Long Time No Blog

Family and Friends. It has been almost a year since I have visited my blog page. Why? I guess because of Facebook. The thought of blogging again crossed my mind when I realized I am approaching the anniversary of my mother's death, approaching my 50th birthday and raising a pre-teen daughter. All of which could bring some interesting thoughts. So, here I am again. Thinking of each and every one of you. Love to all.

Hey Family & Friends

Remember the days of summer when all there was to do for the day was to find things to entertain your little one. You would wake up in the morning, eat breakfast together, maybe then read a book, watch a favorite TV show and then maybe do a craft or something together. Your idea of a day out would be to go to the park or a museum. Some days we would just lay a blanket out in the yard and read books all day. Remember after lunch, taking a nap. Then right on schedule for cooking dinner and then bath time and then a sweet goodnight and off to bed. OH, I remember....

WELL, unfortunately, those days are over! Now days, if we are lucky enough to be blessed with her presence, she is constantly bored. How can she even know what bored is? When I was growing up, without TV/Cable/Computer/Phone, etc., I never got bored. The first thing out of her mouth before she even says "good morning", is "can so and so come over today? " Can she spend the night? Can I have some friends over tomorrow night? Can I go to the ball park tonight? Can we go shopping? Can I go to the movies?

Now don't get me wrong, she is one precious daughter who is a very good girl and I love her so much, but she is already about to drive me crazy and it is just the first of June. Steve is constantly reminding me that in a few years, she will be gone completely so just quit complaining and enjoy these days while she is still here.

Greetings. Long time no post?

Greetings family afar and friends near. I haven't posted in a few months for one reason. FACEBOOK! What is up with facebook? It's so much easier and addictive. And sometimes impersonal and sometimes hurtful (when someone doesn't answer your invite) then you feel real stupid. Anyway, we are doing fine here in our little town of Winchester, TN. We ventured out to Atlanta during spring break. Needless to say, we were glad to be back home with our downtown square yield lights and no traffic. We are doing some backyard landscaping (well, Steve is doing some backyard landscaping), I'm supervising. Tori is busy with piano, dance and clover bowl, math team and church. This school year has gone by so fast. Sixth grade is turned out to be an experience, both academically and emotionally. Tori has lots of friends and the house is alway full of friends on the weekends. Our pets are doing well. Except for Shaggy, who recently had to get shaved again and then he got into some poison, again. Sugar and Sweety are doing fine. The weather here has been dreadful, dreary, cold and wet. The pictures attached are recent Easter pictures. Tori decorating eggs and Tori with her cousins, Haley and Harley. We are looking forward to wonderful summer.

website for speech

here is the website for the speech mentioned in earlier blog. I messed up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4do2Aoag0EA

Belated Happy New Year!

It's been a while, but I'm back. We have been so busy this new year. We are doing fine. Tori is busy with swim team; piano; dance, drama and youth group at church. She is now up there with the teenagers. She will be in her school's production of Grease in March. School is going well. Grades are great. The lowest grade she got this six weeks was a 99. Steve is still working very hard and I'm just running the household. I know, tough job, but somebody has to do it. Tori won the 6th grade county wide 4H speech contest last night. She won 1st place last year also. (see picture and You tube video, if you are interested). I think I have a speaker or a politician in the making. We are almost finished with Tori's renovation in her bedroom. I am the worst painter. I will post pictures when we are finished. She opted for no theme and blue and green soft colors. I'm glad the walls are white again. If you have ever been to my house... all the walls are white. Boring, yes, but I like it that way. We decided that our dog, Buddy, would be happier living at the farm with Steve's parents. They just lost their 15 year old German Shepherd, so I think it was a good decision. He is much happier, riding on the tractor and running the cows. We miss him, but we get to see him all the time. All three cats are happy and content. It's funny with this cold weather to see them all three laying in front of the fire place. That's about all happening here at the Hinshaw house. Pray for me as I go for my next mammogram next week. I always dread these especially now that it is 3 years out from my first diagnosis. Love to all. Miss all of you that live so far away and hope you enjoy these family updates. Eric and Abby, we miss you. You too, Renee, David, Dean and Jackie... Your always welcome here.

Halloween 08

Here is some pictures of Halloween '08. Tori had a few friends over and went trick or treating around the neighborhood. I think this will be the last year for trick or treating.

update blog... 4th of July and Washington trip

Hello family and friends. Great to be back home. Don't you hate to unpack? Wouldn't it be great to have disposable suitcases... where when you get home you just throw everything away? I have contemplated that issue. I'm still doing laundry and putting things away. The trip was wonderful, informative and very tiring. If you go, wear good shoes and socks and be prepared to walk 10 miles a day. I was surprised to find how friendly everyone was. Oh, also bring lots of money. I was astonished to find that a happy meal in downtown dc was $6.50. Steve got some good footage of the President's car going by and also a women getting arrested in front of the white house for attempting to get in. Hilarious! Tori loved the program and learned so much. At the end of the program we were able to take her to Mount Vernon where to her surprise they were offering an inside private tour how they filmed the scenes of her favorite movie "National Treasure 2". She was so excited. Enjoy the pictures. Also included is a cute picture from 4th of July. Love to all.