This is my 101 st post........

As I undertand it, I am supposed to write 100 things about myself after doing my 100th post. So here it goes.....maybe you will learn something about me....

1. My given middle name is Alaine, but I use "Richardson" as my middle name now

2. I have lived in Alabama almost as long as I lived in Georgia

3. I have become a "Facebook" addict, but it is great to 'see' people from highschool and even elementary school

4. I am the oldest of two children and I fit the 'stereotype' perfectly

5. My husband, Bruce, is also an oldest child and he's NOT stereotypical...which is a good thing :)

6. I have been singing solos in public since age 5 or 6

7. I grew up on 27 acres in a rural town in Georgia

8. Shorter College is my alma mater

9. I graduated magna cum laude and was on academic scholarship...and I had to work hard to keep it

10. Alabama A&M University is where I did my graduate work....and I finished with a 4.0 average...and I am pretty happy about that

11. I keep toying around with the idea of going back to school for PhD/EdD, but just have not gotten motivated to do it yet

12. I homeschool Abigail which is something I said I would NEVER do

13. I am learning to NEVER say 'never'

14. I have only been a member of two churches...Shiloh Baptist (in GA)and West Huntsville Baptist (in AL)

15. But, most of my college years, when I was at school on the weekends, I attended a Presbyterian church as well as various Baptist churches a good bit

16. I was the church pianist at Shiloh beginning my 9th grade year..and I continued full time thru high school and part time in college

17. I was also the Sunday School secretary during some of those years

18. I was baptized in a creek, as our church did not have a baptistry at that time

19. I was in a sorority in college (Epsilon Sigma), but we were more of a service organization and did not have a 'house' to live in

20. I was also involved in the Baptist Student Union in college and really did enjoy it

21. Even though some would beg to differ, I am really a reserved person, especially in unfamiliar places or large groups

22. Most people who have met me recently don't know that, but I usually force myself to be outgoing..and once I do so, I enjoy it

23. One of my most embarrassing moments is when I was singing "Amazing Grace" and forgot a few of the words

24. I have always gotten butterflies when I sing in front of groups.....large or small

25. My third grade teacher (who also happened to be my first grade teacher) was one of my main inspirations to become a teacher

26. We have had four dogs since getting married.

27. Chipper was our first baby, and Bruce's first dog ever.

28. He was a beagle mix that we adopted from the Humane Society...and he was probably the smartest dog I have ever known. He lived to be 12 1/2 years old.

29. In 1991, we got Rascal, a terrier mix, from the pound. He was a sweet dog who lived to be 16 1/2 years old.

30. Allie, a purebred beagle, joined us in 2004. She is a mess....pretty tempermental...but we love her.

31. Princess joined us later in 2004. She is a beautiful yellow lab...weighing well over 100 pounds...but she is so sweet!! She is probably the sweetest dog I have ever had.

32. I love to scrapbook and really enjoy making scrapbooks as gifts for those I love.

33. So that I could support my habit of scrapbooking, I became a Creative Memories consultant in 2004. That way I can buy supplies at cost.

34. Some of my friends decided to join me in scrapbooking and some were already into the hobby...so now I can get together with others and enjoy my hobby.

35. I have been teaching in some capacity since the age of 22.

36. My shortest tenure was one year as a third grade teacher at Holy Family Parochial School.

37. My longest tenure was for 6 years at Harvest School in the Madison County, Alabama school system. I worked for three years as a fifth/sixth grade history teacher and three years as a third grade teacher.

38. My least stressful tenure was at Westminster Christian Academy as a part time fifth grade teacher.

39. When Abigail was 4 months old, WCA asked me to tutor for them a few hours a week and allowed me to bring Abigail to work with me.

40. This job was very rewarding because I was responsible for teaching two non-English speaking Korean children our language.

41. I continued teaching those children and tutoring others at our home for a few years.

42. I have taught piano and voice lessons off and on since I was a teenager.

43. When Abigail went to preschool, I worked at her schools as a substitute, music teacher and classroom teacher.

44. My last 'regular' teaching job was pre-K (while Abigail was in K at the same school).

45. I currently teach piano and voice privately (in my home) and also teach classes at our homeschool cover group.

46. Bruce and I have known each other for almost 22 years and will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this summer.

47. I became a Christian in 1976, just before my ninth birthday.

48. Two of my college roomies and I lived together our first three years of college, but the fourth person was different each year...sometimes each semester. Our senior year, we all lived in private rooms.

49. I graduated from college in mid May of 1989 and married a month later.

50. My pastor in Georgia is the one who introduced Bruce and me. He also performed our wedding ceremony.

51. I am an organized person, even though it does not always appear that way.

52. When I am not organized (or things I am involved in are not well organized), it is frustrating to me.

53. I like to know what to 'expect' and I like to know what is 'expected' of me in all areas of my life. I am learning that this is not always possible and not even always a good thing. Sort of conflicts with faith.......

54. My daughter is a great deal like me in this respect.

55. I have begun liking to watch football some with Bruce...but I prefer to do so at home....where a potty, cool sodas and snacks are handy.

56. I have a very hard time sitting still and will usually be doing 2-3 things at the same time while sitting.

57. If I lie down....I usually fall asleep. So, if I really want to see a movie or show, I must sit up.

58. But, I don't have trouble falling asleep most of the time and have done so while sitting upright and even in public (movie theater).

59. The most long term friend I have is a girl I met in first grade (she was in third). She and I could not be more different at first glance.....

60. I think the differences make us even better friends....even though we live hours apart and rarely get to see each other face to face.

61. As I get older, I am finding that it is easier for me to make friends. I am less shy than I used to be.

62. I cannot decide if I like my hair shorter or longer....and I keep going from one style to another. Thankfully my hair grows pretty fast.

63. I have never been to Disney World nor has my husband or daughter. We'd like to go one day though.

64. I would love to return to Maine and visit New England in the fall. That was probably one of the best trips I have ever taken.

65. While I enjoy taking photos, I am not very good at it.

66. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. When I start reading, I can finish a book rather quickly because I have decent speed reading skills.

67. Using the computer has really enhanced my ability to keep up with friends, especially those who don't live nearby.

68. I like most kinds of music.....but I prefer to sing gospel/contemporary Christian music. It seems to fit my voice better.

69. But, when I was young, I did record a version of Rocky Top....did not know at the time it was in 'honor' of UT.

70. I have recorded one solo album and was also a singer on a second album produced by my brother in law.

71. I am a diabetic, but thankfully only have to take pills and shots that are NOT insulin.

72. Since I am not a big sweets eater, controlling my diabetes is a bit easier.

73. Unfortunately, I do like lots of 'carb' loaded salty things like potatoes, bread, chips, tortillas....and these also affect my sugars....

74. Walking for exercise is something I really enjoy....it not only gives me a chance to burn off excess energy, but it gives me a chance to pray and clear my head at the beginning of the day.

75. I really enjoy it when my friend, J, joins me for a walk in the mornings. It is a great chance to talk and get some adult time in before we both begin our hectic homeschooling schedule.

76. This week, Abigail and I are going to see a musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang....and I think I am more excited than she is!!!

77. I will turn 42 on February 4, and I am not ashamed of my age.

78. There is nothing I really want for my birthday, except to have time with my family and friends.

79. If money were no object, I would love to adopt other children. I never imagined I would parent just one child..but I am SO grateful for the one God has given us.

80. I really don't like flying at all....I'd much rather drive in most cases.

81. The last time I flew, I had a 'nervous' experience with some middle eastern passengers who appeared to be unhappy about something the whole flight. Even Bruce, who travels a lot, was a bit anxious.

82. I think it would be neat to take a train trip to some far away place, but I have never done so.

83. I have absolutely no desire to take a cruise....strange I know, but it just does not appeal to me.

84. The older I get, the more emotional I get. It seems like even an innocent commerical on tv will bring tears to my eyes!!!

85. I am still amazed at God's word and how it applies to ME!!!! As I have gotten older, I have learned it really is the most important book I can read.

86. With that being said, I probably personally own at least 15-20 Bibles...many of them in different translations.

87. I know all the 'new' technology provides ways to see/read books online, but I still prefer to read things in print because I like to highlight and make notes in the books...including my Bibles.

88. I enjoy writing but don't find time to do it these days.

89. I once started writing a non fiction book...sort of an autobiography, but the computer 'lost' my files and I have never had the energy to rewrite it.

90. Green is my favorite color, but many of my interior walls are painted yellow.

91. I LOVE bargain hunting and enjoying telling others about the 'deals' I have gotten.

92. I am currently teaching a class on "logic" to elementary/middle school kids...and I don't think I know what I am doing!!!!

93. Our family enjoys playing board games together...but I really don't like card games that much. I guess I don't understand them???

94. I like being surrounded by "positive" people....as it inspires me to look at the bright side of things.

95. For way too much of my life, I have had "Negative Nellies" around me....and while I am positive and try to build others up, I find that I have little 'energy' left when I do this on a regular basis....

96. But, I slowly learning the balancing act that is required to help others and also to stay afloat myself.

97. This year will be the year that I will become more healthy and lose the last of my excess baggage....but it is not easy at all.

98. Prayer helps....in everything. And, as I am seeing in so many cases...it is often the ONLY thing that will help.

99. I want to be more like Christ in my relationships and prayer time....and He is helping me to do so.

100. I am amazed at how difficult it is to think of 100 things to say about myself. But, I did it!!!!

Adoption Day....January 24

It is hard to believe that 9 years ago, we stood before Judge Mike Bolin in Birmingham, Alabama to legally tie up all the loose ends that would make Abigail our child forever. The journey started long ago....in the mid-1990's with infertility treatments, prayer and fasting, and ultimately beginning adoption paperwork. About two and a half years after we started the paperwork, we got a call that our child had been born two weeks earlier. And, about 2 weeks after the phone call, on October 15, 1999 we brought her home. Of course, the adoption agency had legal guardianship from that time until the judge agreed that we were capable to parent Abigail properly. And, THAT legal....official..... date....was January 24, 2000.

Abigail has been a blessing to our lives in so many ways. And, now, as we look back, we see that God had just the right child waiting for our family.

Each year the three of us celebrate adoption day with a special dinner and a special gift or two. This year, Abigail wanted to eat at Red Lobster. Her "big" gift was a microscope that she has been asking for so she can 'look at' things :) She also got a few clothing items. We had a great evening together as a family.

What's happening......

I apologize about this photo...none of the pictures I took came out very clear. I am hoping I can get them lighter when I develop them. This picture, if you could see it, would show 22 ladies at a weekend Crop Til You Drop 2009 scrapbooking retreat that I hosted Jan. 16-18. We had a LOT of fun and got a lot of work done too.


This photo shows Abigail with her fraction blocks. We started school again on January 5 with a few subjects and were back into things full swing on the 6th. She seemed to learn her fractions well....as she made a 100% on her test this past Tuesday. Now we are moving on to multiplication:)



Things have been 'slow' around here for the most part. Bruce is working a lot and traveling too. We are just doing the normal stuff....nothing super noteworthy during the first few weeks of January. We have stayed healthy, and for that we are grateful!! Things will be getting busier soon...so keep checking back for updates. I'll try to be better about posting them:)

I am still here......

For those of you who are wondering (and asking)...I am still here, but since Christmas, I really have taken very few pictures. The first few weeks of the new year are sort of lazy days in a way....not much noteworthy going on. But, that is about to change.

I am heading out to a retreat. This is my annual Crop Til You Drop event. So, I will return with photos of the beautiful Lodge At Gunter's Hollow..and I will be sure to share. Then right on the heels of that, we'll be celebrating Adoption Day next weekend. We honor this special day each year...the anniversary of the day the judge made our adoption final and legally binding.

Then, on to my birthday and Valentine's Day and Science Fair.......

So, be on the lookout...I'll be posting again soon:)

A New year's Tradition in our house

Every New Year's Day, for as long as I can remember, we have had a special meal....crackling cornbread and pinto beans. The pintos are a take off from an old 'wives tale' that eating greens and peas will bring good luck. Of course, we don't believe in that and I don't really like peas, so I make a pot of pintos.

A lot of people cook how jowl or fat back in their greens and peas, so it is the easiest time of the year to find this 'special meat.' So, I buy some, remove the skin and cut it into small cubes....cook it good and add it to my normal buttermilk cornbread recipe.

It has to be cooked in an iron skillet in the oven for about a half hour, and unfortunately, I did not get a photo until after Bruce, his sister and myself had eaten a little. I guess you can call it one last blast of fat before resuming a healthier post-holiday lifestyle:)

A mish mash of Christmas photo fun

Abigail and the "Richardson" cousins waiting for breakfast. On the day after Christmas, we hang out together all day, starting with a nice home cooked breakfast.
Abigail at our house on Christmas morning..modeling her new furry boots.
My nephew.....he did not end up in any gift openings photos with the girls for some reason....
Our girls....enjoying their Christmas rawhides
Abgail (wearing AL pants), Emma (wearing TN pants) and Kayla(wearing GA pants)..thanks to Granny's sewing:)
Abigail opening an I-pod....one of her favorite Christmas gifts.
STOCKING TIME...we always open stockings on Christmas eve. Then Abigail gets to open a box containing her special pj's. This year she got monkey pajamas and monkey slippers...which she is wearing in the I-pod photo.
Abigail and her "Aquila" cousins with Grammy on Christmas Eve. We go there for lunch and hang out all afternoon until they all get ready and leave for church, usually between 4 and 6 p.m.
the HATED musical cat--the male Aquila's hate this cat...and it's NO wonder...it sings or actually 'meows' the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" but it is off key & QUITE annoying
This is Abigail's tree that she puts up and decorates in her room. The Rudolph train is always under that tree and is quite cute.

This is our family tree. We put it in the dining room after removing both 'leafs' from our dining table. Each year we add at least one ornament that is dated and represents something special about that year (trip, hobby, event, or even a family photo).

Happy new year!!

I promise....I am still around...just busy with the holidays, time with family and friends....

I have LOTS of photos to post and will do so soon....maybe even today:)

Happy New Year to you all. I am excited to see what God will do in 2009.