New family Part One!

I want to extend a warm welcome to our newest family members. Damon and his daughter Kelly are now part of the wonderful Bennett family. Sarah (Lynne’s daughter) and Damon were married on December 19, 2010 in Maurice LA.

We began the "celebrations" in November with a grand wedding shower and gumbo attended by many family and friends. The shower was held at the Begnaud "Pond", everyone had

a great time. Of course we always have a great time when we get together. Lots of fun and great food.

Angela, Paul and their kids Elizabeth and Jake came in for the weekend. I know that Angela will LOVE this photo, she told me she loves to have her picture taken and posted. Paula and Danny came in from Broom, TX. Here they are sitting around the fire pit. It did get a little chilly after the sun went down. Bob and Susie also came in, however I see to have missed taking photos of them. Darn - I guess they escaped this time....

Here is a good friend of the entire family - Ms Cindy Fox..... She is always ready for a gathering and can be counted on to pitch in at family gatherings. Guess she is now just one of the gang! We do have a habit of picking up people along the road of life and they leave lots of footsteps on our hearts.

Here is a photo of Miles and David with Jackie. Can you tell that my dear brothers love having their photo taken? Come on guys smile! Jackie - you tried, but it is hard to get a smile out of a hardheaded brother.

These beautiful ladies are just a sampling of my nieces. Actually Ashly ( on left) is not a blood relative, but another of those folks we have adopted along the way. Ashly, thank you for all that you bring to our family. In the middle is Rae Ellen and on the right is Helen. As you can see, not a ugly one in the bunch!

Last but not least here are my wonderful sisters! Warm, caring and sometimes totally off the wall. I am so blessed to have family that I can call on and who really care for their families. We have had many bumps in the road and have made it through with the love and support of our family and friends.
Life is Good!

How to build a Home

As many of you know Marty and I have been building a home. From the ground up! Yes we have has assistance, we did have a crew come in and put in the footing and the shell, but have done the rest ourselves. We hope that when the house is completed we will owe nothing on it. It may take us a few months, okay a few Years to complete, but we will have no mortgage.

This has been a learning experience for both of us. I have learned more than I ever wanted to learn about electrical wiring and insulation. Marty has learned that I swing a mean hammer, and that I really dislike painting. There have been times of great frustration for both of us, but those times have been few and the good times working together far outshine the frustration. Now if I can just get Marty to paint a wall white I will be happy.

In July we had the pleasure of hosting a construction weekend. Sarah, Damon, Kyle, Carol, Allen and Bronson came to visit and assisted us greatly in getting the attic access installed and the ceilings done in most of the house. For added security and insulation we are putting plywood on the ceilings followed by ceiling tiles. This will give us better insulating plus give a more secure attic insulation area. It was difficult for the two of us to hold the 4’ x 8’ panels up and staple them. Allen, Damon, Carol and Kyle did a WONDERFUL job for us. While they were working on the panels Sarah and I were putting in the channels above the eaves for circulation. Kyle was a great help keeping everyone supplied with water and Gatorade and fetching needed items. Marty was a great motivator, he threaten us with his crutches and made faces behind Sarah’s back when she would tell him to SIT DOWN and PUT YOUR FOOT UP!

Of course it was not all work, we did have some fun on the 4-wheeler and with the Wii and ate BBQ ribs and venison chili!! I must also shout a Thank You to Van for the use of his shower facility at the barn. With only one bathroom in the old house, we sure needed the extra facilities to get cleaned up. July in Mississippi can get humid and hot and mix in a little sawdust and you have need of a shower.

Marty and I cannot thank these guys enough for their help.
Help like this means the difference between House construction and Home construction.

I'm Back - I think!

It has been a Long Long time since I last posted. So much has happened in my world, as it has a habit of doing as the days pass. I will be updating this blog with the new and at times unusual activities in my life.

Just an idea of things to expect are: New house work party, Wedding Shower, Museum opening, Thanksgiving, A WEDDING! Christmas and lots of fun photos opportunities.

Expect a new blog shortly!! Just getting my ducks all in a row.

Love Ya!
Ardra