Nancy's Nook

Wednesday Whimsy...

2012-02-01T08:50:00.003-06:00

from LoneStar Antiques! (5605 Denton Highway, Haltom City, TX)

This first picture is not in good focus... but look what a fantastic message it has....

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This next picture is in Barry's booth, which you see when you walk in the door and look straight ahead (well, slightly to the left). I just love this quilt and those pillows!...

I'll let the next pictures speak for themselves (well, if they can). One thing they're saying is, "Nancy likes me."...

Here are some pictures from Betty Jane's Boutique, which is in LoneStar and is full of lovelies...

Oh, and my dealer friend, Brenda, has some great pictures on her BLOG, too. Check them out (by clicking that word BLOG.) (Oh, and you can feed some fish on Brenda's blog!)
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Well, I saved the best picture for last.... and it's not from LoneStar.... It's Will (my son) holding sweet Anna (my great niece - who is great, for sure.)...

That pictures makes me smile big.

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I just put up a new poll (upper right).

(I was going to put that picture of Will and Anna on a different blog post - later, since it's not about LoneStar... but I couldn't wait... I had to show it to you today.
And I may show it to you later, too.)
Have a great day!

Two more sillies...

2012-01-29T14:35:00.002-06:00

I put up some sillies yesterday (click HERE to go there quickly), but I have found two more that have struck my fancy.

One is from daughter Laura's blog (it's a great blog!). Yesterday she put this up...

(That's a funny cartoon for Laura: she likes to eat Chinese noodles AND she likes to knit!)
(Did I just give away the funny part?)

By the way, Laura and Ryan went snow skiing ... and had fun!!! (Last year they went and Ryan was slammed into by a fast snowboarder that broke Ryan's leg in 9 (yes, NINE) places. .... If I were he, I wouldn't go skiing again. Not Ryan, he was shopping for skis the day after he had leg surgery last winter.)
Here's a picture of them on their recent trip to Angel Fire...

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I saw another 'silly' just now on Facebook.
High school classmate Laurie always puts funny and/or uplifting stuff on Facebook.
Here's Laurie with her husband....

And here's the cartoon she put on Facebook...

Ha!!!! I think that's so funny!!!

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I have a new poll up!
Please vote (upper right).
Thanks!

For Saturday...

2012-01-28T10:19:00.001-06:00

“Have you got any kittens going cheap?” asked a customer in a pet shop.
“No sir,” replied the owner. “ All our kittens go, ‘Meow.’”
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Here's a cartoon....

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Now for some quotes...

"Predictions are difficult, especially about the future."
- Yogi Berra

"The streets are safe in Philadelphia. It's only the people who make them unsafe."
- Frank Rizzo, ex-police chief and mayor of Philadelphia.

"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."
- Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice.

"Cross country skiing is great if you live in a small country."
- Steven Wright

"New York is an exciting town where something is happening all the time, most of it unsolved."
–Johnny Carson

"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying."
-Woody Allen

Arrr!!!

2012-01-26T13:16:00.003-06:00

It's Pirate Day at preschool today!!

Notice: Andrew even has his pet parrot with him!!

I'm going to see Andrew in a bit, and I want him to tell me all about Pirate's Day!
And I know he will!

He's only 3 years old but just the other day he asked his mother if she remembered them doing something together with him when he was 2 years old. (My mother was telling me and she couldn't remember what that something was - but was amazed that: 1) he spoke in long sentences and 2) he remembered when he was two!

Why, he's an amazing fella! Arrr!!!!

(To make sure I understood, I just looked up the definition of 'Arrr' and it means "I concur".)

So I say again, "Arrr!!!"

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On a completely different note, I have a new favorite place to eat...

It's on Highway 26 just south of Mid-Cities Blvd. in Hurst.
I've only been there once, but want to go back soon!!!
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On another different note, I just finished my fourth session with my trainer at LifeTime Fitness...

At first it was daunting going in there... but now I'm more confident... plus I really like my trainer, Cyndi. She is so encouraging, and she hasn't dropped her jaw or rolled her eyes once (at least in my presence) at seeing how out of shape I am. ... But I'm slowly getting in shape. I think.
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In closing, I'll leave you with a quote I got from our niece Jennifer's blog post about C.S. Lewis' MERE CHRISTIANITY

"My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?" - C.S. Lewis

I need to reread that book. It is so good.
(P.S. I tried to comment on that post, Jennifer, but it wouldn't 'take', I don't think.)
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Have a great weekend. (I may not be on for a while.... busyness is happening!!)

You never know...

2012-01-24T10:39:00.001-06:00

... what folks have been through.

Take Stephen Colbert...(who I think
is absolutely hilarious)...

I read about him the other day in an article called "Comedian Stephen Colbert on Gift of Suffering".
I've copied and pasted what it said,

An interviewer for the New York Times Magazine ran the following story about the faith of talk show host and comedian Stephen Colbert:

In 1974, when Colbert was 10, his father, a doctor, and his brothers Peter and Paul, the two closest to him in age, died in a plane crash while flying to a prep school in New England. "There's a common explanation that profound sadness leads to someone's becoming a comedian, but I'm not sure that's a proven equation in my case," he told me. "I'm not bitter about what happened to me as a child, and my mother was instrumental in keeping me from being so." He added, in a tone so humble and sincere that his character would never have used it: "She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that's directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain— it's that the pain is actually a gift. What's the option? God doesn't really give you another choice."

I wanted to share that with you as my post today. (You may have already known that about him, but I hadn't.) (You can click HERE to go to that little article.)
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(If you haven't voted on my latest poll, please do (upper right). Thanks!)

Rob is great...

2012-01-22T21:37:00.001-06:00

This morning Sam and I went to Fellowship of the Parks in Keller to hear our nephew, Rob, preach.

Whoa. He is so good.

My mind never wanders when I hear him speak. It couldn't even if it tried. I mean, Rob can hold folks' attention like nobody else I know.

FotP is doing a series called "Beautiful Day". And you guessed it... they're using U2 music!!! Today they did "Stuck in a Moment".
Here's Dusty Gallup singing it...

After that song, Rob spoke about how we need to move on towards Christ ... and not be stuck in the past, particularly stuck in awfulness that has happened to us - or by us.

I am so glad God is using Rob - and Rob is letting Him - because Rob knows how to communicate God-stuff, in language people can understand.

Here's a picture of him I stole from Facebook....

(You can tell what day that was.)

And here's a picture of Sawyer, their little boy, who will be two next month!

Talk about darling.
(In July, they're having another baby!)
(I couldn't resist putting that picture up.)

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I wasn't going to devote this whole post to Rob and his family... but I just have to go where my blog-muse takes me.

Oh, now my blog-muse is telling me to show you something totally different..... the ring Sam gave me for my big birthday!!!

(I cropped the picture a lot. It's pretty sobering to take a picture of your hand ... and see how it is aging!)

I'll leave you on that note with this quote....

"There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt."

-- Author Unknown

Friday Night Lite...

2012-01-20T19:48:00.003-06:00

Ever since we started dating Sam has known that my favorite time of the week is Friday night!
So here we are.

And I always let myself sleep late on Saturday morning.... so you can see THAT reason why Friday night has such appeal.

Tonight we're watching shows we've recorded during the week... like "The Mentalist", "Person of Interest", "CSI", ... and if we don't have those ... we always have "Perry Mason". I can remember where I sat in our den in Mission, watching "Perry Mason". Good memories.

Speaking of "The Mentalist", Mother and I think that the main character (Patrick Jane - actor Simon Baker) looks like Mother's little brother Boyd (who is with the Lord now). Here's an old picture of my mother's family. Boyd is the young man on the far left in the back row. ...

(My mother is in the back row, too.)

You see the resemblance?

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On a different note, I found some photos that I LOVE...

As you can tell, those pictures have (at least) 3 things in common!
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I just put up a new poll! (upper right)
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Have a great weekend!!

I like fun traditions...

2012-01-19T11:14:00.000-06:00

Every Sunday night when I was growing up we'd come home from Sunday night church and have popcorn.

We'd also have popcorn when we'd watch the Miss America pageant every year.
(And of course many other times... but those times were solid popcorn times.)

And by golly, I'm going to serve Sam popcorn for supper tonight.... because it is National Popcorn Day! ('Course I may give him a sandwich first.)

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On a different note, I've given up exercising to YouTube (as I mentioned in this post).
I've actually joined Life Time Fitness.... and I think I'm going to like it! I've been once.... and I saw ladies my age that were kind of chunky and weren't wearing super workout clothes, so I thought: it's going to be okay.
Plus I have a trainer (for 8 sessions) who is very nice, and makes me feel okay. She actually has a 'client' who is 86, so that made me feel more okay.

Well, right now I'm feeling sore.
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On a different note, as you may (or may not) know I have kept our Christmas tree up for years. It's been a birthday tree, an autumn tree, an Valentine's tree, an Easter tree, a Fourth of July tree, etc., etc.
Well, I'm ready for a change.... so this week we're taking it down!

Here are some pictures through the last few years.

We've enjoyed the tree, but I'm ready for a change.

Speaking of change, I've changed my hours I play in the tea room from 11:30 to 1:30 to 12:00 to 2:00 (for various reasons - mainly because when I leave at 1:30 the tea room is full!).
I have a calendar on my website that I update every 2 weeks or so. Click HERE to go there, if you'd like.

Somehow having that website - and this blog - makes me feel like an 'official person' or something.
(That was a silly thing to say...

I guess I'm a tea party member?

2012-01-17T16:25:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday I went to a tea party!!

It was for Caroline, my little great niece, whose mother gave her a SMASHING birthday party - a tea party where all the little girls could bring their favorite dolls - and dress them up and have tea with them.

Here are some more pictures....

As I didn't get a picture of her at the party - I did last night... with her doll!

(Is not Caroline a beautiful doll, herself?)

Oh, when I came home from the tea party I said to Sam, "Man, that Elizabeth knows how to put on a fantastic party - and she doesn't break the bank in doing it!"
Sam said, "Well, you remember that she has been an Event Planner in her before-kids-life.
And I said, 'You're right.... and my next event I'll have HER plan it!'

So now I'm looking forward to having an event!!

Great books...

2012-01-15T19:24:00.000-06:00

Laura (my dear daughter) gave me this book... and I absolutely love it...

I've been reading it slowly... or I won't 'get it'. But oh, is it wonderful to read slowly.
It opens up EVERYTHING to God.... IF we practice GRATITUDE.
(I'm 3/4ths of the way through.... and loving every page.)

This next book, INFINITE GRACE by the Women of Faith...

... has been Carla's and my devotional book lately.
Tomorrow is our last chapter. (sigh)
We read a chapter a day, then email our thoughts to each other on that chapter... then read each others' thoughts... and are, well, nourished greatly.
We may take a hiatus for a while.... but that is only because life is getting super busy for me.
BUT we may be back at it (reading a book together) sooner rather than later, huh, Carla?

This next book is totally unrelated to the others.
It's...

Whoa. This is interesting.
Hopefully it will make me smarter.
(Sam read it ... as it was recommended by an interesting fellow on the radio (a car expert) - and thought I might like it.... and that it was an 'easy read' (which I need, of course.)

And this last book was given to me by wonderful Will (my son) and his precious wife, Bailey Jo...

Whoa. Doesn't that look great?.... and interesting? ... and wonderful?
Did you read the subtitle? It's as big as the title. ... or maybe it IS the title?

Anyway, I am rich.

Real books are great.
And I love the 'feel' of them.

I hope they don't go extinct.

(There's a new poll.... upper right.... thanks for voting!)

Saturday sillies...

2012-01-14T23:31:00.002-06:00

... Because I'm still awake... and I found them....and I wanted to blog something...

(I thought those were kind of funny.)

Fun Friday...

2012-01-13T10:08:00.000-06:00

For today...

2012-01-11T10:47:00.002-06:00

I'm just putting up some pictures I like.
The first picture is of the new house-shoes Mother gave me (that I picked out)!!
The other pictures are just random random.

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Please vote on my new poll (upper right).
Thanks.

When you get to be my age....

2012-01-10T21:08:00.001-06:00

... you can make decisions on your own.

Well, here I am blowing out the 2 candles on my birthday cake (for the 2 30-year periods I've lived through)...

(Oh, and you can see I made the decision to be a blonde!! (Whoa, that's weird.)

And I made the decision to have just 2 candles....

in the eye-sockets of that snow man cake....

(Target makes great cakes.)

And I've made the decision (for now) to not have those picture-headers on my blog.
Well, I liked them.... but I get too obsessive with them.

Speaking of that: Pinterest has to go (for me). I don't have time to have another obsession.
(When I was thinking clearly I decided to write that sentence.)
(I may not think clearly soon.)

I think I'm liking this business of being 'over-the-hill'... Though this was the only 'over-the-hill' cartoon I found tonight that wasn't, well, in poor taste.

If this cartoon is in poor taste, let me know. (I'm pretty naive... but I won't apologize for that.)
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Here's a quote I like (kind of along the above line)....

Give the Lord credit for knowing things you don't understand. - C. H. Spurgeon

10 years ago this very night....

2012-01-08T18:54:00.000-06:00

I was surprised... with a 50th birthday party!!!
(Wow, I was feeling so old then - little did I realize how young I was.)

It was after music team rehearsal in the auditorium... and somehow someone said I needed to go into the children's room at Bear Valley for some nebulous important reason.
HA!

I recently found these pictures.
Some of you are in them... you'll see.

Wonderful Jennifer Howes planned that whole surprise party.
We didn't get a good picture of her at the party.... but here's a picture around that time with some sweet young ladies who so looked up to her (and still do)....

Thank you, Jennifer!
I so enjoy reliving that big surprise!

(Don't you just love reliving wonderful memories?)
(They say it's good for your health.)

(No wonder I'm feeling so good.)

Whoa!

2012-01-07T09:45:00.003-06:00

TODAY is my big day!
You know... my DECADE day!!

So here is a cartoon I like...

...oh, and you're going to love this note card given to me by my dear tea room friend, Nelda....

I needed that.
And love it!

Oh, here is a picture of how old I feel (sometimes)....

(No, that's not me.)
(It’s a mannequin in TIMELESS TREASURES, the antique mall in Canton where my mother used to have a booth.)
(I guess an antique mall would only have that kind of mannequin.)

Ah, and it seems her expression (look at it) so fits a sign I saw in Delta’s booth the other day...

So here’s to FIERCENESS!!!

Fierceness for LIFE, and FAMILY, and FRIENDS ... and especially for the LOVE OF MY WONDERFUL HEAVENLY FATHER who has given me these six decades!!!

(Hmm. When I say '6 decades' it doesn't sound so old.)
:)

On the way to play...

2012-01-05T10:45:00.000-06:00

I travel from Colleyville to Haltom City to play background music in LoneStar Antiques tea room about three times a week. I LOVE IT.

And the drive is interesting.

I usually take Cheek-Sparger Road west, which becomes Mid-Cities Blvd which becomes Watauga Road, which later becomes Western Center, but I turn south on Denton Highway before it becomes that.

Between Rufe Snow and Denton Highway there are some VERY interesting sites.
Not long ago I got my iPhone camera out and took some pictures.

Going west, here's the first bit of fun....

Look closely at that picture (click to make larger) and you'll see they need a 'spell-check' for their city.
I have actually found MANY businesses in Watauga that need spell-checks!
(It's not like it's 'Albuquerque'!!!)

Going further west it gets more interesting.
On the north side of the road is this...

Right exactly across the street from APOLLO THE GREEK are these two shops...

I need to shop those soon.

Driving further west you'll see a Sonic. ... Oh wait, it's a car title place now!

Going even further west you'll find the gem of Watauga Road....

(That above picture was taken from their website - they have since remodeled and the front looks like this...

CHEF POINT CAFE is nationally known, thanks to the Food Channel and/or the Travel Channel, plus TEXAS MONTHLY... etc.
Click HERE to go the their website.
I can tell you from personal experience (many times) that the food is MARVELOUS!!!)

On down the road - almost at Denton Highway, near OC Burgers, there was a preschool called CAMBRIDGE PRESCHOOL. Just this week they're changing it up. Rats.
I wanted to take a picture of it - and tell you that you could brag to everyone that your little preschooler was already enrolled in CAMBRIDGE!!!

Well, there is more on that stretch of road... and I'm getting ready to drive it again... and I'll be looking out. (But don't worry, I don't take pictures unless my car in is 'park'.)

Treasure Tuesday....

2012-01-03T16:43:00.000-06:00

.... from LoneStar Antiques ...

These pictures will amaze and delight you!
(And if you're a manly man, there's a booth just for you!)

Enjoy...

Oh, this last picture is of a handsome couple who came into the tea room and let me serenade them with "Fly Me to the Moon".

I get a little obsessive...

2012-01-02T16:59:00.001-06:00

... on my blog backgrounds.

So I have that fault.

Ah, but here is that 600 word essay I promised in my last post.

(I know, 600 words sounds like a lot.... and I'm not going to quiz you... but I think this is worth a read.)

Why I Am a Christian (and You Should Be, Too), in 600 Words

by Roger Clegg

To begin with, it is foolish not to grapple with the question whether there is a God. On His existence hinges what sort of life you should lead. Not having an opinion about or having giving serious thought to quantum mechanics is one thing, but the answer to the God question makes a big difference to you personally.

It is true that, absent revelation, it is hard to know for sure whether God exists. But that doesn’t make the answer any less important. Saying you can’t know for sure who will make your best spouse is no reason not to take care in choosing.

Next, we do know two things about the God-existence question: (a) There are good arguments that there is a God, and (b) it is better to be wrong in believing than to be wrong in not believing.

On the first point, I won’t in these 600 words rehearse the various cosmological (Kalam, Thomist, Leibnizian, etc.), scientific evidentiary, design, moral, and other arguments. Suffice it to say that none of these arguments is silly, and that even an honest atheist has to admit that he cannot know for sure that God does not exist.

The second point is, of course, famous as “Pascal’s Wager.” It’s quite straightforward. If there is a God, then there is a huge advantage in believing in Him and living one’s life accordingly, versus not doing so. If it turns out there is no God, then the (much smaller) consequences in this life are all that matter, and indeed it is not at all clear that one has lost anything by believing. Therefore, a rational person should believe, live one’s life accordingly, and cultivate one’s faith.

But how do we know which God to believe in, and how do we know what He wants us to do?

The arguments so far hinge on God wanting people to believe in Him and behave in a certain way; if God doesn’t care, then there’s no point in believing in that God. The most plausible candidate for the kind of God I’m talking about is not Zeus, Ra, or Vishnu, but the monotheistic God that Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in.

In choosing among these three religions, you must ask whether you believe the evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. If you do, then you are not a Jew or a Muslim. If you don’t, then you have to ask whether you think Mohammed was a true prophet or not. Myself, I believe the evidence that Something Happened in Palestine around A.D. 33, along the lines described in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is, conversely, harder to believe that the Gospels are all simply made up.

Finally, how do we know what God wants us to do? One can certainly use tradition and logic and deduction. But ultimately one would be very interested in hearing what God Himself has to say on the matter. For that, the New Testament (and the Old, since Jesus endorsed it) is obviously the key text. Interpreting it is not always easy, and perhaps it is not the perfectly transparent text we would like. But you would not throw away the fragment of a treasure map because it wasn’t perfect.

Is all this too cold-blooded and calculating for a Christian? Well, my aim is to persuade nonbelievers, and the fact is that you can’t persuade most nonbelievers except by appealing to their self-interest. Once they believe, then they can begin shedding the cold-bloodedness, as Someone who shed His own blood for mankind taught us to do.

That's it. (Nancy talking here.)
I didn't count the words, but I think they're all meaningful.

First day...

2012-01-01T20:52:00.005-06:00

of the year.

What to blog about?

Well, the Cowboys are playing, and I'm always for them.

Well, I grew up in the same hometown as the famous Tom Landry. (YES, I DID!)

Unfortunately there aren't many men as fine as Tom Landry.
And he is gone now.

Still... I'm a diehard Cowboys' fan.

On a different note, the year is new.
And I've quit playing Christmas carols in the tea room.

Both this year and last I said to myself, "If I ever play "Frosty, the Snowman" again it will be too soon.
Ah, but I really enjoyed it.
REALLY.
I so enjoy playing in that tea room. Thank you, Jennifer and Ronnie, for the opportunity!!
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This post doesn't have much else to offer... but I did just put a (totally random) poll up (upper right).

And I found this super quote.

You will like it.
(I guarantee!)

"A person who has good thoughts can never be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."

Roald Dahl

Isn't that great?
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Soon, I will post a 600 word essay that I found of why being a Christian is the THING TO BE.

STAY TUNED.

Ready or not...

2011-12-31T10:32:00.002-06:00

2012 is upon us.

Here are some cartoons I found.

Happy New Year!!!

My angel made an angel...

2011-12-29T16:26:00.002-06:00

Part of my daughter Laura's Christmas gift to me was this...

She made it as she was teaching her middle school students (when she was student teaching last month) how to make the angels.

To think that she would give me hers is, well, WONDERFUL.

Here is the face up close...

Not only notice the closed eyes, and the mouth singing, but notice the rose the angel is holding.

This next picture shows the hair. Laura said she used a garlic press to make the hair.
(Who would have thought?)

Oh, you can see where you can put a candle in it.

My daughter amazes me.
Check out her blog to see some more art.
(She's doing a 30 day drawing challenge.... well, here it is (I hope you can read it)...

Click HERE to go to her blog.
You'll be glad you did. (She's on Day 5 today - it's great.)
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Oh, please vote in my newest poll, if you haven't already. (upper right)
Thanks!

Caroline is 5 today!!!

2011-12-28T08:45:00.004-06:00

(That's Baby Caroline with her Uncle Cap.)

She's a darling 5-year-old.
I'm so glad I'm her great aunt.
Her grandmother (my late twin) would be (is) so very proud!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET CAROLINE!!!

Mmmm...

2011-12-25T19:16:00.001-06:00

This morning they came...

I don't know who was more excited to see those people... Sam, me or Shiloh!

Before we opened presents from each other, our kids and their spouses had to see what Santa brought...

Santa had a feeling that Ryan would want a book that Rob Carmack and Doug Walker wrote.

Later we opened presents for and from each other (we chose names)...
Laura drew my name! Here she's giving me my treasure...

It was a wonderful present... a book, a journal, and an ornament that she made! Laura knows I love all those things!

Speaking of Laura and me, here's a picture I love...

And here I am with Sam...

That's Sam (up there). Right after we opened gifts he started cooking the famous Carmack Christmas breakfast...

Then he got some help...

Sam is working on the pancakes, Ryan is frying the bacon, Will the eggs, and John is cooking the gravy, for the biscuits which were in the oven.
(Man, I love it when men cook!)

While that was going on, Caroline and Anna were with Shiloh...

Well, there was a door between them... but Shiloh was excited because he knew that soon he could eat the leftovers left over on the floor when the meal was over.

Oh, here are two pictures of the breakfast buffet...

(John was being so patient!)

Oh, here is a good picture...

Those are three precious gals, huh?

Here's a very special picture...

That is actually Caroline singing (!) "Born on Christmas Day" by Brad Paisley... and accompanied by her dad, John. We had to listen carefully.... but oh, it was beautiful.
Caroline knew every word... and had perfect pitch... and well, she had preciousness all over it!!!

As I look at my pictures for today, I don't see one of Andrew!
He was too busy eating, or playing, or somehow else avoiding the camera!
He will not get away with it.
Here he is at Halloween...

Today he wore a beautiful Christmas vest, with Christmas trees on it.
I have a feeling he likes that Superman outfit better. Hmm.
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Well, you may have noticed that I wore that Santa hat today.
I love Santa hats.
(A good Santa hat covers a multitude of bad hairs!)

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(A new poll is up!)

Jesus Christ!!!

2011-12-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

Yes, I'm giving him exclamation points ... for PRAISE!!

Did you know that Christ never told us to remember his birth... but to remember his crucifixion, death and resurrection?

Ah, but if he hadn't been born, there would have been none of the other.

And so Christmas is a grand time to celebrate his humble birth.
And I think 'humble' is the operative word.

Christ was humble all the time. Oh not in a namby pamby kind of way.
But his birth and death were so unexpected for a KING.

Sam has been so drawn to nativity scenes through the years... and it's mainly because of the simpleness of them...
Christ was born in lowliness... and yet worthy of high worship.

Here's Sam's favorite ....

Sam would use this every Christmas eve service we were at Bear Valley Church.
It speaks volumes when you study it.

Another nativity scene that we love is this...

Will gave that to me a few years ago. Though you could call it a 'snow globe', when you turn it upside down and shake it it fills the globe with sparkly glittery type things, not snow. It's beautiful... and I love it.

This next unique nativity was given to us several years ago by the Werners...

She's half Chinese and half Japanese, and he's not. I think that's great.
Here's a picture of them now... and then when they got married... (I stole these from Facebook)

Merry Christmas, Werners!

These next two manger scenes fall in the category of "I wanted them. I bought them."

This one is from Hobby Lobby...

And this next one is from Wal-mart...

Wal-mart does have treasures.
And I think it's fun trying to find them.

A new poll will be up soon. (There's still some hours left on the current one.)

I love this plate...

2011-12-22T09:48:00.001-06:00

Mother gave it to us a few years ago, and I love it.

Here it is as kind of a backdrop for our little nativity scenes on the piano...

I hadn't put those on the piano before, but when I was taking them out of the boxes I set them there just to set them somewhere - and well, I liked them there!
(That's how my interior decorating often works... by happenstance.)

This next nativity scene doesn't have a neat story behind it....

I bought it at Hobby Lobby at half price. Joseph is about a foot tall, so it's the largest nativity scene we have.
(I guess the neat story behind it is that I saw it, I liked it, it was on sale, so I bought it.)
(Sometimes it's wonderful to buy yourself something.)
(Oh yes.)
(Amen to that.)
-----
That's all for now.
More later.

(If you haven't voted on my current poll (upper right) please do.)

Counting Baby Jesuses

2011-12-20T09:55:00.001-06:00

We have a lot of Baby Jesuses in our house.
Last night we found out we have at least fifteen!

Here's one...

You can barely see him there, being held by his parents.

That was given to us by some friends in Brazil. I just love it. It was made in Piaui, the poorest - and hottest state in Brazil... and where we lived for close to 2 years (yes, me - comfort-loving me!).
----
This next nativity scene was given to us by Pat and Ken (Sam's sister and brother-in-law) several years ago...

It doesn't indicate where it was made, but it looks maybe like Mexico.
I love the colors in it.

This next one is definitely from Mexico...

We bought it right across the border in Nuevo Progreso, just south of Weslaco, TX (where my parents lived when I was born (in Mercedes).

This next one is from Santa Fe, New Mexico...

It's small enough to be a tree ornament, but I put it on the piano. It gets more attention that way.
----
The title of this post is "Counting Baby Jesuses" because last night little Caroline and her family came over and she counted the Baby Jesuses we had. (Her mother had her do that ... and what a great project for an almost 5 year-old!!)
I think she counted 15.

Here she is with her little sister last night...

And here is her little brother...

I just smile when I see their pictures.

I'll bet you're smiling now, too.
----
I put up a new poll yesterday evening (upper right)!
Thanks for voting!

Proud in my pajamas...

2011-12-18T19:40:00.006-06:00

I had my own Pajama Day today.

That tells you I didn't go to church this morning.... because though we go to casual church services, they're not THAT casual!

Well, this has been one of the most eventful weekends of my entire life.
I'm just bursting with pride, and joy, and love.... and exhaustion.

Here are some pictures.

Here's from Friday afternoon...

(Look closely and you'll see Laura looking up at us.) (She's in line to get her degree.) (See the man in the light blue shirt with the dark hair four rows in front of us. Then look at the person wearing light green in front of him. Laura is right in front of him, looking at us.)

Here she is with her proud grandmother afterwards...

And here she is with her fan club...

I know. Not all of her fans are in that picture. (We thought you'd have to be at work, or shopping.)

Then last night we went to Will's graduation...

Look closely and you'll see him. (He's getting ready to walk across the stage.)

Here he is with his proud grandmother afterwards...

And here he is with his proud wife...

I didn't get a picture of his fan club on my iPhone... and Sam hasn't sent his picture to me yet.
(Will could only have six guests, so that's why you didn't get an invitation.)
----
If you notice I've put up a different header for today and I've included Rob and Caroline. (Rob is Sam's brother's oldest son... and he's like a son in many ways to us.) (He lived with us four summers, and was Will and Laura's youth director for years. Now he's a teaching pastor, a published author, and lots of other stuff. Caroline is an amazing photographer here in the Metroplex.)

They have some news!
And I love how they let folks know on Facebook...

I think that is so clever!!

They're due in July.
(That's Sawyer who Rob is holding. I think he could be in the movies, he's so cute.)
-----
So this weekend has lots of congratulations going around!!!... So many that I've had to stay in my pjs all day!
Mmm.

(But I really should have gone to church.)

Big deal...

2011-12-16T09:42:00.005-06:00

Yes, it is a HUGE DEAL... that my children are BOTH GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE THIS WEEKEND!!!

Today Laura gets her Master's degree from UNT in art education!!!
Tomorrow Will gets his Bachelor's degree (MAGNA CUM LAUDE!!!) from UTA in anthropology.
(Laura graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baylor in '09!)

Yes, proud mother keeps on bragging!!!
-------

Now about some AMAZING nativity scenes...

In July of 2001, my mother and I took a trip of a lifetime. We went to Russia! It was there I bought this nativity scene...

Needless to say, it was exciting to buy it in Moscow!!!!

In August of 1983, Sam and I came home from being missionaries in Brazil. We brought many things back. One of my favorites is this...

It stands about 14 inches high... and right now it's sitting in the kitchen facing the breakfast nook... where all can see it.

I will share more nativity scenes later.

In closing, here's a quote I like...

The spirit of Christmas needs to superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world.
- Stuart Briscoe

---
Oh, there's a new poll up!

Yes, Fred Flintstone.

2011-12-14T11:43:00.004-06:00

In these next few posts I will share some nativity scenes with you (as well as other info)...

This first nativity scene is super special.
Will and Bailey brought it back for us from their honeymoon last year...

They got it in Costa Maya, Mexico.

I love it for at least 3 reasons:
1) It's from Will & Bailey.
2) They got it on their honeymoon!!!!!!!!

3) It has an interesting Joseph. I think he looks remarkably like Fred Flintstone!
I think that is great. Now when I see Fred Flintstone I'll think of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus! (And now maybe you will, too.)

------

The next nativity scene is one I grew up with ... and that my children grew up with....

It brings back LOTS of memories. Memories that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!

Oh, I just happen (!) to have a picture of our family years ago ... when Will and Laura would be excited telling about Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the little lambs, etc. Well, W&L are still excited about telling about this nativity scene, but I wanted an excuse to show you this picture (which was in our Christmas card years and years ago.....

Now for the big news: that little girl on the left, with her head on my shoulder (where it often was!) is getting her Master's degree in Art Education from the University of North Texas Friday afternoon!! And the little boy in the middle in the blue turtleneck is getting his Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Texas in Arlington Saturday night!!

It's a BIG WEEKEND!!!!

PROUD MAMA/MOMMA KEEPS ON BRAGGING!!!!!
(Will spells my name 'Mama'; Laura spells my name 'Momma'.)
-------
In closing I would like you to click HERE, and enjoy Laura's latest blog post. It is SUPER.
(And you'll see snow falling.)

Do Less, Be More

2011-12-12T15:10:00.002-06:00

Have you heard that - "Do Less, Be More." ??

Seems like I've seen or heard that about three or four places this season.
And I like it.

This time of year is usually stressful for me.

I want to get just the right gifts for folks.
And send just the right cards to folks.
And when I don't send cards I feel guilty, but when I do I think, "Geez, I should have written a newsletter." Or, "Hmm. I want to get that cute little Santa Claus card, but maybe I should get a religious card to send."

And I should have lots of extra gifts on hand, just in case someone out of the blue gives me a gift. I should be ready for such an event.
I should be ready for everything.

I'll all about 'shoulds'.

This time of year 'shoulds' can drive a person like me crazy...
... so the 'Do Less, Be More' message definitely struck a chord with me.

And I think it's so appropriate for the Christ-follower.

Christ is the ultimate grace-giver... and He is who we celebrate this season.
-----
My husband likes to collect nativity scenes... and I'm going be sharing some in the next few posts.

Here's the top of our piano, with some ...

I'll be sharing some up close.... and talking more about what Christmas means to me...
... because it means A WHOLE LOT!!

(Oh, the blog background I'm using right now is called 'Merry Little Christmas' (just so you know).

Poll is closed... Winner is....

2011-12-10T09:20:00.001-06:00

[I know you've waited with baited breath for this....
And if you HAVE waited with baited breath, well, you need to GET A LIFE!]

Sorry, that was rude.

Before I tell you which is the RIGHT answer on my latest poll, here are NOT the right answers...

Here's the background called "Wild and Sweet Christmas"...

This next is the background called "Holly Jolly"...

And here is the one called "Birdy Berries" - which got the most votes...

The winner is "Winter Wonderland"...

If you voted for "Winter Wonderland", congratulations!!!

Clearly, the namers of the backgrounds just name them whatever they want!

Well, that was the first time in the history of mankind that I've had a poll that actually had a right answer.
I probably won't be having those kinds of polls much, because then I need to reveal the winner.... and well, I'd rather have a poll that just wants to know what's popular among my blog-readers.
...Like the new poll I just put up!!

Please take it. Thanks!!!

The Village....

2011-12-08T16:39:00.002-06:00

is built!!

Well, it's been built a while... but I haven't blogged about it.

Here it is...

This village is in the tea room at LoneStar Antiques, 5605 North Denton Highway, Haltom City, TX (just northeast of Fort Worth).

You don't have to pay one penny to see up it up close... but you might want to get some yummy lunch while you're there... or some delicious dessert and/or some tea! (or Dr. Pepper)

It's exciting.

You might even get to hear some live piano playing.

(If you haven't taken my latest poll, please do.
I'll reveal the right answer as soon as the poll is over.)

Peekaboo...

2011-12-06T19:44:00.001-06:00

I'm back with the Peekaboo Santa background.

Blogging backgrounds are so fun. And I can go crazy with them.

And they're named interesting names.

The one I'm using currently is called "Peekaboo Santa".

This next one is called "Hark"...

This one is called "Gleam"...

This one is called "Cotton Candy"...

This next one is "Calm Christmas"...

This next one I really like (and used it a few years ago - and just yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that). It's called "Classical Christmas"...

I used that background when I had dressier pictures in my header. (Now I don't, as you can see.)

So now here's an assignment: please take my newest poll (upper right) and I'll let you know when the poll is over which answer won.
Thanks so much!!
(I'm not going to vote since I know the answer.)

Six things I'm not doing anymore...

2011-12-04T19:07:00.004-06:00

1. Going on Holiday Home Tours in Colleyville or Southlake - or any other ritzy cities.

I just get into the comparison mode and want to go out and buy a bunch of new decorations for my house.
(I got that picture of that fabulous staircase off the internet.)
Plus I want to buy new clothes, when I see all of the other ladies decked out in their fancy holiday attire.

2. Comparing myself to every other bloke in the universe.

3. Getting my hubby and me matching shirts. Well, unless they're sports-related... like these that Sam got for him and me last year ...

(I read recently that husbands don't usually like to wear matching clothes (unless they're sports related).
I thought they DID. (I do. (see header (Sam was so sweet.)))

3. Putting decorations way up high - when they have to come down in just one month.

4. Promising I'm going to send out Christmas cards, when I just may not.

5. Thinking I have to buy the perfect gift for that person whose name I drew, when there is no such thing as the perfect gift ... well, unless I was able to read minds.

6. Refraining from trying to read minds.

It's beginning...

2011-12-02T16:19:00.001-06:00

... to look a lot like Christmas at the Carmack house!!

Here's my favorite decoration...

That's a picture of Sam when he was little ... and that's the little Christmas sock he's holding in the picture. (A few years ago his sister, Pat, had that framed - with the sock.) I love it!!
I just put it in the entryway so everybody could see it. (It usually hangs on the hall wall.)

Here's another picture I like, that I just took last week...

That's Elizabeth holding Anna, at their front door.
Notice the sled to Elizabeth and Anna's left (your right).
Here it is closer...

That sled used to always adorn my parents' front porch in east Texas every Christmas... and now it belongs to Elizabeth! She always loved it ... and we're so glad she got it!!! (Mother doesn't have the proper porch for it now.)

Speaking of Mother, I put up a new header with her and her clan. (Those pictures were taken in 2009.)
We really need to take another picture, since Ryan and Bailey and little Anna have joined the family!
-------
Now I have to show you another picture that I ABSOLUTELY love.
Elizabeth sent me this in a text around Thanksgiving week.
It was colored and dictated by little Andrew, my three-year-old great nephew.
If you study it, you will see why I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!

Well, you can see how that would make me feel WONDERFUL!!!
(I had to share it.)
-----

As I type this there are 15 hours left on my recent poll (upper right).
If you haven't voted, please do.
Thanks!

Wednesday Whimsy

2011-11-30T11:56:00.005-06:00

... from Will and Bailey ...

Here's their mantle from last Christmas...

(I think it's really cute.)

Here are some art pieces with a picture of their 'wedding table'...

(Click to make larger.)

Here's the view into their kitchen....

I just love those letters on the wall,
don't you?

They have such a special meaning.

And here's some of Will's favorite food....

Mmm.

---------------

Will and Bailey love to travel....
Here are some pictures from their recent trip to the Grand Canyon...

(That's them with Kellee and Amanda, their traveling companions.)

This next picture shows them pointing to the canyon.....

(They don't want you to miss it!)

In closing I want to show you a picture that I just love (that has nothing to do with the Grand Canyon)...

That's around Christmas time three years ago!

Isn't that darling?

---------
If you haven't voted in my recent poll, please do!!! (upper right on the sidebar)

Here's Tilly...

2011-11-29T08:00:00.004-06:00

... the goat...

She's a miniature goat.

And no,
she's not my
grandgoat.

Well, maybe
for a week
she was.

My daughter can do anything.

Here
she's
milking
Tilly.

If you
have a goat
and you go
out of town for a week,
Laura and Ryan can come take care of that goat!
----------
Then, if it's Christmas time Ryan will chop down the tree....

...and look like it's no big deal.

And then
he'll relax
after a
hard day
of tree cutting
and tree decorating.

Me, I'm more of a city girl.

And our fake tree is not decorated yet.

And I've never milked any animal.

...But I'm so proud of those who can
... and will ... and do.
--------
(A new poll is up (upper right)... thanks for voting!)

Fun was had....

2011-11-27T11:51:00.006-06:00

... Friday night!

We had a Carmack Mexican feast.
I got too busy talking and having fun to get out my camera.... well, until little Mac came... and then he wouldn't smile for the camera... or even show his eyes....

Ah, but I finally got a picture of his face...
(Click to make bigger.)

Mac is three ...
and now
you can see
how handsome
he is.

Oh. and we had John's little 12 week old puppy, Whitaker... and you know what?
Shiloh didn't try to kill him!
This fuzzy picture shows that they could be in the same room together...

I was very pleased with Shiloh's behavior.

Now we may just be able to have our granddogs, Olive and Akon, come visit....

(That's a picture of them at Laura and Ryan's house. L&R had Olive while Will and Bailey were in Vegas the first of the week.) (Yes, Vegas!)
-------
Different note: I put up a Christmasy background, but I may take it down. It's from the CUTEST BLOG ON THE BLOCK background website, which I like, but it scrunches my blog up too much....
(I'm sure you care.)
-----
On an even different note, did you hear that our president gave a Thanksgiving speech and did NOT mention God, not once? He DID mention 'luck'.

We need to pray for our president.

I like...

2011-11-25T16:13:00.002-06:00

... the new MUPPET movie!!!!!

Sam said I laughed through the whole movie last night. Well, I don't think I did... but when I wasn't laughing I was smiling!

Really, it was funny, and heartwarming, and delightful.
(And I hope I'm not building it up too much for you.)
-------
On a different note, Sam and I had Thanksgiving dinner with Mother at her retirement community yesterday. Oh my. The food was so good. I think the dressing was as good as any I've ever eaten, except for Mother's. (I should have taken a picture of it!)
-------
On another different note, we're having a Mexican feast here tonight for the Carmack crew. I've ordered food from La Hacienda Ranch.
Needless to say, a diet is in order soon!!! .... but NOT YET!!! (of course)
-------
Another different note: I did not brave the crowds today - or last night.
I never have participated in Black Friday shopping.
Maybe one day I will get the nerve.... or not.
-------
I have a new poll up... Please vote.
AND if you know of a weird name for a store or eatery please tell me! (It's just some trivia I want to know... Plus, I love comments (they can be anonymous, if you don't want to own up).

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-24T10:08:00.002-06:00

(You can vote on more than one thing on this latest poll.)

Fun and Facts...

2011-11-22T09:31:00.001-06:00

These are in no particular order...

Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.

Turkeys have heart attacks. The United States Air Force was doing test runs and breaking the sound barrier. Nearby turkeys dropped dead with heart attacks.

Sarah Josepha Hale, an American magazine editor, persuaded Abraham Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday. She is also the author of the popular nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's.

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States.

I woke up this morning...

2011-11-20T09:01:00.007-06:00

... and found out two WONDERFUL things!

Julia is engaged!!!!

If you don't know Julia, you're missing out.
She is beautiful inside and out ... and I should know: I've known her since she was a little girl... and her dear parents I've known for 39 years!!

Here she is with her precious mom, Peggy...

And here she is in my daughter's wedding. (Julia is the second from the left.)

I just love this picture.

--------
The second wonderful bit of news was this:
Baylor beat OU last night!!!!!!!
(I went to sleep early, because of some medicine I was taking that makes me drowsy. Boy, did I miss out!)

It was the first time Baylor EVER beat OU!!! ... and it was in the last minute of the game.

Sic 'em...

------------
On a different note, I have a new poll up. (upper right on this blog)
I would so like your vote.

Lions Camp (and Tracey)

2011-11-18T15:40:00.008-06:00

(I'm continuing my theme of being thankful.)

When I was in high school a member of our church, college student Peggy Shalla, talked on a Sunday night about her experiences as a camp counselor at Texas Lions Camp for Crippled Children (yes, that used to be the name) in Kerrville, TX . As I sat listening to her, I thought, "I want to do that, too!"

And I did.

And I don't think I've been the same since.

I worked there the summers I was nineteen and twenty. We had kids from all over Texas who were physically disabled. The Lions Clubs across Texas would find these kids and pay for their two weeks at the camp. (We worked five 2-week sessions - 10 weeks in all.) In one cabin (which would house about 30 kids) we’d have children who couldn’t walk, or who were deaf or blind or who had any other kind of physical impairment. (There were six cabins in all - three for girls and three for boys.)

I remember one little girl (about nine years old) who was a victim of Thalidomide, a sedative prescribed in the late 1950's for relief of morning sickness in pregnant women. Horror of horrors it had the side effect of causing babies to be born with feet and hands but no legs and arms. It was if our camper had a body with hands (with three fingers) coming out of her shoulders, and feet (that weren't normal) where her thighs should start. She had a special wheel chair she rode in that was low to the ground.

Another little girl (about 8) named Tracey (I will never forget) was born with no mouth, no lower arms and hands, and no legs and feet beyond her knees. She had prosthetics for her legs (that she used on occasion), and an artificial lower arm and hand on one arm, and a claw-type prosthetic on her other arm. She’d had her mouth ‘opened’, but had no lips or teeth. She did have a tongue and could talk pretty normally. Tracey was a delight. I remember my dad visited me one time and Tracey hobbled out on her knees to the 'living room area' and greeted him. Every once in a while, through the years, my dad would bring that up - about how happy she was. What an inspiration. She had the best attitude. Of course, we knew that all the children had pretty good attitudes while they were there.... because they were with only children who were disabled. At this camp, they were ‘normal’. 'Normal' means a lot.

Now most of the children were not as disabled as the sweet little Thalidomide girl or Tracey.
Here's a picture I found of some of the boys at Lions Camp years and years ago. (I worked with girls, of course.)

Now the camp calls itself Texas Lions Camp and they have sessions for diabetic children, children with cancer, as well as sessions for disabled children.
Click HERE to go to their website.

So how did Lions Camp change me? Well, I'm sure in more ways than I even realize but for sure it made me see the disabled as NOT disabled. Well, of course, they are disabled, but oh my, they offer more to this world than most able-bodied people.

So I learned definitely not to pity them.
And not to even call them 'them'.

And I feel as if I really matured those summers. For one thing, it was hard work.
We had to be out by the flag pole near the mess hall at 7:15 every morning. Some of those kids had braces that didn't take just a few minutes to put on. (Most of the kids with braces could put them on themselves.)

And we, as counselors, had to have them tow the line. Every camper after breakfast had to come back to the cabin and do chores... and make their beds with hospital corners! Chores meant sweeping and mopping the cabin, cleaning the restrooms and shower stalls, dusting and making sure everything was neat and spic and span.
When the campers went to their morning crafts classes some of the camp staff would inspect the cabins. Those with the cleanest cabins could eat lunch first. (I always thought we needed a better reward than that!)

Oh and we had fun. I learned some silly songs, and games, and crazy things... and oh we laughed and laughed and laughed.

And when we camp counselors would go into town on our days off, we'd see kids and look for their disability. Ah, but they'd not have any. And we'd laugh to ourselves and say, "How boring."

I learned more stuff... and I have more stories to tell... but I better quit. (I'm not a fan on long blog-posts.)

In conclusion, I'm thankful I can walk and talk and see and hear, etc. But if suddenly I couldn't I'd want to be like Tracey... and have a fun life anyway!!!

I'm thankful for her.

I wonder what she's doing now?

(Whoa. This is a long blog-post. Congratulations if you read it all!!)

Scratching my nose...

2011-11-17T10:24:00.002-06:00

The ability to scratch my nose
is what I’m thankful for today.
Also the ability
to rub my forehead,
stroke my chin,
comb my hair,
clap my hands,
wiggle my toes,
walk, etc., etc., etc.

Several years ago I saw an interview with Christopher Reeve after he’d been paralyzed from that riding accident.   He talked about missing terribly the ability to do the simple things like scratch his nose when it itched.
Gee, I thought, "I'm so fortunate."
I’m able to write and type and drive and sit and stand, and well, I can do a lot of things.

Oh, and I can breathe. Christopher couldn’t even breathe on his own.   And then, of course, he died.

I don't ever want to take for granted the seemingly simple things I can do.

This makes me think of the two summers I spent as a
camp counselor in Kerrville, TX, when I was 19 and 20.
The camp was called TEXAS LIONS' CAMP FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN.
(Yes, that was the actual name.)

(I'll tell about that on my next post, okay?)
(It changed my life.)

Every mother hopes...

2011-11-16T07:40:00.005-06:00

. . . and prays that her daughter will marry a wonderful man.

And MINE DID!!!

And today's his birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Ryan!!!

You're who I'm thankful for today!
-----------

(A new poll is up.)
(upper right)

Grocery Stores...

2011-11-14T09:39:00.003-06:00

These days I'm doing blog posts on things for which I'm thankful.

Today it's grocery stores.

There's nothing like living in a third world country to make one thankful for what one has.

Brazil is becoming less and less of a third-world-type.
Even when we lived there in the early 1980's, south Brazil, though having much poverty, had much affluence as well. And the big cities had shopping malls, and huge grocery stores as well.

When we moved up north, though, near the equator to the state of Piaui, well, it was a whole 'nother world.

Getting groceries took the whole day.
Poultry and eggs were bought at one place.
Meat was bought at the meat market.
Bread at the bakery.
Soaps and other cleaning supplies, as well as toilet paper, were bought at another place.
Dairy products at another.
And fruits and vegetables at yet another.

In Piaui (at that time) we couldn't get lettuce, or green beans, or broccoli, or any other green vegetable, except cabbage.
I learned that there are numerous ways to serve cabbage, both cooked and raw.
Yes, I became a cabbage expert.
To this day when I see cabbage in the store, I feel as if I know something.

I just say all this to remind you (and me) that grocery stores should NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

And if you ever hear me complaining about 'having to go grocery shopping', pull me aside and remind me of this post.
Thanks.

11/12/11

2011-11-12T10:07:00.003-06:00

11/11/11 is gone.

Time waits for no man or woman.
I mean, have you noticed there is no way we can stop it!?!

Ah, but here's a picture I like that was taken two Thanksgivings ago...

In that picture Bailey and Ryan were just serious sweethearts of my kids.
Now they're family.
So time is good that way.

And so today I'm thankful for time.

Every single morning is new.
And every single evening is time to settle down and get comfortable, and regroup and sleep and get refreshed so we can be ready for the new day tomorrow.
(Not that we have to be perky or anything.)

Oh, I know time can wreck havoc with the body.
And my wrinkles aren't going to reverse themselves on their own.

But here's a good Bible verse for that...

So we do not lose heart though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16

I love that verse.
More and more all the time.
-------
Different note: a new poll is up.
I've already voted.
------
In closing, yesterday was Veterans Day.
Here are two veterans I want to honor...

My dad...

And Sam's dad...

These two men were the finest men in the world... and are ever our inspiration.

Thank you, Daddy, and 'Daddy-Bob'.

Thinking Thanks...

2011-11-10T14:46:00.001-06:00

When my mind is filled with thanksgiving, I'm a happier person.

And there are so many blessings to think about, for which to give thanks.

Here are a few (in no particular order):

Running water.
Electricity
A very comfortable bed in which to sleep.
A television with more channels than I can watch.
Taste buds.
A prince of a husband. (He's the best husband in all the world.) (Sorry, ladies.)
A wonderful son and a wonderful daughter, and they married wonderful spouses. (The best in all the world.) (Sorry, everybody else.)
A fantastic family of origin.
A mother who is still thriving. (She would say 'some days more than others'... but compared to her peers, she is, for sure, THRIVING.) (For sure.)

Those are just a few.
I'll list more later.

You be thinking of some, too.
If you'd like, you can leave a comment telling me of some that come to mind.
I'd love it.

Today is the day...

2011-11-09T09:44:00.001-06:00

... that little Anna
is ONE YEAR OLD!

We celebrated Saturday.
Here are some pics.

You're probably thinking that I go a little overboard on this great niece of mine.

And you would be right.

(She's so deserving.)

I have this phobia...

2011-11-08T10:50:00.002-06:00

I'll call it 'fear-of-folks-seeing-me-exercise'.

Years ago I joined a gym. I went three times a week for two years. I kept thinking I would get less self-conscious, but I didn't.

Years before that I joined a morning aerobic class at my church.
I made sure that I was on the back row for that.

Now I have the answer!!!

No, it's not a DVD.
It's YouTube!!!

I can exercise in my pajamas... and not spend a dime!
And it's the newest thing: ZUMBA!!
Click HERE to go to my 'class'.
You will see that it is VERY basic.
It has to be: I have let myself get completely out of shape.

That's my class for now anyway.
(I knew you were interested. (Ha.))

-------
On a completely different note:
I saw this picture of my granddog Akon on Facebook yesterday and had to steal it....

He's such a good boy.

He makes me think of this cartoon...

--------

In closing I want to give a shout out to one of my most favorite people in the universe....
my dear sister-in-law, Pat, who is having a birthday today!

There she is
with her
wonderful husband, Ken.

Talk about fine people.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAT!!!

---------

(A new poll is up.)

Atta-Girl!!

2011-11-06T17:03:00.002-06:00

I'm giving myself some 'Atta-girls!"

With these cartoons
I bet
you can
guess what
I'm doing now....

Well, I'm not exercising this very minute,
but TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(If I say it here, well, I have to be accountable.)

----------------

Now these next two cartoons I know are going to surprise someone.

(Yes, Laura, we're actually FINALLY recycling!!)

The city of Colleyville has given out some fancy new recycle bins, and well, since we're all about fancy, we're IN!! We're doing it. Our bin is close to being full!
(If there's hope for us, there's hope for anyone.)

(I guess this means we're GREEN now??)

----------
This last cartoon is about writing a book.

No, I'm not writing a novel.... but I AM FINALLY doing some work on that Bear Valley book that I started years ago (many of you know of what I speak)!!!

It won't be perfect.
And that's why I'm back at it:
I'm trying to let go
of my perfectionism.
(Otherwise I was (am) paralyzed.)

Now I'm embracing MEDIOCRITY!!!

Maybe that way it will get finished!!!!

Hurray for MEDIOCRITY!!!

Just for fun...

2011-11-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

You may have heard this (from me), but in case you haven't....

A traveler, lost on a rainy night, stumbles across a monastery and takes shelter there.

Fortunately, she's just in time for dinner, which turns out to be the best fish and chips she's ever had. After dinner, she goes into the kitchen and asks "Excuse me, but who cooked that meal?"

Two of the brothers step forward in response. "Hello, I'm Brother Michael, and this is Brother Charles."

"Pleased to meet you both. I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful dinner." Both brothers smile and murmur "Thank you, our pleasure."

"Out of curiosity, who cooked what?"

Brother Charles said, "Well, I'm the fish friar."

She winces, turns pale, and says to the other brother, "Oh, no. Then you must be..."

"Yes, I'm the chip monk."

--------

And you may have seen this before, but in case you haven't....

--------
And there's this...

It says, "I hate resetting it for Standard Time."

Hurray! We get to set our clocks BACK tonight!!!

Hello?!?!

2011-11-03T19:05:00.003-05:00

Years (decades) ago I had a date with the brother of a friend of mine. In the course of the evening he asked me how I could possibly believe there was a God who made the earth, what with all the planets and stars, and other galaxies out there.

I told him I didn't quite understand his question.
What difference does it make that there are so many planets and stars and other galaxies out there?
Do they negate an Almighty?
I think they AFFIRM an Almighty.

I said as much to him.
Then I was bracing for some more questions that I couldn't answer, or at least for an argument of some kind.

But he just looked at me and said, "I guess you're right. God could make those galaxies, too."

Wow. I thought. He must think I'm smart... and thank goodness we aren't going to debate the existence of God! Whew!
(We didn't date again, because I didn't really like him... but not because of that conversation.)

On a similar, yet different note, the other day I was listening to Dennis Prager on the radio (AM 660 - from 11-2 in the Metroplex area) and he was talking about God. Prager is Jewish and has taught Jewish and Russian History at Brooklyn College, among other things. Every week he has an Ultimate Issues hour and I'm thinking that was the hour I was listening.
Anyway, a caller called in and said that he just can't believe in a loving God. Prager asked him why and the caller said, "An Almighty loving God would not have made where you breathe (the wind pipe (trachea)) so close to where you swallow food (the esophagus). A loving God would never had done such a dangerous thing to his creatures."
Prager said that was the first time he'd heard that objection to belief in God before.
(That was a first for me, too.)

What about you? Why do you think some folks don't believe there's a God?

I put that picture on the right there because it was taken last November at my house... and it shows some of nature's beauty this time of year.

You can call it 'Nature', you can call it 'Mother Earth', but I call him God who made that nature.

Here's a verse that I love....

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

(You just never know where this blog will take me.)
(Thanks for reading.)

The other night....

2011-11-02T17:56:00.001-05:00

Beautiful people
were out and about
the other night.

And they all had superpowers!

And they used them for good, thank goodness!

So that's why we were all safe.
WHEW!!

Oh, and I think that's Clark Kent.... no, it's SUPERMAN!!!

Wow. He goes to work everyday ... nonchalantly.
Ah, but now we know the truth!!!!!
(I knew it all along.)

Really, I am SO GLAD THAT THAT JOHN-BOY IS MY NEPHEW-IN-LAW!!
SO VERY GLAD!!!!!

(I really think he could be a movie star.)
(I'm glad he's not.)
(SO VERY GLAD!!!!)

(I better quit and hit 'publish'!)

Clark Kent...

2011-11-01T16:23:00.001-05:00

... did actually turn into Superman last night .... I have the picture to prove it...
but am having a problem uploading that at the moment.
(Stay tuned.)

I do have this cartoon, though. I thought it was cute....

AND...
I just learned this...
(Maybe everyone knows this but me?)
This year we have 4 unusual dates -
1/1/11
1/11/11
11/1/11
11/11/11
(One of those is today.)
NOW check this out...
take the last 2 digits of the year you were born and add it to the age you will be this year and it WILL EQUAL 111...
Strange, but true!

I have a new poll up. (Thanks for voting!)

A year ago today...

2011-10-30T09:03:00.000-05:00

My son Will married beautiful Bailey Jo...

Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple!!!

Early yesterday evening....

2011-10-28T14:40:00.001-05:00

... one of these beautiful ladies...

(From left, that's Laura's Grandmother-in-law, Gay; Laura's Grandmother Margaret (my mother); Laura herself (my daughter); and Laura's other Grandmother-in-law, Viola.)

...transformed herself into .....

Count Dracula's wife!!!!

Here she is (again) normally...

(That's Mother in the middle, with her my dad's sister, Helen, on the left, and me, on the right.)

And here Mother is with her good friend, Billie...

Ah, but yesterday evening here she was.....

Ha!!!!!
I knew you'd be amazed!!!!

You can see why I just had to take her picture!!!

(I was going to go with her to the costume party at Parkwood, but have been under the weather.
Ah, but not under the weather enough to spare you .... from that AMAZING TRANSFORMATION!!!)

(Note to self: go get a costume!)
-----------
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

oh, and
GO RANGERS!!!!!!

This and That Thursday

2011-10-27T18:01:00.005-05:00

I know. I'm getting carried away with the days-of-the-week letters.

But today IS Thursday, and well, instead of this post being called'Thingamajig Thursday,' I'll call it what I did.

First of all, my beautiful (inside and out) niece (that's her in the picture on the right) was the guest blogger today at a wonderful site, Austin Moms' Blog. (Elizabeth doesn't live in Austin, but they wanted her to post this post.) It's VERY good. Click here to read it. (Some of you have already read it from my (or her) link on Facebook - thanks. And thanks for your comments there!)

As you may know Elizabeth's mother was my identical twin. That means Elizabeth and I are very close. But then, I think we'd be close if her mother was my long lost cousin-once-removed.
Elizabeth and I are very much alike.... but oh my, is she like her mother!
Peggy was always making things.... both in the kitchen ... and at the sewing machine.
Me? I've not done much of that. Sad to say.
(In every other way, Elizabeth and I are alike, I would say.)

I'll leave you today with some pictures I took last week of my twin's grandchildren...

(Don't ask me what they were playing... I just thought they looked great playing it.) (And I just love their backyard.)

That was Anna's very first time to explore for herself the toy drawer at our house!!
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Don't forget to vote on my poll (upper right, totally anonymous).

And STAY TUNED....
...tomorrow's post will AMAZE you!!!!
Maybe even SCARE you!!!!
... And from the most UNEXPECTED source!!!!

Wisdom Wednesday

2011-10-26T12:56:00.001-05:00

"Let a person's inner being be fortified with a faith in God and all his creative powers are quickened, his marching strength is heightened and his grip on everyday things is immensely increased. It is as though he had tapped a hidden reservoir of power."
- Rufus Jones

"Faith makes all things possible... love makes all things easy."
- D. L. Moody

Treasure Tuesday...

2011-10-25T15:44:00.005-05:00

Laura gave me this beautiful plate a few years ago. She got it at Epcot Center in the Japanese Expo. It's about 6 inches in diameter - and perfect for the little table in our entryway. (She knows I love birds.)

This next picture shows the unique lamp Will gave me a few years ago...

I hope he won't mind me telling you where he got it: TARGET!!! (I had to know, and he told me.)

This next picture is of a little bowl I use to hold my keys....

Laura made it for me a few years ago. I love it.

This next is a treasure that is not mine... I just get to show it off...

That's my mother's doll from her childhood. Mother had it 'redone' so it would look like it did when she got it ... which was more than just a few years ago.
The doll is standing on a little chair my Granddaddy Andy made for me when I was a little girl, which was more than just a few years ago. (Ha.)
------
If you haven't voted in my recent poll, please do.
I know my polls don't change the world, but they make me smile (when I see votes).
(And I'm usually surprised at what wins.)
(You think you know people.)

Just for fun...

2011-10-24T11:22:00.000-05:00

Slow Down.

2011-10-22T17:44:00.003-05:00

I tend to rush through life, always hurrying on to the next thing.

When you're with a 4 1/2 year old, and a 3 year old, and an 11 month old, well, you have to slow down.... and see the little acorn on the sidewalk. Even though there are thousands (millions?) of acorns, there is that one - that catches her attention.
And she has to give it to her mommy.

And there are the little flowers. Tiny flowers you can hardly see with the naked eye. They make great gifts, too.

And there is the texture of the cloth I use to clean my glasses. I hadn't appreciated it... until I was made aware of it by little Caroline and Andrew. They enjoyed taking the time to feel it.
And so now I really feel it.

And little Anna noticed the little gum wrapper on the floor.
There is a lot you can do with a gum wrapper: wave it around, fold it and unfold it, crunch it, straighten it out, hand it to your great aunt, then let her give it back, then hand it again, smiling all the while.

Oh my.

This past week I have noticed the little things - as I haven't noticed them in, well, years and years.

But they are out there: the leaves and the rocks... and the acorns and the chewing gum wrappers.

I'm thankful that I'm back noticing them. :)

Life is good.

Treasure Tuesday...

2011-10-18T15:39:00.001-05:00

These are LIVE treasures today!
(Well, except for one picture.)

And here is a quote I really like...

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."~Stacia Tauscher

Sweetness herself...

2011-10-17T13:14:00.001-05:00

The house is quiet...

2011-10-14T12:55:00.002-05:00

... which is a pretty big deal around here.

I'm not at my house... but at the house that's usually filled with children's laughter - or sometimes (not often) crying.
And maybe the movie, THE LION KING, is on.

Or maybe "Dora, the Explorer".
(Andrew particularly likes "Diego".)

This morning I watched THE LION KING twice.
I just couldn't resist.

Here's a picture I like taken a while back...

That little girl is going to be one year old soon.
They just grow up too fast, don't they?
(I've held her a lot today... and she's been smiling all the while.)
----
I have taken other pictures, but I can't download them - or upload them yet.
I'll load them soon.
----

On a different note, Click HERE to read about a book Rob Carmack wrote - with Doug Walker. It's about adoption... and more.
And click HERE to hear Doug being interviewed on the radio this week (FM 89.7)
You will NOT be disappointed if you go to those sites - and find out what a wonderful thing our nephew Rob has been doing, and Doug, too. (Well, besides everything else they've been doing.)
-----
Have a great weekend.
-----
A new poll is up for your enjoyment.

Wednesday Whimsy...

2011-10-12T16:50:00.005-05:00

... from LoneStar Antiques (5605 Denton Highway, Haltom City, TX)
(We're having a big SALE!!!)

Come shop --- and eat in the tea room!
(That's not the tea room.)

(Unfortunately I won't be playing much in the tea room the next 2 weeks, as I am helping take care of some sweet kiddos whose mother has just had surgery....)

(The mother is the mother in this picture.)
(Thanks for praying for her - for a speedy recovery. And for me, that I will keep them alive and well!)
(I love them!)

For today...

2011-10-10T17:55:00.002-05:00

I have a new poll up (over on the right).... Please vote. (Thank you!)

On Sept. 23 - and the following days, I had a chip poll up. Cheetos won (over Fritos, potato chips, Doritos and carrot sticks).

On that day's post (Sept. 23) I got some great ideas on using chips - and cookies - by my cousin Audrey. Those ideas are used in prison... and can be used by poor college students - or poor anybodies. Click HERE to go to that post and read the first comment (by Audrey). The fourth comment (which is by Audrey) is also good.
(I was going to just copy and paste her comments on here - but it would be too long.... because I want to tell you something else......

Like this.....

Carla and I did it!!!! TODAY - (THIS VERY MORNING) we got through Max Lucado's book LIVE LOVED!!!
It has 145 little chapters - and for the last 145 days we have read one each day - and emailed our thoughts to each other on each day's reading!!!!
Now every 'thought' wasn't wonderful.
Somedays we wrote, "I'm too tired to think"..... or "I just didn't get anything from today's reading." .... or "I'm not going to write anything today ... I'll let your thoughts be enough, okay?" (Stuff like that.)

We also wrote stuff like, "Wow, today's reading is just what I needed.... etc., etc." We wrote more of that kind of thought, definitely. MOST DEFINITELY.

Anyway, I would HIGHLY recommend it.
Most of the time I would get more out of writing my thoughts about the readings - than the readings themselves. (Writing it out made me articulate it.)

Now, if you do this, don't get too wrapped up in it being an 'assignment' --- and do give yourself permission to not to do it every single day. (We quit for the weekends - but that just lasted one weekend!)
'Course we both like to read, we both wanted to get closer to God, and we both like to write our thoughts down--- so there's all that.)

Now we're looking for our next 'book' to do -- but we're taking a little break. (which may last a day or so!)

Now if doing this does seem like homework to you, cut yourself some slack.... you may not be wired like Carla and me.

But do get close to God, okay? Through the Bible.
It will change your life.

Yes, your ever-loving life!!!

It did mine! (.... and still doing.)
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Don't forget to take the poll, please.
Thank you.

While Sam is watching football...

2011-10-08T17:37:00.001-05:00

...I'm sitting here thinking that I need to have unconditional love for my dog.

Right now it's kind of conditional.

That's how it was when our beloved Marco got fleas.
I thought I loved that doggie so much.
Then I wanted him to leave.
Go away.

That's how I am with Shiloh now.

It's kind of disturbing that I have these feelings.

You'd think if a loved one did something disagreeable I'd still be loving towards that person.

Right now I'm not feeling so loving.
And since I'm wanting to blog, I'll just tell you about it.

Two nights ago sweet Shiloh killed a skunk in our driveway.
Fortunately Shiloh is up-to-date on his rabies' shot. (On Monday animal control will pick up the dead skunk (that Sam bagged) to take it to see if it had rabies.)

Animal control can't remove the odor, though.

PET LOVE came and washed Shiloh this morning - and 'de-skunked' him... but he still smells to high heaven.

We may have to do something else to Shiloh, to get him presentable.

Right now I don't think Shiloh, Sam, and I are presentable.
(Just so you know!)

Oh well, he'll be an outdoor dog for awhile - while Sam and I wear cologne everywhere.

Writing this is making me feel a little more lovey-dovey towards Shiloh-pup.

Bless his heart.

(This picture was taken two years ago, in better-smelling times.)

---------

Well, here's hoping Baylor can beat Iowa State tonight!

Sic 'Em, Bears!!

--------

(In the header are our granddog Akon on the left, granddog Olive in the middle, and their uncle, our dog, Shiloh, on the right.)

Think of your best friend growing up....

2011-10-06T16:27:00.004-05:00

... whom you haven't seen in years....
and then imagine just running into her/him at a spot that isn't close to where either of you live.

That's what happened to me last Saturday in Canton!!!

Mother and I went to Canton Trades Day.

We walked into the "Marketplace" (up on the hill on Hwy 19) and went our separate ways. I walked half-way down an aisle, heard a familiar voice, and looked and saw... DIANE!!!!!!!!!!
I could hardly believe it.

I had been thinking about her the week before, and felt bad that I hadn't called her after my visit with our other friend, Dottie, who is in the throes of Alzheimer's. I kept thinking, "I need to call Diane. I need to call Diane."

And there she was!!!!!

I said, "Diane? It's me, Nancy!"
Well, she started screaming (a happy scream)... and then I started screaming the happy scream....
And the lady she'd been talking to (another shopper) took our picture...

(Surely we both look better than that.)

Then, later, I took a picture of Mother with Diane...

(You can tell Mother was happy, too.)

Over two and a half hours later we got back to shopping. (You can save a lot of money by sitting and talking instead of shopping.)
And we talked about EVERYTHING!
Well, I don't know who she's for in the presidential race... but I know all about her family, and her twin brother, Dennis.

You see, Peggy and I and Diane were all twins! Diane's twin happened to a boy, but we were twins... the three of us.
(Now Diane has identical twin granddaughters - who are 15!!)
And now Diane and I can tell people that WE'RE twins. (We don't have to add the part that we're not twins to each other.)

So I'm still having fun thinking about running into Diane!!!

Diane and I have only really been keeping up with each other with Christmas cards (if I get around to sending any).
But when we do get together we just take back up from where we left off years ago.... talking and talking and laughing and laughing, well, that's after we've screamed the excitement scream.

I may have to scream it again!!

------

Finally, I happened to find a 'friend cartoon' that might also pay tribute to dear Steve Jobs, who died yesterday.

I'm sitting here with my MacBook Air - thanks to Steve Jobs.
------
(A new poll is up.)

If you know me, you know this...

2011-10-04T19:58:00.005-05:00

I LOVE music. And Friday night I got to hear some GREAT music!

"Soul Shake" performed at Central Market in Southlake, TX ...

That's (from left) Keith, Susan (they're married), Will (my son), Jan (on drums) and Barris (who(m) I'll tell you about later).
They did a lot of great stuff... and there were no tables vacant! (And there were A LOT of tables!)

When and where they play again, PLAN TO GO!! (I'll try to tell you when and where.)

Here's their 'business card' ...

(This card is not as big as it looks. (I should have put my literal fingernail in this picture.) It's just a little bigger than a regular business card.)

About Barris: besides being a great musician, he is a licensed professional counselor with a Ph.D. He helped me IMMENSELY back in the mid-nineties when I was having major insomnia. He is a Christian counselor --- and I HIGHLY recommend him.) (Click HERE and HERE for sites about him.)
-----
On a different note, Will's other band,"Early Morning Creatures" is playing THIS Thursday night at THE AARDVARK in Fort Worth. Click HERE for the Facebook page on that - that will give you the needed info.
-----
In closing, here are some music quotes I like...

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
- Aldous Huxley

"I don't care much about music. What I like is sounds."
- Dizzy Gillespie

"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."
- Billy Joel

"I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to."
- Elvis Presley

(I think Elvis' quote is funny.)
(Though he didn't mean it to be funny.)

I can't tell you everything...

2011-10-02T16:39:00.004-05:00

....there's just too much to tell.

This past week Sam and I lived a lifetime.
Well not really, of course...
... but we visited places and saw people that we hadn't seen in a LONG time.

Most of the week was spent in Oklahoma.

We went to Chattanooga, Oklahoma (where my camera forgot to get out of my purse). Then we drove through Hinton (where Sam grew up - and where we lived when Will was born (in '84) (Laura was born in Lawton, in 1986, when we lived in Chattanooga). We visited Red Rock Canyon State Park, just outside of Hinton. Then we drove to Gould, where Sam's parents lived when he was born (in Altus, in '52), and where Sam and his family always went to visit family.

Here's Hinton and the bank his dad ran....

(That's the only light in town - it's red and it's always flashing.)

The picture on the left was taken deep down in Red Rock Canyon.

A lot of people come to camp down there - and a lot of them do some rappelling from the cliffs.

On the right is 'The Revolving Rock'. It rotates completely every twenty-four hours.

Sam told me about that when we were dating, and I believed him....
... because it's true!

This picture on the left shows that even old ladies can swing.

The picture on the right shows you the terrain on the way to Gould.

Yes, the wind DOES come sweeping down the plain.
(No, that's not a tornado in the distance, that's a shadow - or glare - or something - from my camera.)

The picture to the left is the downtown of beloved Gould.
(It's true: beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.)

Here Sam is standing by the Gould school memorial. It's part of the community memorial.

You can read some names here - that you might recognize.

These next pictures are of this community/school memorial... (and the 'cornerstone' of the Baptist church there).

I do believe some of the best people
on earth are from southwest Oklahoma (well, those that aren't from Mission, TX).

And I'm glad I married one.

There's more to share ... about Friday night and "Soul Shake", and then Saturday at Canton Trades Day (something that I couldn't believe (stay tuned!)), but I will leave all of that for another post.
(I know that your attention span is just so long.)

Oh, and I will soon blog about some snazzy prison recipes!

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Before I go I have 2 (two) requests:
Please vote on my new poll (upper right).

And please go to this site and vote for Jackson!!!! He is a delight... and he is promoting one of my most favorite things: Dr. Pepper. (He's the third one down, called "Alive at Five.")(You vote for him by leaving a comment.... I wrote: "No. 3 - JACKSON!!")
Thanks!!!
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I'll leave you with one of most wonderful Bible passages that I've been memorizing lately. (I have found that memorizing Scripture is a GREAT anecdote for worry (which I can be a master at, sad to say.)

Ephesians 1:18-20
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength
he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

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See you next time!

Listenin' to the music...

2011-09-28T20:18:00.001-05:00

Sam and I are on a road trip.

We've been driving around
our old stomping grounds
in Oklahoma.

All the while
we've been listening
to some great music:
The Eagles, Doobie Brothers,
Carly Simon, Carole King,
Darlene Zschech (Hillsong),
Creedence Clearwater Revival,
America, Bread, and many others.

It is so fun.

And when the weather hasn't been too warm, we've had the top down.
It is so fun.

I'll blog more about our trip soon.

(We drive home tomorrow.)
--------

Right now I want to talk about the music.
THIS Friday night (Sept. 30)
- from 6 to 9 -
you can go to Central Market
in Southlake and hear (and see) SOUL SHAKE... LIVE!
They do a lot of the songs
we've listened to on our road trip.
And they (SOUL SHAKE) are GREAT!!
And I know them!!! Very well!!!

I'm the mother of one of them!!! (The lead guitar player.) (You'll know which one is my son, because the other guys, well, they look like his uncles.)(And the gals look like his aunts.)

SOUL SHAKE is a great group. Not just musically, but personally.

And they are so fun.

So this Friday night at Central Market in Southlake (6-9) - go and hear some great music... and have a nice meal, too. (Out on the 'patio' on the east side.) (Order food inside.)
And then you can pick up some groceries.

Click HERE to go to their Facebook page.
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In closing, here's a quote I really like...

"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself."
—Abraham Maslow

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(I put a new poll this morning.)

Monday Random...

2011-09-26T14:51:00.000-05:00

Sam and I saw MONEYBALL Friday. Not being much of a baseball fan I wasn't too excited about seeing it. It was the only thing showing when we could go, so I thought, 'I have to spend my time somewhere, might as well be seeing this movie.'
(Life is rough.)

I used to like Brad Pitt more than I do now. His leaving his wife for Angelina Jolie just didn't sit well with me. And now he and Angelina are having all these children, and not getting married, and well, I just don't like it.
Call me old-fashioned.

But the movie was VERY good, I must say. At first it seemed slow, and not so good, but then it got VERY GOOD. I'd recommend it.
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On a completely different note, Sam bought a pre-owned convertible! We were going to take it on a trip last week, but it has been in 'the shop' (with wheel/tire problems) so we're doing the 'staycation' thing again.
(Though I think we're going somewhere soon (maybe this afternoon).)
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Well, our weekly suppers with family have kind of fallen by the wayside lately. I guess I need to make them more of a priority... because I do love them.

I especially love seeing these three little ones...

That's little Anna. She's 10 1/2 months old now. That tells you that she can get around! And usually she's smiling!

This next sweet girl is Anna's big sister, Caroline...

She won't be five until December, and she can already color like that! (I'm so impressed.)
She's also starting to read!

Their brother, Andrew, is three...

... and he likes to eat with his alligators and other lizards nearby.
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Finally, on this beautiful early fall day, here is a quote I like....

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.
~George Washington Carver

I don't know if Shiloh likes my Nook...

2011-09-24T10:53:00.001-05:00

... but I know he likes me.

And I adore him.

For today, here are some dog-things...

Dogs lead a nice life. You never see a dog with a wristwatch.
--George Carlin

If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.
-- Harry S. Truman

"A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down."
- Robert Benchley

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
---Groucho Marx

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There's a new poll up!

Crunch... and Cap

2011-09-21T21:37:00.002-05:00

As you may know, my current poll has do to with chips.

I heard a while back that you can enhance any vegetable casserole with a topping of crushed potato chips and drizzled melted butter.
And I found it to be true!

Well, I would bet that you could enhance any casserole with crushed potato chips AND Fritos with melted butter. (I like eating Fritos and potato chips together, don't you?)

And what about Cheetos? I'll bet they would make a good crust on any casserole.

('Course you might have to take some heavy-duty cholesterol medicine.)
---------

A few years ago I saw on one of the local news channels a segment on how to make a super easy cornbread dressing for Thanksgiving. It had Fritos in it!!!!
I (and Will and Laura) gave it a try.
It was FANTASTIC.
For the Fritos Cornbread Stuffing Recipe, click that.
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I'm really thinking that ANY crunchy thing (crackers, tortilla chips, etc.) would make a good topping for a casserole.

And any crunchy sweet thing (like cookies, sweet cereal) would be good crushed and spread on, say, cheap vanilla ice cream.
---------
On this food note: I've known people who like to 'enhance' cheap pizza slices by dipping them in Worchestershire Sauce.... and/or Ranch dressing.
---------
I know my clever blog readers have some clever tips for enhancing all kinds of regular foods.
I'd love for you to share if you'd like!
Click 'Comment' and have at it. (Or leave a comment on Facebook... whatever!)
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If you haven't taken my chip poll please do (upper right - totally anonymous).
It will be over soon.
Thanks.
--------
On a TOTALLY different note, the handsome fella in the right picture in my header (if you're reading this post the time it was posted), who is holding a dear little Andrew, has a birthday Friday.
Happy Birthday, Cap!!!!!!!!!!
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Here's another picture I like of him...

That's Cap with his dear Grandmother.

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAP!!!
(His birthday is Friday, Sept. 23.)

Tuesday Tune Up...

2011-09-20T15:27:00.001-05:00

This really is not a serious tune-up post... just some signs and stuff I thought were cute.
(I think they're worth a smile, anyway.)

What got me started on this was a little sign Will put up on Facebook. He took this picture today at Barnes and Noble...

Well, rats. I don't think you can read it.
It says "Self-Improvement has moved to the end of Romance".
(I thought that was funny.)
------------

I took these next pictures throughout the last year...

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Finally, I saw this next sentence on a truck the other day...

“Outdoor barbecues should have Fritos and Cheetos, but never Mosquitos.”

Speaking of that... please take my latest poll.
Thanks.

Sic 'Em...

2011-09-18T21:18:00.000-05:00

Well, 'Sic 'Em' apologetically.

I feel bad for Stephen F. Austin University.

Baylor beat them last night 48-0.

And there was lightning in Waco, so the last 2 halves (halfs?) were shortened to 12 minutes each, AND half-time was completely cancelled!!
That meant that our nephew, Josh, wasn't going to play his trombone in the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band!!!

'Course it was hard to be sad, since lightning meant possible much-needed RAIN!!!!!!
(Still I wanted to watch Josh in the band).

Here are some pictures...

The next morning (this morning) Pat served us a delicious breakfast...

Before breakfast was served I drove over to Carla's for a hug.
Here we are last June...

I also got a hug from her kids Kenzie and Dylan ... who were at the game last night...(this picture is from early August)....

Kenzie wore that green cowboy hat last night at the game. (I'd given it to her!)

We got home this afternoon... and as I type these very words, are enjoying the sound of thunder in our ears.
!!!!!

No IHOP?!

2011-09-16T12:05:00.001-05:00

Some people eat to live and others live to eat.
As many of you know I fall into the latter category.

This Monday I went over to McKinney to take my dear cousin Audrey out to eat breakfast. We like to get together every now and then and since there's an IHOP which is just a skip and a HOP from her place, well, that was our destination. And we were both looking forward to it. Also Audrey's husband was looking forward to us bringing him some delicious pancakes.

We drive up ... and they're closed for remodeling! Rats. My taste buds were all set and everything.

I knew Audrey would know of a Plan B.
Sure enough.
But she warned me, "Nancy, this place is REALLY Far Right." Hmm. That intrigued me. Though I am pretty conservative I don't consider myself Far Right. And I've never considered Audrey Far Right.

Would we fit in?

I guess we did because they served us!
We both had the Texas Taco Omelette with biscuits and gravy. It wasn't IHOP pancakes, but it was DELICIOUS!! Oh my goodness.

Of course I had to take some pictures of this place...

This was our waitress's back...

All of the workers wore those T-shirts.

This is their bumper sticker...

This is an antique horoscope 'machine' that was behind me (yes, now you've seen everything)....

And here is Audrey...

The color on this picture is awful ... and she looks better than this. But I love her new hairdo!

We had a great visit together. We always do.

Click HERE to go to her blog.
She has been through some horrible stuff in the past several years... and you can read about it (thought not all of it) on her blog.... or you can ask me and I'll tell you the best I can!

"The most interesting person you'll ever meet"...

2011-09-14T21:14:00.001-05:00

... that's how a friend described Sam to me back in 1977 when I started dating him.

Here are some interesting facts:

He took flying lessons when he was 16 and got his pilot's license when he was 18. Later he got his multi-engine commercial instrument license.

He started Baylor as a pre-med major, then switched to business, then his junior year (after a life-changing summer - which I'll tell you about someday) he became a religion major with a Greek minor. Soon he found out he had a knack for Greek so he made his major Greek and religion his minor.

While in college he got interested in magic. Not black magic, but magic tricks he could use to share the Gospel of Christ. He really got good at magic and became a member of a professional magicians group (I forget the name.) After we married I became his assistant at every magic show he did. (I dressed modestly, though.) (And yes, I know his tricks, but I'm sworn to secrecy.)

Other interesting stuff: he had the first computer of anybody at Southwestern Seminary. He got it in 1978. Ever since then he's kept up with all the latest stuff on computers... which is no small feat.

There's more... but I better stop. (If you're like me, when you see a long wordy blog-post you say, "I'll read that later." ... I rarely do.)

I'll leave you with some random pictures.
(Two notes on them: Sam is the littlest one in the first two pictures. ... and I think that is Alex Bargley in the picture of the person (Alex) that's getting ready to have his head cut off.)

(Alex survived, thank goodness.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY!!!!!!!!
(Sam's birthday is tomorrow - Sept. 15.)

Random Random...

2011-09-13T16:48:00.002-05:00

Okay.
I've decided that for a while I'll keep that particular header thing up (that says in light green letters 'Welcome to Nancy's Nook'). I love it. (If you need to know who those people are and just how I'm related to them you can ask.) (One thing for sure: they're some of my most favorite people in the whole wide world.)

Having a header with photographs is fun... but I don't know when to stop. Do I change it every time I blog? Clearly I decided this time not to ... but what about next time?
You can see that blogging opens up a whole new set of decisions for a decision-making-challenged person such as myself.
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Now on to my next subject: Will's band!! EARLY MORNING CREATURES is their name. (That's kind of ironic since Will has never been known to be an 'early morning creature'. (I couldn't resist saying that.))

We went to Arlington Saturday night to watch him play.
It was a battle of the bands, but I just knew that EARLY MORNING CREATURES weren't going to win. It was a country band contest... and well, Will's band didn't even look country. (But, oh they looked and sounded GREAT.)

Here are some pictures....

Did you notice that in one of those pictures Will is playing the harmonica while playing the guitar?!
Yes... so that was country!

Sam and I thought we'd be the old folks in the crowd at that place. Turns out we weren't.
It was a saloon (really) and 'old country' was the type of songs mostly played (I gathered from the clientele).
Ah, but the agent there that set up the battle of the bands happens to set up all kinds of battles (classic rock, etc.) ... and he asked EARLY MORNING CREATURES if they could play for him again. !!!!!
Also, one of the judges wanted them to play for him again, too!!!

Of course, Sam and I weren't surprised.

They sounded AWESOME.

(You can 'like' them on facebook... just click HERE to go there.)
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So as not to leave you without any Treasure Tuesday, here's a picture Sam got one day. It's one of his treasures for sure...

Sam says, "It says it all."

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My next post will probably be about my most interesting breakfast with my dear cousin Audrey...
...unless I wait on that -till just the right time - and decide on another topic.
(Decisions, decisions!!)

Monday Merriment...

2011-09-12T15:49:00.005-05:00

I was going to blog about some interesting places I've been recently (one this past Sat. night, the other this morning for breakfast), but I'm too tired.

Being tired gives me an excuse to share some merriment (that I'd been saving for a tired day)....

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Not surprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

Then there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did. 

(Teressa, I may have gotten these from you. If so, THANKS! (I should have documented where I got them from - when I got them.))

And, finally here's a cartoon I really like...

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P.S. A new poll is up.

P.S.S. Notice the lady in the 2nd picture from the left in the header at the top. She's sitting between her husband and her daughter... and she's just enjoyed a Kincaid's hamburger at my birthday party. That's Vicki, Ryan's mom, and my daughter's wonderful mother-in-law. It's HER birthday today!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VICKI!!!!

Ten years ago...

2011-09-10T09:19:00.002-05:00

On Facebook and on blogs, and in coffee shops, and just about everywhere people are, folks are telling where they were on 9/11/01.

Me - I was cleaning up the breakfast dishes. I turned on the little TV in the kitchen and Charlie Gibson on GOOD MORNING AMERICA was telling us about the horrible accident at the World Trade Center. Almost as soon as I heard him say that, he said that another plane flew into one of the towers. So it was no accident... and our world changed.

We were having a studio built over our garage at that time, so we had the workers come in our breakfast nook to watch the news reports that morning.
It's amazing how close we felt to each other.

Later that day I was in an elevator with strangers. Typically nobody talks to each other on an elevator. Well, pretty soon someone said, "Can you all believe what happened?"... and we all began talking to each other.

Where were you?
[Update: Please read the comments (click 'comments') They're great... especially the first one... Well, please read them all.]

Ten months...

2011-09-09T09:31:00.003-05:00

Ten months doesn't seem like a long time in my life...
... but it's pretty major in this girl's ...

Anna Margaret was born 10 months ago today.

Here she is with her brother and sister...

Is that not one of the most precious pictures you've ever seen?

(I took the liberty to put these pictures on my blog. I think that that Grace Photography might not mind.)

Here are some pictures taken that day ten months ago...

If there were a contest for the most beautiful family in the world, that family would win the prize.
(I know: who looks that good after giving birth?)
(Oh, and Marian's, and Jennifer's, and Shea's, and Rob's, and ... well, they'd win a prize, too. ... and then when I have my own grandkids.. well, there will be no competition, of course.)
('Course Will and Bailey ARE a family already - and so are Ryan and Laura - and well, ... Geez, life is good. ... and beautiful people abound, that's for sure.)

And I know that I probably should have waited till Anna's first birthday to give her this glorious post... but I couldn't wait. She deserves it TODAY!
------
On a different note I put up a new poll. It's not the most interesting poll I've ever put up, but I like it. Please vote. Thanks!!
(Did I already put that poll up? - It seems so familiar.)
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My next post will be about 9/11. I'll tell you where I was, and I'd like you to tell me where you were, if you wouldn't mind.

You know how opposites attract??

2011-09-07T18:05:00.000-05:00

Well, that's what happened with Sam and me.

Me - I'm a predictable-type person. Pretty traditional. I'll try and branch out and, say, spike my hair... or be unpredictable in ANY way... but I always come back to my same old same old way of looking and being.

On any personality inventory I've taken - well, I test out as the dependable, responsible, people-pleasing type who doesn't want to rock ANY boat.

My husband is dependable and responsible, but there is no people-pleasing bone in his body, and he LIKES to rock ALL boats.

He has been labeled as a Pioneer... and an Entrepreneur. A Starter.

I may follow along kicking and screaming a little, but I DO follow along.

And that's what I'm doing this week.... following my Sam. (Not to worry: I won't get started on any 'obey and submit' sermon.)

But I AM following my honey.

We've been at Fellowship of the Parks for about 20 months. I knew we wouldn't be staying long, because Sam's job was to come in and help them out - and well, then I knew that once he helped them out - he'd be ready to move on. A 'maintenance job' is not a job Sam excels in.

Ah, but I'd thought we'd be leaving later, rather than sooner.

I should know better with my honey-Sam.

So this post is my way of telling you that Sam is (and I am) MOVING ON!!!!

To what? you might ask?
We don't know... but one thing I DO know: it will be INTERESTING.

As I was told by a friend when I was dating Sam decades ago: Sam is one of the most interesting people in the whole world!!!!

(His birthday is coming up - and I'll tell you about some of that interesting stuff.)

Anyway, Fellowship of the Parks is an absolutely wonderful church. Its main campus is in Keller, and its other campuses are in Grapevine and Haslet.

Why just last Thursday night I was thinking how much I loved FotP folks. I even wrote a blog post about a meeting we went to. Click HERE for that. (The part about FotP is after the 'thoughts'.)
Little did I know that in just a few days we'd be saying 'Adios'.

Life stays interesting.

Yes, it's sad... but interesting for sure.

What's not to love?

2011-09-05T16:20:00.002-05:00

I love today.

The weather is fantastic.

And I got to have
a LOVE SHACK burger
at the LOVE SHACK
in Denton...

...with some of my most favorite people...

Here is what Sam and Will's meal looked like...

That's the Dirty Love Burger with fries.

It comes with a fried quail egg on it.

They said it was delicious.

I just had the Love Burger
with no egg on it.
(I'm watching my cholesterol.)

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On a different note, I had some special visitors in the tea room this past week.
One of them had a song request.
(I often get requests to play certain songs. The most common request I get is to play "Over the Rainbow". One lady likes me to play "The Yellow Rose of Texas". Another lady always wants me to play "Red Sails in the Sunset". Oh, and one gentleman always wants to hear "I Can Only Imagine". )

Well, one of my special visitors had this special request: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". Of course I was happy to oblige since that song happens to be in my repertoire.

That special visitor is in this picture I took...

He's the little fella on the right, Levi, who brought his little dinosaur with him.
That's his little cousin in the center, Judah, who looks as if he's blowing me a kiss! (I caught it, Judah! Thanks!)

Levi told everyone who would listen what song I played just for him!!

(Oh, that's Whitney, Cheryl, and Jenny with those two special visitors.)
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I hope you're having a good Labor Day.
Me - I'm actually wearing a sweater-type top, and loving it!!

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Life is good.

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(There's a new poll up.)

It's Friday night...

2011-09-02T20:39:00.005-05:00

...we're watching Baylor play TCU in Waco - on TV.
Right now Baylor is winning. Which is SO WONDERFUL!!! SIC' EM, BEARS!!!

I'm not a good football watcher, frankly.

When Laura was at Baylor I used my binoculars to watch the students - to find her. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.
Then I watched the cheerleaders.

I always looked forward to half-time.
Now my nephew Josh is playing at half-time.... but will they have him on TV???? Probably just commercials. Grr.

I went to Baylor back in the early 70's. It was fun... most days.
I decided not to pledge a sorority back then. Well, I thought I'd watch my twin pledge and then decide. Needless to say, I decided NOT to. (That's when I got my hair 'frosted' for the first time. I was stopped and 'reprimanded' that I hadn't talked to 'members'. HELLO? I'm not a pledge!! Turns out Peggy was sleeping late that Saturday morning - and given a black mark because I hadn't talked to members (while she was sleeping). That was the day I went and bought CLAIROL'S FROST AND TIP - and Rita (bless her heart) helped me frost my hair. (Thanks Rita Wright Gurian!)

Hmm.... Funny.... I'll blog to keep from watching the game.

Ah, but Baylor is still winning!!!
(That's pretty major..... since we're playing against Rob Carmack's (and Wendy Cavett's) team TCU!)

(Yes, a Carmack went to TCU.)

(New poll.)

Update: Baylor WON!!!!!

Thoughts on Thursday (and other stuff)...

2011-09-01T22:23:00.002-05:00

I know that soon it will be Friday, but since it's still Thursday and the word 'thoughts' start with 'th'... well, that's my THeme.

Here's a good thought....

"Jesus didn’t hover over life from up high. He came down to gritty, sandy, soil earth to walk with us, among us, within us. And he offers himself as our water – the living kind – not to douse on our emergencies but to satisfy our souls in quietness and in strength."
- Emily P. Freeman

And here's another good thought:

“When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains, but that we can mobilize them into a common search for life, those very pains are transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope.”
- Henri Nouwen

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I came across both of those quotes recently and LOVED them.
------
On a different note, tonight I went to a meeting about giving to a church (our church) because the church needs more space (a new building). It was a GREAT meeting.
Here's a picture of the hostess of the meeting, Julie, and her sweet pug... who's called 'Pug'...

Pug is a rescue dog. And Julie, who rescued him, is our pastor's personal assistant, as well as basically a caretaker for the whole church.
She is beautiful inside and out.

Here's our pastor, Doug, leading the meeting...

... he did a great job.
Talking about money and church can be tricky, for sure.
(I didn't feel weird at this meeting, so Doug did a great job!)

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On a different note, my mother and I went down to Fairfield, TX yesterday to see one of my very best childhood friends, Dottie....

Sadly she is being ravaged by Alzheimer's.
Please, please, please pray for her.... however you want.

I'm praying that God will take care of her... and give her peace.
She is so sweet, so very sweet, even in the midst of Alzheimer's.

Thank you for praying.

Treasure Tuesday....

2011-08-30T17:26:00.001-05:00

I have a big collection of (little) dolls... and I think I have enjoyed them more today than EVER! (I'm glad I promised to share them with you - if I hadn't made that promise, well, I wouldn't have had so much fun today taking these pictures.)

Before I show you pictures from TODAY, let me show you 3 pictures of a little girl who enjoys my dolls, too!!!

That's Caroline!

She's a little doll herself, of course!

I'll explain the first one - because it's the very first one I got... and then I'll just post the pictures randomly. (You'll see a Japanese lady, a Russian lady, a little Dutch boy, a Barbie 'Maria' from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, a Madame Alexander 'Cyrano de Bergerac, a Spanish matador ... and many others.)

This first one is a doll from Italy and it was ordered off of a Chef Boyardee brochure that my mother got back in the late 50's when she bought us some spaghettios. Peggy and I spent quite a bit of time looking over the brochure picking which doll we each wanted. We were in the dining room of my Grandmother Ora's house in Oak Cliff/Dallas, and it was so fun. Here's the one I ordered...

She started it all!

Here are some more....

I'm sorry there's so much blank space... I still haven't gotten this picture-posting quite down yet.
Anyway, that gives you an idea of my doll collection.

I hope you enjoyed those pictures.

(I may do another blog post on my collection... because there are so many!!... but no promises.)

Have a great rest-of-the-week.

From long ago...

2011-08-28T17:35:00.002-05:00

... here are some pictures I found recently ...

That's little Laura with her Aunt Peggy.
(I just love that picture.)
--------
This next picture is a little more recent...

That's Justin, Laura, Will, John and Rob... having fun at Nana's house.
(I think Justin and Rob were having the most fun.)
-------
Now here are Rob and Will on more equal terms...

(I love both of those guys so much.)
--------
Oh, here's one from way back at Christmas time, 1984...

That's little Elizabeth reaching out to 'Baby Will', as she called him.
(Sweetness, huh?)
-------

Well, I've had a bad cold (or allergies) or something... and stayed home from church today... but will listen to Rob's sermon online soon. (He preached today.) There should be a video of it tomorrow (or the next day, or the next) at fellowshipoftheparks.com. You go down to the bottom to 'For Everyone', then click 'Current Series' and you can click today's date (Aug. 27/28) (the Keller video or iTunes) with the title 'Communication'... and hopefully you can see it, or at least hear it.
Well, you could click THIS maybe and get there.
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In closing I'll leave you with a sign I found recently....

Isn't that great?

Happy Birthday, Will!!!

2011-08-26T22:02:00.002-05:00

Whoa, you're 27 on the 27th!!

As you blog readers will see, these pictures are in no particular order... but they revolve around one wonderful fella...

Here is Will with his Granddaddy Andy.

Here he is with his Nana.

I was kind of proud of having a long-haired son, frankly.

Sam was Cub Master for Will's pack.

Here is Will with his sister and their Daddy Bob...

This teddy bear was (is) Will's favorite stuffed animal in the whole universe. Nana and Daddy Bob gave it to him on his first Christmas, when he was 4 months old.

This next picture is with Great-Grandmother Jennie (my dad's mother)...

Here he is with his Aunt Peggy.

Here is Will with GENUINE IMITATION, formerly known as NARROW PATH...

They played several places, most notably at THE DOOR in Fort Worth...

I love you so much, Will... and thank God that He let you come be my son.
Mmm.

I got permission...

2011-08-26T10:23:00.003-05:00

to tell you some things.

Oh, they're not earth-shattering things.
(I could have told you anyway... but I didn't want to blindside anybody when he/she wasn't expecting it.)

First of all, my mother almost got first place
in Parkwood's JEOPARDY tournament!!!
(She came in at an extremely close second.)

She was the champion of her building's tournament (Parkwood has 3 buildings, each with about 48 apartments (yes, lots of people)).
Yesterday afternoon she competed with the winners of the other buildings' JEOPARDY tournament.

The winner, a smart lady named Ruth, got 5100 points - and Mother (a smart lady named Margaret) got 5000. Third place was way far behind.

I am so proud!!!
(Evidently the whole lunch room was packed with audience for the tournament.)
(I couldn't be there - but won't miss the next one - whenever that is.) (I think this was the first one they've had.)

The questions were NOT easy. They were taken from the JEOPARDY game ... and as you know, JEOPARDY'S questions are NEVER EASY!!!!!

Go Mother!!!!
---------

On a completely different note, (and this might be considered a little earth-shattering) I found myself in the ER of Grapevine Baylor Hospital not long ago...

No, that's not me in that bed.... would that it would have been!!

Little Caroline's parents were on a little trip to California (a few weeks ago), and Mimi (aka, John's mother) was staying with the little ones.

At 1:30 in the early morning I get a call. Mimi (Susan) is concerned (rightly so) about little Caroline. Long story short, I go over and take her to the ER (I knew the way)... and she's treated for some issues with her lungs, and some severe coughing. Fortunately everything turned out okay... with these ladies' breathing treatment doing the trick.

If you look closely at the picture you'll see the paper flower that Stacy (on the right) made for Caroline.

Of course, every moment might be a blog moment.... so I was glad I had my iPhone camera ready.
(And I got permission from that Stacy (and Nita - on the left) to blog about them.)

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My next blog post will be about my son's 27th birthday on the 27th... which is TOMORROW!!!
Whoa!!
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If you haven't voted on my poll - please do. (upper right)

Rain and other random stuff...

2011-08-25T08:47:00.002-05:00

This morning we got rain!!

And before that, thunder!!
- which meant I had a needy Shiloh-pup.

(That's okay. I love to cuddle.)

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I don't have a lot to say today... but I did find a couple of interesting things in Lonestar Antiques this week...

Check out this mirror...

Oh, and dealer Dorothy has a neat/creepy way to display her business cards...

(I just had to take a picture of that.)
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Oh, I did work in my booth yesterday - for hours.

When I change things around in my booth people think I've brought in new stuff.
Yesterday Delta said, "Oh, you have a new mirror!"
I said, "No, it's just in a different place."
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Clearly there's not much to blog about.
Well, really there is...
but I need permission to tell stuff.
------

My next blog post will be about my son turning 27 on the 27th.
Whoa.
It seems like just yesterday he was a Cub Scout.
Whoa.
------

I have a new poll up!