Deck the Halls

Well, Christmas is right around the corner. It's coming early for our family on Dec. 22.
The decorations are done, the gifts are wrapped, the groceries selected, the menu planned.

Hurry, Christmas!

Goofy in Love

yes, that's my son looking goofy at a kiss from his wife....ah, love! It can make a grown man melt!

Another Thanksgiving post

I know everyone has been posting about Thanksgiving, but now it's my turn!

We celebrated with family, as many people did. I love this photo because it shows four generations of our family:
Right to Left:
1st Generation:
Mawmaw was able to attend with her husband and really enjoyed the day. Although she hadn't felt well all month, special effort was expended to join us. I am thankful for that.

2nd Generation:
Next is me. I was happy to be with my family on Thanksgiving and always enjoy the feasting. I'm thankful that God has allowed our family to remain close, healthy, and happy.

3rd Generation:Next is daughter-in-law, KarenD. She hosted this year and did a wonderful job. She always makes everyone feel welcome and even included a family friend who was alone for the holiday as our dinner guest.

3rd Generation: Next is daughter, LydiaN. She and her husbend spent the day with us also. She always adds fun and laughter to our celebrations as well as her expertise as photographer. It's always a joy to have her around.

4th Generation:
Baby Ian!! We can't see his dear features yet, but we felt his movements inside his mommy's tummy. We can't wait till he makes his appearance in late February so we had hold him and love on him. I patted him and told him to hurry up 'cause Grandma was ready for him! :)

I am thankful for my family and grateful to God for His wonderful blessings to all our generations.

Special Lunch

On Sunday, I and six other Arbonne consultants from our Region went to Dallas to have lunch with Stacy Thorn, Executive National Vice President. Stacy lives outside of Tulsa and has been with Arbonne 10 years. The first four she spent as a District Manager, then decided to get serious about building her business. Since then, she has steadily grown her company...and now makes almost $80,000 per MONTH!

Yes, network marketing can do that. It is hard work in the beginning, but pays off BIG in the long run. I am excited about the possibilities that anyone can do this!

Someday I will meet up with Stacy again...at a VP dinner! I appreciate all referrals from my dear readers and will travel to do presentations anywhere.

Kudos to Hubby

First of all, let me say that my hubby has done it again! He has spent the weekend creating another sitting area in our backyard and did an excellent job. I went to two stores to get the decorative items, and we'll add more as the seasons change.

This will give us a stopping place halfway down the hill to the bottom of the yard. We are going to move the chimenea down there to get it out from under the wisteria that now grows completely over the pergola.


I know we will enjoy this new spot very much. Thanks to the hub!

Maker Faire

KarenD did a good job of posting photos of our weekend trip, but I'll find one or two to add here.

We did have a great time at the Maker Faire outside of Austin. Weird people from all over were there. I enjoyed gawking at them as much as at the robots and other cool gadgets around. There were also booths with organic foods. Hubby bought some bison jerky which was really good. I got honey from Round Rock. This photo is the DietCoke/Mentos demo. They had those spurts of Coke dancing, swaying, crossing in patterns; it was awesome! And a little wet!!


Whole Foods was once place I did not take pictures and wished I had. It was amazing! Did you know there's PINK salt? There were so many unusual foods my eyes could hardly take it all in. And, there's a restaurant where you can get delicious food (gourmet variety) to go or eat in. The bakery was awesome as well as the cheese counter, spice aisle, and oils, to name a few. We also got a "splurge" bottle of oil/spices combo for dipping bread...yum!


Katz's Deli was interesting. The decor, food, and service were like being in a NY deli complete with subway theme and Jewish food. We had links and sauerkraut topped off with a HUGE cheesecake we all shared! mmmmm

IKEA was an experience, too, although this one was Swedish! While the furnishings are not necessarily my taste (too angular) I loved the accessories and gadgets they had. I got out of there for under $100 which I thought was good! Here's Alan at the end of our shopping:

Yes, our carts our full! haha

It was a beautiful fall weekend for an outing, and it felt like we had a much-needed mini-vacation! Sweet!

American English

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English 25% Dixie 5% Midwestern 5% Yankee 0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Anniverary II

The celebration was a success. One hundred five people attended to congratulate my parents!

Happy Anniversary!

On August 31, 1947, my parents were wed. Now we're celebrating their 60th anniversary this weekend with a family/friends celebration. What an accomplishment! "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, 'til death do us part."

Congratulations, Mom and Dad! Here's to you!!

Random Post because I've Been Tagged

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I am so old I remember weekly baths. Yep, we'd wash the necessaries more often, but a whole bath and shampoo? Saturday nights.

2. I am so old I remember Easter hats and gloves. Actually they were worn more often than that by my mom and her friends, but my Easter hat and gloves were things in which I gloried. Surely, I was on the brink of adulthood when thus arrayed.

3. I am so old my first radio was a transistor model in a black leather case with a carrying handle. The whole thing probably measured 6"x4", and, boy was I cool! Of course, I didn't listen to rock 'n roll what with being a Christian and all, so it was mostly Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, easy listening stuff, etc.

4. I didn't own a pair of jeans until my senior year of high school. Yes, that all-purpose piece of clothing was only for boys! I finally convinced my mom to get me a pair because I was in rehearsal for the choir musical, and we spent a lot of time sitting on the stage floor waiting for directions from the teacher. Of course, the jeans went to college with me, were worn constantly (even on the short trip to the campus bookstore where I purchased my first deck of playing cards :O), and became faded and comfortable that first semester.

5. I also didn't own a record player until college. For some reason, my mom thought it was a necessary piece of dorm equipment. But it wasn't until I met my roommate my sophomore year that my record collection blossomed. She liked everything! So I began collecting LP's which were sadly disposed of some 25 years later in a garage sale.

6. I snore when I sleep. Not just a light, lady-like snuffle, but a full-blown, train-track-rattlin' rumble! So I got tested for sleep apnea, got the CPAP machine installed in my bedroom, and now I sleep as quietly as a kitten. However, please don't take my picture during said sleep...I certainly don't look as cute as a kitten with that apparatus on my nose!

7. My first boyfriend broke up with me to date a girl at his college. They married on May 19 exactly one year before I got married on May 19. Weird, huh? I mean, how common is it that an old boyfriend gets married on your date, or, rather that I got married on his date? Our parents were friends but I'm sure that had nothing to do with it...right, Mom?

8. Okay, I've saved the best for last. My husband proposed to me 3 weeks after our first date. Yep...3 weeks! We did wait a considerable time for the actual marriage, and I guess it's worked out okay since we're working on year 33 now. But it was all pretty heady for a 19-year-old girl when my "knight in shining armor" showed up so suddenly in a red '69 Camaro. Ah, love in the pines (SFASU, that is)....those were the years!

Okay, so those are my random eight. Now, I will tag my 3 favorite guys: John, Jon, and Jack.

Oldies Music

I love the oldies. Not only because they were the songs of my college years, but also because they were played on the radio I listened to in those years. Songs from the 50's, 60's and 70's appeal to me. I know, I know, I'm old. But somewhere in the 80's I quit listening to much popular music, preferring instead to raise our kids with Christian music in the house.

Now those kids are adults themselves. A recent discussion of "oldies" lyrics made us realize that sometimes the tune overtook the lyrics in those days. Sometimes the lyrics were downright crass (to say the least) and perhaps not understood by those too naive to understand terms of the drug and free sex cultures of the day. We weren't involved in those cultures and therefore didn't know the code words of the time.

When we listen to the oldies now, I'm a little more choosy. I recently downloaded a Barry Manilow album of his renditions of the popular songs of the 60's....and I love it! What the World Needs Now, Cherish, Can't Help Falling in Love, etc. Of course, it's not like having the original singers, but I like Manilow's voice...nice and mellow, easy to listen to. Check out iTunes soon!

Vacation in Missouri

Here's the link to our vacation pictures in Picasa. We had a great time!

http://picasaweb.google.com/home

Apology

Sorry for not posting since the wedding. I've been out of town a lot lately. Downloaded our vacation pictures and will post some soon.

In other news, Mom's surgery went great and she's doing well. I'll return home Sun.

Wedding Photo

I love my family! Whenever there's a crisis or a joy, we share it together. God is so good to our family, and the blessings we share are abundant. This past weekend's wedding was no exception. Hubby gave away the bride, daughter shot the photos, son and son-in-law ushered & fetched whatever, daughter-in-law made bouquets & served along with me.

Thank you, Lord.

Oh, come on!

I visited our public library this afternoon to check out some good books for my summer vacation reading. After taking care of business, I stopped in the restroom to, well, take care of business. Inside the stall, on the wall above the toilet, was the following sign:

PLEASE FLUSH
THE TOILET
AFTER USING IT.

Pleeze, people, do you have to be told EVERYTHING? sheesh

Welcome Addition

I finally traded cars! Yep, I traded my trusty old Focus in on a 2004 Honda CRV.

I first wanted a CRV the year they debuted...1997! That's right, ten years ago. Two teachers with whom I worked bought them that year. I thought they were so cute and different; who had ever seen a mini-SUV before? The innovations in it were amazing...a built-in table, a tailgate that swings open, the chassis low enough you didn't have to climb up into the seat. Honda was ahead of the market then, and I had major car fever.

Of course you're asking, if you've wanted one for ten years, why didn't you ever get one? Hmmm, let's just say circumstances conspired against it every time we had to trade. So, before I make another long-distance trip by myself, I decided to trade for a newer car.

I love driving it! It's very "tight" handling, small turning circle, real pep on passing gear all combine to make a fun driving experience.

This was the first car I'd purchased entirely on my own. I asked the dealer what percentage of females do that. Answer: about 35%. That's an interesting stat since the divorce rate is 50% in the US. That means that single women of all stripes STILL take a man along to do the deal. Ladies, we can do this. Prepare beforehand what your terms are, do your homework on the cars, and go with a smile on your face (it disarms the salesman). You can walk away knowing you got a great deal on exactly the car you wanted. Sweet!

Meez

I've done it! Thanks to kd's inspiration, I've added a meez to my site. Enjoy!

Latest Project

Hubby has done it again! We had an extra closet rod (taken out of his hobby closet) and now he's installed it in the utility room. I can hang items directly from the dryer!! Hooray!

First Tomato

I planted too early and the tomatoes have been reluctant to set. However, I do have one about to ripen and another just starting. Maybe before the summer is over, I'll actually have a "crop" of tomatoes! :)

Warning

Anyone with small children in the home or who works with small children should read the following link:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp

Alcohol poisoning is a grave danger for young children. They experience their world through their hands and mouths. Keep hand sanitizers away from them! Stick to good ol' soap and water!

new flower bed

We made a new flower bed recently. We bought edging and 2 plants. Everything else we already had! It was just a matter of getting it together.

Redecorating...done!

After almost 4 years in our home, we finally got the last room redecorated. Hurrah! Alan's office/work room has been a catch-all with piles of stuff around the walls. He uses this room for his hobby, reloading bullets. Last year, he re-worked the closet to hold his hobby supplies (so the doors could close on the mess!), but we never got around to actually finishing the rest of the room to be suitable for overnight guests. Now, it is done. You will notice the large black futon (story from a previous post) and the beautiful Turkish rug are the centerpieces of the room. Alan picked out the wall color, I chose the small chest, lamp, and curtains. We both like it and hope it will be comfortable for guests as well as useful for Alan.

And for the bird lovers...

Okay, this is the last one ... for all you bird lovers out there!

Otters II

Here's another fun film of otters at play!

Otters

Click on the video to see them playing.

zoo trip

These were some of our favorite scenes from the zoo trip in Tyler. I have a cute video of the otters playing. Can someone tell me an easy way to upload it to Blogger>

Anniversary

Hub and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary yesterday. It was a beautiful day just as it was back in 1974 when we married.

Hub planned the day. First, the morning at the zoo. It was crowded with people of all ages, and the animals were playful. The aviary was fully of gorgeous feathered friends. Lunch at the Chakula Cafe allowed us to watch the giraffes and elephants, wildebeests and emus. After we left the zoo, we shopped all afternoon. While at the mall, I treated hub to a 10 minute chair massage. The masseuse really worked him over, and he was sore afterwards! oops!

Adfter eating an early dinner at Clear Springs Seafood Restaurant (delicious), we were stuffed! We had a couple of hours to kill before movie time, so we stopped at Gander Mountain for hub to shop some more. He found a gun safe of the type and size he'd been searching for.

Had to stand in line for 30 minutes at the Jacksonville movie theater. Everyone was there to see "ShrekIII". Not us. Our movie was Nicholas Cage in "Next". It was pretty good, but parts of the story were recognizable strains of "Butterfly Effect", "National Treasure", and other Hollywood genres. Still, a great adventure thriller. Also starred Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel.

We had a great day and enjoyed spending the time together.

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||||||||||| 73% Stability |||||||||||| 43% Orderliness |||||||||||||||||| 80% Accommodation |||||||||||||| 56% Interdependence |||||||||||||| 56% Intellectual |||||| 30% Mystical |||||||||| 36% Artistic |||| 16% Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Hedonism || 10% Materialism |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Narcissism |||||||||||||||| 70% Adventurousness |||| 16% Work ethic |||||||||||| 43% Self absorbed |||||||||||| 50% Conflict seeking || 10% Need to dominate |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Romantic |||||||||||||| 56% Avoidant |||||| 23% Anti-authority |||||||||||||||| 70% Wealth || 10% Dependency |||||||||||| 43% Change averse |||||| 30% Cautiousness |||||||||||| 50% Individuality |||||||||| 36% Sexuality |||||| 23% Peter pan complex || 10% Physical security |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Physical Fitness |||| 17% Histrionic |||||| 23% Paranoia |||||||||||||||| 63% Vanity |||||||||||| 50% Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||||| 63% Female cliche |||||||||||||||||||| 83%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

These are the results of the test mentioned on Lindsey's blog. How can I be religious and materialistic in equal amounts? hmmm

BLOW OUT!

On my way home from work last night, I was cruising at 70 mph and listening to the radio. Suddenly, I hear a "whump whump". I turned off the radio to listen again. There it was. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw smoke billowing out the back end of my car. "I better pull over," I thought. As I slowed down to pull over, the steering became very hard to control. "Oh my, I wonder what's wrong?"

I park at the side of the road, get out of my car, walk around to the back. OHMYGOSH! The tire is completely burnt off the rim! It is hanging there, lopsided, while the rim of the tire is sunk into the soft dirt. What do I do?

Call my knight in shining armor who arrived in 10 minutes riding his charcoal gray Ford Ranger. Within 30 minutes he had the tired removed, the spare on (which was low on air), we'd crept slowly to the nearest gas station and got air,then drove slowly home on the little donut tire.

This morning, he took my car to the tire store where we'd purchased the tired in January, got the tired changed out, and I'm good to go to work today.

He's my hero!

Rain, Rain

Wow, it's been raining all day! I love it because our flowerbeds and lawns need the moisture. It's a nice change from sameness. Thank you, God, for rain.

Wedding Bells

(click for mood music as you read)

Yes, friends, wedding bells are ringing for our clan. My hubby's mom has decided, after ten years of widowhood, to remarry. She's 75; he's 77.

Each was married for decades. Does that mean that they'll avoid the pitfalls of newlywed-dom? Will they argue over picking up shoes or who gets to use the shower first? Or will they treasure each moment as a second chance to do it right, without fear or worries of what others will think?

I think it takes tons of courage to marry again late in life. It takes being deliberately vulnerable to another person (when you've spent years building up your independence), and it takes courage to face another inevitable loss when one spouse dies. It takes lots of compromise from people who are "set in their ways".

And, yet, the JOY! On the face, in the step, in the ready laugh and sparkling eye ... wow, wouldn't we all want to have that first blush of love again? The enthusiasm for another person, the future to plan ... these things are as much a part of love at 75 as they are at 25.

I wish them God's blessings for each day they have together.

Film Review

You must see "Simon Birch". It's the story of two best friends as they search for faith and destiny. One is an ostracized, orphaned, bastard (yes, literally) and the other is a dwarf, shunned by his parents and ridiculed by everyone in town. Jim Carrey, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt headline the adult stars, but the two boys who play the lead roles are the best part of the film. Beautifully set in Maine, this film had us laughing and crying as their story unfolded towards the inevitable end.

Manners and Mores

Does anyone use manners anymore? Even in a business environment, some people are just rude.

"Oh, so sorry, I forgot we had a meeting."
"Oh, so sorry, I got detained by something else."
"Oh, so sorry, I was running the roads and completely forgot you were coming."

Each night this week, I've had an Arbonne appointment set up. I was glad my week was busy and purposeful. Each night has turned out ... zip, zilch, nada. Why do people make appointments and not keep them? It's discouraging to me and also disrespects my time. sigh

Also this week, true stories:
One church lady admits living with boyfriend, is confronted by staff member, resigns positions of responsibility, talks with pastor about marriage plans.
Another church lady (different church, different culture) is living with boyfriend and is on their church's pastor search committee. No marriage plans evident.
Both Christians, both know this is sin and not part of God's plan. One is "chastised", one is not, by their peers.
Ironic.

April snow

Today's snow must have been a record-breaker. Not because of the amount of snow, but because of the date. I've never seen snow in April here. We didn't get as much as some parts of Texas, true, but what we got was beautiful.

In the first photo, you can see the flurry of flakes all around. In the second, you can see the amount that stuck.

We enjoyed the blustery day and a warm house tonight.

Easter

When I was a little girl growing up in Dallas, my parents took me every Easter to one of two places for photographs: Turtle Creek or the park on E.Grand Ave. (I don't remember the name). These venues were full of azaleas. My brother and I stood for the photos as my children would do in the future. This photo of my mother and me was taken in our backyard. My dress was yellow with a chiffon duster. I thought I was beautiful. Notice my mom's hat, purse, and gloves. All were "de rigueur" in the 1960's.

Our kids' photos were generally made at home, however. We had those beautiful azaleas in our own backyard in Orange. Some Easters we were in Dallas and photos were made in g'parents' back yard. This photo was in 1986, and it's one of my favorite photos of my children.

Why do parents take these photos? Perhaps because we're all dressed up in "Easter finery" , or because it's a significant annual occasion, a time ready-made for photo ops. I wish, in a way, we had taken the photos in the same place every year so that we would have a visual record of our children's growth compared to that site. I wasn't a scrapper in those days, so I didn't think about what would make a good scrapbook page in the future!

Anyway, from generation to generation, Easter photos are a given.

Futon, Anyone?

We have been dickering with an online furniture store over a recent purchase. As a result of an incorrect order, we find ourselves the owner of a black futon couch, mattress, and slipcover which we do not want. Also, we have an extra futon frame without a mattress. Is anybody interested in these? Or do you know someone who's recently been struck with a house fire or other disaster who needs replacement furniture quickly? This is a pick-up only deal, of course. We're not shipping this thing anywhere!

Hay fever

When the wind changed directions (like in Mary Poppins), the unseen allergies came with it. With all the weather we've experienced the last few days, the lasting effect is that both hub and I are miserable with coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. Miserable is putting it mildly. But the day is glorious, and we enjoyed our kids' visit this weekend. They probably didn't enjoy it b/c of listening to us cough, but we always relish time we get to spend with our adult children. I also got to scrapbook this weekend. I haven't done that in a long time, and I am long overdue getting my cruise book done.

I hope the wind changes again soon.

Drivin' a BENZ!

Today I got to drive a Benz! Not just one, mind you, but as many as I wanted. So I tried out the E class, the C class, the M class, the R class, and the SLK. I know that's all nonsense, but let me explain. The E and C classes are basically family cars. The E's are bigger and more luxurious than the C's. Think Cadillac vs. Ford. Okay the M class is the SUV's. I really like one of those. The R class reminds me of a station wagon, but it's a little sleeker. The SLK is a two-seater coupe. Wow, was it fun to drive! The vroom-vroom upon acceleration was exciting, the wind blowing through my hair, I suddenly felt 20 years, no make that 30 years, younger!

Actually, for practical purposes, I'd like either the SUV or the family sedan. They were both great to drive, and the ride was awesome.

Guess I better get busy working my Arbonne business so one of those cars can park in MY driveway. :)

Weirded out for real

To understand this post, you must know that I am a WASP. That's a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant for those of you too young to know. I vote Republican. I am a conservative morally and politically. So with that as background, let me tell you that I was weirded out this weekend. Friday night we attended a political event in our community. This is not so unusual as we have been known to do this from time to time. But, this time, it was a dinner provided by a black friend of ours who is our county commissioner. He happens to be a Democrat. He won the election last fall (at the young age of 26) and was sworn in in January. But the loser (a white Republican) sued him over election irregularities, and a white Republican judge agreed to hold another election in April. If this is not blatantly prejudicial, I don't know what is. Well, there we sat, a few white faces in a sea of black. The singing was enthusiastic, the prayers profound, the meal delicious. The speaker from Waco recounted all of black history from Dred Scott to the present time.We soaked it all in. However, at the back of our minds was the niggling thought, "Does anybody here know we are really Republicans, and we voted for this man because we really like him and think he'll do a good job?" "Does anybody care?" We felt like spies in the enemy camp, thinking that any moment our game would be up and we would be denounced as, yes, Republicans! Thankfully, no such pronouncement came, hub prayed the benedicition for said candidate, and we left before we could be engaged in small talk. This morning, we actually marched in the Dogwood Festival parade in the entourage of this candidate. Again, there were a few white faces among many black. We all had a good time together and hope that our candidate wins this next election. And that our Republican friends don't disown us for voting, just this once, for this Democrat. The second thing today that felt weird was we ate lunch in the Masonic Hall. Someone had given us tickets for a free lunch there, and, being the moochers, uh, thrifty people we are, we, of course, accepted them. We descended into the basement of the Hall, received our lunches, and ate quickly. What goes on in those upper floors, anyway? Were the ordinary guys serving us really delving into idolatry on a weekly basis? I asked hub if he felt as weird as I did at these two events to which we would normally never venture. He said yes, he did feel strange. Almost like a spy, almost like a stranger in another culture. Now mind you, all these people look and talk exactly like people we see everyday in our jobs and community. So this "weird feeling" was simply because of the mindset I had protected that being either a Democrat or Mason is evil and that I should not associate intimately with these people. I'm sure they probably think the same about me. (eg.,How can I support a president who sent us into a war that was unwinnable, etc. ) Now, this is a long story to get to these questions: what do we do in our churches that seems totally alien to people who visit? Do we weird them out with our singing, clapping, hugging, and general carrying on? Do we explain what we're about? Do they see Jesus? Do we see them prejudicially as outsiders, unlike us? Do we care they feel strange and try to help them integrate? All comments are welcome.

New Blogger

Okay, so I'm finally a Blogger! I am considering moving here totally b/c my hub needs the web space on my other account for his website. So, to simplify things, I'll move my blogging to this site.

Today is the first day of Spring and the dogwoods are finally in bloom ! Hooray!! The festival is this Saturday, but I will miss it b/c I'm going to test-drive some Mercedes at my local dealership. It's National Test-Drive-a-Mercedes-Day for Arbonne. Dealers all over the country will be inundated with those of us consultants who are on the track to promote to the car of their dreams. I think I want the SUV, but I'll drive them all to make sure. :)