Margie
pauses at this time to reflect on the fact that it has been a wonderful year (no surgeries, Praise God!). 1995 has been a year of rest and renewal of the physical, as well as the emotional and spiritual dimensions of our lives.
We started off the year by remodeling our kitchen. Cabinets were repainted and appliances, counter tops, and sinks were replaced. Next, we installed a new storm door at our front entrance; new door knobs and locks for the foyer, hallway, living room, and dining room; and a new door to the basement. In early June, after these projects were completed, God gave Margie a vision for remodeling the basement and building a new deck. On July 4th, we cut a hole in the back of our house and installed a sliding glass door onto our “imaginary deck”. Once the hole was cut (6’X7’), there was no turning back!
By Labor Day, we had our first family cookout on our new 16’X16’ deck. The next day, we began remodeling the basement: we installed paneling, moulding, lights, central heat/air ducts, new stairs, and a suspended ceiling. Home Depot helped us by installing the carpet, supplying and delivering the materials, and answering A LOT OF DUMB QUESTIONS! On Thanksgiving Day, we enjoyed a banquet feast in our newly remodeled basement with the Deines’ (Doc and Dot), the Rogero’s (Judy, Richard, Katie and her friend, Jake, and Sarah), and the Diaz’s (Joel, Lisa, Hector, Loida, Dr. C., Carmen, and Danny). It was a wonderful day of family sharing, watching football games, and overeating! We were able to seat sixteen in Hyatt-banquet style, thanks to the tables supplied by Joel!
One afternoon as we were working on the deck, Chip asked: “Mom, do we have any plans that we’re going by?” and Margie replied, “Yeah, sorta!” Piece by piece; board by board; and nail by nail, God gave Margie the mental blueprints for our project. Some days she had to wait for inspiration; other days, she just seemed to know how it all fit together! Chip supplied the muscle and blood (not to mention the back and knees!) and Margie helped with the trim work, architectural design, supervision, quality control, and money!
Interestingly enough, about a month after beginning this project, Margie received an unexpected and pre-approved, home equity line at prime rate. She stalled the bank until the work was completed before scheduling the required appraisal, the value of which rose by $34,000.00 after the all work was completed!
These home improvements have greatly lifted our spirits. The new room in the basement is slowly transforming into Margie’s new, home office as computers, desks, bookcases, and files are relocated from her outgrown office space in an upstairs bedroom. Now that Margie is officially, medically retired from Turner Broadcasting System, she hopes to concentrate on writing, counseling, and music as her physical limitations permit. Lord willing, she will one day finish that book!
It is our sincere wish that this Holiday Season finds each of you healthy, happy, and saved by His Grace through Jesus Christ. Come see us soon!
Chip
is now a senior at Campbell High School in Smyrna. Since his birthday on May 26, 1977, Chip has grown and matured into a very responsible young man!
Those who remember when Chip was born may also remember the picture below, which was taken at Brunswick Hospital on May 27th.
As you can see, he hasn’t changed a bit (except he now has his eyes open!).
During his four years at Campbell, Chip has played trumpet in the Spartan Band. Last spring, the band traveled to Virginia Beach and gained national recognition in a musical competition.
This fall, Chip played a flugel horn solo in the marching band’s half-time show.
Every day, Margie grows more and more proud of him: he is her beloved son, in whom she is well pleased!
Gilgal’s Pet Palace
1995 was an eventful year for the furry menagerie at 32 Vanessa Drive.
On Saint Valentines Day, after browsing through a pet shop, a new baby ferret came home to live with us! Since he seemed to resemble the now infamous, California judge, we named him Ito. One month later, on Saint Patrick’s Day (again after browsing in a pet shop!), we brought home Marcia, a baby girl ferret to keep Ito company
in his cage. Ito and Marcia are great mischief makers, and we learned quickly that we had to ferret-proof the house! They provide unrelenting, comic relief to the little stresses of life; it’s like having a pair of furry “Dana Carvey’s” in our home!
On July 4th, Figaro, our feline, dumpster refugee, disappeared from our lives forever. A few weeks later, while browsing through the animal shelter looking for him, Margie found a baby kitten she named Glacier, who also came home to live with us! Glacier (a.k.a. F’weet Warm Kitty!) lives up to his name with brilliant white fur and icy blue eyes.
Our older, tabby-point, Siamese male, Gilead (a.k.a. Gilly) does not like Glacier very much. Note the scowl on Gilly’s face!
Our female, half-Siamese, Galilee (a.k.a. Gal-Gal Girl) also does not like Glacier because he likes to sneak-attack her on a recurring basis. Glacier exhibits daredevil enthusiasm for purposely annoying the older cats. His adolescent naiveté and king-of-the-jungle aloofness to their hissing and spitting rebukes, only makes matters worse! 
Congratulations are in order to George and Gracie, our registered Chow Chow’s who became the proud parents of a litter of five beautiful puppies in September. Here, Gracie (a.k.a. Gra-fuh Girl) poses on our new deck, while George (a.k.a. Porgy-my-man) and Lazarus (a.k.a. Laz or Lazzy Boy) hang-out together at the fence.
Many of you may remember that Laz was born in February of 1992 in Gracie’s first litter; her puppies froze to death overnight in harsh, sub-freezing temperatures. When Margie found the puppies the next morning, they were all frozen solid. After forty-five minutes on a heating pad, Laz was the only survivor in the entire litter (i.e. he came forth from the grave). Hence, the name “Lazarus” after his Biblical predecessor.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love in Christ,
Margie & Chip Cash
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