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!)

Magnificent NYC

Marilyn, Greg, Chad, Jenna, and I are going to NYC next week. Marilyn and I were there Christmas 2008. Chad has also been, but this will be the first time for Jenna and Greg. We are all getting excited!

I am happy, too, for Justin and Keelie; they are going back for another visit there in December for their 10th anniversary. (Wow...that's hard to believe it's almost been 10!)

E.X.C.I.T.E.D.!!!

Jonah and the Dallas Mavs

Today, Rick is my guest writer! I have never asked him to do this, but he graciously agreed to do so. I wanted to share our trip with Jonah but really haven't felt 100% yet. So, thanks for helping me out!!





During the holidays, Nanna and I got to take Jonah to his first Dallas Mavericks game. The story actually started a couple of weeks before. We had told Jonah we were going to take him to the game ahead of time instead of surprising him Christmas. This actually worked out pretty well because every time he came over to the house Nanna had to show him the tickets, and he would ask “ how many sleeps till we go." (It was not how many days but how many sleeps.) The day finally came, and after a stop at McDonalds, we arrived at American Airlines Center. The first fun thing was riding the escalator down in the parking garage. We were walking to the arena, and he was looking at this gigantic building, I can’t imagine what that place looked like to a four year old his first time.

Once inside Nanna and I were going to walk around a little and kill some time. I had told her earlier we would be leaving at half time because by then he would be bored stiff and be all over the place. Jonah didn’t like our walking idea; he wanted to go inside "NOW." Our seats were over the tunnel where the players go in and out. I told Jonah we would go down to the floor as far as they would let us to see the players up close. One of the floor announcers was talking to the crowd and asked, “How may people received tickets for Christmas?" Jonah’s hand shot up before he could finish. (The next thing I knew his hand was going up again with “Hook Em Horns” sign; wonder where he got that?)

The people sitting by us were having a blast. Every time Jonah saw Dirk in person or on the big screen it was “THERE'S DIRK."

We went back to our seats, and because of the people in front, I told him he could sit in my lap. The game started and he watched every thing going on. Every time the Mavericks scored his right arm with fist clinched shot up in the air. I told him about #2 Jason Kidd, #11 JJ, #31 Jet Terry, etc.

About half way through the game, he turned around and asked “Papa is #7 Tim Thomas?” I said "WHO?" I didn’t remember #7 so I looked up at the screen and sure enough. He never left my lap, and his eyes never left the court 'til time to go which was not half time! I’m sure he will never forget that day (and neither will Nanna and I).

Merry and Memorable Around Here

The holidays have come and gone just as quickly as we knew they would. I pray you had a Merry Christmas just as our family did.

Merry? Yes!
Memorable? Most definitely!

Chad , the Oklahoma City nephew, was trying desperately to get here on Christmas Eve. A 2 ½ hour drive took him 8 plus hours because of the snow storm that had hit up there. He missed the meal and a Santa visit, but arrived in time for all the gift exchanging and fun of Christmas Eve around here.

My DIL and I both made trips to the ER on Christmas morning. Neither was life threatening but major pain has a way of telling you when you need to seek help.

Yet amidst the possible downers, I was blessed and continue to be thankful.
(Remember thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a way of life.)

I am thankful for Christmas memories with our families.
I am thankful for Jesus.
I am thankful for Demerol and antibiotics.
I am thankful for good food.
I am thankful for the love and concern of my family.
I am thankful for my couch, a warm fire, and Lifetime movies.

Bring on 2010!

"What Were We Thinking?"

Have you ever tried something new or different during the Christmas holidays? Does the phrase “What were we thinking?” ring a bell for you?

Yeah, same here! One year our family decided we would start a new tradition. We decided we would go Christmas caroling. I don’t mean with a big church group or other organized singers. I mean just nine of us. This group included four older adults and our five 18-25 yr. old kiddos.

We practiced for all of thirty minutes which also included picking out the songs we thought we could handle.

We dressed warmly, and best I remember looked the parts of real carolers. That’s about it!

Keelie sang really well!! But the rest of us pretty much added no musical talent whatsoever. Wait…I take that back. Greg’s guitar playing was awesome!

We sang for the lady who babysat all our children. We sang for a grandparent. Of course, they loved it! Their "kids" will always be adorable and talented in their eyes.

We sang for some residents of the nursing home. Of course, they loved it! Not sure how many could really hear us. They were so precious though.

After we called it a night (which didn’t take too long), we came to the consensus that our new tradition had been fun! Yes, even if it was just a one-year gig!

The Travel Tree

I call this my "Travel Tree." I started it some years ago. I document places I am blessed to visit with an ornament. It is one of Hobby Lobby's pre-lit pine trees. I usually put this one in our bedroom. I just picked out a few to share with you.

Florence, Italy

British Columbia, Canada

San Francisco

Rocky Mountain National Park -- Colorado

I have hooked up to Keelie's TWOC.

REAL FRIEND TEST! 

 This is GOOD...Pass it on!

 A simple friend when visiting acts like a guest.
 A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps herself AND doesn't feel even the least bit weird shutting your Diet Coke drawer with her foot! 

 A simple friend has never seen you cry.
 A real friend's shoulder is soggy from your tears.. 
 
 A simple friend doesn't know your relatives' first names.
 A real friend has their phone numbers in her address book. 
A simple friend brings a gift to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean. 
 
A simple friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call. 
 
 A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
 A real friend seeks to help you with your problems. 

 A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
 A real friend could blackmail you with it! 

 A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
 A real friend calls you after you had a fight. 
 A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
 A real friend expects to always be there for you! 

 It keeps us together......our Circle of Friends!

 Household Chores

Besides making our bed, another chore that Marilyn and I had at home was to help wash and dry the dishes. Marilyn and I took turns. One week I washed, and she dried. The next week we switched. This continued until Mother got a dishwasher. Then we helped load and unload it.  I don’t think I can remember a time when Mother left dirty dishes in the sink.

One side comment........ our kitchen detail was habitually interrupted early in the process each and every time. There was something about washing and drying dishes that ALWAYS sent a message to Marilyn—“I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” And off she would go. It was such a joke!
Living on a farm, we had some other things that we tried to help out with. I say that lightly because sometimes we were more of a hindrance probably than an asset to the task. Gardening was one of those. I think I was guilty of pulling up the wrong things from time to time in our garden. 

I was definitely a “chicken” when it came to going to try to gather eggs from under those things sitting on them! Who wants to stick their hand under a clucking animal?

Yikes…..

TWOC: Christmas Memories

This is week 2 of Keelie's "Twelve Weeks of Christmas." We were to post a favorite Christmas memory. Did she say "A" memory? That's tough!

 As I was trying to decide what to post, I read Marilyn's post about our family tradition of  a real Santa visiting on Christmas Eve each year. She tells how this got started years ago and continues today. To enjoy Marilyn's tale, read here. Of course, this immediately got me to thinking back on all those special times and memories. Hundreds of them.........

When all of a sudden, there arose such a clatter,

A picture memory popped out through all the gray matter!!

This is Justin as Santa comes "HO HO HOing " in the back door of Nannie and PaPa's house one Christmas Eve. The expression on his face is simply priceless!!!! 

And a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

P.S. Keep the dessert recipes coming in. Scroll down.