Haven't said much in a while. And now there is a ton to say and I don't know where to begin.
I suppose with our return from Miami. As good a place as any.

Well lets see...we got back on Saturday the 24th pretty late. Or course there was church and choir practice on Sunday. Monday was my birthday...didn't do much but school. Only two out of every seven years do I have to do school on my birthday. Oh well...I did watch Pride and Prejudice though. Tuesday was music lessons as usual. I can't think of much else that happened that week. I think I opened present on Thursday. I know we had a cake and one more present on Saturday but I can't remember what we watched.

The next Sunday I sang in the choir for the first time since we were doing a Christmas song from cantata.

Hmm...we were supposed to see Krys last Friday but it didn't work out. Dad fell and got hurt. He's laid up. That night Rab had a game and I went to the 4th annual Timberlake Holiday Carols concert.
Saturday we got the tree. Almost a week later it still has no lights.

Tomorrow we go to a Christmas Party at the Epperson's. Saturday is Cantata practice from 11:30 to 2:30 and Mendez recital rehearsal at 3:30 and recital is at 6.
Cantata is on Sunday, for evening service and if I'm still alive by Monday next I might think of something I have to do.
AS of now my plans only go till Sunday.

Tomorrow is the last day of school...but I have to bake cookies for Emily so it'll be pretty hectice. Have an end of the year exam in French...hope I survive.

Good thing I was typing all this and not saying it or I would be totally out of breath.
Well so long and ...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kitty-Witties

Sorry I don't have time to put more just now.

It is Well A novel

Prologue

Asleep in Jesus

Wherefore as by one man sin entered

the world and death by sin; and so death

passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so

might grace reign through righteousness unto

eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:12 and 21

“Duncan C. Clarke, b. 1880, died of fever September 20^th 1808. Asleep in Jesus.”

“Therese A. Clarke, b. 1803, died of fever September 29^th 1808. Asleep in Jesus.”

“Edward N. Clarke, b. 1806, died of fever October 2^nd 1808. Asleep in Jesus.”

“Olivia Avalon Clarke, b. 1798, died of fever October 5^th. Asleep in Jesus.”

“Arryn Cameron Clarke b. 1791 died of fever October 12^th 1808. Eldest son, living brother. Asleep in Jesus.”

Aileen could picture her own grave at the end of the row.

Aileen Clare Byrna Clarke, b. 1796, died of fever October 15^th 1808. Asleep in Jesus.

She thought she would die that day. How she had survived the fever when all her siblings had died was still a mystery.

Now as she stood by her mother’s side, tears flooded her eyes and blurred the row of glistening white stones till all she could see was a bright hazy mass before her vision. In only three short weeks their bustling family of eight had diminished to three.

Aileen stood weekly in front of the fresh mounds, she felt her mother’s hand rest on her shoulder. Angrily she jerked from the tender grasp. Sobs choked her words and her expressions of anger were stifled in her chest. Why? Why? Aileen had asked when Duncan had gone to his grave. When she had stood at Therese’s funeral and sprinkled dirt on the wooden box she had asked again, why? Her hands had trembled as she heard the hollow echoing of the dry earth clunking on the casket. She shivered uncontrollably and finally passed out. Her waking thought had relived the scene over and over. There was a shadow over her memory for the next few days.

Vaguely she remembered someone carrying Olivia’s limp form from the bed beside her. The grating wheels of the hearse whirled through her aching head at the news of Edward and Arryn’s deaths.

Why was she the only one? She wished she had died like the others.

Aileen wiped the hot tears from her eyes. Looking up she saw her father standing at the top of the hill. His mouth was drawn in a tight-lipped grimace. Maybe he wished she had died too. Ever since she had scrambled from the sick bed he had avoider her.

Dear little Therese! His pet, his baby had been the miniature copy of Aileen. Maybe he wished that she had died instead of Therese.

Aileen shrunk from her father’s sulky presence to cling to her mother. But the words of peace flowing from Bridgette Clarke’s lips made Aileen reel from her side in defiance.

Aileen stood alone among the dead. She felt dead, numb. The beauty of fall didn’t revive her dynamism, no spark emitted light on the cold little heart at sight of the flaming leaves scattered on the rusty cemetery grass.

The graveyard was beautiful. The cool October sun glinted off the piles of bright leaves blown in crimson drifts by chilly Autumn gusts. Aileen could not have decorated the young graves of her brothers’ and sisters’ more beautifully than the array of orange, yellow and bright red leaves that gathered over the mounds still apparent in the hardening ground.

But all the magnificence of God’s creation could not dull the stinging pain burning in this twelve- year- old’s broken heart.

Aileen knelt at the foot of one of the mounds and wept silently. Softly behind her she heard the voice of her mother sweetly singing. How can song pass over her lips at such a time, in such a place? Aileen wondered.

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrow like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well; it is well with my Soul!

“How can you say that?”

Aileen whirled suddenly to look at the resigned face of her mother.

“How can you say that things are well? They aren’t! They never will be ever again! How can you sing? God doesn’t care or He would never have let this happen!”

“Not so, my daughter.” Her mother’s voice was soothing but Aileen refused to be comforted.

“Not so!” She spat out the words vehemently; with disdain she repeated, “Not so!”

“Yes so! How can it be otherwise? Is sickness, pain even death part of God’s plan?”

“No, God’s plan was perfect. But man sinned. Man brought death into the world. God gave Adam a perfect world and Adam disobeyed. Now all men must live in a cruel world, full of death and suffering. But through Christ all fear of death is gone. You must understand that Aileen! He conquered death and sin. He became sin for us that we through Him might be saved. He has promised to come again and restore the world that we have broken. Until that time we must trust in His righteousness for our salvation. With such a promise hidden in my heart how can I not say that my soul is well?

“He has promised me a place in Heaven. I pity myself more than I mourn for them. They are in a better place!

“Little Therese and Olivia, Edward, Arryn, Duncan, they are even now in His presence singing His praises!

“Do not be angry at God, for in so doing you sin. Thank God for the way He has made through His Son. Thank Him for the life He lends us here and now. Even with evidence of man’s sin there is still beauty on this earth Aileen! Look around you. He wants you enjoy it, to live your life to the fullest, for His glory, as He would have you to live it.”

Aileen was torn. To her, it seemed as though her mother was a traitor to the memory of her own children. She closed the book of their lives with no regrets as one would discard a finished story. Aileen didn’t want to forget! She wanted to hold on. Yet somehow holding on made her angry, it brought no peace. Her mother had peace.

Am I willing to let go of my anger and grab hold of the promises of God? If I surrender to a tranquil spirit will I forget them?

The thought made her grasp even stronger to her suffering.

I will not forget them! Her own voice screamed in her ear.

Can I do both? Is it possible to remember them and still believe?

Finally exhausted from the struggle she wept. Some relief came. Some of the pain diminished. But it would be years before Aileen would learn to smile again. Before she would allow herself to laugh at a fond memory of silly little Edward.

Years would pass before she could trip down the empty halls of Mysterock Manor with a song on her lips.

Quiet years. Lonely years.

Mr. Clarke grieved silently throwing himself into business. Riches were added to the bank, luxurious articles decorated the stately manor house.

But earthly pleasures do not heal a broken spirit. Ross Clarke dealt with a sore heart by blocking out all memories. Anything that reminded him of his children, even Aileen, he stayed away from.

So mother and daughter comforted themselves alone.

Peace reigned and joy filled Mysterock Manor once more.

This is kind of random but I felt like putting it.

Poor little Sebastien :(

You'd think that little face would help to get us a go. Nothin doing.
Dad is still not too hot on the idea of another kitty. Actually, he is totally against it. How come Krys can call and ask us to take care of her dog...INSIDE! And dad says yes? And yet poor little Sebastien gets a resounding no!? Its not fair!

Forgot these...

Best Tenor: Sebastien Izambard
Best Soprano: Haley Westenra

All time most talented singer EVER! Andrea Bocelli

Song and Soundtrack Hall of Fame

Saddest:
Song- "There you'll be"
Soundtrack- Schindler's List

Funniest:
Song- "Ode to a Superhero"
Soundtrack- The Incredibles

Prettiest:
Song- "Think of Me"
Soundtrack- Gods and Generals

Creepiest:
Song- "Gollum's Song"
Soundtrack- The Village

Stupidest:
Song -"I've grown accustomed to her Face"
Soundtrack- Spiderman

Most Popular:
Song- "Bad Day"
Soundtrack- National Treasure

Best Big Band:
Song- "Feelin' Good"
Soundtrack- James Bond

a place

Those of you who have read my poetry blog will understand the significance on this post title.
We went to the Olde City Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. It was such beautiful weather!

Entrance to the confederate section of the cemetery.
The confederate section. So many graves!

This angel was over a child's grave. He was not yet two years old.

There were still some roses in bloom. I was surprised to see them so late in the year.
Me by an original column taken from the old Lynchburg bank.

p.s. Nini isn't coming after all :(

Vizcaya: Built 1914-1916 for James Deering, Miami Fl. Biscayne Bay

Vizcaya:
The sky was perfect for pictures that day though I thought I would die of heat stroke! Luckily they put air conditioning in the house. I fell in love with the style! It had rooms all around an open paved courtyard that had plants and benches and then the upstairs was also open in the middle overlooking the courtyard. Across from each room upstairs there was a large window in the stucco wall that used to have curtains that you could pull shut to keep out bugs and such. The courtyard now has a glass ceiling but it used to be open.
At the back of the house there is large tiled porch-thing with glass doors that opens out onto a veranda with steps leading right down to the water of Biscayne Bay. The heat was only tolerable with the sea breeze. There was a walkway across the water to a gazebo call the tea room that also stepped right off into the water. The gardens were beautiful!

This is the pool, its attached to one of the lower rooms that you're not allowed to go into.

The guest bedroom was up on the third floor in the corner...almost like a turret room but not quite. I have a few pictures of inside even though you're not allowed, but everyone was doing it and the people working there didn't seem to mind. lol But those pictures are kinda dark. I guess I'll put one up.
This is a second story bedroom.



One last one of the outside:

so quickly by...

Almost done with our second week of school. I can hardly beleive it!
Time surely flies way too fast.

My uncle is coming over tonight. He works for Maacom now and it turns out the only other plant on the East Coast is in Lynchburg! Pretty cool. I mean who has even heard of Lynchburg...not a lot of people. Compared to Miami. So this is the second time he's been here for work and he's coming again in a few weeks and he's bringing my cousin Nicky.

This is Nicky at his best! lol He's so cute! He's never been to stay with us by himself before and he didn't get to come this summer with the other boys so he is pretty excited.

Mom will probably kill me if she finds out I posted a picture with her in it so don't tell ok? lol

Here's a pic. of me from our trip to Miami this year.

Nothin' much else going'

ciao

Chrysler

Week up!

First week of school is over! I still have to do history and logic but I'm basically done for the day. And I'm not going to do any homework either cause we have a long weekend. Monday being labor day there is no school!

We're not doing anything special for Labor day but work. I'm repainting the green walls of my bedroom cause they REALLY need it! Not sure what all else we're doing. Probably picking up the basement or something.

Dad is putting in my new desk today so we have to pick up all the stuff that's on it. Actually the desk is there but he's putting the hutch part...with all the shelves and cork board. Then I can organize all my notebooks and papers and things. I always do things color coded. A couple years ago I had everything bright orange. Last year was pink, green, purple and brown polka dots and striped. They had a really cute set of that last year at Wal-Mart.

This year everything is pastel green, pink, lavender and blue with a white flower silhouette pattern in it. I have an old trash can that is blue from my room when it was yellow and blue that I just replaced with a bright purple one. And I bought a new pencil holder that is pastel blue and beige. And I needed some push pins so I bought a pack of light colored metallic ones. So...everything is going to be so nice and organized and matching. I love it once everything is in its place!

I have to have the area ready for dad to put the hutch in so I only have about three hours to pick up and I haven't even started yet!!! Ahhh!!!! I better go do that now.
bye!

Chrysler

p.s. This is a candid picture taken in front of the Creation Museum in Petersburg Kentucky. Can you tell I was worrying about my hair frizzing from the humidity and my makeup messing up cause of the heat? lol

Le premier jour de l'ecole (luh prehm-ee-a jurh deh lay-cole)

Well...first day of school and all I have done so far is a lot of putting together of notebooks and French 2. I still don't have my French books in so I can't do the homework. Hopefully it'll come in today or early tomorrow.

I still have to watch my Grammar 11 class...dad has them all on DVD. No stupid fast-forwarding VHS tapes this year. What a pain that is!!!!

My goodness! I have so many subjects this year...up to my ears in school

1. French 3
2. History and Literature
3. Piano
4. Voice
5. Rhetoric
6. Grammar and Composition
7. Home Ec.
8. Chem lab
9. Precalculus
10. Bible

Still contemplating weather or not I am going to do Spanish 3.
We'll see.

well...gtr

Chrys

Kittens!!

Here are Lucy's newest kittens. So cute!
Rab wants the orange one. Claire named it Sicily but Rab doesn't like it; we'll see what he changes it to. The gray one is Crete and the dark one, Martz.
Wish us luck convincing dad to get another cat.

My car...school...room and junk...

Here is the car I want. Pretty ain't it? Dad says its good car and pretty well priced. Thats always a plus!


So...I have a new lamp in my room. Very tacky so says everyone...only Rab likes it...and me of course. lol
I'm putting some shelves in my nook to put books on and the blue chair is in there with that antique white bedspread over it since the blue doesn't match. I moved everything around too. I was tired of where things were. Rab also moved his junk around. He has the black TV in the nook with MY SPEAKERS! Josh told me not to let Rab take them but he did anyhow. One of the speakers on the TV is cracked so they have them turned off...perfect excuse for stealing my speakers. Arg!

School starts soon...on the 30th I think. My last year! I can't beleive it! I've already applied for Liberty and unless my SAT score is really awful I'll be accepted. I'm doing Homeschool advantage that gives me 30 credit hours before I even step on campus...totally sweet!

Well...gtr.

Chrysler

Back....

"Nice car!"
"You should see my other one."



Yeah...very cool!

Cool huh?

I found this picture and thought you'd think it was cool.
I thought it was.
Not much else to say...we're going shopping tonight for a mother's day gift for mom but other than that there isn't much going on.
cya,
chrysler

Birthday Bash

Grym's birthday is tomorrow. We hope to get together on Friday and watch Hidalgo.
I'm still not sure which house we're doing it at...not that it makes a difference.
Anyhow...I have her present on time this year! Yup...its ready to go. Amazing.

So...I think I'm going to get some root beer and ice cream or some chocolate or make cookies or something fun so we can "bash". lol

David Barton is in town today so we're going to go see him at Thomas Road. That should be an experience. Hmmm....you wonder about those people over there. Oh well...David Barton is good anyhow.

P.J. wants to go play tennis after church tonight but I don't! So if he and dad decide to go mom and I are staying home to watch The Happiest Millionaire.
Anyhow...nothing just said was of any dire importance and since I probably won't say anything important no matter how much I write I will close here before the general public complains that I'm long winded.
Cya!

I hate trying to think of post titles...

So...right now I'm trying to convince mom that its a very good day to go to Ross.
Hmmm...Ill let you know how that goes.

I have to study for some Chemistry test I missed...I think we're planning on taking it on Wed.

You should get a facebook...and you should also come to Liberty tennis. Its really fun. Sorry if it sounds like I'm trying to run your life. lol You know...this blog really sounds more like a personal e-mail to you Grym...oh well, no one else reads it anyhow.

If you're going to church on Wed. do you mind bringing that movie?
G.T.R.

Another Year

Well another March 4th has passed (yeah I know its late but the computer was down on the 4th.) and my blog has a total of 53 posts. Thats pretty good I guess. About one a week.
So I posted my poetry blog address on a comment for the last post but here it is again just in case you missed it. I haven't been on your blog yet or had time today to post the poem...but I will. Hopefully very soon.

We have a very full week. Music lesson tomorrow Fri. morning we have a seminar at Timberlake and then in the evening one at Liberty which continues the next morning through about 2. And then at 5 on Sat. we have a basketball banquet.
And then....we leave to Ten. on Sunday.
Yup and I haven't packed either. Oh well...I'll get it done.

Recovered!

Our cheese slicer has been missing since the 17th of Jan. and I was beginning to have withdrawal symptons from cheese. But alas...I found it! No wonder it took so long to recover the absent item though...it was in the fridge! Of all places.
While we were at the Biltmore Estate we had put the cheese with the slicer in a bag in the cooler so when the cooler was unpacked the cheese along with the slicer got stuck in the fridge. Consequently it was also stuffed all the way in the back.
We do have another cheese knofe thingy but it just didn't work right so my daily rasion of CHEESE! was diminshed and some days...none at all!
But now...its back!

It's February!

I can't beleive its already February! And I have't posted in forever. Sorry I'm so lazy. I've been on this thing to see if "anyone" had posted but never got around to puting on a new post.

Going over to Krys 1's house today. They got snow...and we got none! She said it wasn't much though, but enough to cover the gravel on the driveway...that pretty good for around here. What a lousy winter. Its barely even been cold. Oh well, I wouldn't move farther North if you paid me.

My dear friend Grym is going to put a pic. on my profile for me! Yay! I'm realy getting sick of the blank space. Maybe I'm stupid or something but I just couln't figure out how to put a blasted picture on this thing. Everytime it says..."Not a valid HTML code". So, we'll see what she puts...hmmmm....

I'm hungry

That has nothing to do with this post but that is what I was thinking. I'm starved. And bent on staying that way untill I'm not hungry anymore.

We had a very nice weekend. Went to Natural Bridge and did some stuff. The day was beautiful. Then afterwards we went to Sams real quik and then...Cold stone Creamery!!!! I got this new ring that is really pretty. It's actually two rings and each one has a knot at the top and the knots are intertwined. Yeah it kinda looks like the picture. It is the exact same style but the two bands and knot are much thinner. That's the only picture I could find.

Well...cya,
Chrysler
p.s. I'm not hungry anymore. lol

...and a Happy New Year

Wow! It's a new year already. Seems like yesterday it was last year. How time flies. And I didn't even throw my clock out the window.

I got this totaly sweet new CD player from Krys and Josh as my Maid of Honor gift. It even has a remote! Now I hvae something to attach those speakers to. the sound on it is really good and it is cool looking besides. Which is always a plus.

Well we still have family over. Not sure when they're leaving. Oh yeah and school starts tommorow.

Well that's about the extent of my boring life at present.
S'long.