Yummy Yummy Yummy!

Last night, we went to Grille 29 for our anniversary. It was SO GOOD!

We had never been there, but had heard that it was really good, so we decided that an anniversary was a special enough occasion to give us a good excuse to try it.

The patio was full, so we had to sit inside. It was a little dark, but quite nice once your eyes adjusted. We were in view of the bar, which had a really neat ceiling. It had constellations that lit up and flickered, and even a comet and falling stars that would periodically streak across the black ceiling.

We started out with drinks and some calamari. For dinner, I got the crab cakes with some great fresh veggies and Matt ordered the grouper, topped with lump crab meat, with white corn grits and asparagus. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. As soon as we finished, we started trying to figure out when we could come back.

My only complaint of the whole evening was that I ate so much I couldn't get the creme brulee I'd been dreaming about all day (thanks to Aunt Angie's recommendation). Matt promised that we could come back for dessert one night in the near future. Yum!

What's Bloomin' Now?

Here are some photos of just a few of the plants in the yard. Hopefully it will just add some color to your computer screen and not bore you to death. :)


This is my new pink "ever-blooming" daylily, "Rosy Returns". It just started blooming while we were out of town.


I have several Asiatic lilies opening up. My mother in law also gave me some gorgeous pink and orange ones last night after dinner that are on my desk at work.


I love calla lilies. They're just so darn easy, simple, and elegant!


This is one of my new roses, "Mardi Gras." It turned out just like the photos I found of it and is gorgeous!

Trickery Is Often the Fastest Method

I love to vote. I don't always know who I'm going to vote for so I often leave several fields blank, but I still love to vote.

I think it's important to vote. I don't feel like I have a right to complain about what's going on in our government if I don't take the time to voice my own opinion. Plus, I consider it a privilege and testament to our great country. Not everyone gets the opportunity to participate in the selection of their government.

Matt is less convinced.

I think he's definitely become more "politically aware" over the last 7 1/2 years since we've been together, but he's still not up to the Shipman standard of rabid political opinions (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and is much less concerned than I about who wins the "small stuff".

Almost every day, there is something that I ask Matt if he is going to do (like vacuum the den, call his mom, mow the yard, etc.). I almost always get the same response: a shrug and "Yeah". That should usually be translated as "no".

When I got the same response from him about whether or not he was going to vote, I knew he had no intention of casting his ballot. I, of course, gave him the lecture about how it was important, his civic duty, yada, yada, yada. He was still not convinced.

How could my own husband not care about voting? This could reflect very badly on me. I even put up a post reminding people to hit the polls (and this wasn't even for a major election).

Well, thankfully, a solution materialized later that afternoon. Manda left work early for our usual gym appointment. I either had to meet her at the gym and skip the ballot or work out alone. Then I realized... the polls don't close until 7pm!! I went to meet Amanda straight from work, went home, changed, and told Matt that I (we) were going to vote on our way to meet his mother for dinner.

Ah ha! He was instantly clued into my scheming and informed me that he hadn't even researched who was running for what, and who he liked. "No problem," I said. Just vote for the candidates you already know you agree with, or simply stick to the yes/no question (the tax hike... you can pretty much do this one without a whole lot of research effort).

I nervously checked the sheet as we showed our IDs and were marked off of the list. What if Matt wasn't even registered at our new location? (I knew he was at our last house - we voted for the last presidential election together). A feeling of relief came over me as I saw both of our names on the list. Matt was eligible to vote!

When we got our ballots, he asked if it was against the rules to discuss our answers before we turned them in. I don't mind sharing. Of course, I don't want to be accused of unfairly influencing the vote either.

In the end, he only filled out the tax hike addendum, but I was completely satisfied and left feeling giddy as I looked over at his "I Voted" sticker. He commented that he thought I was getting a special pleasure out of the fact that he was now on record as voting in a primary - and he was right.

This worked so much better than nagging! Now, I just have to figure out a way to get him to start on that "honey do" list...

Happy Anniversary, Honey

Four years!

Without getting too sappy, I do have to take a moment to say that I wake up every morning and thank my God for giving me such a wonderful man to share my life with.

Congratulations to you for putting up with and loving me for that long. Here's to many more anniversaries!

Journey from the Phillipines

Everyone loves a good human interest/sob story.

I felt that way after seeing this story about Journey's new lead singer. I didn't know much about the band's history beforehand, but am familiar enough with their music ("Don't Stop Believin' ","The Wheel in the Sky", "Open Arms", etc.) .



The band lost it's lead singer, Steve Perry, back in 1996. They have had two other lead singers since then, but not one who could capture "the Perry magic". Then one night, one of the band members spent the evening watching You Tube until he found this guy, performing a cover of Journey's hit, "(Forever Yours) Faithfully". He called up one of his band mates and told him to run to the computer to hear it for himself.

Arnel Pineda grew up in the Phillipines. His parents were tailors, and as a shy kid, he would always cringe when they came to measure him for new clothes. He knew this always meant that he was getting a new outfit for another singing competition. Arnel says that he was shy singing in front of people unless his mother was there - he loved his mother. After her death from a long illness that left the family bankrupt, Arnel became homeless at just 13. He says that he collected scrap metal to get enough money for food until he started singing in Hong Kong night clubs.

It was in these clubs that he performed covers of many American hits, and where the recording discovered by the original band members was recorded and posted to You Tube. Arnel said that his mother always encouraged him to sing and gave him what he needed to survive (and succeed).

What a way to be discovered! Through You Tube! I personally have a negative musical ability, so there would be no hope for me to hit it big this way. Do you think I could put up a video offering my technical services saying something like, "Will do radar analysis and MATLAB work for food" and be "discovered"?

Journey just put out a new CD and is touring with their new lead singer.

To Tithe or Not to Tithe

"God doesn't fund the church through bingo nights, pancake suppers, and chicken dinners."



I found this video very interesting. It talks about a few of the reasons to tithe or not to tithe, how some religious organizations appear to be taking advantage of the Biblical principle of tithing (and a tax-free status), while others are more transparent in their spending and mission work/aide.

I agree with several of the points in the piece, especially the part about how wrong (immoral ?) it is that some churches guilt their members into tithing by saying that they'll be cursed if they don't commit 10% to the church. This flows from the whole works-based idea that we will be blessed, happy, healthy, and financially prosperous if we simply "follow these steps."

I think Howard Dayton of Crown Financial Ministries hit the nail on the head when he said, "It's not a '[I] have to pay a tithe', it's a privilege." It'd be very hard for me to be a cheerful giver if I didn't want to support my church and world missions and consider doing so a pleasure.

I also love how Charlie often says, "Let's give HIS tithes and our offerings". The Lord has already blessed us. In my opinion, the tithe is His to begin with. Anything beyond that is our own offering of thanksgiving and just icing on the cake.

Boy, I sure (don't) wish we had those "Giving Kiosks" (aka "God's ATMs") at my church! I could get 2% cash back on my tithes! ;)

Wild Man Wade's Madd Skillz - Part II

Last time I showed you some of Wade's madd skillz, they were from the ski trip we took last December.

Here he is showing off his kayak skills. The river tried to flip him several times, but he just wasn't having it. He makes it look so easy too!



Here is a not-so-lucky member of the group who flipped 3 out of 4 times down the falls.


PS> I'm hoping to get more photos from our river trip soon, but this is looking like it's going to be a crazy week!

Don't Forget

Don't forget that tomorrow is an important election date in our area. Besides several of the local and congressional primaries, there will be other important measures on the ballot (like proposed tax hikes).

Don't forget to vote, June 3rd!

Youth Group

Recently, I have started to notice that the high school youth group at our church is fairly non-existent. It's not that there aren't any kids that age, or that there is a lack of opportunity for fellowship. It seems (only from an outside observer's perspective) that they just aren't as interested as some in the past have been. Maybe it's because they haven't all grown up together; several new families have joined our church in the last couple of years that have teenagers. Or maybe it's just that they're busy with other stuff.

When I was in the youth group, it was the complete opposite. We got together every Wednesday and Sunday night, without fail. Even when we didn't have an event scheduled, we'd often find some place to hang out together. There was a wide range of ages too, and even a few of us were the only ones in our grade.

Here is a shot of the group (minus a few), the summer before I started college:

From left: Josh Emrich, Roman Kohler, Micah Harvey, Rebecca Shipman, John Laird, Amy Shipman, Brandy Hardy, David Adams, Katie Thomas, Amanda Shipman, Jesse Harvey, Phillip Martin, Bridgette Hardy, Jonathan Adams, Rachel Martin.

I think the biggest difference between what we had and what I see now was that we were all friends - good friends. We felt like a family. We bickered with, teased, and picked on each other. But we still loved each other, and when it mattered, we stepped up and really supported one another.

When I was just 17, one of our youth group members died in a car wreck. It was an absolutely horrible and excruciating time for not just his family, but the entire church family. I think that period was probably the clearest example, that I can personally recall, of what a Christian support system is supposed to be like. We all went over to the family's house and cried, prayed, and even tried to laugh together. There was no hesitation about it. We were so close, it was almost like losing one of my own siblings.

Most of the group has since moved away, and although we still keep in touch, we're not quite as close anymore. But even without my old youth group, I think Matt and I still have a good Christian support system. It's a lot more cross-generational than back then (and a LOT more tame), but still full of love, learning, and laughter.

Shark Attack

I often have some really crazy dreams. I periodically wake up crying because someone has died, insanely mad at my husband (for leaving me for my sister/roommate/friend), or freaked out by some really strange event in my dreams. I, however, have never woken up from a shark attack.

This kid suffered such a feat.

Can you imagine waking up in the middle of the night, on dry land, to a shark "attack"? (Of course, the fact that he was sleep walking and ran into a souvenir shark makes the story just a little bit less incredulous.)

How Generous

The local Chinese government in Chengdu has announced that they will lift the one-child restriction for families who lost their child (or had a child seriously injured) in the earthquake. Families can apply to legally have another child to replace one lost in the mid-May earthquake.

The one-child policy, implemented in 1979, was meant to curb China's growing population. I think it was probably well-intended, but drastically over reaching. Combating overpopulation should never be done by force, bullying, or intimidation. Family size is a personal (and private) decision, and none of the government's business.

Even with all of our own problems, this is just another reason that I'm thankful to live in this country!

Get Well, Amy!

After a fairly exciting Sunday evening/Monday morning, Amy is now appendix-less.

We hope you get well very soon.

Lots of love, Amy!

Cotton Row Run

Matt and I got up early this morning to go watch several friends who were running in the Cotton Row 10k and/or 5k runs. I don't recall ever going to watch the race before, and it was actually a lot of fun. We saw lots of people we knew from college, work, and church.

We made it over to downtown in time to see the start of the race before heading up towards "The Hill". The Fulchers have a prime viewing opportunity as their house is on the upward ascent, and they let us hang out with them for a little while as we cheered for and heckled the runners.

I loved the poster that Sadie and Samuel were holding.

Thomas was so fast coming up the hill that he was just a blur!

Amanda did really well too!

Here's Bill B. speeding to the finish line.

Charlie and Lynne between races. Aren't they cute?!

Our very own Craig A. gave times to the runners during the race(s).

The free food and ice cream at the end almost made me wish I'd signed up to run. (That feeling only lasted for about 10 seconds, though!)

Congrats, everyone!

Happy B'day, Lil' Bro

Ryan, who will soon be my new little brother, turned 22 yesterday.

Happy Belated Birthday!

God, Guts, and Guns... ?

I've received stuff in the mail offering a free steak knife set with the purchase of a new vehicle before, but never a free gun. I don't really understand it because I just don't think that car and gun purchases seem to go together. Cars and gasoline, yes, but cars and guns? I guess it makes more sense than guns and beer.

Missouri Car Dealer Offers Free Gun With Car Purchase

Thursday, May 22, 2008

BUTLER, Mo. — Salesmen at one Missouri car dealership aren't just kicking in a free CD player or factory air: They're offering a free handgun with every purchase.

Through the end of the month, car buyers at Max Motors in Butler will have a choice — $250 toward either a gun purchase or gasoline.

General manager Walter Moore said that so far, most buyers have chosen the gun, adding that he suggests they opt for a semiautomatic model "because it holds more rounds."

(In the fine print, the ad on the Web site explains, "Check written toward purchase price" and also mentions, "Approved Background Check REQUIRED!!")

Moore said he suspects his "Free Handgun" ad will draw protests in some places. But not in Butler, about 65 miles south of Kansas City.

Moore said, "Down here, we all believe in God, guts and guns."

Return of the 80's Saturday Mornings

If you were a child of the 80's like I was (or a parent of a child of the 80's), you probably watched your fair share of 80's-style Saturday morning cartoons. My favorites included He-Man, The Smurfs, Inspector Gadget, Care Bears, My Little Pony, and Strawberry Shortcake.

My baby blanket, which I still have (and, no, I don't actually sleep with it anymore; I gave that up at least a year ago), is of Strawberry Shortcake. In fact, my mother bought me a Strawberry Shortcake T-shirt a couple of years ago because she said she instantly thought of me when she saw it.

We also had a VHS recording of a Care Bears movie that we watched so much, it mysteriously "erased itself". My parents claimed that it was because we watched it so often that it just deteriorated over time. I don't buy it. However, I must admit that if I were forced to watch the same cartoon movie multiple times a week, I'd find a clever way to make it disappear too. (So, no hard feelings, Mom and Dad) .

Well, lucky for us (or not), now we can watch the Care Bears and other 80's-era cartoons every Saturday morning. I was flipping through my 10 channels last weekend when I saw Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears in all new episodes.

Now that the people who loved those cartoons growing up are old enough to make some of the decisions about Saturday morning programming, it makes sense that we're seeing a return to some of the forgotten cartoons. The classics like Roadrunner and Tom & Jerry will always be around (I hope), but it is kind of nice to see the nostalgic return of a few of my childhood favorites.

The Ultimate Ultimates

The Three Caballeros

We Shipman girls sure do know how to pick them! And I don't just mean the fact that we've all three found wonderful, patient, and godly men. I mean: we know how to pick the ultimate Ultimate Frisbee scorers!

At the last game that I went to watch, Matt and Wade combined to score 3 out of the team's measly 4 total points. Last night at Thursday's make up game, Ryan stepped up to the challenge and made two scores (it was his first time to play with them, too!). Wade and Matt also contributed to the pot and this time the "Shipmans' boys" scored 4 out of 5 points. (Yes, they did lose... 5-15, but at least they scored one more point than the last game I saw).

On top of that, their displays of athleticism were very inspiring and kept me entertained. Wade made one of those Superman leaps where he literally flew horizontally across the field and tackled some guy. It was so impressive that the other team didn't even seem to mind the foul. All three made some very cool dives to catch passes and score.

As a result, they had some pretty nasty cuts, bruises, and blisters by the end of it. Matt did not want to get out of bed this morning! He showed me his war wounds and said they were a good reason why he should be allowed to sleep in.

To the opponents for Thursday night's game: Watch Out! While Jodie Foster's Army might not even come close to beating you, these boys will at least put in some great scores.

Ants Marching

What exactly does it take to earn the title of "ant expert"? Surely I could be a "fire-ant-bite-expert", as my left foot with its current afflictions would attest, but I don't think I can quite qualify for the title of "ant expert".

Walter Tschinkel is a professor at Florida State University. He has written a book on fire ants and studies the architecture of all types of ant hills. That may not sound very exciting, but it's actually pretty cool. He's even developed a method that allows him to make 3-D casts of the ant colonies, and uses them in his research.

Did you know that ants don't just make tunnels? They have "store rooms" where they collect seeds, hallways connecting them, and other types of rooms in the hills that they build. Different types of ants even have different styles of designs in their colonies. Some ants have long, straight-down designs with a single "hallway", others create more elaborate designs that resemble chandeliers. They are quite beautiful too! (Click here to see some of Walter's different casts)





One year at Christmas, my sister got an ant farm as a gift. I was really jealous. I loved watching the ants in that thing, and even managed to restrain myself from shaking it.

Now a days, when I see a fire ant hill, I don't feel quite as intrigued. Instead, I look for the nearest bag of poison. Hey - if it's kill or be bitten by one of those mean little things, I'll always move to squash out the ants!

Welcome, MatthewJohn

In case you didn't notice, Matt (after some gentle coaxing) has added himself as a contributor to The Harnation. It's only right, especially considering that any sort of nation has to be made up of at least > 1 person! :)

I asked him to post the info about the Great Smoky Mountains Trail Ride because there was no way I would've been able to tell you about it (at least not with any insight). Enjoy.

GSMTR - Part II

After the unfortunate demise of one of the trucks in our group on Thursday, it was time to get back on the trail.

Friday was more of the same light 4-wheeling, but we did run one more difficult trail while the rest of the group watched and then went back around the gravel road to camp.

On Saturday we finally got a break in the weather and went out for some difficult trails with a couple of the event organizers in their trail rigs. The red 40-series in these photos is one that Michael built at the shop where he was previously employed. It will be coming into ACC for some minor work before a trip to Alaska in a few months.

The pastel beast looked and performed great after its major refitting in the last month or so and only needs a few minor things looked into before it goes back into hibernation until the next trail ride.

In general, it was a great trip. We saw a bunch of really good friends whom we’ve met at events in the past and Michael made several great business connections within the Cruiser world. He also handed out a bunch of ACC stickers, shirts and business cards as well as talking to a lot of past, current and future customers. There were many positive comments on his work and even one job offer.

This short video clip that I took over the weekend should give you a little bit of an idea of what these things look like in action:

The next dirt event is the Southern Cruiser Crawl at Gray Rock ORV Park north of Birmingham in October, but stay tuned as we (Michael, Dad, and I) hit the pavement at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds in 3 weeks.