Mother loves Chinese Food!!

This was my weekend to stay with my Mother and since I was a little early getting to her house, I decided it would be a good idea to get some Chinese Food for our supper.  I got Lee's famous Fried Rice and Mongolian Beef.  Her favorite and my favorite! 

 It was so funny when, after a little while, I started preparing her plate.  She was intently working a puzzle, so I didn't say anything to her, but when I put the plate on the table, she looked at it and SLAPPED her book and pen down in front of her.  She had the biggest smile on her face, she just lit up.  I asked her if she was happy about the Chinese food and she said "Of course I am, where did we get it"?  I love her.

Next day I cut about 4-5 inches off of her hair.  Whew, she has been needing a haircut.  Trouble was, she moved her head worse than a three year old.  Round and round, up and down, no matter how many times I reminded her.  One time I told her very loudly, "Momma, quit moving your head"!!  Then, I laughed, and so did she.  But, we did get the job done and she looked much better.

I visited with Anne a while and she and Dale are going to have to find a house.  So we talked about it and looked at houses listed online.  Hopefully, they will buy one that is very close to Mother's house.  It seems really nice and is very pretty.  Has great curb appeal!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

On Sunday, I was able to visit with one of my favorite friends, Kathy Douthit, for a little bit.  We are going to the U.K. in May of 2020.  She's guiding me through the whole process, because I've never done it before.  We have to buy plane tickets that take us to England where we meet up with our cruise ship.  The cruise ship take us to all kind of ports in England, Ireland and Scotland.  I'm so excited!!  Who wouldn't be?  I hope I'm still alive next May.  

We talked about quilt retreat and our friends from St. Michael.  I am so glad I got to see and visit with her.  She always makes me feel good.  And we think so much alike.  so much alike!!

The last time I stayed with Mother I was very tired and so I didn't take anything to do, just my computer and Sudoku puzzle book.  Needless to say, I was bored out of my mind, so this time I brought some scrapbooking projects to work on.  I felt better doing something.  I also ran across a great deal at Michaels for ATG tape, so I made a big purchase of 5 packs of it!  BINGO, once again, I was very happy!

Overall, a pretty nice weekend, don't you think?



 

Getting Ready for School

Yesterday I spent the day with Allison getting her bulletin boards ready to decorate for her 2nd grade classroom.  I met some of her fellow teachers who were all so gracious and sweet.  Seems like such a great group of women to work with even though they probably won't see much of each other!  

Allison needed help putting up the paper and borders on her bulletin boards because it really was a two-person job.  It's hard to hold that big paper and reach those tall heights when you are a shortie.  

When I first entered her room it kind of looked dingy.  You could see tape and sticky-tack on the walls and it was so empty except for all of the clutter from the supplies and things she needs to set up her classroom.  It does have a lot of storage space though... A large closet, and a very long counter with storage underneath, a book case and a book rack.  The desks are in great condition and her desk was as well.

So... we got to work

Oh yeah, we also covered her desk!  That took a while!!

We ate lunch at Chipolte and made a few stops to pick up supplies but mostly we worked in her classroom.  

And then I dropped her off at her in-laws for a birthday party for Gracyn (Reagan and Charlotte's cousin), and so I was able to end my day with a hug from this little one (whose top right tooth has finally broken through the gums)!!  

All in all, a very good day.  I am so blessed.  Thank you Father.  

Sunday morning has come again.  We had a good service and I have to say how grateful I am that we have been blessed to have Billy Hatridge as our pastor for the past 6 years.  He is such a good speaker and so smart.  We are so blessed.  

                                  Isn't this the most precious picture of Billy, Kim and Addy?

And before I forget, the picture of the church shows the new tower for our church bell.  Ellis and Jerry Craun worked on it and put it up in the front of the church.  It is really nice now because the old tower was needing repair badly.  It had gotten so old.  (Just like me!)

Can I really do this?

I have always wanted to keep a journal, in fact...  I probably could find 6 or 7 different types of "journaling" in my house, where I wrote for a few days, and then never got back to it.  Story of my whole life.  I have done Bible journaling, Scripture writing, several other kinds of little journaling projects.  Several attempts at keeping a blog...  So, here I am again, I'm going to try again.  It's kind of like dieting, I can go on a diet and lose weight, be proud, and then, the light switches off in my head and I am out of control again.  There must be a name for my type of personality.  I need to think about that one.

So, now my two grandchildren are married.  Matthew to Kayla and Allison to Alex.  I have two great-grandchildren, Reagan and Charlotte.  What loves they are.  Ellis is still deaf, still loves to fry food and has a painful back.  Marcus is single and conflicted, Randy won't speak to Ellis and TIm is sporadic.  Heather is taking care of Freddie Walker during the week, but loving on her grandchildren.  Life, in other words, just keeps going on.

Thankfully, I am retired.  I was so tired when I retired and I am so happy I was able to retire at 62.  Now I can do the things I love to do.  I am truly blessed and don't even know why I am so blessed and others have so little.  I should pay attention to that last sentence.

I am going to try again to do this journaling thing.  I kind of like the way it relaxed me and makes me think about what is going on with me and mine.  A chance to reflect on decisions, opportunities, responsibilities, etc. and also to remember and recognize my blessings. 

2.7.2013

This was written a long time ago, but never was posted.  It was such an important week that I wanted to post it, even if it has been years since I first wrote it down. 

Allison and I went to Shreveport to shop for prom dresses.  Her first prom and so it is very important.  At least to the two of us!!  She drove all the way, so I was nervous and antsy and probably made it anxious for her, but she did well and every time she gets to drive she learns something new. 

And we found the perfect prom dress!  Perfect!!  And finished it all off with dinner at a Chinese buffet.  Wow, my Allison loves Chinese.


2/8/2013

My friend. Debra Gibson. lost her husband yesterday.  I feel so sad for her.  They didn't have children and her family lives mostly in Oklahoma.  She's my sweet friend.  What a sad time. 


2/9/2013

Matt got a new four wheeler.  He's in four wheeler heaven.  Of Course!
We made reservations for our trip to Washington, D.C.  June, Ellis and I are going to take a trip to D.C.  June wants to find her father's grave at Arlington Cemetery and also where her grandmother is buried in West Virginia.  Ellis and I just want to go somewhere!!

1.31.2013

Today was sewing day and it was the first time I had seen June in over a month.  We talked our heads off.  Didn't do much sewing, she sewed the borders on her Martha Negley quilt top so it is ready for quilting now.  We measured some quilt tops for backings  and I installed my new LED light on my sewing machine.  HaHa, that's a real job now.

Ms Polly came to visit for a little while .  I think she was glad to see us, too.
Ellis took our gigantic TV down to her house since he bought us a new flat screen.  He bought the dogs each a bone and so Aggie is in hyper mode trying to guard her precious bone.
Grrrrrr...

Tragedy hit Connecticut today...

A school was attacked by a single gunman who shot and killed 20 children and 6 adults.  God bless their families at this Christmas time of year.  How my heart goes out to them.

A Christmas Prayer

from Max Lucado

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord.  These children, Lord.  Innocence violated.  Raw evil demonstrated. 

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas.  But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty.  Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

DEC 13 Sewing Day and Christmas School Play

Sewing Day yesterday!  I had a very good day, for sure.  Got 3 quilt backings ready for quilt tops so after Christmas perhaps I can get them to the quilter!!  I have about 6 quilts to be quilted so I am going to have to find some  MONEY!!

Our Christmas Tree -2012

I got to the church a little early so I could warm the room up, it has been in the 50's lately.  June and I gave Miss Polly her gift today and she was so surprised!  We gave her a pair of cougar pajamas and a fur vest that we made last week.  She didn't have a clue.  She brought us some of her homemade chocolate pecan candy.  It is so yummy, you can't beat it.


June gave me a new Mickey Mouse tote bag and I love it!!  It was filled with goodies and candy.  She made me some foot scrub and gave me some foot cream, coffee, socks and a pretty soft red nail polish.  The neatest thing, though, was the foot "grinding tool", LOL.  It has a sanding stone on a roll that moves super fast and takes the callouses right off of your feet.  I was tickled to death with it.

I gave her some prayer cards, a laundry bag for retreats and some Laundry Basket Quilts fabric from her new line, Dancing in the Rain.   I now know that June is just like me and LOVES fabric. Like there was ever any doubt...

See Dad's wooden carved Santa?

This is an ornament Allison made for me. 

We didn't stay as long as usual because I wanted to go to Allison's play, The Grinch who stole Christmas.  Allison played "Cindy Lou Who" and I didn't realize it was the lead female role.  All of this time she had been going to practices and she never mentioned that hers was one of the main characters.  So, here are lots of pictures.  Bad quality pictures because it was hard to get decent ones in the dark lighting.

 

Allison Brewer as Cindy Lou Who in Whoville, and Allison with her teacher, Ms. Parker

What did you learn in school today? Huh?

Ha!  You know Ellis is deaf.  Well, when he asked
Matthew what he learned in school today Matthew
had something to tell him.  "We learned about STDs"

"What?"

"STDs"

"ABCs?"                      

"No", I chimed in, "STDs, you know syphilis and gonorrhea

"Oooooh"  (Sorry he asked!)

LOL

And while I am picking on Ellis, I might as well put in a picture that shows how he works in the kitchen.  Yes, my man can cook and he loves to FRY.  That's why I call him my "Fry-Daddy".   Tonight he made chicken fried steak.  See - you can see the flour he used...  

CAW!  CAW!  Merry Christmas everyone!!

12/12/2012

Supposedly a BIG day because it is 12/12/12.  Just something to get excited about!

I still don't have a car and plans for repairing mine are all tied up in insurance squabbles.  The criminal doesn't want to pay for the victim's misery.  Isn't that predictable?!!

Ellis is gone today.  He is helping BA put up trusses and metal roofing on a mobile hole for his son to live in.  It's a pretty day, lots of sunshine so maybe he won't be miserable in the colder temps.

I bought gifts for my coworkers yesterday, so I am
getting very close to being ready for Christmas.  I wish I
had more spirit.  Apparently SC came by to visit at my
mother's house yesterday.  I wish I could have talked to
Santa for awhile.

Anne... Thing is, it is probably TRUE!!

Mama and Santa!!  2012

2013 Mini Scrapbook Class

First thing I want to mention is that today is my high school best friend, Cindy Jarrell's, birthday. Happy Birthday, Cindy!  I am blessed to have had you in my heart since 10th grade!!




I had a wonderful morning making the cutest book at Scrapbooker's Emporium this am!  It was very easy to make and I am learning that most of the creative part comes in picking the right paper and accessory sheets that come with the paper.

This little book has a pocket for every month of the new year with lots of tabs and cards on which to write and  plenty of space to keep pictures and  mementos.  It was so fun!

Gas is down to $3.04 today  Still hurts, though.

Hello there, Mr Snowman!!

DEC 6 sewing day

I found a big white bag in my sewing room closet the other day and all of a sudden, I remembered...

I had bought a whole bunch of faux fur fabric at Sharman's in Longview last spring to make jacket vests and scarves for Christmas presents this year!!  Oh, no..  I hate it when that happens!!  LOL

So, today, I took the big bag to the church and June and I figured out the pattern and the fabric and got to work.  Pattern was easy, fabric was very annoying in that it was fuzzies everywhere and very messy when cutting it.  I would take each piece outside and hit it against the siding to shake as much of the fuzziness out of it as I could.

I made the brown fur jacket for Miss Polly and the green vine with cream roses jacket for Anne. I sure hope they like them.  I also made 4 scarves (almost like a boa) with the left over fabrics. Now they are darling!!

But, I have to say, I would much rather be quilting or piecing!!

Had a great day.  I love EVERYBODY, yes, everybody.

Key Chains and Twin Baby Boys

While I was at work this week, I sold some of Allison's key chains.  She made $70 and was thrilled!  Me, too.



On another note, I got to see Seth and Bethany's twin boys on live TV feed today.  It is called Angel Eye.  Truly amazing how small they are and yet they move and wiggle and breathe.  Their little tummies go in and out with each breath.  God is the miracle worker and they are in his hands.

Christmas Card Class

Today is the first day after my wreck.  I am fine, just a little soreness in my left leg.  I had to run some errands today and finish up some Christmas shopping.  I went to the towing service yard to look at my car and get more of my stuff.  It is really hard to get in and out of Ellis' truck.

I traded the CD player I got for Mother for an Ipod shuffle, so now I have to load some music onto it for her for the rest of her present.

Can you believe how small this is?
And, yes, I got her the pretty blue one. 

I had already signed up for a Christmas card class at Scrapbooker's Emporium.  So I decided I would just go.  No need to sit around and mope.  I am glad I went because I had a really good time, made some great cards and enjoyed the company of the ladies very much!

Also, Michi faxed my insurance information to "Trooper Boyd" for me.  It had to be there by Monday.  She is so sweet.  I love her employees, too.

Christmas time's a coming....

Friday at Canton

This morning June and I left out for Canton.  We had 3 big things on the list to find for June:

• a hand woven straw basket for Jordan (like the one we got on our earlier trip this year)
• to look at the Fiesta Ware booth
• to find the bottle tree man

I didn't need a thing.  I just wanted to look and help June find her things.  My back was still "iffy" but I loaded up on Ibuprofen and we headed off.  Coffee in hand...

It was a beautiful day, overcast with no hot sun hitting on us, but the temp was in the low 70's with the best little breeze you could imagine.  It was the best weather day I have ever had at Canton... it is usually freezing or unbearably hot.  Thank you my Lord for a gorgeous day to enjoy our little junket.

 We were not able to find the lady with the basket booth.  We checked at the office and they said they thought she had been sick and so she had closed her booth.  So, we missed getting to see her AND finding a basket.

Then we went looking for the bottle tree.  We passed a place that had some bottle trees and June liked one in particular but another lady bought it right in front of us.  I was kind of glad because I wanted her to see the one I had seen last time.  It had more of a tree shape and was a better quality tree, even though it was more expensive.

So, we did find the man!  He said it was the last one he had and sold it to June for $70 instead of the $85 that was marked on the tag!  Hmmm, I might would have raised the price if it was the last one, but he was a really nice man and gave her a wonderful deal.  Thank you, Mr Bottle Tree man.

We could smell the hamburgers way across the yards...

Yummy!  I was trying to get myself onto the picnic table bench while June picked up the order.

(Remember, my achey-breakey back?)

I was kind of turned around and couldn't remember where exactly was the Fiesta Ware booth so we turned back in the direction that I thought was right and lo and behold we ran right into it. Quite a happy accident.  June bought a 5 piece mixing bowl set in sunshine yellow and a beautiful aqua, soft turquoise blue.

What else?  Well, we each got a handy dandy whisk that will turn skim milk into stiff froth and is guaranteed to make wonderful meringue. (hope, hope, hope), a small bag of homemade English toffee, and a "frog" (as in floral frog) to use for card holders.  I found a perfect gift to get for Ada Joyce and Heather for Christmas.  Picture holders that you can slide the pics in and out of as you change seasons and years.  I am VERY happy with them.   We got some books and a little Texas A&M tie for her grandson, Hayden.

We looked at all kinds of stuff and had a wonderful day.  Having a best friend is a gift that means more to me than I can ever say.  

Now, for the rest of the story...

We got to June's about 8 pm and unloaded all of her stuff into her house and then put all of my stuff into my car.  I left on my merry way and within 5 minutes was in a car wreck that totaled my car.

I could see that someone was flying down the hill toward the bridge.  At the end of the hill you have to make a very sharp right turn so the speed limit is 35 MPH at that spot.  My first reaction was that they will never make that turn onto the bridge, and so I slowed down and moved over to the shoulder.

See, it's bleeding!

My next thought, as I saw them lose control and start spinning toward me was "I am not going to make it this time" (referring back to the cow in the road wreck) and "this is going to hurt". Wham, they plowed right into me and I was alright!  They had hit me with the back of their car and it rotated and landed on the right side of the road going the right way!  Hit by two young teenage boys and they were fine, too.

Long story short, June came to the site, my sister called and located Ellis for me, the police came and it was over.  Not 2 miles from where I left June's house.

Caretaker, Investigator, CEO of all practical matters.

I told Marcus, on the way home, how much I loved that car. How that morning I had seen some scuff marks on the driver's door and so I had gotten some cleaner and wiped them off while telling the car how much I liked it and that it was pretty.  How, in a high, soft and slightly squeaky voice, my car had told me "i love you too and thank you for keeping me so clean".  He kind of chuckled and said "Is that your car's voice?"  I just had to say "yes..."

Good Bye, excellent car, I loved you.