Sunday, December 23, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS




Well Christmas is upon us! It is a time for family and friends and to be thankful for what we have!
We celebrated our family Christmas on Thursday night. We ate take out Chinese food told jokes and laughed and I tortured the boys with the "what are you thankful for" question. It was nice to hear Harrison respond that he was thankful for the help with college. Sometimes we are not sure if they understand and then they say something like that and we realize they do. We opened gifts had a lot of fun thanks Santa.


On Friday we packed up the car and headed to Texas. Fifteen hours later we were in Azle Texas. The boys get to see Grandparents, cousins and other family and will have two additional Christmas celbrations and present giving and receiving. Gramma Turkey came by and picked up the boys to finish their Christmas shopping and Donna, Will and Amber will be at Gramma Paynes tonight!

Terry and I will leave on Wednesday to head to Florida to see Dad and Patricia, we will stop in New Orleans along the way to play for a couple of days.
For the family we will not see, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
All my Love!
Judy



Sunday, December 16, 2007

Schmap.com


One of my photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of our Schmap Lyon Guide, to be published late December 2007. (The Basilica of Fourvière click on the link)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/judyterry/sets/72157594549374251/ I think this is so neat! Schmap is a on-line travel guide and they put together information on places all over the world. Someone saw the picture of Fourvière and they liked it! I get no money but oh well, it is pretty cool to think that a picture I took might be in an on-line travel guide. I have attached the website and if it makes the cut I will let you know.


Sunday, December 2, 2007

Our Tropical Island

We did not want to be like all the other neighbors so we opted for the Palm tree and the a few gifts under the palm tree. Let's not forget the pepper lights those are a favorite of Terry's. I thought we needed a couple of lounge chairs and a bucket of corona but Terry shot that down.
Inside the house we decorated the trees and have gifts under the one in the family room! Yes there are two trees. We decorated the one in the family room together and that was a challenge. I wanted Christmas music but my choice was not to everyones liking (i.e. Harrison) and he put on the "South Park Christmas music". I will say no more, it was special. Of course both boys wanted the tree up and the family ornaments to be on the tree but I think they thought it was going to decorate itself. So I made a nice Sunday Dinner and they decorated the tree.
The house is decorated and Judy is happy....... I love Christmas!




Sunday, November 25, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a houseful and had a lot of fun, Russ, Suzanne, Addie, Dale, Carolyn, Dad and Patricia came and helped us celebrate!
On Friday we went to Stone Mountain
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/ Terry, Dale and the kids went to the top, see the pictures in Flicker!
Suzanne decided to take up knitting, this was her way of keeping busy. The kids had a guitar hero contest and the girls went shopping. http://www.flickr.com/photos/judyterry/page1
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

White Shoes and a White Belt




Not many people can pull it off but Pepe Goyette could really pull off the white shoes and Belt and how about the green leisure suit.
Just thought this one was great!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Halloween Decorations


The Adrian asked if we could decorate for Halloween. A few houses in the neighborhood have lights and other fun things in the yard. So I took him to a few stores and we he picked out what he wanted. Both boys have talked about how much their Mom loved Halloween. How she worked in the haunted house in Texas and how much she liked dressing up!
Adrian has been talking about Halloween for a couple of weeks. All sorts of questions “Can we go to a haunted house? I am not sure if I am going to go out trick or treating. I think we need black lights in the front of the house. Can we get a fogger?”

So today we went to the store and stocked up on decorations. We bought lights, tomb stones, a flying ghost and some ghoulish characters. Adrian new exactly what he wanted. They really like the macabre in this house. I decided against the fogger, someone will have to spend their money for that one. It is going to be a fun Halloween!



Monday, September 10, 2007

Cool Pictures




As I review and start scanning pictures I have found some really cool pictures. This one of Dad (age 8) and Uncle Ronnie (age 3). I am starting to catalog pictures, I have thousands, for everyone, discs to come. Hey guys, click on the link below to see some more! Some of them are priceless. I will keep adding to the flickr account as I go!
Hey Dad, nice pants.



Love you all


Jude



Sunday, September 9, 2007

Weekend at Russell and Sue's


We had a great laborday weekend at Russell and Sue's. Just a hang out weekend at Green Acres. I had not been back to Abingdon in 20+ years so we went into the old town. The house and the neighborhood looked exactly the same and downtown has changed very little. But it was just nice hanging out for the weekend. The food and company was wonderful!
I love the fact the the animals are color coordinated. Pictures attached click on photos.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Back To School
















Adrian and Harrison go back to School this week.

Harrison is starting College at KSU. We have gotten his books and on Wednesday he started his freshman year. You can see how excited he is to get out of bed and go to school.


Adrian begins the 8th on Monday as well. He was just as thrilled to go to school and of course have his picture taken. But they both got to school and so the year begins.











Saturday, July 28, 2007

Savannah, Georgia


While the boys are in Texas for a couple of weeks with their grandparents and the Payne and Brown family we decided to take off for a weekend and just go somewhere we have never been before so we chose Savannah. It is only 4 hours away, depending on Atlanta traffic, so not to far. We took Friday off to go to parent orientation for KSU and after orientation we drove to Savannah.
We got in to town just in time for the cocktail hour. We checked into the hotel, put our bags up and started walking. It was a treat to be able to check out the city and we found a watering hole the suited us just fine on the riverwalk. This is how the weekend went, basically totally relaxing. We took a trolley ride to find out what we were looking at and then we walked the whole city. See the pictures in my photo's. Found a great blues bar and had brunch on a boat while crusing the Savannah river.
We will consider going back in October with the kids to take the ghost ride. That would be fun on a cool and crisp fall night!

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Adrian New Haircut




Adrian decided he wanted a haircut. He was determined to get a stylish cut. We headed down to the supercuts down the street only to be told that supercuts does not have stylists and he wanted to go to a real hair stylist at the mall. He has been talking about this cut for months, he chickened out last time and just got a trim. The cut is short and spikey on the back and top, longer and straight in the front. We came to an agreement that no hair in the eyes but once that was agreed off we went to "Dass Salon" in the Mall of Georgia. (Did I mention he also has wax to spike his hair and he has asked that we go and get a straightener?)


He looks great, (very handsome) he is growing up and becoming his own person. It is pretty exciting!




Sunday, June 17, 2007

Perfect Sunsets

We are back from a wonderful vacation and back to work and the real world.

I do miss the sunsets!




Friday, June 15, 2007

"Iggy the Iguana"


One thing we have found is the lizards are really cool down here! Just a little information below. Of course Addie is feeding the Iguana and as you can see below one of them decided it might want to go on a boat ride with us. The kids tell me the tail is so long beause that is how they defend themselves.

Iguanas can be considered an
invasive species along the gulf coast of Florida, especially on Gasparilla Island (where there is an estimated population of over 12000). This is due to a combination of escaped and intentionally released iguanas which have survived and then thrived in their new habitat. They commonly hide in the attics of houses and on beaches and often destroy gardens. As an introduced species, they contribute to natural habitat loss, spread salmonella, and may be responsible for the recent decline of the gopher tortoise.


Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Hello from the Keys


Just wanted to say hello from the Keys. We made it in and have been having a great time! We went to the southern most point in the US, Key West! We have been Snorkeling, Boating and just hanging around. We have seen some great sites and been laughing a lot. I am hoping you see a post from all three kids in the next day or so!

Sorry you are not here with us! Having a great time! Check out some of the photos!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/judyterry/

Judy, Terry, Debbie, Lewis, Harrison and Adrian.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

The $100.00 clubs

We did not think it was possble but we did it! We made it out of Sam's spending only $71.70. We only purchased beer and wine but still this was a historical day. As we were talking over dinner with the gang, we all agreed that Sam's, Cosco or BJ's was the $100.00 plus clubs. It is near impossible to walk out the door without spending at least $100.00. It all started when my romantic husband decided to take me to his favorite lunch spot, Sam's. We go in on a Saturday or Sunday about noon and we try all the samples. Before I was married I did not even have a Sam's car but since I married a whole family I see the value in shopping in bulk. Boy's eat a lot!

I do not see this happening again but this was worth telling everyone about, it is possible, maybe not probable but possible.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Harrison Payne - Graduate


Harrison graduated from Etowah High School this morning. It was an exciting day. His big day was shared with family and friends. It was a very nice ceremony. Instead of telling you I will show you! Click on photos























Friday, May 25, 2007

Miss Amber came to Visit

Harrison is graduating on Saturday. Terry Parents Carolyn and Dale. Terry's sister Donna, brother-in-law Will, Gramma Turkey (AKA Carol) and Aunt Lynette came in last night to help celebrate the big day! But the star of the show is Miss Amber. Amber just turned one and she is so sweet. Last weekend while we were working in the yard we decided that we need to get fresh sand for the sandbox. As you can see Amber played in the clean sandbox.

We are going to have a great weekend!





Adrian is loves having his little cousin around!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Finals


Adrian is taking his final exams this week. He has been studying and as we are counting down the days. As he prepares to end the 7th grade it has not been an easy chore getting him to study. But as you can see he is studying, I have the picture to prove it!
I cannot wait for summer, it will give us a break!

Caught Red "Pawed" - Just another day in the Yard

Miss Buffy is the boys dog. She is a miniture Schnauzer, the name comes from the German word for moustache because of the dogs' distinctively furry muzzles. Miss Buffy loves to dig and on Saturday when we were all working in the yard she was working as well. Just be careful of the holes.

Buffy went to the beauty parlor today and got a bath and a trim. Isn't she pretty.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Harrison is going to Kennesaw State University



Harrison has been accepted to Kennesaw State Univerity. He will start as a freshman in September! We are so excited for him!



Kennesaw State University (KSU), the third-largest university in the University System of Georgia, is a comprehensive university with expanding undergraduate and graduate programs in Kennesaw, Georgia, one of metropolitan Atlanta's burgeoning northwest suburban communities.Founded in 1963, Kennesaw State is located in Cobb County on a beautifully landscaped and pedestrian-friendly campus of 240 acres within easy access of Interstate 75 and the northwest quadrant of Georgia. Kennesaw State has seen tremendous growth in its facilities in the last decade and now boasts more than one million square feet of space for administration, instruction and student support facilities. Some of the newest facilities include the more than 160,000-square-foot Social Sciences Building, the largest building on campus, and a 4,800-seat Convocation Center - the largest venue of its kind in northwest Georgia.


The university's dedication to fostering excellence in public service brought it recognition from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as one of the nation's top publicly engaged universities in its study "Stepping Forward as Stewards of Place." In addition, the American Council on Education selected KSU as one of eight institutions in the country for a study called "Global Learning for All," which will focus on good practices in promoting international student success. KSU was also named one of 12 founding institutions in a project called "Foundations of Excellence in the First Year of College" by Dr. John Gardner and the Policy Center on the First-Year College Experience. For this study, KSU is conducting a comprehensive analysis of its own policies and programs related to the freshman experience. In addition, KSU's First-Year Experience has been named a "Program to Look For" by U.S.News & World Report three years in a row.The university is committing itself to expanding the global experience of students, faculty and staff through its Quality Enhancement Plan, known as the "Get Global" initiative. The QEP is part of KSU's continuing efforts to reaffirm its accreditation for the next 10 years with the Southern Association's Commission on Colleges (SACS). The plan will focus on increasing opportunities for international learning experiences, and future plans also include implementing a global learning certification program and increasing financial support for those who study abroad.


Nearly 20,000 commuter and residential students, including more than 1,700 from 136 countries, pursue their undergraduate and graduate studies at Kennesaw State. The student body is a mix of traditional and nontraditional students with an average age of 26. Approximately 20 percent of students are members of ethnic minorities.Kennesaw State students can choose majors from more than 60 bachelor's and master's degree programs, including undergraduate degrees in education, health, business, the humanities, the arts, science and math. Graduate degree programs are offered in professional concentrations including nursing, business, information systems, conflict management, education and professional writing. KSU has continued to expand its graduate programs by adding a new Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Learning in 2006 - the first doctorate in the university's history. Nursing students from Kennesaw State have one of the highest passing rates on the statewide licensing exam and are highly sought-after in the medical community, while the College of Education is the second-largest preparer of teachers in the state.


The Executive MBA program, housed in the Coles College of Business, is the second-largest program in the country and has been recognized by BusinessWeek with top 10 ratings in e-business and teamwork.Students have a myriad of opportunities to experience campus life by participating in more than 150 student groups and organizations, including student government, sororities and fraternities, social and special-interest organizations, student publications and honor societies.The Kennesaw State Owls compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference in NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics, enjoying the first full season as a Division I member in 2005-06. KSU has won more than five team championships since joining the NCAA during the 1994-95 school year, with numerous appearances at national championships dating back to KSU's days as a member of the NAIA. Most recently, KSU won NCAA titles in men's basketball (2004) and women's soccer (2003). The former was the first NCAA basketball crown ever won by a Georgia college or university.In 1963, the University System of Georgia established Kennesaw Junior College, which opened its doors to 1,000 students in 1967. The college became a four-year institution in 1976 and was named Kennesaw College in 1977. In 1988, on its 25th anniversary, it was named Kennesaw State College, and it became Kennesaw State University in 1996.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

"The Air Compressor"



Well Terry got his air compressor!
It is a "Craftsman" 3 gallon, 125 PSI, 1 HP air compressor. It is a whopper! He is just so proud of his buy, it was on sale and he saved $41.00. He had to get this on Friday because he had to pump up the tires to a lawn mower that he is selling to Lewis. "But there is so many more things we can do with it". This model is a step up from the original compressor he was looking at. "But Honey I can build a deck with this model" (we already have a deck).
Next, we will be buying the tools needed to build the deck that we do not need. Oh, but he is proud of his air compressor.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Paid Practice


Terry and Matt, the two man band (sometimes three man band when the drummer drives in from South Carolina). Terry calls the gigs paid practice. They play a couple times a month at Stars and Stripes. Stars and Stripes is a big bowling alley with games, pool tables and a bar with bar food. (They play in the bar) The gigs are usually on Friday nights from 9:00 - 11:00 or so. Terry comes home with his "mad money" that he is saving for just the right toy. Some days it is a new bass, other days it is a telescope and one day it was an air compressor. (I am told an air compressor is an essential tool that is needed just in case you have to blow up something!)
I finally got to see Terry play, I was in France the first gig they played, sick the next time they played and made it to the Stars and Stripe a couple of weeks ago. It is really something to see him play. As I watched him I realized he is a natural and it is his true passion. He was smiling, laughing and just having a lot of fun. Terry does not care if he is playing at home or in club or even in a bowling alley he just loves playing.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Happy Easter


Happy Easter
It is Easter and the Easter Bunny came to the house this morning. He did not send much candy because we do not need any more in this house. Between Carolyn and Donna we should have enough to last a few months! Everyone decided to take there favorates. Terry hid the ones that he wants to eat and I told him to hide the M&M's high so I could not reach them. I am trying the out of site out of mind approach. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Friday, April 6, 2007

Harrison's and Laura's road trip


Harrison and Laura went to Charlotte, NC to see Astrid Haven and the Shock Pop All Stars.
They went up to Charlotte and stayed with Icey (aka Brendon), Harrison knows the band and wanted to see them in Person. I am sure this is a weird band to many of us but then Led Zeplin, KISS, the Sex Pitols and Styx was weird to our parents. I remember Mom being horrified when I opened the Rolling Stones album, Goat Head Soup, and I pulled out the picture of the pot of soup with a goats head in it. She commented to Dad "I can't believe that we bought that for her" Then when she hear the music she just closed the door to my room. I haven't heard this particular band but I do admit I like quite a few of the bands they listen to especially Evanescence, and Disturbed
I can say that Harrison got his taste for Music honestly, Terry loves the some of the same bands. This is a rite of passage the first "road trip" on there own.

Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey


For those of you who know me I love Hockey. Our first date (Terry and Judy) was a hockey game. So for Christmas I bought 12 tickets vouchers to the Gladiators games. They are a double A team (the farm team for the Chicago blackhawks) and they play in Duluth. We went as a family in March and both kids loved the games. Harrison and Laura went to another. Tonight Adrian and I went to the last game of the season before playoffs. Terry was playing a gig (at the bowling alley) and Adrian and I decide we would make a night of it. We went out to eat sushi and we went to the game. We had a blast! Adrian loves the game. It is fun to see him get into the game, clap and just laugh. We (Adrian and I) have decided that we are going to try to get playoff tickets! It is so great to have something that everyone likes that we can do as a family or just a few of us go. I think we will be going to the games much earlier in the season next year!

Adrian got a kick out of posing with bloo from cartoon network!


Thursday, April 5, 2007

Dartgnan


We lost Dartgnan on Wednseday specifially I lost Dartgnan. Darty as most of us called her was with me for 14 years. My favorate book is "The Three Musketeers" and when I got Dartgnan I was told she was a he. I decided that the 4th musketeer could be a girl so I did not change her name. She was 6 weeks old and just needed a family. I had just lost Rikki Lee, Dino and I were sad and we needed to add to our family.
Dino fell in love with Dartgnan, he was a 150 sheepdog who was sweet, gentle and just a big baby. Dartgnan was a 5 lb kitten who was a spitfire and now controlled the house. She would give us hell, talk up a storm and meow until we listened. Dartgnan, was the constant in my life for the last 14 years, she fell in love with Terry and the kids as I did and we made a new family.
Have fun in the next life baby girl!
Love Jude

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Adrian's Band Concert


Adrian, had his second band concert, his first at the new school, Lanier Middle School. On Wednesday he will present and be graded at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation.
He will perform with the group and will perform something that he has never seen before on his own.
This performance was a practice and and opportunity for friends and family to see the band. I know he will be great!
(It was difficult for me to get him to stand still for this picture.)
We are trying to get Adrian to go to a band camp this summer for five days, it is at Georgia College & State University and we thought it would be a great opportunity but Adrian wants no part of it. We will keep trying.

Pizza Night


What to have for dinner? When all else fails Pizza to the rescue.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Gifts from France


Adrian requested something really french from my trip so along with a few other small gifts I found him, the stereotypical french item, a beret. I think he enjoyed it because he put it on and let me a picture of him. He immediately started saying "oui oui" in a fake french accent. I guess it was a hit.
Harrison got a real quill with ink, then we tried to read the directions they were in Italian so I bought an Italian quill from France.
Terry go some chocolate and me back home!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Adrian's School Information


Attached is the link for Adrians school.

http://www.lanierms.org/

http://www.lmsband.org/


France Trip


Sometimes when I go on a business trip I get to go to some really cool places and I have the opportunity to go to Carcassonne a medevil walled city.

"The Walled City of Carcassonne" is known as the first fortified medieval town and has been occupied by man since the 600 B.C., settled fist as a gaul settlement, then as a Roman town. With castles, built in the 12th century.

Pictures to come!

Below is the link of the city.
http://www.carcassonne.org/carcassonne_en.nsf/vueTitre/docpgeIntroVisiter

Terry and Judy

Terry and I got married December 31st, 2006 at St. George Island, Florida with about 25 close friends and family.