Snake Warning

Please be advised that reports on the news have indicated that in areas of drought and flooding, an increase in nsakes and wildlife sightings have occurred. Residents are asked to review the following information for education purposes.

Snakes are naturally shy and their first form of defense is to move away from danger, and humans are viewed as danger. If provoked or cornered, a snake may attempt to protect itself by striking. People are most likely to be bitten when attempting to kill or handle a snake. Although snakes move at the speed of a fast walk, they can strike very rapidly if aroused. To avoid being bitten below are some helpful tips:

• Watch where you step, and do not harass, capture, or attempt to kill snakes - move away and report the sighting immediately to animal control and the office


• If you see a snake, maintain a safe distance (>6 feet) - most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill snakes


• Keep your personal belongings neat and tidy on patios and remove all items in breezeways


• Use caution around playground equipment as snakes like to hide in the shade and cool, moist mulch


• Clean up or report to management any spilled food around dumpster or trash areas which can attract rodents - and therefore snakes


• Keep pets on a leash


• Avoid walking through the grass. Use common walk areas.


• Any sightings of snakes/wildlife should be immediately reported to local authorities and the management office.

Please remember that no one can ensure your personal safety. We remind you that your safety and security is your responsibility. However, we believer that by taking an active role by updating you on recent reports in the news, you may be able to deter unnecessary problems.

Sincerely,

___________ Staff

So this is the Letter I received tucked in my door today when I got home from work. I have really gotten a kick out of this. I mean I'm in Texas. All people who grew up in Texas are used to all kinds of wildlife and snakes. I mean really!?! Ha ha

So I did see a snake one night this week while I was out walking Gemma. Luckily I have common sense and didn't try to "harass, capture or attempt to kill the snake." But now that I have this letter I know that I should not in case I see any future snakes. Come on people...

Simple Smiles

Reading things like this quote bring a smile to my face! You have got to love the simple things :)

An excerpt from At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks...

"Since they'd left the airport in Raleigh, the view on either side of the highway had been one long version of the movie Groundhog Day. Ramshackle farmhouses, barren fields, decaying tobacco barns, stands of trees... mile after mile. Sure, they'd passed through the occasional town, but even those had been indistinguisable, unless someone actually knew the difference between Hardee's and Bojangles."

This quote reminds me of the drive from Zebulon to Salter Path. Thought I would leave you with some of my favorite shots of natural beauty along that drive... Hope you enjoy!

Meeting Ean for the first time

My nephew, Ean Cheyne Clark, was born on December 2 and this was my first time to meet him. Here are some pictures from my trip...

Aiden, Ean, and I. Aiden gave me the elephant puppet for Christmas.

Aiden giving Ean kisses... What a good big brother he will be.

Me and baby Ean

Ama's Christmas

On Christmas Day, we always go to my Ama's! This year we ate dinner around 2pm and instead of being at the kid's table, like always, the adults sat there and we ate with our Ama! There are 8 grandchildren and with significant others we made 10 and Ama made 11. I'm not really sure what she thought of our conversation it was definitely hit or miss at times but we always have fun. Here are some pics of the day...

Me and Ama

My Cuz Ashley and I

Can you tell they're related? The man in the frame is a distant grandparent and we always thought the spot on his forehead was because he was shot or something. However, interesting fact this man cut off his thumb so he would not have to fight in the civil war. Peyton, my little brother, and him have a scary resemblance.
Dad, Mom, Peyton, Ama, and Me
No longer at the kiddie table group & Ama

The Privette boys - Three in the back row, Justin, Erik, Keith

The Byrd gals - Ashley(beside me) with her husband John, Hope(Santa Hat), Frances(to the right of Hope) with boyfriend Tony

The Clark kids- Peyton (Carolina hoodie) and Me

Ama and her children

Martha, Gary, Nancy, Beverly

Jamie and her kiddos

I had the best time spending time with my high school buddy Jamie and her family! They are so great! Jamie and I have been known to get into trouble in the past and my how things have changed. It is such a blessing to have one of those friends that no matter where you go or what you do it always seems like just yesterday when you talked. She always understands and can always make me laugh no matter what the situation. Her and her husband, Mike, have always welcomed me with open arms when I am home, and I love that about them! Their two kiddos are so adorable and tons of fun!

Mikey may be the busiest child ever... This was the only pic I was able to catch of him.

Isn't he adorable? I love me some Joe! I stayed over one night and the next morning he didn't want me to leave. He wanted me to stay and the babysitter to go home. He also got in trouble one day and Jamie got upset with him. He sat there deep in thought, she asked him what he was thinking about and he said, "I'm thinking about my friends like Noni, Daddy, Emmarie, the babysitter(can't remember her name). They don't yell at me." He sure does know how to tug at everyone's heart strings...


I saw Jamie everyday from the time I came home on the 17th to the 23rd before all of our family Christmas festivities began. It was fun to help them put together some Christmas presents including this NY Giants tackle buddy (i'm sure it is called something else but that is the best I could come up with). For some reason I never get pics of Mike but he was there. He was even nice enough to take this one of me and Jamie.

Thanks for a great trip and fun outings while I was in NC!

A German Meal

While I was in NC for Christmas I was able to meet up with Julie and Richard for dinner. We went to a German restaurant, J Betskis for dinner. I have to tell you that I had the best dessert I have ever had at a restaurant. A chocolate torte with sea salt and bacon on top. Sounds strange but it was oh so yummy... I really enjoyed my time with this couple. Thanks for a fun night!

The Kvernen Family

I was blessed this time home with the opportunity to see a family that I was with while living in East Asia. I have not seen Laura, Matt and Juliana since I left in July 2006. They were on my team and helped me so much in my year there. I definitely would have been lost without the guidance they were able to provide. The Lord totally blessed me through this friendship. The last time I saw them they were a family of 3, and now they are a family of 5. It was such a blessing for me to meet the youngest two, Lydia and Isaac. They have been in the states on furlough and were with her family prior to Christmas. It was great to be able to sit down and catch up with them. When I first talked to her on the phone the first thing she said to me was, "you still sound the same." It is so funny how different you assume people will be when you see them on the total opposite side of the world years later. So glad I got to see ya'll. Hope to see you again soon! Praying for you always!