general. Our lesson was on Judaism. Next week is on Hinduism. The youth seem to be enjoying the lessons. The videos that go along with the lesson are excellent. They’re much longer than we’re used to but cover the material really well with four – six people discussing the religion, etc. It’s a bit chilly here today and I love it! I have on a light sweater my mother gave me. It’s very feminine with a split cowl neck. I’m thinking about taking a nap but last week I had a hard time sleeping on Sunday night and I do not want to do that again! I keep yawning…. A lot! I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend and are having wonderful weather, too. [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/dianetavegia/butterflies_flowers_med.jpg[/image] Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 333

dianetavegia -> Just being lazy (9/23/2008 7:12:38 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/38942/2676090000011937263S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Psalm 101 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life -- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. Psalm 51:16-17 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 63:6-8 “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” [image]http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/4097/2546501380010588357S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Isn’t this just the loveliest weather? I hope all of you are enjoying fall as much as I. Our bank fixed the error on our deposit. The woman who’d done the transaction called in sick and wouldn’t answer her phone when the bank tried calling her. We insisted the bank check the trash and view the videos. They called late yesterday to say they would be giving us the missing funds. No explanations. Jim’s college had not filled out some papers we’d sent them almost 2 months ago. After speaking with eight people, I finally got the right person and she did that for us. I’m not a telephone type person, so I’m glad this is all completed. I made a new ‘friend’ today. A young man searching for information on his late grandfather pulled up my blog because his grandfather was my first Pastor. I got a nice note from him and wrote him back. He didn’t get to see his grandfather a lot before he died and I’d known him for the first 15 years of my life. Isn’t God amazing? I was contacted about a 14 day Alaskan cruise today for two people with flights to Vancouver and then returning from Anchorage plus a hotel room coming and going. That’ll be a very nice commission next spring! Things are really picking up. I’m really enjoying my new business. Jim has to work the gate at homecoming this Thursday. I’ll go on to the travel party at my friend’s house and he can meet me there if he finishes in time. I’m hoping I can get some friends to go with me. We’re giving away a three day/ two night vacation as a door prize. It’s to some amazing places, too. [image]http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42628/1043983082000266936S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] I’ve been attempting to register at Travel Agent University but keep getting an error page. I’d like to start with the Honeymoon course and then possibly do Hawaii next. The courses are all free and are offered by different countries and cruise lines. I think I might try to register on one of Jim’s computers in case the problem is with mine. I stopped, went downstairs and registered and it’s working fine now. Go figure. I need to get some more ‘certificate’ computer paper and ink so I can print out my diplomas as I earn them. Speaking of my computer, we have deleted just about everything because my hard drive is out of memory. I was able to up it from 2% free space to 9% free space. Jim and Nick use my computer because it’s in the TV room and save things on it all the time or download programs. So what’s with the new TV season? Some shows aren’t starting until November or January. That’s not very nice! It used to be the first of September you could count on all new shows. Now the season is so short. Not fair! What if advertisers refused to sponsor reruns? These actors make so much money for so few shows. Not long before House comes on and then Fringe. I think I’ll get another glass of sweet tea and be lazy til then. Have a great evening and God bless! Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 332

dianetavegia -> Well where ever have I been? (9/29/2008 11:26:17 AM)
[image]http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/39153/1088098012031963949S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] South Africa Revelation 3:8 "I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough. 9 "And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan - watch as I strip off their pretensions and they're forced to acknowledge it's you that I've loved. 10 "Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. 11 "I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. Where have I been? LOL! I’ve been so busy that I didn’t even realize it had been almost a week since I’d posted on my blog. Whew! First off, we’ve had some computer woes. My computer had a small hard drive because I really wasn’t using much space previously. We bought a new hard drive at Best Buy and installed it last night. Jim transferred the files but the new hard drive wasn’t recognized when he switched from slave to master this morning. He’ll look at it after work today. I will have 5 times the gigs once he fixes that. Jim’s really good at repairing things. He repaired his IPod this week. He had to purchase parts from two different suppliers, but it cost less than $40.00 even with shipping. He loves his IPod. Our ex son in law gave it to him a few Christmases ago. It was a perfect gift. My Travel Agency! WOW!! I’ve been working on an Alaskan cruise and a European trip. Now the European trip might work out to be two trips in one with the women staying in Rome for a week before beginning a second trip. I make a nice commission on all the trips, hotels, airfare, insurance, money exchange. I have a short trip for 2 to Charleston in the works for sometime within the next two weeks. I also have a honeymoon cruise and a trip for two to Australia pending. This is so much fun! The trip to Australia is a huge deal for me, commission wise. HUGE. Tonight I’m going to study up with three other women on outdoor adventures, hunting and fishing trips. The excursions are through ‘Outdoors’ off my agency webpage. We have DVD’s to watch and brochures to study. [image]http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/31688/2070740730102572130S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Egypt My mother is coming through again this week. She has another dental appointment on Thursday, in Birmingham. She’ll spend the night in Birmingham on Wednesday and then come back this way Thursday after lunch. She’s not going to stay overnight this time because she’s going back to her vacation cabin and will wait out another 2 weeks until her next appointment. This should all be finished within the next 3 – 6 weeks. It’s been 1 year and 4 months already. Yesterday afternoon we went to see Fireproof. It was good. I’m so very thankful I have a good marriage with a thoughtful and kind husband. My husband has never yelled at me nor have we ever fought like the couple in the movie. I’m sure a lot of men won’t like it and non Christians won’t like it because it’s very evangelical. I’ll buy it when it comes out on DVD. Saturday I went with Jim to the last two regular softball games for the girls at the school where he works. They played two different and undefeated teams that day! One at 10 and the next at 1:00. We went out to eat between the games at Bilbo’s B-B-Que in Bremen. It was very good. I had onion rings and a pulled pork sandwich. Yum! They gave me a HUGE to-go glass of sweet tea to take back to the game. The girls won both games and play-offs start Tuesday at 5:00. Jim will be working the gate for the homecoming game this Thursday night. This is a new school so the first homecoming game. He doesn’t mind helping out. He really likes the new school. The kids are very well behaved and the teams and band are GOOD. WINNERS. Jon and Mary put in a two-tiered waterfall this weekend. It’s very pretty. They’d found it on sale at Loews along with a huge number of plants. We went over and saw it last night just after suppertime. The mosquitoes were awful. Jon has torches all around their patio but he’d run out of fuel. He’d left them burning on Friday night and one burnt almost to the ground! YIKES! Nick thinks girls are a lot of trouble. LOL. His ‘girlfriend’ calls a lot and has nothing to say. He’d rather go out and skateboard than listen to her TV. or music over the phone. He’s brave, tho. He’ll tell her he’s going outside or will talk to her another time. He never calls her. My grown boys were never girl crazy. They both have beautiful Christian wives. So, you want to know what the number is for below my signature line, eh? I’ll tell you later. Just keep watching my blog. College starts back for Jim on Wednesday. He already has the books he needs for these classes. We haven’t bought his math books, but those are supposed to be next term. We’ll see. He took Calculus and University Math at Ottawa University but it’s been almost 40 years! Well, I need to do some housework and check on Nick’s schoolwork. I also need to check on some of the people who’ve signed up under me to see if they have any questions about their travel agency websites. It’s really easy if people just read the info or watch videos. Have a wonderful day and God bless! Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com Tour Name Tour Date Discount Per Person Branson Musical Getaway 10/2/2008 $50 Discover Tuscany 10/3/2008 $50 Spectacular South Africa 10/3/2008 $75 Tropical Costa Rica 10/8/2008 $75 South Pacific Wonders 10/23/2008 $125 Rome & Amalfi Coast 11/7/2008 $75 Reflections of Italy 11/11/2008 $75 Beijing City Stay 11/12/2008 $50 Alpine Christmas 12/8/2008 $100 Christmas on the Danube 12/11/2008 $150 326

dianetavegia -> Kept busy today (9/30/2008 3:34:25 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/22368/2225400500080495240S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Job 42: 12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters….. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days. Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory." Big goin’s on round here this coming weekend. It’s the last Possum Pickin’ concert. Pinto beans and corn bread will be sold. I can hardly contain myself for the excitement. Getting gas is getting more difficult. We filled up on Sunday for $3.97 a gallon at the Racetrac. Most of the pumps were covered with bags. There was a short line at some pumps but we got right in. Our news is saying it’ll be another few weeks before gas deliveries are back to normal. That being said, we have half a tank. Jim wants to go to the girl’s softball play-offs today at 5:00 at his school. He wants me to go, too, if the toddler has already left. I think I’m going to suggest he just remain at school and not come pick me up. There’ll be a few more play-off games and Thursday is home coming. He’ll work the student gate for that from 4:00 til around 6:30. All these trips, all that way and all that gas……. Better to just wait out the hour or so. ACK! My new hard drive didn’t transfer my OS and Jim had sent our Windows OS disc to our oldest son for something his wife was doing in a college course a few years ago. Well…. We need the disc to easily complete the transfer. So……. I’m still on the old hard drive and Jim is going to have to work around the missing disc. Western Digital takes calls until 8 p.m. our time, so hopefully he can get home and figure all this out tonight. Our 38th wedding anniversary is Oct. 10th. I’m trying to decide on a favorite meal for us that night. Our kids won’t remember it and we have only gone out a couple of times for our anniversary. It’s no big deal. We’re blessed in so many ways. That day is also one of our daughter in laws birthday. She’ll be 40 this year. She’s such a blessing to us. Such a sweet spirit. [image]http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/37004/2232814560077997123S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Good News! I might be a winner with Publisher’s Clearing House. Yawn…. Last night I went to a meeting to learn more about the Outdoor portion of my travel agency. We’d expected the DVD to be more about the adventures but it was a sales presentation. Once my computer is ‘fixed’, I’m going to find a place to watch those fishing and hunting adventures, extreme sports films so I can better promote that part of my website. I like to pond fish and release but am NOT a hunter. Nick wants an airgun from that website. We have one that looks like an old military piece. He loves the military channel. I’m going to get that one for Christmas. Each day I’m supposed to find one person to look at my website. Today I’m focusing on the outdoor site. I’m going to try and get to Wal-Mart to hand out business cards at the guns and fishing equipment aisle. Need me some camouflage pants. LOL Hey if you or hubby are into hunting, fishing, wild adventures or extreme sports, go to my website, click on the Extras tab and then on the bottom left is the Outdoors button. Check it out! Tell your friends and help me grow my business. Jim has a couple of doctor’s appointments coming up. His 3 months check up with his surgeon was cancelled when doctor was out of state. We made it for mid October. That actually makes it a 5 months recheck but Jim was mentally not ready for another biopsy or surgery. He sees his pulmonary specialist this coming Monday. We haven’t had any bad news or surprises there in about 5 years now. He’ll get his flu shot through his work on Oct. 30th for free. Flu shots. Nick is already in meltdown because of the impending flu shot. He hates shots! He had e coli in his bladder as a 4 or 5 year old and had to have horrific shots in his thigh several days in a row. Since then, he doesn’t do well with any mention of a shot, let alone the real deal. I need to see if my ‘doctor’ will give me one. I’ve not had a doctor’s visit in 3 or 4 years. The last time was for a sinus infection. If I go through the doctor’s office, they’ll bill Blue Cross. If I go to the health department, I have to pay. My ‘doctor’ has changed 3 times in the last 3 years because the group keeps changing. I want to move. I’ve never felt accepted or at home in Villa Rica. If I won the lottery, I’d be out of here within days. If I only got enough to buy a new house, I’d move to Carrollton. There’s a beautiful new home, built in the Craftsman style of the 1940’s that I’d love to have. It’s been sitting empty for a few years and the price has been lowered drastically. I even know what furniture I’d buy for the living room. Brown leather. If I won enough to move anywhere in the world, it would be a bit further north, probably into the mountains. I’d have to choose between a log home and a farm style home on a huge amount of land. I’d love to have 100 acres all fenced in. I want real dirt and snow. I completed the course for Alaska and my diploma/ certificate will come by mail. There were four modules and four tests. I also am now qualified as a Honeymoon Specialist through Travel Agent University. Have a wonderful day and God bless! Diane Tavegia A 'Gospel Explosion' Caribbean Cruise! 6 Day Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on the Carnival Freedom August 9-15th, 2009 $743.39 per person A $25.00 per person deposit is due October 10, 2008 (Off my website, click on the GROUPS tab and book your trip!) “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 325

dianetavegia -> Computer all better! (10/7/2008 2:35:03 PM)
[image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/20051112-001b.jpg[/image] Ecclesiastes 11:6 “Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.” Psalms 1:3 "They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” Psalms 25:4 "Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow.” Matthew 10:27 “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” Well hello strangers! We bought a new and much larger hard drive and spent the last week trying to get it up and running. We’ve tried just about everything. Before church today, I said to Jim…. ‘I wonder if we should have disabled our firewall….’ So we did and guess what! Everything copied perfectly and works perfectly. I now have 117 GB of free space instead of 2%! Whew. So, what has happened other than that? Well, I’ve been very busy with my business. I booked a trip to the Biltmore for 2 today and a 16 day trip to Europe for next May, again for 2 people. I’m still working on a cruise to Alaska for August. I’ll be booking that in a week or so. I saved the couple going to the Biltmore over $500.00 and I made almost $70.00 for a few minutes work. I have several appointments this week, too. Business is booming! Let’s see. Well, Nick has made new friends. Several new families have moved into our neighborhood and they have boys his age or close in age. They come over and play on the Wii or skateboard out front. He had supper and watched a movie with the son of a Deputy Sheriff last night. He’s never had a full time neighbor his own age. There was a boy in the rental house next door who rotated between parents, but they were not here long. Scooter was very ill for a few days. I have no idea what caused it. He threw up violently and was ill even after he had nothing left to throw up. He’d grabbed a net type body scrubber when I was cleaning the shower and ran with it. I got it away from him without thinking that I might have some Scrubbing Bubbles on my hand (I was already rinsing the walls when this happened.) Also, I’d given him a tiny bit of spaghetti off a plate and it had garlic in the sauce. When he got sick, I called poison control and they thought the garlic was most probably the cause and said it should pass since it was such a small amount of garlic and a small amount of sauce. He didn’t eat for almost 2 days. Thank the Lord, he’s fine now! Monday was a trip for Jim to his pulmonary specialist. He’s fine. In fact, his doctor calls him ‘the poster child for COPD’ because when he first took over Jim’s care, Jim was barely able to breathe and very ill. Now he doesn’t even use his rescue inhalers and feels great. He got his flu shot while at the doctor so Nick and I will need to find a locale and get our shots next. I made an appointment for Nick with a podiatrist and took him on Monday afternoon. He had an ingrown toenail. We’d been treating it for 2 weeks now. It was a paronychia with pus and painful for a number of days. He causes these by cutting his toenails very short. It got much better and then filled with pus again, two weeks later. Doctor Sun permanently removed half his toenail on his big toe. Nick did really well! He hate needles but had to get 5 separate shots in his toe. His toe is hurting a little today. Doctor said it will take around 3 weeks to close up now. Nick says it feels much better already. We have to soak it twice a day starting late this afternoon. I love my surveys! I received more product to demo and checks totaling $30.13. Nice! That’ll come in handy. Our life insurance went up almost $23.00 a month. Our health insurance went up almost $30.00 a month. Jim’s salary went up almost $30.00 a month tho. Our electric flat bill was misquoted, we got a nice refund, and our monthly bill will drop almost $30.00 a month. It all worked out! [image]http://usera.imagecave.com/elizabethroon/autumn_womanatwindow.gif[/image] I have things that need doing so I’d better go. Have a lovely day! Diane Tavegia A 'Gospel Explosion' Caribbean Cruise! 6 Day Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on the Carnival Freedom August 9-15th, 2009 $743.39 per person A $25.00 per person deposit is due October 10, 2008 (Off my website, click on the GROUPS tab and book your trip!) “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com 317

dianetavegia -> Cool weather is here! (10/8/2008 5:20:25 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/22353/2165156530025992880S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Proverbs 20:7 "The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them." - Philippians 2:2 “May their joy be complete in You, Lord, as they strive to be like You in love, unity and purpose..." Psalms 133:1-3 “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It's like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron's beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It's like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that's where GOD commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.” Nick’s toe is looking good. It’s sore in one spot and red down below the toenail, but doctor actually cut out, pulled off the nail before using an acid to kill the root in the area giving him problems. We’re soaking it twice a day and keeping it bandaged. I’ve been working on a Grand European Trip today. My travelers want to take a side trip to Como, outside of Milan. Looks like I have it figured out, if they will settle for only 2 days in the Lake Como area. Hope so! They can also do a ‘break-away’ and meet up with their group later. [image]http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/12933/2055391130025992880S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] It’s really chilly here today. The rain started before midnight and has been steady all day. At times it rained really hard. I like the rain. I love the sound of thunder. I like chilly weather, too. I didn’t have the daycare child on Monday because her dad was off. Mom is off both Thursday and Friday so I won’t have her then, either. I’m going to keep the car and make some contacts for my travel agency. Thursday afternoon is a middle school football game. Jim wants me to go with him. I have a travel party that night, too, so we’ll hurry home so I can be at that by 7:00. Friday is our 38th Wedding Anniversary. I have been greatly blessed. I’m going to make a favorite meal and a dessert for Friday. It’s also one of our daughter in law’s birthday. They have some special plans for the night. She’s turning 40. Time to cook some supper. Hope you have a great Thursday. Diane Tavegia 5 Day Baja Mexico Cruise from San Diego, CA on the Carnival Elation January 10, 2009 $379.05 per person This fabulous 5 Day cruise departs from San Diego and features stops in the beautiful ports of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and two fun-filled days at sea. “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com [image]http://www.ytbtravel.com/img/296_159/1x1_China.jpg[/image] 316

dianetavegia -> No long weekend for me! (10/12/2008 7:32:48 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/28096/2806453330044617040S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Psalm 139:13-18 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! Didn’t do much this weekend. Nick had a friend sleep over on Friday night. That was our 38th Wedding Anniversary. We had a nice dinner for the two of us and they ate later. It’s been quite noisy the last few nights. Our county schools are out for a fall break. Kids have been wandering the streets until after 11:00. Last night they disturbed the dog around 11:30. I’d only been asleep a short time. Then, at 1:45, our front door blew open and then slammed. That startled us all. The door sometimes seems shut but isn’t. It’s very windy here and we had windows open. I’m just thankful the cat was in bed with me when it happened. She’s not allowed outside. Scooter sleeps in the t.v. room and we put up a baby gate to keep him in just half the house. They were both safe. It did, however, wake us all and it took a while for me to get back to sleep. I don’t like being disturbed at night! I’ve always been a very good sleeper. Speaking of sleep, I took a two hour nap this afternoon while Jim watched football. I hope that doesn’t interfere with my sleep tonight. Back to the noisy neighborhood, there’s no school for Carroll County all week tho Nick will have school. I’m sure we’ll have kids in the house each day as soon as he completes his schoolwork. We had several Sunday School teachers out today and one class was huge. My class only had a few kids. We met together to do an ‘exercise’ that went along with our lesson on “New Age’ movement. The kids seemed to enjoy it. 2 Timothy 4:2 “Proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.” [image]http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/24487/2185581050044617040S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Jim has decided he’s ready to give up cooking for the youth each Sunday. He’s been doing it for about 18 months or more. We’ve had to be at church 45 minutes early each week. I think he’s just burnt out. That’s quite fine with me! I’ll gladly wander in at 9:00 with everyone else. Jim co teaches the 7th and 8th grade boys and has to rush with his clean up to get to class on time. That was another deciding factor. For my business, I have a lot of classes I can take this week but also have some training that opens up this coming weekend online. If I take that class and pass, my commissions go up 10’%. You can be SURE I’m going to take THAT training! Again, I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying my travel agency and working from home. Last night we added Branson to my webpage and airport shuttles. It seems like we get a new ‘product’ each week. Check it out sometime. It seems late…… I guess because it’s getting dark earlier. The winds remind me of camping at the beach. I love the fall. I got out all my fall/ winter clothes yesterday. Of course, we’re going to have some really warm weather later this week. Never fails! Anyhow, I love turtlenecks and sweaters so I’m in heaven. Some of my clothes from previous years fit me again. Well, I’m bored so think I’ll fold clothes and find another movie to watch. I hate football! ACK Diane Tavegia 5 Day Baja Mexico Cruise from San Diego, CA on the Carnival Elation January 10, 2009 $379.05 per person This fabulous 5 Day cruise departs from San Diego and features stops in the beautiful ports of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and two fun-filled days at sea. “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com [image]http://www.ytbtravel.com/img/296_159/1x1_China.jpg[/image] 312

dianetavegia -> Oct. 14th (10/14/2008 6:39:52 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/18868/2122568570052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] 1 Corinthians 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” I slept really well the last two nights and enjoyed every minute of it! It’s quite cool here. I’m sure that has a lot to do with how well I sleep. I really like the cool weather. Windows open. Chill in the air. Mamaw Weldy’s quilt over me. Jim curled up on one side of me and Patches curled up on the other. Now that’s good sleeping. I had a few loads of laundry waiting for me Monday morning. I got those started right away. I did my surveys while I drank my morning coffee and waited for the daycare child to arrive. She’s been getting here later but will go back to early arrivals next week. Either is fine with me. She’s a cutie pie. Jim started his courses for this term and passed his first two papers right away with good scores. Good for him! I could never go back to college at my age. I do study for my business, but that’s fun and I don’t have to wait 2 years to earn money from my studies. No teacher is grading my papers either. My ‘tests’ are computer graded. Today I studied up on Faith Based Travels. Very interesting. 16 million people plan to participate in a religious type travel over the next five years. That’s a lot of people! [image]http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/21907/2199460430052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Jim picked up two Dean R. Koontz paperbacks for me last week. I think that’s so sweet! He knows how much I enjoy reading and he also knew which books I had and didn’t have! Neat hubby. I’m planning my Christmas shopping already. I can shop through Working Advantage and get quite a bit off at national stores. One item Nick wants can be gotten $25.00 off but that’s tricky because we need a specific model number to be sure it works the way we need it to work. I don’t know what to get the grandchildren. Our grandson loves books and racecars. The granddaughters spend a lot of time on the internet, PS2 and Wii. Maybe another game. I don’t know what the newest games are for Wii for little kids. Speaking of Christmas, I’m going to fall clean my bedroom so I can get my Christmas tree up in there by early November. We try to have our main tree up before Thanksgiving. That’s not that far away! Do YOU love Christmas too? Monday night I attended a training course that’s to last all week. Five hours, one hour a night. The teacher has a heavy accent and last night was nothing new. I’m not going to attend the other classes. Much of what she said she’s going to teach is already presented for me to study by myself. Scooter and Patches have become good friends. During the day, they’ll sleep just inches apart. She brings him her ‘kill’ of stuffed animals and he’ll drop a ball or his squeaky toy by her wanting to play. They eat side by side and both beg at the table. Scooter will wait patiently while I hand feed Patches a bit of beef. She’ll rub up under his belly while he eats. She’s not much bigger than his head / neck area. It won’t be long and she’ll curl up against his tummy. Oh, occasionally he sniffs her once too often and she slaps his nose a bunch of times. He just looks at her, amused. I enjoy my animals. I’m putting a roast in my slow cooker for our supper. That sounds good, doesn’t it? I want to eat a bit early tonight so we don’t have to rush. Jim has a teleconference call for Foundations of Teaching at 7:00. The calls last more than an hour, usually. He has to be at his computer during the call so he can reference things. My mother will be coming through either Wednesday or Thursday. I’m not sure which. She has a dentist appointment in Birmingham on Thursday. They see her twice that day, early morning and afternoon. Either time will be for a short visit. She’ll come back again in 2 or three weeks but that time will leave Birmingham and head home to Alabama. Gosh, I need to have a yard sale! I have car seats, bouncy seats, playpens and many other things just sitting here. Yard Sales can be fun, if the weather is nice. I should check out this weekend’s weather and make a decision. There’s been a lot of yard sales in our neighborhood the last few weekends. Jim saw his dermatopatholigist this afternoon. He biopsied a spot on Jim’s upper chest and did a plug biopsy on his thigh where the Lichen Planus has returned. (It has returned with a vengeance) Doctor ordered some blood work too. No big deal. Just keeping on top of things. I am SO thankful for that. We had two extra teen boys at supper tonight. They were hilarious. One is a few weeks older than Nick and one is a year younger. When our grown kids were teens, we’d sometimes, many times have 10 kids in the house at meal times. Anyhow, I’m thankful I’d made such a big roast! Jim only has half day at school tomorrow. He does have to go back to Douglasville for his blood work, tho. Hmmmmm…. What should I take out for supper? Have a great evening and enjoy this lovely weather! God Bless, Diane Tavegia 5 Day Baja Mexico Cruise from San Diego, CA on the Carnival Elation January 10, 2009 $379.05 per person This fabulous 5 Day cruise departs from San Diego and features stops in the beautiful ports of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and two fun-filled days at sea. “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com [image]http://www.ytbtravel.com/img/296_159/1x1_China.jpg[/image] 310

dianetavegia -> Rain moving in tonight (10/16/2008 4:46:01 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/21574/1088822594044816609S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Isaiah 40:27 -31 O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 49: 16 See, I have written your name on my hand. Ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. Luke 12:24-28: “Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Did you have a GREAT day? I know I did! My mother came by and visited for about three hours on Wednesday. We sat out on the deck in the sun and talked about her upcoming trips. She’s so happy she’s able to book them through me and I’ll get paid for it. It thrills me that she’s so interested and supportive of my new business. Jim ran over and got his blood test. I told him it’s a waste of time. There’s no way he can have what the doctor was checking for because of how it’s acquired. Anyhow, doctor wants to make sure his rash isn’t something else instead of the Lichen Planus. It didn’t cost us anything except gasoline. [image]http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/22465/1088824873044816609S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Jim did have to stay for meetings on Wednesday. The classes ran until 4:00. He’d expected to be home by 1:00. He got home around 4:30 instead. I was in the middle of a webcast training video, but it was pretty self explanatory stuff. Thank Goodness! Nick and two friends were playing PS2 and Lauren and Scooter were chasing each other round the house with a squeaky toy. I ‘viewed’ a LOT more than I heard! Nick took a neighborhood friend to Youth Group with him and Jim and I went out for Chinese food. We also went over and saw Mary and Jon. Jim wanted to borrow their Power Point and install it. He put it on all our computers. I think he also tried to load a new ‘Word’ on my computer. I got some error message about it. I was supposed to watch another webinar today but couldn’t sign on. There’s another webcast later today so I’ve sent a note to tech support about that. It’s a training for Globus. I’d been trying to contact my mother to get her to stop by on her way home. I have the paperwork for her trip and printed out copies for her and her travel buddy. I finally got through to her when she was about 30 minutes away. Perfect timing! Jim worked the football game but I couldn’t go. He got a BBQ pork sandwich at a neat little place near the school. I made chicken for Nick and myself. Tonight is my weekly travel meeting. I’ve printed out copies of my commissions to inspire people who haven’t booked much. If I can do this, anyone can. Rain is supposed to move in tonight with much cooler temperatures after that. I’m looking forward to the chill in the air! Have a lovely evening and God Bless, Diane Tavegia “Next Stop Paradise" is Diane Tavegia's online travel agency www.NextStopParadiseTravel.com Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xitang 9 Days from $ 1,349.00 [image]http://www.ytbtravel.com/img/296_159/1x1_China.jpg[/image] 308

dianetavegia -> Passed my test (10/19/2008 6:39:25 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/22658/1088007074044816609S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Ephesians 3:12-20 When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud! My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Friday: The weekend is finally here! I hope I can sleep a bit late on Saturday. Not counting on it tho. It seems, since Saturday is the only day we don’t have to be up early, that we just can’t sleep in. It rained so hard most of the day. Our temperatures dropped pretty drastically, too. Tonight it’s to be around 45°. We pulled most of the windows most of the way closed. It’ll be good sleeping tonight! Nick is spending the night at a friend’s house. The dad is a police officer and a single parent. The uncle lives with them, sort of like in Signs. I have a four hour course and then a test on the material to take. It is available to everyone at 8:00 on Saturday morning. I think I’ll go ahead and take it right away. As soon as I pass it, I get a 10% raise in commissions. That’s huge when you’re talking about a $13,811.00 trip to Europe! I may be wrong, but I think I have studied enough already that I could probably pass the test ‘cold’. [image]http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/14321/1086933758044816609S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Jim loaded the newer Word program for me so I’m using that for my blog. It looks so very different. Seems intuitive tho. Our doorbell has died. I’m hoping it’s just the button. We realized it yesterday when one of Nick’s friends came over and tried ringing the bell. We just need to run to Home Depot and grab another one. Of course, this is our second doorbell and it’s probably 6 years old. **Whoops! Needed a whole new doorbell. Bad transformer. All fixed tho. I rushed home today (Sunday) to begin my training videos. I am so glad I’ve been studying all along. I passed my First Class Travel Agent training with a 100% right off. That gives me a ‘raise’ in my commissions of 10%. I put ribs in the slow cooker when we first got home and we had those for supper with some baked beans. I’d thawed out and cooked 2 slabs, which worked out well because Nick had a boy his age stay for supper. So, as soon as I post this, I’m going to call a lady who wants to research a trip to Germany. I also have a lady wanting to reserve two spots on a cruise this coming spring. She’s going to look at the cruises and I’ll get together a list of any specials I find. This is fun! Nick has a doctor’s appointment early Monday morning. He has a recheck on the toe that needed ‘surgery’ to remove half the toenail. I’ll take Jim to work and will get some chores done. Bank, Post Office, Consignment shop, get Nick a haircut, etc. First, tho, we’re going to stop by Jon’s house and visit for a little while. The doctor is less than one mile from his house. The doctor is at 9:45. Well, supper is over and dishes are in the dishwasher. Time to do some ‘work’. Have a lovely evening and a wonderful new week. God Bless, Diane Tavegia Next Stop Paradise is Diane Tavegia’s online Travel Agency www.nextstopparadisetravel.com [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/BusinessCard.jpg[/image] Silver Shadow departs Jan. 4, 2009 on a 9-day, Caribbean voyage (#3901) from Ft. Lauderdale to Barbados visiting Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada and Bequia. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $3,537 per person (40% savings).

dianetavegia -> Biopsy Results :-( (10/21/2008 5:37:50 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/3203/2281784420036539818S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Isaiah 43:2 “When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.” Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Monday was a busy day. Nick had his recheck on his toe first thing that morning. Of course, I had to take Jim to work so I could keep the car. I also had some errands I needed to run. I went to the bank and post office, consignment shop and took Nick for a haircut at Billie Jack’s Barber Shop downtown Villa Rica. We’ve been going to Jack for almost 10 years now. We also stopped by and visited with Jon for an hour or so right after the doctor. Doctor came into the room right after us. He began getting out gauze and tape, putting on rubber gloves and then looked at Nick’s toe. He was very surprised to see it was closed up nicely and only slightly pink. Nick had an ‘I told you so’ ready for me. He’d gone out skateboarding after 4 days instead of waiting 1 ½ - 3 weeks. I worked on a couple of trips yesterday afternoon before picking up Jim. I did some more last night. I needed to research transportation from the airport in Milan to Como as well as compare some trips to Austria and Switzerland to make sure the lady wasn’t rushed. She wants to see the convent, church and home of the Von Trapp family (Sound of Music). Now she has to choose between the two trips with Collette and the two with Trafalgar. I also have a couple wanting to book a trip for the spring and another couple wanting to plan a fall getaway to the Georgia Mountains. I’ll work on those today. Because this is ‘October Fest’ in Helen, Georgia, the prices are much higher than usual. [image]http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/27100/2368391070036539818S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Romans 10: 14-15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" I cannot decide what to get Eden for her birthday. I’ve seen a few things that interest me that I also think she’d like. Her birthday is about 2 weeks away! I have to ship her present to Connecticut, too. I also have a baby shower on Sunday. Guess I’d better go shopping! Still awaiting Jim’s biopsy results. I called this morning but the nurse who can give the reports out was in clinic. She’ll call me later. I feel sure the results are all good, but we certainly are not going to take any chances! ** Ah. The results were not very good. The spot on his shoulder is the worst one yet and he will have surgery next Tuesday afternoon. The future concerns me. I’m taking webinars at 4:00 Tuesday through Thursday this week and another next. Princess Cruise Lines, Trip Tailor and Globus are this weeks vendors. Today was Princess Cruises. The classes last an hour and are very helpful and informative. Jim got home and took a nap in his recliner. I’m sure he’s overwhelmed. I know I would be. Remember him in prayer, please. God Bless, Diane Tavegia Next Stop Paradise is Diane Tavegia’s online Travel Agency. Please check out my prices and book your next trip with me! www.nextstopparadisetravel.com [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/BusinessCard.jpg[/image] Exclusive China Tour: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xitang 9 Days $ 1,349.00

dianetavegia -> Olive Tree (10/22/2008 8:16:01 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42323/2842217470045146464S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Psalm 66:18-19 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. The days when the daycare child leaves early seems to be twice as long. We took advantage of my long afternoon. Jim and I went out for dinner to a new restaurant in town called ‘Olive Tree’. It’s very good. We both had Italian dishes. I’d been there once before and had a Greek dish. We also ran a few errands while we were out. It’s so pretty here. We had a high of 66° and our low is around 45°. Our leaves are still not changing colors. The sky is so bright. I made an appointment for Jim at an eye specialist. The doctor is up in Rome, but I used him for my cataract surgery and he’s considered one of the best in the U.S. Anyhow, we needed to have Jim checked over really well because of his skin cancers. Certain skin cancers actually can be found in the eye. No need to take chances! We have insurance. The doctor can see him November 14th. He had other appointments open but for very early in the mornings. It’s about 1 ½ hours away, each way. My mother and her travel buddy are at The Biltmore. Mother called after their dinner. They are being spoiled and loving it. A good number of Christmas decorations are already up, too. There’s a Christmas tree in their bedroom at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. Mother said they have eaten in several different ‘fine dining rooms’ and the food is wonderful but the service is even better. I’d done some research and saved them over $500.00 on this trip so that makes me feel good, too. I’m going to keep the car on Thursday and go to the final football game at Jim’s middle school. He’s quite popular with the kids. One wants him to come to a skate birthday party this weekend. I think we’ll skip that. Jim always helps out with tickets and I’ll have to go after the daycare child is gone, but should be able to see a good bit of the game. It starts at 4:30, I think. Tomorrow night is a travel party. I have invited two families that I think would do well with an online business. We don’t have many friends in common, either, so wouldn’t be in stiff competition. I ordered more business cards, some printed post cards, a T shirt and something else today from Vista Print. Everything came to $8.04. Free except for shipping. Oh, calendar magnets. Anyhow, a lady who does really well with group travel in California orders free T shirts every time Vista Print is giving them away and then gives them out to friends or even strangers who are wearing printed tee’s. Walking billboards. The one I ordered today had tall grass and a riding mower. I put a cute saying about how green the grass is in Cancun. A guy won’t mind wearing this one…. John Deere green, et al. Of course, my company name and web address are prominent. [image]http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/43196/2413973890045146464S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Nick and his friend came in tonight all scraped up. Both had blood coming from several places. Nick tore up both elbows and the other boy hurt his leg. Skateboarding. Nick wanted to go back out but his friend wanted to stay in and play on the Wii. Well, I cannot BELIEVE Fox thinks that baseball is more important than Bones. The nerve! Jim’s working on school work and listening to music downstairs. Maybe the boys will forget about baseball and I can watch House and some other reruns. Think so? So, House in on and Jim is still downstairs. Looks like I don’t have to watch baseball!! God Bless, Diane Tavegia Next Stop Paradise is Diane Tavegia’s online Travel Agency. Please check out my prices and book your next trip with me! www.nextstopparadisetravel.com [image]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/265209/BusinessCard.jpg[/image] Exclusive China Tour: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xitang 9 Days $ 1,349.00

dianetavegia -> Dear, Dear Friend has been killed (10/29/2008 3:33:00 PM)
[image]http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/42255/2721605170052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—“ Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. This first part is from last Friday. I get busy and forget how long it’s been since posting. It’s very wet and chilly here. We’ve got some strong gusts that bring our wind chill down to near freezing but our temperature is hovering around 47° for a high. The daycare child left really early yesterday so I went to the pep rally with Jim. We went out for a quick supper at a barbeque place near school before going to the football game. We only stayed for the first half because it was horribly cold and windy! I’d taken my winter coat, filled with down, so I was okay but Jim was shivering. We only stayed that long because he was collecting tickets and signing in staff and athletes at the side gate. Only two of us went to the travel party last night, tho we had five people call in. That was our last night with the current presentation. A real classy updated one was released today and is on my marketing website. I watched it a few times today and timed it. It only lasts about 14 minutes. That’s a great improvement. The other was way too long. I’m a bit frustrated. My yearly mammogram was scheduled for Nov. 24th and they left a message yesterday that doctor has decided to take off that week. She did this to me last year too. When I called to schedule, I offered to see the young doctor I saw last year but was assured my regular doctor was going to be in the office that week. Appointments have to be made six months in advance, so I am not a happy camper. I called first thing this morning and left a message. No return call yet. I schedule my mammogram during Jim’s vacation time because her office is on the other side of Atlanta and I will not drive through or even near Atlanta. ** Now it's set for Nov. 13th at 8:00 a.m. and it's a very long drive! So, last week was to be the last week Jim was to cook breakfast for the youth. He’s going to go in early this week to show the new ‘cook’ where everything is. I’m looking forward to the extra 45 minutes sleep or breakfast time at home. [image]http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/32683/2854023450052197924S600x600Q85.jpg[/image] Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Now…. New blog. A dear, dear friend has died. Neal was killed in a horrific accident Monday. He was moving some heavy equipment on the highway and it shifted. He got out of his truck and was hit by a car. He was a very successful businessman/ business owner and a wonderful husband and father. He was also a wonderful friend. We’re just heart broken over this loss. Generous. Loving. Kind-hearted. Funny. Patient. Great smile. Handsome. Intelligent. He will be missed. Jim had his surgery yesterday. Doctor removed a 3” by 3” section down to his muscle. He’s in a slight bit of pain but went to work today. He’s such a trooper. We’ll know in a week or less if they got clear margins and if it was melanoma. Keep praying! Good news is I’ve booked a huge trip and also 7 nights in Milan and Como for two ladies. If my business continues to pick up, I’ll be a great help to our family. I’m also enjoying myself. Yesterday I went and got a picture made for my Travel Agent Credentials. ‘Don’t Smile!’ they told me. Lot of good it does. The picture looked like a fishbowl type picture. Also, it looked like my eyes are very dark. I’ve got pale blue eyes. I had a woman at CVS do it. Hope I never need to show my credentials! EEK I wanted to keep the car today because I needed to do some things but the daycare child arrived very late and Jim couldn’t wait. I’d planned to do these things last night but took Nick and the boys from the neighborhood over to the skate park in Carrollton. That took up 2 ½ hours again. They’d like to go every night, but I’m not willing to sit in my car doing nothing for 3 hours a night. Also, one of the boys just drives me batty. ACK! Reminds me of Horatio Cain, but very cute kid. We had taken the boys to the skate park just a few nights ago. It was warm enough that we could sit outside until the sun started to set. Yesterday it was way too cold for that. Tomorrow night is Trunk or Treat. I’m in charge of our youth. We’re doing face painting and trash pick up. I have 21 kids signed up to help. Other kids will come if practice is cancelled or ends early, etc. Mid 60°’s – mid 30°’s tomorrow with 10 mph winds. I have to be there before 5:00. It’s always fun, but I’m a perfectionist when it comes to such things. Jim and I are taking two games we had built for our Fall Festivals a few years ago. I do need to make some new bean bags today. I have everything ready to sew, so that won’t take 10 minutes. I want to have plenty in case we lose some in the dark. I have a 1 ½ hour training webinar tonight so will be busy again. Have a lovely evening. God Bless, Diane Tavegia

dianetavegia -> Up to date (11/2/2008 5:22:20 PM)

[image]http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/24514/1004141913013737729S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]

Job 1:21b-22 “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord. Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything."

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Wow, I’ve been busy and didn’t realize I’d not updated again.

We had our Trunk or Treat at church on Thursday night. Jim and I got there a little before 5:00 and were home around 9:00. It went really well. We had more people than we’ve ever had before. We had to stop cars from trying to enter at one point because there was no more parking and no way to exit. Those people parked along the road, at a gas station and another business and walked in. I’ve heard the estimate of 3,000 people. It was a lot of fun and our youth were wonderful. I had many kids face painting and doing clean up all during the event. Other youth helped at their families car or truck. This Monday a group will go through the cards of people who signed up and look for people who we should contact.

Friday afternoon, Halloween, we took chicken and fixings and went to Jon and Mary’s with enough candy for 400 kids. They had one kid. We cooked out and watched a show on Chiller until we were all starting to doze off. There were kids wandering through our neighborhood until midnight. Where are these parents?

Saturday Jim and I did some Christmas shopping and paid some bills. I have always tried to have all my shopping done before Thanksgiving. I know what to get the girls but have no idea what to get our almost 6 year old grandson. There are a lot of ‘off limit’ type toys and games for him. So, we spent a gob of money and then stopped and got Big Mac’s. We only eat fast food a few times a year.

Saturday was our oldest granddaughter’s 8th birthday. Eden is in Connecticut so we couldn’t see her, but we got to talk. She had a sleep-over birthday party and her father and his family are giving her a big extended family party next weekend. I got her a Sponge Bob Creature from the Krusty Krab Wii game.

Saturday afternoon I worked on an Alaskan cruise/ tour combo for some people. It’ll be a 13 day trip. I’m having so much fun and am so thankful for the income, too. I’m also working on a Christmas Cruise for a group out of Florida. I found some cruises that are up to 79% off brochure pricing and they are thrilled.

I took Nick and a friend to the skate park this afternoon. I took a Dean Koontz mystery with me and sat in the car. It was warm enough that I could have sat outside, but there were so many boys and cars that there was no place for me to put my chair and not be in the way. The boys skated about 3 hours. The nice kid who went with him today has to move. They rent a house on our street and the flipper who bought it lost it to the bank. The boy, his Dad, uncle and two tiny kids have lived here about 9 months, tops. We see so many people come and go.

Jim didn’t go with us to church. He has Lichen Planus and it has returned with a vengeance. He has spots on his feet and shins as big as saucers. He has dozens of smaller spots. They itch terribly. He’s going barefoot and wearing swim trunks/ shorts to keep from causing friction. Friction makes it much worse. Jim also had a huge paper due at school. He’s been forming it and researching it for a few weeks. He’s already spent 7 hours on the paper today and says there’s much more to do.

I’d planned to get my flu shot at Walgreens this coming Tuesday. They are going to give shots from 2 – 6. Well, Jim has to leave during his planning period to go and vote so I’ll go at the same time. He’ll be coming from Bremen and have to rush back to school. We’re not sure how long it will take us to vote in the middle of the day. I called the Family Medicine and Minor Emergency facility about 3/4ths mile from the house to see what they charged. It was the same as Walgreens so I went and got my flu shot there today. The nurse who gave me the shot was the nurse for my doctor who moved away. It was really nice to see her again. The group doesn’t accept HMO payment but took my money AND sent a bill to the insurance company showing I’d paid. Hopefully I’ll get reimbursed.

The group I use as primary care wouldn’t give me my shot because I’ve not been seen by the doctor I’m now assigned to. Also, I’ve not been in to see any doctor there in over 3 years. I would have had to pay my co-pay as well as sit around for hours for nothing, just to be able to make another appointment and get my shot. Glad it’s over. Now to watch for a place giving shots for Nick.

[image]http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/31159/1513262982027399797S600x600Q85.jpg[/image]

So, our plan is to go vote before lunchtime on Tuesday (McCain / Palin of course) and then we’ll just pray that God’s people listen to HIS voice and vote for pro-life, Christian, God fearing people.

Matthew 25:20-21 “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

Our weather is back to normal for this time of year. It was 72° this afternoon and so very bright. All week we’re going to have lovely days and cool nights.

I’d like to keep the car tomorrow but it depends on the daycare child. I have no idea when to expect her anymore so can’t plan in advance. IF she gets here before Jim has to leave, I’ll keep the car and we might go to the park.

Jim has basketball try-outs scheduled for Monday and Tuesday nights. In fact, Monday afternoon he has a faculty meeting and his college mentor will call him at the middle school. Tuesday afternoon he has bus duty and