So a couple of weeks ago, I was shocked by a drop in the price of gasoline to 1.96. I was so surprised to see it under $2.00 that I rushed out and filled up my tank, even though it wasn't too low at the time. So when I was driving down the street the day before leaving for Thanksgiving Break, I was really excited to see it down to $1.67. On my trip up to Kansas, I kept a mental note of the prices and the lowest that I saw was $1.51 on some little gas station in the middle of nowhere. On the trip back today, I was happy to get a half tank of gas for $1.51 in Tulsa! I've been really impressed with Tulsa's low prices on gas -- it has had either the lowest or second lowest prices I've seen on both trips. I know that it's kind of silly to write about gas prices, but it really did surprise me. I never really thought that I would see gas prices that low again, so this is quite something.

-- Amy

Thankful

I made it home safely after my routine 7-hour drive home. I got up and out of the door at a good time and had nice weather the entire drive up. It has been nice to be back home -- home with family, pets, and some friends. Granted, at times it can be frustrating and stressful, but it is nice to be here nonetheless.
I couldn't help thinking about my friends back in England on Thanksgiving Day. While I was still working on making the pies here, I knew that my friends were also preparing their own dinner and I thought back on this time last year. I remembered staying up until 4 a.m. preparing the pumpkin pies with Graham and I remembered my growing excitement about the dinner that was coming up that evening. I remember going and eating a delicious meal with good friends and remembered that even though the dinner wasn't perfect and wasn't exactly like a Thanksgiving dinner at home, I was unavoidably thankful. I was thankful for friends, life, and all the many things God gives me and I had a wonderful day thanking Him for His many blessings.
This year, I have once again found much to be thankful for. I have been thankful for my parent's new home -- it has proven to be perfect for them and I have been enjoying helping out where I can. I have been thankful for all three of us girls to be at home for Thanksgiving and have cherished the fact that we have the ability to come together for the holidays. I have no clue where I will be next year and am not guaranteed to make it home for many Thanksgivings from here on out. I have been thankful for the dog and cats -- things to care for. I have also been thankful for finally being able to make some proper pies. Pies are indeed my specialty and it's been so long that I've been able to make one from scratch -- it was nice to do that again. And, of course, I am thankful for all the other things God has given me -- food, shelter, love, and salvation through His Son.
So I hope that this Thanksgiving has allowed everyone to stop and think about just how much we have to be thankful for and to make the most of it.

-- Amy

Introduction

I have been inspired to take up blogging again. I have been told many times that I often give too much information and lack clarity in my writing. I then saw Hugh's nice blog and was inspired to try my hand at it again. In the past, I have tended to write far too much and therefore it took much more time than needed. I view the world around me in a bit of a running dialogue in my mind and therefore find it difficult to narrow down and clarify things. But not with this. This will be my experimental blog. Maybe if I write little bits and pieces day by day, I won't feel this strong need to spill everything out when people ask.
So welcome to my new blog, everyone! Don't worry -- I'll still send out e-mails to all of you. This is just for in the mean time.

Today's News:
I won a Carnival Cruise for two to the Bahamas! Nice, eh? I could use it for myself, but I don't really know of anyone to take with me. So, I'm thinking I'll give it to my parents.
I won it in a raffle. In order to get the prize, I had to attend the event "Does HIV look like me?" -- an educational event about HIV. It was really well presented and the speaker was fantastic, but went on a bit longer than I expected. I missed The Office and 30 Rock tonight because of it, but it was worth it. Now I know alot more about HIV and AIDS and have two tickets for a cruise!

Now if I could just get some sleep... :-)

-- Amy