Hello Friends, Music Fans and Welcome to Newcomers to my site!
Because the time changes today to Daylight Savings Time, I felt it was a good time to update and the word "change" comes to mind.  I have learned over the years in many situations that things are always bound to
"change." Sometimes, these changes are good ones, others not so good.  We move, we find new jobs, new friends, we develop new relationships, and while we may not always want or even notice the small ones, "change" is always inevitable.

There have been many changes in recent months of my life. I have learned to live again without pain. I have learned that my new hip and me can coexist like dear old friends. I have learned that life is full of twists, turns and surprises.

On a personal note, before I talk about changes in life (changing the subject here!) All is well for us on the farm. All the goats are still maintaining that they are in charge, while the dogs take Issue vehemently! Sophie and Dice, the youngsters are into everything. They're growing, getting into mischief and pretty much tell the old timers how things are going to be. Most of the time, they lose on that end, however.

My family is well.. Health is such a wonderful gift. Marah continues to excel in school. I am SO proud to say that she is a Dean's List student at UNC-W. I am
so proud of her and stand in amazement at how time flies by and how suddenly my little girl is a Junior in college. Does that mean I'm getting older too? Or is Marah just catching up? Now THAT'S CHANGE!

I have had the time since last February 28 when I had surgery to be at home, recover beautifully and simply enjoy our wonderful surroundings. I have missed performing and I have missed seeing all of your smiling faces, but I opted to take time to heal properly, jump back into life at home and take select dates here and there. Fortunately, for me...and hopefully for you too...
things will be back to normal schedule wise between now and the rest of 2007. I am excited about that. As wonderful as it has been to be a homebody for a while, I have missed you all. Thanks so much for the emails, cards, calls, etc. I love each and every one.

This has been a period of learning at my home as well. Many "changes" have been been placed into the path of my life and have given me pause to reflect on how events, people and every choice we make affects our lives.  There are times we all make choices to help others, to extend a kindness, to lend a hand to someone in need, etc. We do these things from our hearts and we want to help when and how we can. I like to believe that is human nature.

However, I have learned over the past several months, in events that suddenly appeared in our lives, that choices can precipitate changes that we never asked for, wanted or needed. For example, Wayne and I extended a kindness to a small family by offering a job when we were asked, temporary housing at no charge, a good wage, etc. when we were approached by this couple in need. We knew the father of this family and he was able to demonstrate knowledge and capability of building trades. When he asked Wayne for a job and help, indicating he and his family were clearly in need, we never hesitated.

We set the parameters and felt good about helping someone until change occured.  I received a telephone call from a detective from a sheriff's department from another state, which frankly scared the life out of me! Acting on the advice of law enforcement, we had to have the family leave our property. Only after they had departed, did we discover, sadly, that we had been stolen from!

We learned, thankfully and quickly, that the folks we extended kindness to had a history of securing a place to live and work, then steal from employers and move on. We have felt foolish, stunned, hurt and also educated by this experience. It would be easy to say that Wayne and I could take the position that we will NEVER help anyone again, but, thankfully, that will not occur. It is not the nature of either of us. ALL of us fall on difficult times of varying degrees in our lives. Things happen to shake us up in order that we remain vigilant and knowledgeable of people we meet and things we do. Even when things happen to us that are both hurtful and harmful, I have concluded that we should NOT EVER allow trespasses to make us "cold" as people.

There will always be things that happen to us that we
would rather not deal with. There are always people who hurt or disappoint us, but I believe I have learned that forgiveness and strength to keep moving forward with a positive intent is the logical option to take.  I learned that even with all the chaos of dealing with issues we never wanted to have to deal with, we met incredibly nice people, who may have also been hurt, but were still willing to see the best in life and in others. Wayne and I met investigators from other states, one of which, touched us in such a way with his perseverance that I am certain we will always remain in touch and can call him "Friend."

Wayne and I pray for those who harmed us. Wayne and I pray for the family of missing Federal Agent Eugene Fish (Bill and Agnes Fish) who only seek to know what happened to their only son. My family continues to pray for those who labor tirelessly to help the Fish family find peace and resolve to what must be one of the most horrible experiences any parent could face.

It's funny how things occur, intertwine, and integrate into our lives. What starts as one gesture to help someone in need suddenly changes... with one phone call from a sheriff's department in Colorado... into something bigger than our family could  ever imagine finding ourselves in the middle of. I believe in the laws and justice in our country.

I believe in FOLLOWING the law! I believe that we are all basically good. I believe when events happen that force change, that we acknowledge the changes and make sure we continue to live for the higher good. God bless each of you my friends. Blessings to Dave and Ruth Spencer, Sheriff Bill Sawyer, Investigator Bobby Baker and the entire force of the Pamlico County Sheriff's Department and Assistant District Attorney Laura Bell. You all have been a wealth of support to us in times of confusion, you have answered our questions and offered understanding.

I have learned a deep and profound respect for those who protect us, uphold the law and put themselves on the line for our freedoms. Laws are meant to be followed....otherwise chaos ensues. I hope that every parent will always instill this in your children. There are reasons for rules and laws. This was instilled in me and I in turn instilled this in my child.  Changes occur. We have to roll with them and we have to accept them. Most of all, when changes occur, we must learn from them and keep looking upward and beyond the difficult times.

Keep in touch with me, my dear readers. I always love hearing from you. God bless each and every one of you and I'll be looking for your smiling faces out there somewhere real soon!
It IS a Beautiful Life!
Annie