Baby, it's really cold outside

The wind from the north has finally died down from last week,
but it was howling a week ago Wednesday night as the cold front

came through our part of the country.



Believe me when I say there were some things going bump in the night!

So Dear Heart was out in the rain trying to stop his windmill
gone crazy whirling like a whirlybird

from blowing off the top deck and I'm sitting in here biting my nails

thinking that thing is gonna fly off one of these days

and whap him or fly through our bedroom window.

After he tied it down, we went to bed with the window open and curtains 

flapping in the breeze wanting to enjoy the cool weather and the

sounds of the storm that happen too infrequently these days.

About 3:00 a.m., we were rudely awakened by the "frigid" air, along with
more banging noises, which we lay there trying to IGNORE.

Not enjoying them at all.

Dear Heart finally caved and went outside to rearrange things.

Oh yes, the windmill had blown off. The ladder had travelled across the deck,

and the swing had to be tied up to prevent it from banging against the house.

Poor Dear Heart.

It really made me feel bad that he had to be
outside taking care of gathering up and securing
that stuff again in 30 degree weather
(I have no idea what the wind chill could have been)

wearing nothing but his manly pjs, a/k/a fruit of the loom briefs.
Can you say Brrrrrrr??

Bless his heart. Gives me the shivers just to think about it
(and I really was thinking about it as I lay under the warm covers).

The weather in Texas is so fickle. After that cold front moved out,

It warmed up, and then ... lo, and behold,

Surprise, Surprise

We did get some of that white stuff on Christmas Day!!

 

 

North Texas snow with Trudy Tracks

Trudy is bewildered by all this cold weather,
but happy to finally find some grass under the snow.

 

The last few days have been in the upper teens and low 20s

and it's warmed up some out there now.



ice design on the window screen

 

But the snow is lovely when it first falls and covers the ground.
And this has been a restful week since we stayed inside most of the time. 

We were able to be with our kids and grandkids for Christmas celebrations.

I found this Christmas card of my sister and I from 1954.
(the photo actually having been taken from Easter of that year).

My hope is that you enjoyed a very Merry and Happy and Blessed Christmas

and that 2013 will be a prosperous and blessed year.

 

Kids ...there's just no predicting what they will say next

We spent this past weekend with Brady, 6, and Noah 4,

two of the cutest boys I've ever seen
and more fun to be around because they're always coming up with
some new trick to show Papa and Nonnie or a game to play
(which usually involves me running around and getting sweaty, ;-),
but you know I really don't mind).

 

Brady wanted to play outside, but Noah wanted me to watch The Lion King 
(probably for the 30th time),

so I agreed since it meant we could cuddle up and
watch the movie together I could lie down and take a break. 

 

It was fun as we watched and shared through all Simba's  adventures

until Nala finds him again and convinced him he is the rightful king and not Scar. 

So, after the big fight between Simba and Scar

and life is returning to bliss for the lions, we see Simba and Nala come out

with their playful baby cub. 

At this point, Noah jumped up with his arms out
and an expression of unbelief
and shouted out:
"How can that be? That's not possible!
Lions don't lay eggs. 
That just can't be right?!!"
He was truly confused and bewildered about the whole thing
(and I so wish I had been able to get a picture of that boy). 

We began to talk about the animals that do lay eggs 
And other kinds of animals that are mammals. 
"But how does it happen?"
AHEM!
We then explained to Noah that he would have to get the rest of the story 
.... You guessed it.  Mom or Dad will get to explain it to him. 

When Kate spends the night with us, she brings many of her various furry friends. 
(Another friend named Ellie always comes too, however, Ellie is invisible.
We did find out the other day that Ellie is an elephant. 
Being invisible, it is somewhat difficult to play
Tag or Hide and Seek with Ellie)!
 

Kate must sleep with at least 50 of her "friends" in her bed every night. 
One of her friends is Sonny the wooly lamb. 
He wears sunglasses and a scarf around his neck
and has flip-flops on his feet. 

Kate could not go to to sleep the other night. 
She said "Sonny won't stop bouncing on the bed."
I had to put Sonny in time out. 

One of the funniest I ever heard was when Brady was potty training. 

His Mom was standing nearby and she heard him talking to himself.
"Come on out of there, Poop.  Don't stay in there by yourself.
Come out where you belong."

Where do they come up with this stuff?

I cannot wait to hear what kind of things this little guy will have to say.

When we had to leave on Christmas Eve, Noah was so disappointed,
He began trying to figure out a way for us to live there with them
so we could see them play every day. 

I'm loving these sweet moments. 

Where Love Is, God Is

Where Love Is, God Is,
by Leo Tolstoy,
is one of my very favorite Christmas stories.

The following poem, The Christmas Guest, is a condensed,
revised version of the story by Leo Tolstoy,
which you may enjoy right here,

  

The Story of the Christmas Guest
by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at December's end
Some neighbors called on an old-time friend.

And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.

And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine.
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine.

And he said "My friends at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,

The Lord appeared in a dream to me.
And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be"

So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.

The table is spread and the kettle is shined,
And over the rafters the holly is twined.

And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear;
And listen closely so I will hear,

His steps as he nears my humble place.
And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face."

Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.

For long since his family had passed away.
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.

But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.

So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start,

And looked for the Lord to be at his door.
Like the vision that he had had a few hours before.

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow covered ground

Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all his clothes were ragged and worn.

But old Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore.

I have some shoes in my shop for you.
And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too."

So with grateful heart the man went away.
But Conrad notice the time of day

And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.

Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.

A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.

But she asked only for a place to rest,
a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest.

But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day."

So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.

After she had left, he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away

The Lord had not come as He said He would
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry.
"Please help, me and tell me - Where am I?"

So again he opened his friendly door.
And stood disappointed as twice before.

It was a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.

Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.

So he called her in and he wiped her tears,
And he quieted all her childish fears.

Then he led her back to her home once more.
Then as he entered his own darkened door,

He knew that the Lord was not coming today,
For the hours of Christmas, had all passed away.

So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.
He said, "Lord, why did you delay?

What kept You from coming to call on me?
I wanted so much Your face to see."

Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.
"Lift up your head - I have kept My word.

Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
Three times I came to your lowly door.

I was the beggar with bruised cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street.

Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.


Of all the gifts, love is the best.
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

 

Andy Griffith recording of The Christmas Guest

A Favor Gone South

I really like our neighbors.

They are wonderful people.

Over the years, we have kept an eye on each other's house,

picked up papers,

brought in the trash cans.

That kind of thing.

So, when she told me they were going out of town and

asked if I could come over at noon the next day

to let the dogs out,

I was most happy to comply.

Their dog, Tux, is a friendly

little black Schnoodle.

The other two dogs, a black Lab/German Shepherd mix and a Rottweiler mix,

belong to their son and we have seen them over the years, too.

So, with key in hand, I went confidently over to let the dogs out.

After unlocking the back door, I headed straight
for the master bedroom to free Tux.

In the meantime, the other two BIG DOGS swooshed out the door and Tux followed.

Almost in unison, all three dogs were quite relieved

to relieve themselves.

Whew!

Then, as they turned to go sniff and inspect other areas of the yard,

they all noticed THE STRANGER through the glass door inside THEIR house!

Protective instincts were aroused in the black dog and he

lunged at the door with teeth bared!

Yes, this is how he looked!!!

Terrified, I began to push the door closed while they all

barked and jumped on the door!

Yeeeowza!!  - my hand is seriously jammed and fingernails

broken to the quick.

What to do?

Yes, I prayed.
(And no, I did not take this pic!)

After they got tired of barking at me through the door,

they went about their business of sniffing around and exploring in the yard.

I remembered the treats in my pocket that
Dear Heart had insisted I take with me

and nervously worked out my plan in my mind.

Tux came to the door wagging his tail and I let him in.

He's the friendly one.

Now ...

Get ready, get set,

Cracked the door open, called the dogs
"Come here you sweet doggies."
(I don't know their names
and I can't whistle)

They come running.

I open the door,

throw the treats behind me,
the dogs zeroed in on those goodies,

and I RUN out that door.

Thank You God, I left the key in the door.

Can you hear me singing a thankful song?

Thank You Lord for saving me!!!

 



Records

When I am with our grandkids,

Brady

Noah

Kate

Jack

I think how wonderful it would be to have a record of all

that they do, or say,

their expressions,

reactions.

But it just isn't possible for me to do that.

Doncha' love it that that isn't a problem for God with us?

 

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
Psalm 139:1-6 NLT

The very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 10:30



Thanksgiving 2012

We took a road trip up to Tulsa to be with my family for Thanksgiving.

There is so much to be thankful for on a daily basis,

but it is especially nice to gather together on this special day

and give thanks to God

for His blessings and the abundance of all we enjoy every day.

 

The weather was beautiful for traveling - a bright, sunshiny day.

The Oklahoma hills still had trees wearing some fall color,

but I was saddened to see many areas of dead trees

and how low the rivers are due to the drought.

(I thought of all the love songs that have been sung

promising to love "until all the rivers run dry."

Really, not trying to be funny, that was my thought as we crossed over almost dry river beds.

The truth about the drought is that it is very serious.

CBS News reported that "When the Arkansas River bends south at Tulsa,

it stops running and starts limping.

From the air, you can plainly see the sandbars that have emerged.

The river is down 97 percent.")

(cbs news story)

 

What a great time we had together.

My brother read from Psalm 128.

 

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.^"

 

This was an emotional reading for him, I know, as

both his sons are serving in the military and were

not able to be with us this Thanksgiving.

 

Susan outdid herself with a huge rib roast and all

the delicious side dishes of red cabbage and apples,

sweet potatoes, a lovely green bean dish,

an avocado and black bean salad,

tomatoes and mozzarella,

rolls, bread pudding, and a chocolate chip zucchini cake.

(Can you give me a "high-fiber"? ;-D)

(I had seconds on everything!!)

 

Over the week-end, we were all happy to relax and

visit, catching up and cheering on

our favorite football team.

We watched the movie, Act of Valor,

and on Friday went to see the new movie, Lincoln.

Both were great!

 

 

My brother Phil and his wife, Suz
The camera caught their dog Howie a little off guard.
His eyes aren't usually quite so bright!! ;-)
 

 

My dear sister Roberta with her husband, Don, and one of their
 lovely daughters, Robyn

 

My other niece, Jacque, was not able to be with us
(being one of those wonderful people who are
there for you if you decide to dine out for Thanksgiving).

 

Jay and I AFTER the meal.
Wish I had thought to take a pic of the beautiful table
and the spread that Susan had prepared.

Trudy was tired after the road trip
and playing with Howie

It was 24 degrees Saturday morning.
Too cold for me, but Howie and Trudy were treated to a
brisk walk in the neighborhood before we left for home.

Saying good-bye





A special treat was that my sister and her daughter Robyn

came to stay with us on Saturday night.

So we sort of left Tulsa behind and yet,

brought part of it home with us.

 

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

Girl's Day Out

 

A perfect day.

 

 

Dear friends are always the perfect ingredient in any good times.

I told about this very special friendship earlier

here

 

The Dallas Arboretum is beautiful any time of the year

 

Pumpkins everywhere in the Fall

 

Azaleas

This is not a real plant!
It is part of the Chihuly Exhibit.

 

 

This is in front of White Rock Lake in Dallas

 

 

Uhhh, what's left of the perfect picnic lunch that Cindy brought!
Thank you, Cindy, for the chicken salad, veggie munchies,
chips, and other goodies you brought.
(As always, me and my shadow directly in front of the feed bag.)

 

 

 

A very fine day, indeed.

 

 

Monday Dirge

Today promised lots of possibilities.

First available day on the calendar in several weeks for me

to consider taking on the task of the dreaded shopping.
I am just not a shopper!

And no way would I be excited about Black Friday.

 

Usually, making the purchase of just one Christmas gift

helps to produce some momentum

so I can avoid the "last minute rush."

 

 

So, I had another cup of coffee,

made my list,

and headed out the door.
 

First stop:

Ulta Beauty Store for a specific item that will remain my secret.

No luck with that.

But I did find a bottle of great nail polish and a very nice eyeliner.

 

They are ringing it up at the desk,
and I swipe my card.

"Sorry, insufficient funds."

the nice clerk informed me.

 

WHAT? My credit card isn't working???? (I'm thinking)

"Let's try again," in my polite voice and
re-swiped the card even faster.

 

Again, I heard her say,

"Sorry, insufficient funds."

 

Okay, I'm keeping calm.

"Will you please try to key in the number?" (still polite voice)

 

Of course.

"Sorry, the card says insufficient funds."

(Is it the embarrassment stemming from these situations that cause me to feel the clerk
thinks I'm some kind of deadbeat trying to pull something?)

 

I paid for the items and headed for the car to call the credit card company

and get this error straightened out.

 

Aaauuuugggghhh!

The dreaded words.
Your credit card has been compromised and

a hold has been placed on it.

Then, after a long, drawn out conversation

(which I won't bore you with),

bottom line is, we had to cancel this card and issue a new one.

 

Since Dear Heart is our Accounting Department here at home and

takes care of all the details,

I knew he would be a little upset have a cow

over this and ...

yes, he almost did.

But he's okay now.

 

I raced home to help remedy the situation and we both

spent the next few hours in a flurry of activity looking for phone numbers,

web addresses, statements, and then making phone calls.

 

Ta-da!!!

All those companies who receive payment from us

via credit card have now been notified

and we are changing our modus operandi.

Dear Heart says we took a bad situation and made it better.

We only use one credit card,
so the shopping trip for today (and I guess this week)
has now been ended.
(Thanks to some unknown person taking
a phishing trip on my credit card).

These phishermen have fished in our pond at
least three times over the past 25 years
that I can remember.

Is this a good record or a bad record??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like Water Under a Bridge ... and other excuses

 

for failing to memorialize life events with more consistency.

 

Life is moving waaayyyy too quickly.

I think everyone else is feeling this "time is whizzing by" feeling.

 

Once it's gone, it is like water under the bridge and

never to return.

How other bloggers manage to write every day is beyond me!

There are lots of good things we enjoy,

but I just haven't taken the time to sit down at the computer to and share.

 

These past few weeks we have

taken our motorcycle ride to Jefferson, Texas,

 

 

I held off on blogging about this waiting for pics

from the professional photographer who was also on the ride.

(Guessing he got bogged down with life and other things.)

 

We made a quick trip to Oklahoma for a reunion with members

of my church from the sixties,

Sweet memories there.

This lady's memory of me is that
every week I requested we sing the same song.
She sounded somewhat annoyed about that.
Why on earth would she remember such a thing?

This young man was our youth leader
and the beautiful lady, Sandi, was our friend and neighbor.
I babysat for her sweet daughter, Delana.
Sandi must have been a child herself. ;-)
 

Those were really good times.

It was on my heart to talk about the impact these wonderful people

had on my life, but I didn't, did I?

So important to realize the influence

we have on others for positive or negative.

 

 

Fun with the family at Lake Granbury,

 

 

 

Then another speedy week-end trip to Oklahoma City to see Les Mis,

 

What a great show!

 

A trip to Austin to watch Brady and Noah play soccer.

Exceptionally handsome guys!

 

Fun with iPads

 

A big birthday for Dear Heart,

and our 25th wedding anniversary.

Heading in to Grandpa's favorite
Greek restaurant.
Kate's manners were impeccable.

 

In between?

More foundation problems to deal with, but life made sweeter with

Bible studies, lots of visits with our sweet Kate and Jack,

 

 

 

 

a couple of visits from niece Robyn,

 

Yes, I think she is trying to round them up!

 

special times with friends.

 

Finally, Dear Heart has been busy with this.

 

 

Dear Heart's windmill
made from scratch!
He did a good job, I think.

 

 The month of October is almost over.

Everybody has posted their Fall, Halloween, and pumpkin pics but me.

So, here goes.

These were taken at the Dallas Arboretum.

Cinderella's Pumpkin House
(Or was that Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater?)

 

Her pumpkin tree

 

Cinderella's Horses and Carriage
(the horses are made entirely from grass
and other kinds of straw and stubble.)

 

Last, but not least:
I think this is where "Monster Mash" came from!