Aunt Bonnie's 91st

Yesterday was a special day for a special lady.  Jane hosted a celebration at her house in honor of Aunt Bonnie who turned 91 years young!  She really is unbelievable. She is still in what I think is good health. She lives at home where she cooks and cleans for herself.  She has a memory that far exceeds mine. And to be quite honest, she has better complexion than I do.

Aunt Bonnie got to visit with many family and friends today that all consider her a blessing in their lives!

Jane had a beautiful table of refreshments just perfect for an October birthday celebration!

Brain Tumor Walk, Part 2

The walk was yesterday morning in Fort Worth. It was really a neat experience. They did a short little program before the walk began bringing all the brain tumor survivors to the front staging area.

It was misting all during the walk, but we had a fun time anyway. Supposedly, it was 5K (3 miles), but it went by so fast it sure didn't seem that far.

After the race, we took the team for lunch.

Team: Randy, Ashley, Jake, Julie, Jared, Jenna, Rick, and me

Rick in his green survivor t-shirt with the team

She raised $2750 !
Thanks to all who supported the efforts in any way!

Brain Tumor Walk, Part 1

Several weeks ago, Jenna made plans to attend the Dallas/Ft. Worth Brain Tumor Walk to honor her dad. (By the way, he's doing well.) She got the information and went online to register a team for us. Our team's name was True Grit!

(Rick in the hospital in June 2012)

Here is Rick's story that was posted on the Brain Tumor Site......

True Grit

The Brain Tumor Walk is a fun and inspirational day where the brain tumor community unites to inspire hope and take action in the fight against brain tumors. 

I am uniting with others to make a difference in the fight against brain tumors. I am passionate about this cause so I am taking action!

My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January 2012. In June, his tumor "stroked" causing him to lose his normal vision in the left eye. In addition, he lost feeling on the left side of his face. Although his physicians feel confident the tumor is benign, he continues to deal with the effects of this episode. He is being monitored with scans and remains optimistic there will be no additional issues. 

When he lost his vision in the left eye, he began wearing a patch. Because his family and friends knew he was an avid John Wayne fan, they affectionately began calling him "Rooster Cogburn" -- the main character from the movie "True Grit."

True Grit is a synonym for courage, honor, fortitude, braveness etc. Because my dad has exhibited all of these, I have chosen "True Grit" as my team's name!

Progress in this fight starts one team, one walker, and one dollar at a time. Like the National Brain Tumor Society, we are fiercely committed to finding a cure.

Accidental Gardener

Thanks to all the family for helping me with the garden this spring/summer. It took.....

Rick--tilling
Justin--planting, watering, gathering
Jerry--watering, gathering, spraying
Marilyn/Rickie--advising/watering

This was the first year I actually had a garden with a variety of veggies. Despite the spring rains, the summer drought, the grasshoppers, and other pests, we have had some good eating!!

With that said, however, we had to say goodbye to the garden a couple of weeks ago.

"To Everything A Season"......a season to plant, a season to harvest, and a season to die!

Four-Wheeler Time

This weekend was big for Jonah. I mean BIG! He and his Papa decided it was time for him to give this little four wheeler a try--solo that is.

I was watching behind covered eyes -- no doubt -- truly carrying out my God-given rights as Nanna. (Prayer, pacing, patience, and applause!) Jonah had a blast.

Thank you, Papa, for installing a little "governor" on it.

(This is a second generation machine. I think Greg, Chad, Justin, and Jenna have some fun stories!)

Happy Birthday, Keelie!

BLISS!

Jenna's car had to go to the dealership on Saturday. Marilyn rode with me to meet met her there. Instead of sitting around at the service department all morning, we left and had lunch at BJ's. Then....Jenna was absolutely insistent upon going to a new cupcake place a co-worker had told her about. (Well, girl, twist my arm!!)

All we could say was....WOW!

I don't even remember the flavor I ate; I do remember cake, filling, icing, and two kinds of topping. However, I don't think the flavor you choose would really matter one iota.

Again......WOW!

(Just for the record....I wasn't totally out of control. Marilyn and I shared ONE. Yep, that's the truth.)

Thanks'living' Evening

Yep, it was one of those precious times for me. Last night, Keelie brought a meal down to the house. She had made a couple of comfort foods that we all could enjoy (especially Tim with his soft diet).

Lots of good food and conversation at the table....

After the kitchen was cleaned, I retreated with the others to the living room.

As I sat on my nice comfy sofa,  I looked around admiring the picture in front of me. Family members, young and "older," with electronics going (the iphones, laptops, and oh, Tim's heating pad!). The television was playing to the tune of the Mavs and Tebow. Magazine pages being flipped through.

What a blessing and joyful thing. Thank you for Your Love and the love of others. What a Godstop!

(“The stop in GodStop comes from the acronym: God: Savoring the Observable Presence. When God makes Himself observable, we want to stop and take notice.  Savor the moment! A Godstop is any means by which God seems to go out of His way during your day to make Himself known to you." Believing God/Beth Moore)

Uncle Tim's Surgery

Thought I would document that yesterday, January 10, 2012. Rick, Marci and I were sitting in the lobby of a Dallas hospital as our special "Uncle Tim" (their brother/my brother-in-law) had neck surgery.

Oh thank you, Lord, for a safe trip. Rick drove us to Dallas in traffic and rain! Not that he can't drive; he did a great job. He just hates traffic. We started prepping and talking patience the day before.

We saw Jenna at the hospital as she was on duty upstairs in ICU. Got to meet some of her friends and see her office. Thank goodness we didn't need those ICU services.

This picture of Rick, Marci and Tim was taken New Year's Eve at Chad and Tara's wedding.

Congratulations Tara and Chad

Marilyn's post about the wedding included where you can go to see Tara's bridal portrait shots.

Keelie's post about the wedding included some awesome thoughts and reflections.

I took 300 pictures of the event. The wedding was incredible and so special! What a fun weekend. I love our family! 

 The beautiful couple....

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.......