Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year 2007


Year of the Pig

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

THE FIRE PIG 1947 AND 2007

Pig personality traits:

Active, outgoing and extroverted, Fire Pigs breathe new life into everything they do. These Pigs are vivid, motivated individuals who cannot be deterred from a goal once they have set it. They are emotional and passionate about their loved ones, their occupations and their objectives. They are bold and vivacious, unafraid to take risks despite the consequences. They make great bosses because they do work so hard and because they are so spirited. But don’t doublecross a Fire Pig. They have the ability to be quite abrasive when things don’t turn out as they planned.

Intellectually curious, honest and tolerant, those born in the Year of the Pig can be relied upon for their loyalty and often make true friends for life.
Like the knights of old, Pigs are often highly regarded for their chilvary and pureness of heart, and will often sacrifice their own well-being for the greater good.

The Pig can be very naive, however, and may easily fall victim to the unscrupulous who take advantage of their idealistic nature - as Pigs see everyone as loyal and caring as they are. Although forced to play the fool many times, they will just as likely hold fast to the notion that everyone is at heart decent and admirable.

Stubbornly optimistic, the Pig will not tolerate those with well-meaning advice on how to be a Pig, but since they dislike quarreling and discord their anger usually cools quickly. Sometimes looked upon as a snob, the Pig just finds it right and natural to exhibit good manners whenever possible. Their main goal in life is in serving others, and no matter how difficult circumstances become the Pig will never waiver or retreat, forging ahead in the sure knowledge that all will be well.

Pig people love to read, are generally thirsty for knowledge, and not readily talkative, but if presented with an opportunity to discuss topics of interest with like-minded individuals Pigs may find themselves talking non-stop for hours!
People born in the Year of the Pig are trusted associates in whatever career they happen to choose and often shine as entertainers, social activists or politicians.
Pigs are most compatible with : Rabbit, Sheep

Famous people born in the Year of the Pig : Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, Mahalia Jackson, David Letterman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alyzabeth An?


Friday, December 29, 2006

Sunny NE Florida (for December 29th!!)





Back home in a warmer climate. It was great in Maine, sunny and clear most days with temperatures ranging from 40's to this morning of 18 degrees.
We took a short boat ride even though the wind was a bit brisk. Nice sunset and a little river spray on the ride. The flag was lowered to half mast for President Gerald Ford.


We are back home!







As you know the funeral for my Father was Tuesday, December 26th. Our co-workers were very generous and sent nine different floral arrangements to the funeral. Very nice, very humbling to see such support to our family.
Here are some pictures from our trip to Maine and our first day back to warm, sunny Florida.
Top: Cousin Hilary and Ford enjoying England Vacation memories through some English beer Hilary provided.
Middle: My sister Terri (farthest right) likes having "all girls" or "all guys" pictures. Here's the women on Christmas Day.
Bottom: Ford is taking this picture at a new Portland lunch place we "discovered"; Aly (me!), Matt, Melissa, Mother, Andrew.

Blogger is acting up so will add more pictures tomorrow!!

Grand-nephew Brandon

Christmas day in Maine with new grand-nephew.

Family Pictures - Visit to Maine






Saturday, December 23, 2006

May The Lord Bless You and Keep You.....

We are with family for the next week in GRAY, Maine. My dad, Edward W. Cobb, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at the Maine Medical Center. Still, we want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and God's grace and blessings today, tomorrow and forever.

Peace, Alyson & Ford

Edward Warren Cobb

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

I love you






Heading home to visit my Dad.


AC

China Announces New Rules For Adoption

This post link is primarily for our Families and Friends. Those of you in the adoption process are well aware of these changes.

Our understanding is that the new rules do not apply in our (re)quest to adopt Alyabeth An as we are already LID and past the Review Room stage.

China Announces New Rules For Adoption

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Waiting for the Red Couch Picture.....


I guess this will have to do....

The green living room couch with stockings hung with care.....

Christmas Decorating - This will not make a Magazine Cover!






Just a few pictures to show we are ready for Christmas! I have always been decorating-challenged!
The tree is trimmed in red lights and red ornaments; presents from our "Home State" family and homemade goodies by us - peanut brittle, giant ginger cookies and caramel peanut popcorn..... More goodies to be made by Saturday. Yummy!
I think the house looks lots better in person than in these pictures.

We count our blessings every day - Merry Christmas!!

Christmas - It's Beginning to Feel Alot Like ......




With some cleaning and a few more gift wrappings, we are ready!
(I sneaked in a picture of DH, myself, M&D from Christmas 1985 - Please keep my parents in your thoughts and prayers for restoration of good health - Love you all!!)

Merry Christmas!


Celebrating The Big 2-0






Cathy and Werner's daughter Christa celebrated turning 20 last night. Happy Birthday Christa shown here blowing out the candles with the able assistance of her niece (our first grand baby) Kilee! We also made the grand baby exchange. With Leaa and Jesse still in NYC it will be Cathy and Werner once more taking care of Miss Alivia for tonight ( that's Cathy holding sweet Kilee) followed tomorrow by Jesse's mom and dad, Marsha & Carl. Sweet baby blue eyes has no shortage of grandparents more than willing to "rock the cradle"...

And of course, just a few more photos just so Leaa & Jesse will rest easy knowing baby girl is doing fine... Alyson gave Miss Liv a bath prior to Christa's birthday and then it was into the car seat and off we go.


Monday, December 18, 2006

Dear Leaa & Jesse - Here's Proof - Liv Is Fine



Where's Mom & Dad?



Poor Liv, mom and dad are off to the Big Apple for a little R&R (rest and recreation as well as rock and roll) and the Grandparents are filling in for the real thing. Our SIL is performing this week in NYC and DD snagged the opportunity to make the trip. She called last night to say how beautiful the Lion King was and the talent will (and did) bring tears to your eyes.


Liv slept through the night which is more than I can say for Aly, Salty and myself. I insisted on moving the crib into our bedroom to better keep an eye and ear on the little one. Aly reminded me that DD said this would be a huge No-No and that it's best to have her in her own room.


The first words out of my mouth this morning to Aly were simply: I'm sorry. I was wrong...


Each time Liv would toss & turn, we each would pop up to check things out and then do our own version of tossing & turning trying to fall back to sleep. Any time Liv would whimper, so would Salty and then his tail would begin beating the floor.


Still, never fear Leaa D your sweet baby blue eyes is doing great and so too are her ever-lovin' grandparents and one slightly less spring in his legs Salty Dog. Enjoy the city. Bend the strings Jesse and perform your magic. All is well. All is well...

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Old Naval Docks - Green Cove Springs, Florida






Salty and I slipped out this afternoon for a quick run down to the old Naval docks in Green Cove Springs, about a 5 minute boat ride, just to get out and catch a few warming rays of sun. We cruised a couple of the docks to take a peek at some of the boats tied up and were surprised to see so many Great Harbour 37's. These are live-aboard trawler type vessels (I included a picture of a red one) made over at Gainesville, Florida. They are getting very popular around here but we'll not be rushing out any time soon to buy one. The opening base price w/o air conditioning or a generator (right, no air living in Florida - sort of like no heat living in Maine) will set you back a cool $379k.

Salty and I held our heads high and putt-putted by in our slightly less impressive vessel :) At this point we're just happy to have the boat we have. Still, loved the looks of those little trawlers... They're considered "entry level" at that price...
Some nice entry :)

We're Wimps - But We Do Admit It...




You would have thought we were dressing to go snow skiing...
We decided to bundle up, put fresh coffee in to-go cups, grab the Salty Dog and make a brisk early morning run up the river. We went as far as the Doctor's Lake bridge just before you get into Orange Park. We puttered around a friends dock just in case they were up and saw us (maybe get a refill on our coffee) but no luck.
I know you should never shoot into the sun but I had to grab the shot of Alyson wearing her long johns and gripping her hot coffee for all it was worth just as the sun was coming up!


Great start to another great day... Joy everyone.

Adding Blog Links - Is That Housekeeping?

As part of our not so enthusiastic effort to do some much needed blog housekeeping, we announce the addition of a new blog site to our blog roll...

Please join us in welcoming Waiting For Baby Mia...

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Skagg's Family Christmas Show


Tonight we took Kelly and Justin to the Ricky Skaggs Family Christmas Show at the Florida Theater. We all loved it. It truly was a good time and a great family time together.
The Ricky Skagg's Family & his In-Laws, the White Family, and kids put on a fantastic show. It was simple, down-home entertainment and we loved it.

Merry Christmas you all...

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Merry Christmas for the Children





Our church family is so generous. After making the trip to Enterprise, Florida last Monday to deliver the gifts and handmade doll house, more gifts were donated for nine more children AND a pallet of hair products. A member of our church donates the hair care products 3 to 4 times a year. It is so awesome to be able to take these things to the Children's Home. We know it may seem trite but the shampoo and conditioner is a huge gift that the kids love and more importantly, it keeps the Home from having to use $$$ to purchase these items and instead they can spend it on something else for our kids. Too cool.

Above are a few pictures of our trip and a picture of BB - the great guy who arranged the donation from the Colomer Company. Bless them. Bless them...

Peace everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Friday, December 08, 2006

Quick Visit with Grand-Baby - Beautiful Blue-Eyed...



SIL is a great dad!
Alivia has baby blue eyes and is always looking - Isn't she a doll with her Poppy!!!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Dedicated to my Dad

December 7, 1941. A day that will live in infamy...

On this particular date my dad was a fresh face kid from Missouri. By the time it was over, he was a wise beyond his years, battle tested, war surviving man.

Thanks Dad, for all you did and all you do. Yours truly is the Greatest Generation.

When we have tons more time

We really need to do some blog housekeeping. We have blogs we read that we haven't linked, blogs linked that no longer exist and Waiting Worriers that are now proud Home Folks. We really need to tidy things up around here. And we will, as soon as Christmas is over and we have tons more time. And when things at work slow down. And we have tons more time. And did I mention we'll do this & more. Soon. When we have tons more time...

As a start, we added a new link to kick off our housekeeping/updating efforts. Please welcome the Wicked Witch and her blog The Moon Is Always Female.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Visit with Miss Betty



On the same day we made our Christmas delivery to the Children's Home we cruised on over to Oviedo, FL and visited with our former neighbor. Miss Betty and her husband Fount were surrogate parents, grandparents and friends all rolled into one. When we lost Fount, Miss Betty moved to be closer to her son in Orlando. It was great seeing her again. We always enjoy her letters keeping us up to date on what she's been up to. We picked oranges and grapefruit from one of their trees and took them to her for a treat.

Love you Miss Betty...

Just A Little Brighter Christmas


It's Christmas time and the fact is we are blessed. Which makes it all the more reason why we need to reach out and share with others. In this particular case, the little ones and the not so little ones under our care. We are not so naive as to believe that one little act of kindness changes the world but it is a start be it ever so humble.

Our church, Fleming Island UMC, plus 6 families from Asbury UMC in neighboring Orange Park, FL came through with entire outfits for 66 of our kids at the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in Enterprise, Florida (just north of Sanford). We're talking shoes, socks, pants, shirts, underwear - complete outfits!

One gentleman from our church hand built this fabulous doll house and has asked us to find out how many more doll houses our Children's Home can use... He laughs and says it's a good way for him to back away from the pressures of owning and operating his Insurance business and just maybe it gives him a shot at redemption :) We think he simply has a heart for those who need us most. Our kids... Each doll house comes completely furnished and every piece is handmade.



These are good kids who through no fault of their own have a need for a safe, nurturing place to call home. For some it will be a matter of a few months before they can be reunited with their families. For others, this will be home. It's Christmas time and we all have seen the "Angel Trees", what Aly and I would like to ask is for you to please consider taking one of the names this year and include a child, a teenager, a young adult in your Christmas shopping. Maybe even go that extra step in finding a way to help throughout the year. While the Christmas season reminds us of extending a hand to others, especially so the kids, we hope you will consider sharing your treasures of time, money and talents throughout the year. We all have kids where we live who have needs at Christmas time and who could use a small part of what we know to be your generous hearts each and every day.

Peace,
ac & fm