I remember you talking about that teenage neighbor before. That is really a dark spot on all the cool new stuff but I'm at least glad there is only that one!
I think it's awesome that ya'll are on a creek. There were a lot of hard things when I was with my mom and dad as a kid. But, the thing that was my escape was that we also lived on a creek. I got away often by following that creek from one end to the other. There is so much to be said for having had the opportunity to grow up in a place where I could get away to a place like that. Definitely more healthy than what a lot of kids use as escapes!
Shelves! hehehe... I love shelves! Makes my pack-rat habits not look so bad. Terrible, I know, but I am bad about putting up shelves to hold things that others would have gotten rid of long ago! Fortunately, in the last 6 months I have finally gained some discipline and thrown away a few pickup loads of frap.
As far as the troop stuff goes, I will freepmail you my address if you want to contribute. Just know that anyone who PRAYS for our troops because they are fiscally challenged is just as important a part of our Hobbit Hole support. Ya know, for those of us here it's hard to "see" the truth in that but I have the firm word of my son-in-law that he believes the reason his platoon never sustained a casualty is because of our prayers. No small thing that! 2 tons of chips and salsa don't measure up to that! I personally know that you are a prayer warrior for our guys. I value those prayers much higher than all. Selfishly of course because my s-i-l is back home with my girls but I know every family member of every soldier will feel the same in the end when we meet Jesus and find out the truth of things!
Its funny you should call me that! I guess its cause I am on the Freeper listing... :D but I once got into a Yahoo group that called themselves prayer warriors, and at the time I was not anywhere near to finding a church home or going deeper into a spiritual life. I was in something of a limbo...but I got into an argument with the leader of that group who insisted that I stay with them, despite the fact that I wanted to leave the group because some of the political sneers of the others were sticking in my craw, and I didnt see any reason to continue being there. It baffled me that she was so insistent.
Anyway, I will pray harder. I have become VERY lax. Just know that our priest is also very supportive of our troups and they are included in the dedications every Sunday.
Creeks are nice. Mine in the backyard is kind of a halfway between a creek and a river--it's just upstream of a river that was dammed up. So there's not too many fish--the trout and salmon stop just short at the dam--but a lot of other wildlife. About this time of year the frogs will start coming out and croaking. I haven't tried swimming in it yet but plan to after it warms up a bit. I like rowing on it towards dusk.
Yes email me the info, plus the info on the troup's ID, so I can specify in the prayers...I have no clue when it comes to military stuff.