Where the country was reunited

Virginia is chock full of historic sites from the American Civil War. This weekend we decided to visit Appomattox Court House, the place where the Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, thereby ending the Civil War. We were a bit confused by the name "Appomattox Court House" because we thought it was a building. In actuality it was a village that served as a stopping place for people traveling between Lynchburg and Richmond. The village has been reconstructed and turned into a National Park. Appomattox is known as the place where the country was reunited because of the surrender that took place there. You can read all about it on wikipedia if you want to learn more.

The village general store

Some of the village buildings

The road upon which the Confederate Army retreated

Grave of a Confederate Solider in the middle of a field.

The McLean House: It was in the parlor of this house where General Lee officially surrendered. The parlor was aptly renamed The Surrender Parlor following this historic event.

The desk General Grant sat at during the surrender proceedings

The desk General Lee sat at during his surrender

Me and an old barn

General Lee's headquarters

At the site of General Grant's headquarters

This unknown Union soldier is buried with 18 Confederate soldiers. Of the 19 soldiers buried in this Confederate cemetery, 12 are unknown.

Two Confederate graves

After the storm

We've had a crazy week here. First there was the 5.9 earthquake on Tuesday. I was driving to work and didn't feel a thing. Husband called me and said "Did you feel that?" and I was oblivious. Husband said the whole house shook for about a minute. The only damage we sustained was the DVD player falling off the top of the TV in Husband's office. I must admit, I am jealous of Husband and all those who felt it. They can say they've been in an earthquake! To be honest, I was hoping for an aftershock or two, just so I could be part of the earthquake club. Unfortunately, no such luck. Sigh. (Now, before you think I am completely crazy, I understand that earthquakes are horrible and can be deadly. I don't want to experience that type of earthquake. I just thought that because this one was so small and there was little damage, it would be a cool experience.)

Today it was pretty windy and rainy all day. The result of Hurricane Irene, or so I've been told by the weather alerts for our area. Thankfully we are far enough inland that we only got high wind and rain. No damage around here that I know of, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are tree branches all over the road tomorrow. As the sun was setting, the sky was so beautiful that I had to pull out my camera and take pictures. I love after storm skies! They are gorgeous!

P.S. We are praying for all our friends in Irene's way. Stay safe!

Our new pet

Last night when I went to lock up the house, I found a new friend; a 4.5 inch praying mantis on our storm door. Then, this morning, it was hanging out on the door frame. And, now, mid-morning, it is still there. Every time I check to see if it has moved, it looks at me like I'm it's next meal! According to Wikipedia, mantises will eat "anything they can successfully capture and devour". I am not going outside until it's gone, and that presents a problem because I have to leave for work in a couple of hours. I know I could probably just knock it off the frame, but I have a feeling it will lie in wait on the ground and jump me when I leave. I feel like Pumbaa from the Lion King "She's going to eat me!"

Of course, we had to measure it!

The mantis, the storm door, and husband

See that look? That look is saying "You're my next meal!"

First day of school!

Husband had his first day of classes today. He has been doing online courses for the past 2 years, and today was his first day at the actual campus. With everyone posting their back-to-school pictures, I wanted to get in on the action: Look at him, all grown-up and ready to earn another Masters degree (he already has a 36 hour Masters. He is now working on a 96 hour one)!

I'm at it again!

Last week I came across a blog that inspired me to drag out my trusty glue gun and get crafty. Loyal readers will know that this is a rare occurrence and seldom ends well. But, since I don't start my job for another 2 weeks, and my house stays relatively clean (no kids around to mess up it), I thought it would be a great way to pass the time. The blog was about how to make a rope bowl (click here for the blog). Now, I don't need another bowl, but after seeing this blog I wanted one. So today I gathered up the supplies, popped You've Got Mail into the DVD player, and started crafting away. By the time Frank was telling Kathleen that she was a lone reed, I was half-way finished. As Kathleen was arguing with Joe about caviar, I was gluing the last piece into place, and burning my finger in the process (I would also like to add that it was the ONLY time I burned myself!). Like I said, I don't need another bowl and I have no idea what I am going to do with this one, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is I made it. And I'm proud of myself for that! Watch out world! I have a glue gun and I'm not afraid to use it; well once every 6 months or so!

Before:

After:

Husband's hair

Because he had no Army obligations, Husband decided to let his hair grow out. He has never had hair this long! We decided to cut it today (it was getting a bit out of control). Here are some before and after pictures.

Who's a pretty boy?

Is it just me or does he look like Tom Hanks here?

Crazy, crazy hair

Can't get enough of that crazy hair!

Look at all that hair!

We weren't planning on making it this short, but since this is the only haircut I know how to do, this is what he got!

I think he is looking for his hair...

We will miss the long hair.

From starving student to starving graduate

My baby sister graduated from University today. I can call her my baby sister and she won't get mad at me because she never reads this blog, despite my repeated efforts to get her to do so. I mean, come on! Who wouldn't want to read my blog? It's funny. It's insightful. It's pretty much the most amazing thing on the Internet! No offense to the other blog writers out there of course. And even though I harass her to no end, and I accuse her of stealing the spotlight and I call her a drama queen... wait, I don't think she knows about that so let's keep that on the down-low... I am very proud of her! Unlike me, she actually did well in school. My motto was (and still is) C's get degrees, and I have the paper to prove it! Okay, so I wasn't quite that bad, but she definitely worked harder in school than I did. And all that hard work paid off, because today she goes from being a starving student to being a starving graduate. Congratulations Babe! You did it!