Happy Day(s) After Christmas!

The Light of the world is still here.......

Remember to silence my playlist. This song is worth the 3+ minutes!

May You Be Filled with Jesus and Joy!

Almost there!

I don't have much left at all. It's great....I wanted to be able to enjoy some baking, the fireplace, the music, and family/friends the day or so before Christmas came.

When Chad gets home, all our family (except Jerry) will be within a stone's throw from here. And with the exception of some colds going around, everyone is well. We are blessed.

Thank you, Jesus!

Happy Anniversary, Rick

"I've thought about how long I'll love you.....And it's only fair that you know, forever's as far as I'll go."


(I used this last year, too. It still says it best!)

Happy Anniversary....

to Justin and Keelie. Can't believe it has been 10 years! So glad you got to celebrate in NYC. We love you and wish you many more blessed years.

Just an Update

I needed to get my last week or so on "paper." Here goes....

*Christmas children's program at church

*Christmas pageant at an area church

*meal at Marilyn's (with haircuts on the side)

*time with Jonah and Glory (Mom and Dad were in NYC for their 10th anniversary)

*Marilyn and I shopped for wedding things and Christmas gifts

*great time with Jenna

*Jenna's best friend (from crib through college to career) got engaged

*Rick's toe surgery was a success--no melanoma

*Christmas baking

*nice blazing fires in the fireplace

James 1:17

Growing So Fast

These two little blessings are growing way too fast. I thank God for our happy and healthy Jonah and Glory!

Enjoy!

A great school project -- silence my playlist first.

Cracker Candy Bars,

You are going to love these! Trust me....


 2 Sticks real Butter

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

Club Crackers (1 sleeve should make 1 pan)

1-12 oz pkg chocolate chips =white or milk chocolate, but NOT semi-sweet

1 Cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line rectangular cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with non-stick spray.

Line cookie sheet with crackers. Melt butter in saucepan. Add sugar. Low boil about 1 to 2 minutes, until sugar dissolves and mixes well. Add baking soda. Mix. Pour over crackers. Bake in oven for 8 minutes. It will still be liquid and golden brawn. Pour chocolate chips over crackers. As they melt, spread like frosting. Top with pecans if you wish!

Random Thankfulness

I haven't been posting a daily "I am thankful for..." like so many of you. But none the less I, too, am thankful!

As I have said before, it's truly about "Thankful Living." Each day I am mindful of something to be thankful for. I say "something" loosely, because there are a multitude of things on a daily basis.

In our bible study, we have been discussing "Godstops" with the ladies. These are simply the big and small things that cause you to think about God and His hand in your life as you walk, talk and live in this  day-to-day journey with Him. As Christians, we know nothing is really by accident--everything comes and goes through His hands.

Today, I am reflecting on my relationships with my family and friends. Such blessings!

I am thankful for another fun NASCAR weekend.

Now....may I tell you one other thing I am thankful for this morning?

It's a ..............r-e-f-r-i-g-e-r-a-t-o-r.

Yep, that's right. I have been without one for TWO weeks. Mine was hit by lightening, and the one I ordered naturally was not in stock in the local store. So once again we relied on the one out in our 5th wheel trailer. (What would we have done without that baby these last few months!) I did get some extra exercise though, because every time I wanted a teaspoon of jelly for my breakfast I had to run to the trailer. The good news is the new one is being delivered today!

If you haven't been thankful for a refrig, let it go out!

Halloween 2011

One Biker,
One Army dude,
One Hippie,
and a Princess!

Fast Week

We had a birthday party for Chad on Sunday of last week. He left for Singapore on Tuesday. The next time we see him it will be Christmas and time for the wedding. Enjoyed getting some family time in!

I had to take another state test and hopefully my last one! If I didn't pass it, well.....I'll just say it was for practice and do the silly thing again.

Then we went to the Affair of the Heart craft show in OKC where 1,000,000 other women showed up.

Jonah, Glory and I made "RANGER" cupcakes Saturday afternoon to wish our Texas Rangers some luck. I guess it worked as we won the game. They are playing right now. We might should have made cupcakes again! We are behind.

We're Moving!

Yes, Thursday is moving day. We are getting to move from the 5th wheel back into the house. I am so ready to get back in. The carpet and tile are being cleaned to get all the dirt and dust out. Furniture coming back in then on Thursday evening.

I was sure hoping I didn't have to skip fall decorating and go straight to Christmas when we got in. Whew......thank goodness!!

Of course, it may take me to Christmas to find all the stuff/junk I stashed everywhere.

Goodguys Everywhere

The Goodguys National Car Show at TMS proved not only to be a big deal but a huge success. Our friend's car sold.

It was such a beautiful weekend to be outdoors. There were thousands of people and probably a couple thousand custom and classic cars on display.  Marilyn and Rickie came down for a little while on Saturday. And then we enjoyed Jenna and a friend spending the day with us yesterday.

We are already making plans to go back to this event next year.

SWAP and SHOP

Ok, ladies, this swapping and shopping is not for clothes, furniture, etc. We are at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for a car show. A friend is trying to sell a car here. Gates open this morning at 8:00. The vintage cars here are divided into two groups; one section is for show cars only. The other one is for the sale cars.  It honestly looks like a filming for Grease, American Graffiti, etc.

What blessings this morning --  we have gotten up in the 5th wheel to a beautiful sunrise and cool temps here in the DFW area. It's going to be a great day!

It's a Drag...

The guys headed to Ennis Saturday morning to the drag races.  Jonah was in full gear.

Love this pic....Ricky Loren, Justin Loren, 

and Jonah Loren!

(Hey, Greg, a little free advertisement going on, huh!)

Love this pic, too!

Glory...Glory!

She's three on Sunday.

Happy Birthday, little princess. Nanna and Papa love you!

Makin' You Feel Better!

Just in case you are thinking your house needed a little cleaning or touch up this weekend, don't worry if you didn't get around to it. Just look at mine, and you'll probably feel better immediately! Every room is a plastic maze.

Family and friends coming through just say "Oohhhh ........wow!"

We are still living in our 5th wheel. And that's ok....just an extended camping trip in our own backyard.

Find the Giggle

by Marilyn Meberg

I love to laugh. I believe a giggle is always loitering about even in the most devastating of circumstances. I make a point of shuffling through the rubble in search of that giggle.

This isn’t denial. I need to feel and express my pain. But I also need to find the light side—and there is always a light side! I’ve noticed that when I laugh about some minor part of a problem or controversy or worry, the whole situation suddenly seems much less negative to me. After a good laugh, I can then rethink my circumstances. As a result, that which was threatening may now seem less threatening.

Are you a giggler? 
(To find out more about Marilyn Meberg, go here.)

Gabfest

Marilyn and I took flowers to the cemetery to put on Mother's grave on Saturday. It was exactly 6 years ago that she passed away. We were so blessed to have had her as our mom. What a lady!

We went to see Aunt Bonnie, Mother's remaining living sister. She will be 90 next month. Yes...90 and she still looks like she's 70.

Chad flew out to Singapore on Saturday evening. I know Marilyn was relieved to have heard from him 24 hours later that he was there safe and sound. He is going to have incredible opportunities over there with his job. Tara has wedding plans in motion for 12-31-11.

We had two great services yesterday at church. Both were remembering 9-11 with special music and messages. (Got to hear Keelie sing once again there last night.)

Jerry is here for another week or so. We are enjoying some stories and food. Thanks, Marilyn, for some meals. (My kitchen is still basically closed--except for the trailer one.)

Work continues around here this morning. I just know it's going to be a very productive week. Hoping the dust settles. HA

Love my family and friends.

I am blessed.

Seeing Ground Zero

Within the last three years, I have gotten to see Ground Zero twice. The first time was back in December of 2008 and then again this past May. Each time has been a huge emotional experience.

This picture was taken in May. As you can see, there was still much work to be done. It looks so different now that we have seen pictures on the television all week. So many preparations were going in full motion back then to make the anniversary date today. 

This is a May 2011 picture of the new One Trade Center (formerly known as Freedom Tower) being built. It is the first of several towers being built that will make up the new World Trade Center. They say once complete it will be the tallest building in the United States and among the tallest in the world. Unless something changes, it is scheduled to be completed in 2013. I hope to see it again.

May we never forget. God Bless America!

Need One of These

With all the stuff going on around here, can someone please find me one of these to post?  (cough..cough)

Yes, I'm trying to find humor in all this. And.....

Praise God for our travel trailer!

Furdown Farewell

Rick and I are are doing some projects/work/stuff around the house. We had some repairs that needed to be done. Needless to say, one thing always leads to another.

It all started with some walls and ceilings that needed some attention. From there the list continued to grow.

So .... the kitchen cabinets made the TOP 10. Since the kitchen/dining ceilings were already getting some of this attention, it was perfect timing to get a crowbar to the furdown. The cabinets came out and the crowbar started its work---thanks to Rick and Justin. Rickie then helped with sheetrock. And now the work continues.......

Just throwing in a few other cuties.......

Happy Birthday, Jenna!

"Do Everything"

Silence my music at the bottom and be reminded today that everything we do really does matter to God!

Happy 6th Birthday, Jonah!

We love you very much!

Let's Believe!

This is an eleven-week study by Beth Moore that I did several years ago. I am looking so forward to getting to do it again. God's timing is perfect, and He has brought such an amazing group of women together for such a time as this. We will start up again on Wednesday. Can't wait!


Thanks to my sis for allowing me to do it at her house. Mine is -- should I say --  "under construction." That's a post in itself.

Trust

Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment...but trust in GOD, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity.

- Dwight L. Moody

This Is Why!

This cute new little badge I received in my box at my new place of employment this afternoon explains it all. I mean -- everything -- from May through today, August 22!

It explains......

*why Rick has had to survive on nachos, Sonic, sandwiches, t.v. dinners, and anything else he could muster up
*what God orchestrated and directed me to do
*why I basically lived away from home the entire month of June
*why I have bribed and "practiced" testing so many adults and kiddos around town
*why I continue to make meetings/training at least two times a week (nights, Saturdays, etc.)
*why I will be working parttime (when I finish all these requirements!!!)
*why and how I want to continue to invest in the lives of our children at school
*why my blogging has been so sporadic lately

And....that's a wrap for tonight!

An Engagement

My sweet nephew, Chad, proposed to his girlfriend, Tara, Friday night. She said yes, and now their "forever" life together is on!

There are some really good stories to be told. Chad is suppose to pen those himself. When he does, I will direct you to them.

Some kind of wonderful.......

Not All Alligators Are Scary

Har-Ber Village

Rick and I finally got to go to Har-Ber Village. It is apparently one of the largest antique museums in the U.S. The village, located in Grove, Oklahoma, was created by Harvey and Bernice Jones on lakeside property they bought for a summer home. It has 112 buildings that house thousands of collections of antiques and memorabilia. The village includes a schoolhouse, stagecoach station, courthouse, gallows, bank, dentist office, doctor office, homes, and so much more. Most structures were dismantled at their original sites in numerous surrounding states and brought to their property.

There were collections of almost everything you could think of. They had pottery, dishes, uniforms, hats, guns, maps, newspapers, furniture, knives, farm machinery...too much to list.

Rick's parents went there many times. They loved to go and just stroll through the place at least once a year. I definitely want to go back. Perhaps another month other than August would be good! (The heat thing was going on there, too.)

Joplin Destruction

Earlier in the week Rick and I drove to Joplin, Missouri to get a firsthand look at the city after it was hit by the tornado back in May.  It was eerie, to say the least, driving down streets and streets of destruction. There were so many homes, businesses, and churches affected.

As I looked at the ruins of those homes, my thoughts were with each family. I wondered where they were living now. Or had they not even survived? (At least 134 didn't.) Would they be able to come back to the place they had once called "home?"

Would the business owners be able to eventually rebuild? Did the employees of all those businesses have the opportunity to find jobs elsewhere? So many out of work......

Where were each of the congregations having their services?

I wanted to find the hospital I had seen on television. It wasn't hard to locate. The structure/shell was still standing with steel everywhere. Across the street were white tents and some trailers being used as temporary medical facilities.

Please keep reading now about Mission Joplin.

"Mission Joplin is a new movement of action and life birthed out of the devastation and destruction caused by the May 22nd, 2011 tornado which ravaged Joplin, MO. We exist to connect and coordinate the volunteer efforts of eager organizations who want to give to and serve the immense needs of the city of Joplin and its residents during this time of severe loss." (Go here for more information.)


Keelie shared this with me; she is getting to go with some friends. 

As other weather-related victims from the past, these people need many prayers and so much assistance!

We can each do something---pray, give, or go.

Let's do it.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

On a mountaintop outside Charlottesville, Virginia, you will find Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello. It is a 5000-acre plantation that was home to the author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president of the United States. He was also the founder of the University of Virginia.

We had a terrific guide the day we took our tour. Now just in case you are wondering, kids, we didn't tour the whole 5000 acres!