It was all a mistake, Officer.

A few days ago, Gene and I ate lunch at The Pickle Patch. Somehow my cell phone fell out of my pocketbook under the table. The waitress found it later and called to let me know it was there. I promptly forgot all about it until I wanted to make a call today and suddenly remembered where I'd left it. So I went over to The Pickle Patch, went in, retrieved the phone, joked with several people about being a little absent minded and left.

I always lock my car, so I used my clicker to open the car door. I got in, put my key in the switch and tried to turn the key. It wouldn't turn. I turned the steering wheel and it locked. I kept trying over and over to turn the wheel and the key, but nothing worked. Finally I called Gene and told him what was happening. He said he would come help me.

In the meantime Mr. Fred and his wife (church members) drove up and parked next to me. I told them about my problem. He said that had happened to them before and he could fix it. So he got in and tried everything I had tried to no avail. He gave up. He did kick the front tire a couple of times, and I did too; but that didn't seem to help either.

As I sat there waiting, I contemplated how much it was going to cost me to call Toyota and have them come over and tow the car to Thomasville to fix it.

Gene finally got there. He got in the car, let the seat back, closed the door and did all the things I had done to try to unlock the steering wheel and start the car. While he was doing all that, I gave the tire a few more kicks. Finally he got out. He looked at the car and said, "Elizabeth, this is not your car. This car is silver. Your car is tan!"

I got in my car and went home.

AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY:
After I got home, I received a phone call from Annelle, my friend I had teased with in The Pickle Patch about absent-minded old people. She said she just wanted to let me know that she, her sister and her sister's husband watched the whole time while Mr. Fred and Gene tried to rescue me. They felt so sorry for me. They sympathetically discussed whether there was something they might do to help me get it going. It never occurred to them until they went outside that it was Annelle's car I was trying to drive away.

A Cold Day in Georgia

Well, it's a cold day in Georgia and my brain seems to have frozen along with the rest of my body. All I can think of is dark chocolate. I think I'll have a cough drop and take a nap. Gene read John Grisham's new book, The Associate. He said it is pretty good. I think I'll try that with the cough drop and nap.

Reflections on the Christ Child

We have been in a whirlwind of Sunday School class parties, dinners, choir practices, Christmas Contata, and all the shopping activity that goes with the Christmas season. It has been wonderful to share in the celebration of the most important event in history -- the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the long awaited seed promised to Abraham. What a gift! God gave us Himself, the only begotten Son, who came with the express purpose of living a sinless life in order to become the Lamb of God who would take upon Himself the sins of all human kind. He was born to die so that you and I might live. God's gift to us is forgiveness and eternal life. I want to spend some quiet days reflecting on our God and His amazing gift.

I tell you the truth, whoever believes has eternal life. John 6:47

Grandkids Galore

Today I have been thinking about how blessed we are when it comes to family. Not only do we have wonderful children; but with the addition of Baby Nan in late October, we now have six grandchildren in Lubbock, Texas. Then we have three more in Dublin, Georgia. Our cup runneth over!!!

The Cochrans in Dublin
Mac, Amber, Logan, Riley and Jordan

The Mulkey Kids in Lubbock, Texas
Tom, Sissy, Jane, Peter, Jake and Baby Nan

Getting ready for Christmas

Jane and Baby Nan; Sissy and her baby!

Celebrating! New Grandbaby Nan has arrived.

Folks in Lubbock, Texas, are celebrating the arrival of our new grandbaby, Anna Mitzi Mulkey, (to be called Nan) on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. She is adorable and occasionally very loud -- especially when hungry. The whole family is pleased as punch with this little cutie.

Christie is doing well. She was determined to be home in time to celebrate Halloween with all her brood. We spent the evening on the front porch rocking and giving out candy. Oh my, how the candy has flowed!

I will be in Texas until November 13 helping keep the house in order, working with the children on their lessons and holding Baby Nan. It's a happy and energetic home I'm in! Never a dull moment.

Rebecca Begins Her Grand Adventure -- Bulgaria Bound

We took Rebecca to the Tallahassee Airport yesterday. She left at 11:00 A.M. to begin flying to Sofia, Bulgaria. We had a wonderful week with her before she left. She spoke at the United Methodist Men's monthly gathering on Monday night. It was a great talk, and we came away understanding a little better God's call on her life. She will be working with high school students--Missionary's Kids-- teaching their World History and English Literature from a Christian world view.

Rebecca called this morning to let us know that she had made it safely to Sofia. The team greeted her at the airport with flowers and strong backs to help carry all her luggage. She had already unpacked and was getting settled in her room. They were having a cookout shortly. (It was afternoon there as they are 7 hours ahead of us.)

She will have a few days to rest, begin language lessons, and explore the city. She starts teaching next week, but has already been making assignments. The students have responded in a marvelous way. We feel it is truly going to be a grand adventure for Rebecca. Please keep her in your prayers.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His unfailing love. He delivers them from death and keeps them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our trust in you. Psalm 37:5-7

Lazy in Lubbock

We had a marvelous 8 days in Lubbock with Christie, Brandon, Rebecca, and the five kids. I must say that Lubbock has the BEST July 4 celebration ever. This year, the neighborhood had a kids' parade on July 3. Everybody decorated bikes, wagons, and carts and rode around the square. They had water slides and food. The men and boys fired water balloons at each other across the square. They nearly got me one time! For some good pics of this fun event, click Christie & Brandon's blog.
On July 4, we all piled into cars and went downtown for the big parade. Brandon dressed up as Uncle Sam riding in the "Cow" Jeep and pulled a wagon with Chick-Fil-A employees doing the Chicken Dance. Very cute!
That evening we had swimming, food, and fireworks out in the country. I've never seen so many fireworks. It started around 9:00 and was still going strong when we left at 11:00. There were at least 4 different "shows" going on around us. Texans sure do love fireworks!
The rest of the week we were just worthless -- lazy to the bone. We enjoyed good meals and great company. We not only enjoyed visiting with the Mulkeys and Rebecca, but got to spend some time with Brandon's family and with Monica and her kids also. It was a great week.

Riley Learns to Swim

Today Riley had his very first swimming lesson. He said, "I learned to kick, and stroke, and breathe under water!" He actually was swimming a short distance by the end of the lesson. He was very pleased with himself. Way to go Riley!

A beginning....

It's a rainy day in Georgia--South Georgia that is. I feel it is time to begin our first blog. We have been to church, were blessed by the sermon and singing, had a good lunch, and everyone is taking a nap -- except me. What a great Sunday!


Our grandson, Riley, is visiting us for a week in Cairo. We picked him up in Cordele and on the way home, made a visit to the Chehaw Zoo. I asked him if he knew what a zoo was. He wasn't quite sure. We saw some cool animals including monkeys, zebras, bison, and a depressed rhino. There were even some cheetas pacing around. As we drove away, Riley quietly said, "Now I know what a zoo is!"
Riley went with Poppy to eat breakfast. He ate two breakfasts! Following that, he was so well behaved at church that everyone was amazed. He said they had a race at Sunday School to see who could pick up the most marbles with their toes from a bucket of water. I think that related to the lesson somehow! Vacation Bible School starts at 3:00 and swimming lessons start tomorrow afternoon, so he will be properly entertained. In the meantime, he has been a sweet little fellow -- a great little 5 year old. We are blessed!