A Happy Thanksgiving

Pic One: McCallen Grandkids with our beautiful McCallen brown eyes

Pic Two: Don't mess with Mom's kitchen!

Pic Three: Dad, Bryan, me, Jimmy, Nanna and Pappaw

Gardening Fun

This year, we're hoping our green thumb will be a bit more productive. Out on our balcony, we are growing cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers in pots. Also, we are growing chives, parsley and basil--yum! We're ready for some fresh cooking!

For your viewing pleasure... cucumbers at 5 weeks (upper left) versus cucumbers at 10 weeks (upper right).

And last but not least...tomatoes at 5 weeks.

For your viewing pleasure...

(L) McCallen family at Ashley's graduation
Below: Bryan and Ashley







It's hard to believe that I've been a college graduate for a year. And what have I done with my degree? I've spent 12 weeks subsitute teaching, 2 months as a temp, and currently, I'm looking for a full time job. Thank you Mom, for making sure I don't leave college with any student loans. Bryan's are enough!

A Great Speaker on the Da Vinci Code

Darrell Bock is the guest speaker and author we heard on April 30 at Westbrook Church. His arguements came from Breaking the Da Vinci Code.



Check him out on the web!

Our Last April weekend

Rain...rain...more rain. This is the story of our weekend.

On Friday night, Bryan and I stayed in because it was raining. We ate leftover beef stroganoff (yummy). I like to try different recipies each time I make the dish, and this one was definitely in my top 5. After watching Dog Whisper, we went to bed early and cuddled with Shadow.

Saturday morning was hazy, but it didn't rain early in the morning. We got up, took Shadow outside, and then ate a breakfast of oatmeal (cinnamon and sugar). Bryan received a phone call from one of his former neighbors in Menomonee Falls who is selling her parents' house. She invited us over to view the house before it went on the market, so we packed up our car and picnic basket.
The house was ok. It was a tiny house, but with 4 tiny bedrooms and a detached garage. The house needed MAJOR cosmetic work--there was 60s and 70s decor everywhere. Bryan and I think it was a bit overpriced--the family had it listed for $200,000! I tried to explain to them how some homes in Waukesha were dropping their price about 20K before selling, but the family was pretty stubborn on the price. I sincerely doubt they will sell the house in that condition for that kind of money.

After viewing the house in Menomonee Falls, we went to the dog park. The dog park is in Brookfield, WI, and is a big stretch of open land that is surrounded by a fence. There were about 15 other dogs there, and watching Shadow interact with them was so cute! She would run and play with the little dogs, try to play with the big dogs, and then run back to us, seeking our approval. So cute.

Then we went back home because the rain began again. We stayed home the rest of the afternoon and night and decided to give Shadow a spa treatment. First, Bryan cut her hair. Then, I bathed her, cleaned her ears, and dried her. Bryan and I spent the rest of the night reading--The Da Vinci Code for him, and a James Dobson book for me. It was a fun time.

We went to early service (9am) on Sunday. Afterward, we helped set up for a couples' picnic, which was moved into the church because of the rain. Two new couples came, and I am glad we were able to connect with them--Marycell and Todd, Kevin and Hannah Jewitt and their son. It was a good time.

Afterward, Bryan and I napped at home. Then we went back to church to hear a scholar give a historical interpretation of the Da Vinci code. That was a very informational lecture, and we hope to use the info when discussing the book outside of the christian relam.

Thanks for reading about our weekend!

Ashley's Job Search update

As Oprah interviews child genuises on my TV, I take this moment to reflect on my job search. Who knew that finding a job would be this difficult? I am fortunate that Bryan has a great income, and we get health insurance through his work...now, I just hope to earn a little income for us to put toward a house in which we will eventaully raise our family.

I have been called back for a 2nd interview with a manufacturing company in Germantown, WI. I have this interview tomorrow. Hopefully, I will ace this interview!

Currently, I have been offered a position with Westbrook Church as their Summer Intern (Children's Ministry). We'll see where this goes...ideally, I would like to have a full time job with benefits...

I did have an interview for an apartment manager position--I could have gotten the job, but I would have to work on weekends, which wouldn't make Bryan happy...

So, please remember me as I look for a job!

Welcome Home, Heidi! Heidi, my former roommate from Rhodes College, recently returned from her teaching English as a 2nd Language in France. She is now living in Massachusetts, and we are in the same boat for the job search.

Bryan continues to love his job--he's the best Eye Doc around!

Fruit of the Week

Sentry grocery stores is having a sale, so todayI decided to give prunes a try.

My initial thought was "Wow, these taste like gushers!" -->a chewy gummy-like candy

My second thought was "I'm doing my body a HUGE favor by eating these cancer-fighting, antioxidat-loaded agents!"

My third thought was "I've never been this active"--if you know what I mean.

So give prunes a try--but if I were you, I'd go with the pre-pitted kind.

Crazy weekend

So you think you had a crazy weekend? Listen to this...

Bryan's mom moved out of her boyfriend's house. She spent Friday night with us, and then on Saturday we went to Menomonee Falls with her to look for an apartment. She found an apartment, but it wouldn't take dogs (she has a 14-year-old cocker spaniel). We convinced Cyndy to continue looking for another apartment instead of facing the decision to put down Peanut just so she could get that apartment.

Also yesterday, Bryan and I helped move her stuff from Franks. Has anyone ever carried a washing machine up 2 flights of stairs? It isn't pretty, beleive me. Needless to say, we probably put 150 miles on our car yesterday--just moving stuff back to her Menomonee Falls home and then driving back and forth to her brother's house and our apartment.

Now she and Bryan are out looking for other apartments while I watch the snow fall and cover our grass. This isn't exactly what I planned to do this weekend--but it makes you think about how choices affect you long term...hopefully this weekend can be a learning experience for everyone.

--Ashley

House hunting

Today was like many Sunday afternoons. After church at Westbrook, Ashley and I drove around looking for a house. After a frustrating start (we found a great home, but it was $440,000) we finally found some nice houses at a decent Wisconsin price. We are still in the looking stage of the house buying procedure. If anyone would like to contribute to our house fund that would be great. Houses in the Waukesha area are slightly higher than in Tennessee, so we are going to have to save a bit more than we thought. So it is now rice and beans, and Shadow, well she is just going to have to hunt down her own game.
Best of luck with that hunting thing dog. Do you think this dog looks like a killer?

To my dad

Ten years ago. Ten years without your instructions, your guidance, your love. Ten years without your jokes, or sitting by the table eating crackers and cheese talking about life. Ten years ago cancer ended your life. In my mind those years are still like minutes ago, the pain and suffering and longing to see you again. Thank you for all you did for me, teaching me to be the man I am today. I miss you dad.

We're trying to get pics on our blog...please continue to visit. We're having some technology difficulties.

AB