not-so-deep thoughts by Denise

Me, Again.

2011-03-24T11:08:00.003-05:00

I've decided to start writing again. I feel that I may have ideas to write about and explore with anyone that would be reading....

I'm constantly looking for new ways to use technology and blogging seems a little bit old school but Twitter really isn't enough for me. I need more characters for my self-expression! I'll link over from Facebook to make it easier for some of you.

Any thoughts we need to talk about?

Friday Fun Zone

2009-05-08T17:29:00.001-05:00

Sarah was right all along - it does rot your brain.

Read Em' If Ya Got Em

2009-05-06T09:58:00.002-05:00

It's time for a book review......

Those of you that have read my blog for awhile (that's all that's left and I love yall!) know that I can go through some fiction material! I think I freaked out my Facebook friends by telling them I had read (almost) everything they suggested. HeeHee. Here are two I found at the local library.

Blonde Roots - Grabbed me right from the inside book jacket. It seeks to answer the question, What would the world look like if Africa had lead the known world and taken slaves from Europe? Yall know I love to look at culture from a different angle - this book certainly did. Loved the story and the upside-down world of our English slave girl, Doris. It would appear that I was the first person to check this book out - no germs.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - I generally stay far away from WW II books - just too depressing - but this one was listed on Lisa's Facebook as one she really liked. Lisa is a reader like me and we did a book club together for 2 years. (Or was it 3?) Let's just say I trust her judgement. I did love the book and even told Jim something I had learned about the trees on Normandy - he already knew about the trees.

This book takes place after the War and is written as correspondence between the characters. It's a feel-good book and I wanted to meet those characters, too. Not too sad but I did cry at one part and had to find the Kleenex. Jim's used to that happening..... I recommend it for everyone! It turns out it's on a least one best seller list and I had to read the large print version. Yup, I still wore my glasses.

Yes, I'm on to the next one and it's great already!

Friday Fun Zone

2009-05-01T10:20:00.002-05:00

Let's bring back some Friday Fun! I do like the music but the video is quite humorous (said w/Brit accent.)

Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T10:33:00.002-05:00

It's time to do something green for a day. But why just one day?! Here are some suggestions you can live with.

Carry your own bags to the store. - Yall know I'm all about this and I forget on a regular basis. Make an effort to show up with your own bag.

Recycle those plastic bags. - Yes, it would be easier to put them in the trash. But you can take them back to the store where they will be recycled. And then you can be sure yours isn't flying in a tree or stuck on a fence somewhere.

Save water by watering wisely. - You can actually lose water to evaporation if you water during the day. Check out this link for more tips on using water wisely. (You are paying for it.)

Recycle your stuff. - We all want to do this, right? Pass clothes on to someone else. Give our used pots and pans to the needy. Sell our couch at a garage sale. See this link for other ideas. (I knew you wanted to feel better about something......)

Take car of your car. - Didn't know this was green? Keeping tires inflated correctly and changing your oil regularly contribute to more fuel efficiency and lower fuel bills.

Lastly, I'm adding a blog for you to check out. Everybody I know wants a bargain..... See the Green Cheapskate for greener, cheaper tips.

They Really Do That?

2009-04-20T17:31:00.003-05:00

Having a dog has been interesting. I have learned all kinds of things that I didn't know before:

Dogs lick underwear. (ewwww)
Dogs drink from the toilet (his water dish was empty.)
Dogs shouldn't bathe. (a little infrequently for my task)
Dogs will smell like dog right after a bath.
Dogs can and will eat most anything (a jelly bean?!)
Dogs have to be taught to fetch.
Dogs are very much like children.

I will have something to write about that isn't about dogs soon.

Look How Cute!

2009-02-19T10:29:00.003-06:00

Kenny took this shot of me with Harley. This morning I was talking to my mom and she said, "Who's Harley?" Then she started to laugh - She'd forgotten about our dog.

I told yall - this is all new...... We took him back to the SPCA yesterday to get his last shot. We saw his sister that we wanted before him - she was cute but not as much as him!

This is where he sleeps when I'm working on the computer. We're starting to think that he may turn out to be a big dog. I'm a little worried but it's too late now. Right?

In other news, SoHills is starting a BlogRoll. If you're interested go here to sign up......

Oh yeah. The kids are great, too.

It's A Boy!

2009-01-25T15:45:00.003-06:00

He's the same weight that Kenny was when he was born but he has much more hair. He cries at night like Abbie and he likes to snuggle like both of my babies. He plays with the other two really well and craves loving from Jim and I.

Yep. It's our new dog, Harley.

I've written here before that I didn't grow up with dogs in the house and Jim did. Jim always had pets and Mimi and Pop's dog just loves him. Abbie has been begging for a dog for 2 years now and it just seemed to be time.

I checked out the sites online where I could see what kind of dog we would do well with. I checked out sites where you buy the kind we would do well with. I was prepared to spend about $300. So, yesterday Jim and I went to look at some dogs. I thought it would be good for me to just see some- maybe even hold one.

So we went to the SPCA - Rescue the Animals building almost outta of town. There were lots of dogs and the little kennels and sad expressions made me cry. There were 3 little puppies together - one black/white one, one tan, and one brown with a black nose. The tan one was all over the other 2 trying to get to us. We picked out the darker brown one that was very timid.

He was already adopted.

Guess which one came home with us. That's right. The rowdy one. He's not really that rowdy here and he's sweet as pie. He pottied outside today and we are so proud.

It's ended up costing about $300. Jim pointed out how much it would have cost to have gotten a dog from a breeder. You know how committed I am to re-cycling!

I Will!

2009-01-23T10:41:00.004-06:00

Sometimes I wonder if I have anything to write about and sometimes stuff just falls into my lap.

I read this article this morning and was shocked by the information. Can it be possible that one third of my readers plan on no clothing purchases in 2009?! I can only emphatically state that I won't buy any clothes for the next week or so. I know some folks plan for months in advance for that new swimsuit or dress for a party - but an entire year!!!!

I'm not worried about Jim's job. I'm really not worried about my job. I'm more concerned about seeing retailers abandon malls. I hate to see empty stores. (I also hate to see more built - can't anybody just use the ones we already have?)

So, what about you? Will you make any clothing purchase for yourself in 2009?

He's Trying To Look Tough

2009-01-22T15:05:00.000-06:00

Oops. I missed a day! I thought of it last night 11:20 so I didn't crawl out of bed and post for yall. Sorry.

Here's a picture of Kenny from this past Saturday. He won first place in forms and in sparring at the tournament. I'm proud of him doing so well. I wouldn't have thought he would do so well. What do I know?

For Your Sweetheart

2009-01-20T17:15:00.000-06:00

My friend, Susan, hosted our Bunco group last night and we had pie! Four different kinds to be exact. Pie is always good........

Time for a recipe! This was a pie recipe that I got out of a Southern Living years ago - it was a Valentine's Day recipe. Very yummy!!

Sweetheart Fudge Pie

½ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 (12 oz) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels, melted
2 tsp instant coffee granules
1 tsp rum extract
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1 unbaked pastry shell

Cream the butter; gradually add brown sugar beating w/electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add melted chocolate, coffee granules and rum extract. Mix well. Stir in flour and nuts.
Pour mixture into pastry shell. Bake at 375* for 25 min; cool completely. Chill. Garnish w/whipped cream and/or nuts.

Eat A Black and White Cookie Today!

2009-01-19T11:37:00.003-06:00

Yep. It's a national holiday. My kids are out of school, my office is closed and my hubby's office is closed.

We are all celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We remember a great man who was able to lead a disenfranchised group of people to inclusion. A segment of society that had been left behind because of bad schooling and unequal opportunities. (Sounds like the Jews, huh?)

Yall, I want to encourage a change in our attitude so our children will have a different attitude. I work to get away from the way people talked and felt when I was growing up. I'm pretty sure I've written here before about Birmingham in the 1970's and the changes that entire city was going through.

I will share one thing: When I went to college (in Arkansas,) I was still using the N word without feelings of remorse. I dated a guy (from Texas, another traditionally tolerate state) that called me on it. I'll never forget. He told me that we become prejudge when we don't really know another person from the group we are prejudge against. It changed my world view.

I since have had the opportunity to work with and enjoy the company of Black (African-American, whichever) folks. Some people of color have walked into my church. My bunco game. My service project. Knowing them has helped me grow into someone who tries to sees people as individuals - not groups.

Lastly. Do we even have Black and White cookies in Abilene? We did in Birmingham and I always thought we should adopt them as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day official food. Like turkey at Thanksgiving or chocolate on Valentine's Day.

Don't Worry Be Happy

2009-01-18T16:05:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about happiness. Are you happy? Am I happy?

A woman that I know has (apparently) left her family. Husband and kids. Home. Why would somebody do that? What could be bad enough to just leave? I haven't talked with her so I don't know her reason but I do know what she could hear if she just listened.

You aren't happy. Change your where you are in your life. You deserve to be happy. Your kids will be happier if you're happy. You aren't the same person you were when you got married. Life is more than this.

I've been thinking that happiness isn't the same as contentment. Now the dictionary uses one to define the other but they feel different to me.

Happiness is feeling good about your circumstances and contentment is feeling good no matter what your circumstances. - Denise

I'm pretty sure you can experience contentment when things feel bad in your life. Happiness seems more fleeting, too. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Your circumstances might change and then no more happy.

I want contentment. I want for tomorrow to be a black day and I can still say I'm content with what God has given me. I don't have any huge story of trial (yet) but I want to seek God so when the day comes - I can still give God the glory.

Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

What Do You Need?

2009-01-17T18:14:00.001-06:00

This proves that people will spend money on anything!

Math Was Always Hard For Me, Too

2009-01-16T17:34:00.004-06:00

We used to watch these movies when I was a kid. They still make me laugh.

Beauty School

2009-01-15T17:11:00.003-06:00

My daughter has a uni-brow. We've always known this. At about 12 months, I (along with my hubby) attempted to wax it. It just drove me crazy! I had never waxed anything before and I didn't have the nerve to rip it off. I have since been told that I was a little over the top to worry about such a thing.

Let it be known here that Crawford women (my mom has 5 sisters) do not have uni-brows! I didn't pluck until I was an adult. And I've just recently discovered brow waxing - it's fine.

Now, Abbie came to me the other night wanting me to pluck her uni-brow. I have tried to pluck it in the past year but she wouldn't let me do it. She knows hers is a uni-brow and I didn't tell her. Someone else told her 2 years ago and she has seen it on TV. She even identifies one little girl at school as the "one with the uni-brow" (it is a serious uni-brow.)

I took off the offending hairs lickity split. I did not do her brows. I simply made her have 2 distinct brows.

She was happy with it.

And Abbie Thanks You

2009-01-14T18:01:00.004-06:00

Girl Scout Cookies have become my life. I don't like to sell all that junk from school but for some reason these cookies are fun to sell. Go figure.

We turned in some money today for our first batch of boxes! And I love all of you that are patiently waiting for more cookies or an order form.

Weird thing from today: I met a college student that had never eaten Girl Scout cookies! I didn't realize that was humanly possible!

Did anybody see that the folks that own Drug Emporium go to church with DeeAnne?! She's in Longview........ Small world.

Oh. Here's what happens when you don't check all your email accounts:

10 people come to your house for Praise Team practice and you are eating dinner. With clean laundry in the chair waiting to be folded. And the entire family's shoes in the floor. And a wreath still over the mantel. And a child's pillow from where they were laying on it. Oy.

Day 4

2009-01-13T15:45:00.003-06:00

Kenny got headgear today. It has brought back many unpleasant memories. I imagine I'll get used to it but today it just bugging me.

I've been reading (yet another) book about Mormonism. This a fictionalized account of Ann Eliza Young one of Brigham Young's many wives. She really did write an expose of the marriage and traveled the US lecturing against polygamy. It also has a murder mystery set in present day in a Fundamentalist compound.

The book is stuck in my head and all I want to do read it. I find the Mormon faith fascinating. I know it's a cult but the question remains why do so many people believe it? Why would anybody not demand proof of golden tablets (that Joseph Smith found) only 150 years ago? How can you trust a God that can change his mind tomorrow? Like he did with Black people and polygamy.

Cult or Different Belief System?

Good Eats

2009-01-12T15:13:00.003-06:00

We ate at Lytle Land & Cattle and Company Saturday night and I wanted to write about the most excellent thing.

Vegetable Bobs. They are really kabobs and they were so good. I think I can skip the potato next time and have two of these.

One more thing. When will Drug Emporium join the 21st century and allow me to use my credit card?

Cookies, Anyone?

2009-01-11T16:47:00.003-06:00

We're selling Girl Scout cookies now! We went to pick up 10 boxes yesterday - this is the first time they've given boxes and you take orders, too. I knew that I could sell these cookies. I knew that they would be gone but how?

First, I put it on Facebook that I would have them at church. Then I intended to open up the back of my van and sell out it. (My plan did not include counterfeit watches and purses but it did tend that way.)

Yes, I grew up that selling in the church was a no-no. But, if you review the account of the moneychangers in the Bible, the moneychangers were taking advantage of the out-of-towners. We had no intention of making any money - Abbie just wants all the "incentives."

Without too much trouble, we sold 50 boxes!! It has turned into a family affair, for sure! We had a couple of people just giving money! Thanks for that - we'll put that right to our troop.

I hope we didn't offend anybody but we're having fun!

Genetic Quirkiness?

2009-01-10T07:32:00.004-06:00

Kenny had a sleepover last night at the church building. A bunch of Tween boys running around the children's wing (classrooms locked) with Nerf guns.

Bless the mom and dad that was there with them while they didn't sleep a wink.

But that meant I had to pick Kenny up at 7:00 am (7 to 7, see how that works.) Of course, my weird son (like his mom) had to shower before going to sleep.

Driving at that hour also meant I saw the moon going down. The moon was super bright and huge! I was amazed by the sight of it.

This is what I found when I got home.

*************************************

There has been much said to me about not posting here. I have decided to post every day for the next 21 days. That's until January 31. It may not be alot and it may not be exciting but it will be something!

Enjoy.

Abbie's Christmas Prayer

2008-12-25T21:52:00.004-06:00

Dear God,

Thank you for letting Santa live so long so he could bring toys to children all over the world for your Son's birthday.

Kinda says it all. Blessings.

Christmas Eve Eve

2008-12-23T17:49:00.003-06:00

The sunset is beautiful with my neighbors Christmas lights adding that little extra something.

We are going to meet Mimi and Pop - they have Abbie. For two nights now. She has to remember that she has a bed here, too.

I'm missing one gift for Thursday. Why have I waited this long?!

I'll check in again tomorrow - Christmas Eve!!

Posting :-)

2008-11-29T09:25:00.002-06:00

I didn't shop yesterday. I thought I might go for a $59 Guitar Hero at Target but I knew I'd have to be in line a 5:00 am, to get into the store when it opened a 6:00 am, to buy one of the 5 $59 Guitar Heroes that they had.

I'd rather pony up the extra $40. If Santa even buys it, which I'm not sure she (or he) wants to.

I'm not surprised by people who do go at 5:oo am - there are some good deals out there. I've been in the lines, I've gotten all my toys bought by 7:00. I scored my own Christmas gift last year at 6:00 am. It can be hard to pass up a $398 desktop or a $598 40 inch flat-screen TV - those are some bargains.

But are they enough of a bargain to trample someone to death? Yankees.
Or pull a handgun and open fire in a store? CaliforniCrazees.

What is wrong with people?!

Halloween Friday Fun

2008-10-31T17:01:00.003-05:00

I think this is scarier than the original.......

see the original here

Political Friday Fun.....

2008-10-24T10:34:00.002-05:00

Friday Fun Zone

2008-10-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

I hijacked this a little early but it really is funny.......

Okay here's a more Political one.......

Things I've Learned Lately

2008-10-04T10:10:00.000-05:00

DVRs are cool. I like that I can go back and watch the part I missed. OnDemand is another nifty thing - the kids just discovered Kenny the Shark. It's a cartoon from Discovery Kids.
There were 5 break-ins in my neighborhood yesterday. They came in during the day when most people are at work. Well, except for the guy who stepped out of the shower and ran them off. Apparently they didn't "run" either. Brazen!
That people who shop at Dittos for Kiddos can be rude. I have to learn this again and again.
My social worker friends have taught me that the working poor need to be cut some slack. They have to bring their children with them wherever they go, like Dittos.
Kids learning to read is sweet. I'm learning this again with Abbie.
I'm used to running things my own way. Sharing responsibility is hard for me.
I miss my friends when I have to work all the time.
Some women have husbands that don't talk nice to them. I overheard a guy berating his wife because it was Picture Day at school and she forgot to fill out the form. You know I wanted to say, "It's Picture Day - grab your own camera.'
Cell phone conversations are not private. (see above)
Turn off said cell phone at the dentist - it will ring. That isn't a good time to talk.
So many of the kids that go to school with our kids come from a totally different life style. It breaks my heart and scares me at the same time.
My hubby both laugh at loud at the TV show Life.
It's difficult to maintain a blog and work all the time.

Bringin' Back Friday Fun!!

2008-09-26T17:03:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking for awhile of having some Friday Fun.............

Not Here Now......

2008-09-20T10:00:00.002-05:00

After you've read Todd's words from the previous post, again, (we need to read them several times......) I'm over at Espresso His Love today.

Sometimes Jesus Does Drive An SUV......

2008-09-18T09:57:00.003-05:00

I was going to write about something funny that Abbie said. Or the people and animals that go by my desk window (today a dog was chasing a cat - that's just funny.) But instead I pick up somebody else's words. They are powerful.

I copied this from Todd Thomas's Facebook page but I've linked his blog.

I have been blessed in my short 38 years to have lived in a wondrous variety of places… places like East Africa, North Texas, Central Alabama and Western Maryland. In all these many places I have known an amazing array of Christians from all kinds of backgrounds and with many diverse ideas and viewpoints. I’m continually grateful for this range of experience and what I’ve been allowed to glimpse in their lives as they all struggled to be representatives of Christ in their own times and places.

I’ve seen that sometimes Jesus does drive an SUV.
Sometimes he drives a hybrid or even rides the bus.
He’s also been known to ride her bike to work.

Sometimes Jesus has her hands so full just trying to pay bills and raise a couple of strong-willed kids that she really doesn’t have time to think too much about the big, global questions out there.
And I’ve seen Jesus agonizing over the epidemics of AIDS and poverty that at times can seem to cripple whole continents.
I’ve seen Jesus foster “unwanted” babies in her own home.

Jesus has mortgages, unpaid bills, school loans, and is half-way to an ulcer. Jesus also keeps giving at church and handing bills to folks on the street and wrestling with what response an American suburbanite has to the horrors of Sudan and suicide bombers.

Jesus loves peace, but sometimes she wears a uniform.
Jesus loves peace, but sometimes he marches with signs by the White House.

Jesus has been known to vote pretty liberal, choosing a candidate who promises answers from the government for the woes of poverty. And I’ve seen Jesus vote for the fiscal conservative because she really does believe that lower taxes and helping businesses will create jobs that will help people build lives of dignity and hope.
Of course I’ve also seen Jesus scratching his head as he’s trying to figure out what a candidate just said.

I’ve seen Jesus with tattoos and even a piercing or two, or five.
I’ve seen Jesus in a Sunday-go-to-meeting suit and tie like clockwork each weekend.
Maybe Jesus isn’t a brand.

All those glimpses of Jesus, even in most diverse extremes, don’t cause me too much angst or confusion. But, I have seen and heard some things that bother me.

I don’t like it when Jesus makes fun of Jesus.
Sometimes Jesus doesn’t like Jesus’ accent, or his hair style, or her politics, and thinks that stinging, humiliating jibes might somehow be an appropriate response.

Something is wrong when Jesus hates Jesus.
I worry about it when Jesus hates Jesus, even to point to questioning if she really is Jesus, or maybe just a faker.
In fact, something’s wrong when Jesus hates anybody.

It just doesn’t feel right when Jesus subverts faith and love in favor of candidates and issues.

I’ve heard people who were standing around watching Jesus hate Jesus just chuckle and say things like, “I knew there wasn’t anything to all that Jesus junk.”And so many folks who need to hear the words of hope and peace that Jesus hallmarked in his First Century ministry today just get a belly full of my-way-or-the-highway pride and cultural labeling in our 21st Century scramble for market share and cultural dominance.

*sigh*
I love Jesus.
I enjoy talking to Jesus.
Every time I get a chance to sit and have coffee with him, I’m there.
I love listening to Jesus tell stories of answered prayers and when she got to see God moving in exciting ways on a mission trip or in a relationship.

I pray Jesus keeps doing that “Jesus Thing” all across our globe, and that Jesus is always there to kick me back in line, loving the Jesus trying to live and breath and touch this world through me.

I love Jesus, which means I love you.
And it means that I really hope you love me.
It’s our love, and never our hate, that can change the world.
It’s our love, and not our votes, that can save the dying.
It’s our love, our hands, our feet, our faith, our peace, our joy, our Jesus that can never be lost or won in any election.

Thanks be to God.

A Wise Man

2008-09-10T08:21:00.003-05:00

Wow. That's about all I can say about last night at Moody. Ron Hall and Denver Moore spoke about their story and book, Same Kind of Different As Me, and it was wonderful. I was so moved when I read the book and again last night just hearing about Miss Debbie. This woman of faith inspired me again in the re-telling from her husband, Ron. Abbie said her favorite part was when Miss Debbie got up and was tapping Denver on the nose - telling him was a good man! Abbie was able to quote it.....

Denver was funny and powerful. It's hard to believe this man was ever in prison or lived on the streets. His story was one that needed a voice. Praise God that it was told for all of us to be blessed by. I noticed that they had gifts for Ron and Denver and I couldn't imagine what they would give these two men.

ACU sweatshirts. It told Jim that some cold, homeless people in Ft. Worth would be wearing those......

If you haven't read the book, read it. God calls us to love others - even the mean, smelly ones. Just like Miss Debbie.

Lettuce Pray.

2008-09-09T09:30:00.003-05:00

Sarah had this and I had to put it up on mine, too. You know it made me laugh out loud but it is so sad..... How many times/days are we doing the same thing? What was Jesus going to say anyway?

A Woman Vice-President? It's Time.

2008-09-04T09:32:00.004-05:00

I gotta say - I loved Sarah Palin last night! She was great on stage and her family was so sweet. It's worth having her as a VP candidate to get all those good shots of her baby!

Cindy McCain holding him, Todd Palin (his daddy) holding him, Sarah (his mama) holding him on stage, and especially Piper (his big sister) holding him. When she licked her fingers and smoothed down his hair, I fell in love with the entire family. Her story is one that I can really get behind.

Gov. Palin's speech? Excellent. I thought her delivery was good and her digs on the other candidate were just funny. The fact that she has some knowledge on energy issues and natural resources also gives her a plus in my book.

I respect anybody that chooses to disagree. I respect anybody that will vote for Barack Obama. But I fell in love with Sarah Palin last night.

Time For A Competition

2008-09-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

We had an informational meeting (yep, another meeting. Why are there so many meetings?) about Praise Team for the school year. There were alot of college kids there that I didn't recognize and several adult members that having been singing - so that was great! It's one way to use the talents that the LORD has given us!

At the meeting we were told that we would be auditioning again, it made some folks a little nervous, of course. We were also asked to prepare a song to sing alone. Now you know, I sang "Hard Candy Christmas" for the last Christmas audition I had. One of my friends didn't approve. Surprise.

Jim suggested "You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Anytime" - it's been going around our house for awhile due to Abbie eating...... You get the idea.

I actually heard it on the radio (KEAN - our truck music) and it was much faster than I remember it.

Okay. It's actually supposed to be a Jesus song and I'm looking for suggestions. So why not have a contest!!

Who can come up with the best song for me to sing (solo) at my Praise Team audition? I'll take any suggestions seriously but I may still laugh at them. Anybody can make a suggestion and I'll give out a prize for playing. Or maybe 2 or 3 prizes.

Go for it!! What song can you come up with?

Just One Of Our Stories

2008-08-31T15:07:00.003-05:00

In our house if you "toot," you may claim it to be thunder. We don't have a dog to blame it on so we usually wonder aloud if there's a storm coming. Or speculate whether Dan Edwards warned of rain.

A few nights ago Abbie and I were laying in her bed and I thought I had heard thunder. (It had been raining.) I wondered aloud if it was thunder and Abbie said,

"Well, I didn't hear anybody toot."

That was the first one that came to mind - isn't that what you wanted, Sarah?

He Who Hesitates, Loses

2008-08-30T09:27:00.005-05:00

This morning I had every intention of reminding everybody to top off your gas tank. I heard on the news that Hurricane Gustuv coming into the Gulf of Mexico would probably raise gas prices next week.

Too late. At 8:30 this morning, when I went to the Farmer's Market, gas was $3.59 at the Shell on Treadway and ES 11th - one of the cheapest places in town.

Good news: Lots of watermelons at the Farmer's Market! I got a yellow-meat one for my hubby. There were also lots of peppers (all kinds,) eggplant, and spaghetti squash.

Link Me.

2008-08-27T08:58:00.003-05:00

Follow me to the Coffee Group blog - I wrote over there today..... For those of you keeping count, that's 3 days in a row!

As A Matter Of Fact I Do Own The Road

2008-08-26T08:40:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, after griping about how horrible dropping off/picking up the kids at school is, I felt empowered. Empowered to tell these yahoos that they aren't entitled to drive wherever they want! Empowered to move some one's car that leaves it double-parked while they go into the school! Empowered to give a beep when some stops in the middle of everything to drop off!

This morning I gave a little double beep. Yeah, they deserved it! Everybody is trying to drop off not just them!!

After that I felt pretty good. I felt empowered to give another beep if necessary. That's right! Give another Beep!

I came home and rode my bike to Nelson Park. Now, I don't like all the geese and ducks. I'm kinda afraid of them - especially the Canadian Geese - those birds can be mean! And, in the morning time, all the geese and ducks are waking up and moving from wherever they slept back into the lake.

Aside: Where I come from that is a pond, yall. It's a big pond, but still a pond.

This morning there were 10 large geese - both white and Canadian - with their babies working their way across the track to the pond. They were in no hurry. This time I didn't have a horn so I somewhat loudly said, "Beep. Beep. Beep, yall. Come on, yall. Get your babies. Beep." You get the idea.

They made their way across the trail. I waited patiently. All the babies went with the parents.

None of them spit at me or honked at me. I figure that's what going to happen one day in the drop off line at school......

First Day.....

2008-08-25T11:06:00.004-05:00

Kenny will be in the 5th grade and Abbie in the 1st grade.

I always make these signs and today I was running late - no surprise.....

So Kenny made them. Is that a little bit sad? He's just such a big boy.

They are both in class with their best friends from last year. Mommy had to make that happen for Kenny, yall. I'm expecting to be asked to be PTO President for that..... Abbie's best friend is moving after Halloween -her daddy is Air Force. I'm not sure that Abbie has figured out how different it will be without her. We'll see.

Mommy did her normal First Day thing - had coffee with girls!!

Her Daddy's Daughter

2008-08-20T15:44:00.003-05:00

I have beautiful everyday china. I chose these plates after great debate. Of course, Jim wasn't with me when I chose them - Margaret was. I was older and understood that my sweet hubby didn't care what the plate looked like. He also didn't care about linens or towels. He's that kind of guy.

I remember trying not to choose my pattern. I was worried it was too busy and I would tire of it quickly. All the other girls were going with all white at the time and these were/are very colorful. But I haven't tired of them - they can still make me smile.

Wedgwood Eden

The other day I pulled down my salad plate to have my breakfast on - like I always do. Except that day I noticed a crack. The crack was almost invisible and covered half the plate. I was lamenting the crack to myself and Abbie - because she was next to me. She squinted at the crack and said,

"Oh, you can just put a little duct tape on that."

Reviews for You

2008-08-09T10:08:00.003-05:00

I took my little daughter to see Mamma Mia. Oh, I was worried about the questions that might arise..... My sweet little thing will tell you that everybody is married and Sofia (from the movie) has a mama and daddy. Tammy told me not to answer everything so directly and I haven't.

What a great movie! I've seen it twice and Mimi wants to go see it, too. I'm looking forward to the 3rd viewing.... Maybe a crowd of singing and dancing women? Wanna come?

I also went with the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks - one of the theatres here had summer movie showings for the kids. Let me just say, I was checking my watch! Oy! That movie was long and boring. I mean I knew (everybody over 4 knew) what was going to happen - just finish it!

Also I bought Stargate's Continuum - a feature-length movie straight to DVD for us crazies. It was terrific! I love me some time travel (yall knew that) and it's a time travel story. I'll never forget watching Somewhere In Time at Harding - I would ponder the penny and cry every time. For any Stargate fan, it's a must see.

Jim and I also rented Vantage Point and liked it. It was good especially for just renting or NetFlex for all yall that do that sort of thing.

I Don't Really Think I'm Ready For Primetimers!

2008-08-04T09:34:00.003-05:00

One of my friends has recently started 3 blogs! I know I can't believe it either.....

I'm adding the link in my sidebar for her Lila's Journey blog but not the others. Yall will have to link off of her page for them.

But, I have to say, I loved this story! Lord, please allow me to be like Inez when I grow up and now......

Where's Your Nose?

2008-08-03T20:36:00.003-05:00

I've been told to write something.....

I was recently introduced as "our reader." I do read alot but I think everybody else does, too. It's strange to me that someone wouldn't read. I read novels, memoirs, the occasional non-fiction, the newspaper, magazines (that reminds me to get Time - I saw it's cover was 100 Olympians to Watch,) Yahoo news stories and the Bible.

I'm even in a Chunkster Challenge and I just saw that I need to pick up The Blind Assassin to finish out my four titles.

The question I hear all the time is "When do you have time to read?" I don't know. Always before falling asleep. Usually when I'm getting ready in the mornings. During commercials. During boring Boy TV (it's Ice Road Truckers right now.) If the book's good, all day. I will have to pull myself away from the book to fix dinner, wash clothes, and work on my computer.

So, yes, I have a book going. I just finished TV Guide (I love Mad Men and it was on the cover) and the Sunday paper.

What about it? What are you reading now? I'm trying to get to The Shack........

Sing It Out!

2008-07-22T10:13:00.003-05:00

Wow! I'm singing LOUDLY this morning! Going out tonight for a Girls Night and we're going to see Mamma Mia.

I remember most of these songs and I can sing along with the majority of them. We're actually having some new friends and I hope they are prepared for my singing abilities.....

********************************

Oy! I just found out that I had a haircut appointment this morning!!! I stood up my stylist!! She is going to dump me, yall! Then I'll have to find someone new and you know how hard that is..... We've rescheduled. I feel like a heel. I'm not singing anymore....

*********************************

Lastly, we have some exciting stuff going on over at Espresso His Love - follow the link and check it out.

Tuesday

2008-07-15T15:42:00.003-05:00

Kenny quote:

"I like Lifeway because they have cool t-shirts." Yes, Sweetie alot better than Spencer's. It did this Mommy's heart good.

Orthodontist quote:

"We will use head-gear to move this molar back and when all the primary teeth (baby, for you and me) are gone we'll put on a full set of braces."

After I got over the nausea that braces bring on, the doctor stepped out and the Clinic Director explained how much all that would cost.

Denise thought:

After I got over the nausea that sums over $250 bring on, "Put on your big girl p*nties and deal with it."

Ebony and Ivory

2008-07-14T09:15:00.001-05:00

We like this show and this commercial makes me smile - every time!

My West Texas Girl

2008-06-25T09:04:00.004-05:00

My daughter says some funny stuff:

We were driving down 280 in Birmingham (between Lakeshore and 459, for those of you that know) and Abbie asked Jim, "How do you know where you're going?" After Jim and I laughed, she said, "It all looks the same."

Jim explained that you have to know where you're going and watch for the turns. He also made some smart-aleck comment about it coming right up on you and being surprised by the turn.

Abbie then said, "There's just too many trees."

Yes, Sweetie, that's a common complaint from those of us that live in West Texas.

It's Me!

2008-06-19T19:36:00.002-05:00

Yep, it was me on the big screen Wednesday night. Check it out.

I'm Writing, I'm Writing....

2008-06-15T06:55:00.002-05:00

Kenny has been complaining about seeing a mouse on and off for a few weeks and we just blew it off - until Wednesday. Sitting at dinner (we can see our backyard from the table) Jim and I both saw a rat! Not a mouse. A rat ran across the patio and went into the flower bed.

Needless to say, that just won't do.

Jim got a rat trap (larger and meaner looking than a mouse trap) from his dad and set it. We think that it (they?) are living under the deck so Jim put it near there. To be clear - I glanced at the trap. I did not look at it directly with my glasses on. I did not want to see it that well. I was also unclear as to where it exactly was placed in our yard. I did not want to see it that well.

Jim baited it with tortilla that was going into the trash and waited. Jim saw the bugger stick his snout out from under the deck! He (not we) found the tortilla gone later and the trap pulled halfway under the deck. Jim baited it again. Caught a mouse. Jim took care of Little Mickey while I was in another room. Jim baited it again. Caught another mouse and I left the room while all was going out to the trash.

Yes, plastic bags are useful for some things.

The trap has been re-baited but nothing has bitten. Jim (my dear hubby who knows me so well) explained that they may have moved on. I'm accepting that explanation.

Now They Have Stripes

2008-05-15T15:57:00.002-05:00

I only have time for a short story so I can't continue about the Tooth Fairy Family....

Last Thursday night Abbie went to TaeKwonDo for the first time. She has been asking for awhile but I have been rather hesitant. She seems too young and I hate to over-schedule my kids. She already does dance, yall! (Recital alert! Be ready for pictures on blog!) But Thursday we decided she was ready.

She loved it! It helped that they worked with weapons that night. She had some kind of sticks that I couldn't understand and Kenny had a "Bow Staff." She was thrilled that she could make her own sticks!! They both could make their own weapons!!

Abbie told me that Daddy was going to make her some and of her own (jabber, jabber) sticks and "I'm going to decorate them with rainbows! No. That isn't very weapony. OOOO! How about a Ninja on one stick and a Ballet shoe on the other."

A Tooth Fairy Tale

2008-05-07T20:23:00.007-05:00

Mrs. Tooth Fairy: I really think we are going to have to go to the dentist to have those front two teeth pulled out! They aren't coming out....

Mr. Tooth Fairy: Does Dr. E even do that?

Mrs. Tooth Fairy: I don't know. How much do we already owe Dr. E? I heard that Dr. L pulls out kid's teeth so that the ones behind can come in.

Mr. Tooth Fairy: She has one that's already broken through.

Mrs. Tooth Fairy: I know. What do you think we should do?

Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy had this same discussion for several days. Granny Tooth Fairy threatened to take her to have the teeth pulled by some unknown dentist.

On WATS Day at the Tooth Fairy Family's church....

Mr. Tooth Fairy: Is that Dr. L?

Mrs. Tooth Fairy: I can't tell from the back. I think it is.

Mr. Tooth Fairy gets back in the truck.

Mrs. Tooth Fairy: Did you ask Dr. L if he pulls children's teeth?

Mr. Tooth Fairy: I wasn't sure that was him.

At this point, Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy refrain from having the same discussion again - should they or shouldn't they take her to the dentist. Until the Tooth Fairy Family is eating together and Mr. and Mrs. Tooth Fairy see the offending teeth.....

to be continued

Two Things

2008-05-05T14:43:00.003-05:00

Firstly, I lost my glasses last week. We looked all over the house for them! We looked in all the logical places - my desk, my bathroom, my bedside table. Then we (Jim) looked in all the illogical places - the refrigerator, the car, the freezer, the laundry room.

They were just gone. I was so disappointed! I couldn't read the paper, my book, do a puzzle and what I wrote for my talk was basically a blur.

I went the next morning to buy some new glasses at the Wal-Mart. They sell a pair for $7.98 that I like and they seem to last. Until I lose them. So I got some just like before - it's all good.

It was that afternoon that I found my other glasses. Now I have two pair just alike - except the new ones have a scratch on them. Whatever.

Secondly, I haven't posted about my "other" new blog. Yes, we have a Coffee Group blog - Espresso His Love. There are some things to read and soon there will be more! Go check it out and then add it to your Bloglines! You never know what will be there.....

I Got Here As Fast As I Could...

2008-04-22T21:38:00.002-05:00

Jim and I went to the Mesquite Rodeo this weekend and it was so much fun! Are there really people who don't like the rodeo? Yeah, it's violent (so is every other sport) and, yeah, they "use" animals.... Whatever. I do like me some rodeo.

Have you seen a cowboy in starched Wranglers and a white shirt? That's all I'm sayin'.

Well, while we were there the people who weren't from Texas were asked to stand. I remained seated. I then thought maybe I was from Alabama - I mean, I am from Alabama. I'm a girl from the true Deep South. I still remained seated. Jim told me to stay seated. Jim should know - he a Native Texan - born and raised! Did I get my citizenship when I married a Native?

While debating, the announcer had all the Texans stand (I stood) and turn to the (poor, sad, uneducated) outsiders and say, "Howdy! Welcome to God's country!"

I suppose when I can say that - I really will be a Texan.

A Flower For You, Too

2008-04-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I like Snapdragons and I saw a bed of them this past weekend in College Station. I thought a flower for my birthday would be nice.....

That's Just Crazy!

2008-04-08T13:05:00.004-05:00

Well. You just never know what the day will bring, do ya? I was online and decided to check my bloglines; they are completely overloaded because I never read them. I clicked on Rocks In My Dryer (who posted much more than I do) and she was talking/writing about her new favorite CD. A guy named Matt Maher. She loved his music and made it sound really good.

Well. Just this morning at the Wal-Mart I was looking at the Christian music CDs cause I wanted something new. Should I even buy a CD or just download? Just download the songs I want? How's that download thing go again? I ended up buying a WOW 2008 CD - there always a good variety of music that way.

Well. Shannon linked over to Matt Maher's website cause he was giving away CDs to the first 100 bloggers who went over and signed up. Now, some of you know that Shannon has 100 people every hour so I thought there was no way I could win anything.

Well. I did! Can you believe it? Cause I'm still amazed! Follow the links to hear some music and hear Matt talk about his writing.

Big Doins

2008-04-06T15:31:00.003-05:00

So, I've been traveling again with my peeps - the Coffee Group. We went down to A&M Church to present at their Ladies Day! It was a great day. They just loved on one another and laughed their heads off. We had a wonderful time just being with them.

While we were there we decided to start a Coffee Group blog. I know what you're thinking, "You never write on this blog! When will you write on another one?!" (Yes, I can read your minds....) Yeah, I don't know yet. It will be easy after we travel - there are several stories I don't want to forget.... Now, writing something appropriate past that; we'll just see.

My other big news is my hormones. TMI? If you get emails from Sarah, you've already been prompted to nag me into seeing the doctor. Thank you. I called. I'm waiting. I'll be proactive in trying to move my appointment up early next week.

Hormones make women feel things. Mine made me feel like I was having a nervous breakdown. Fun, huh?

I'll link you over to the new blog as soon as it's ready and I'm going to see the doctor.

Easter Weekend 2008

2008-03-24T12:34:00.004-05:00

I hope you enjoyed the videos - they are very inspiring to me....

I wanted to put up some pictures from the weekend. Kenny, Jim and I went to LTC in Dallas for Bible Bowl. Kenny was in 3 events - Bible Bowl, Drama and Chorus. I thought that he did well in Drama and Chorus. I heard the Chorus practice on Friday night and thought there was no way they weren't going to be awful on Saturday afternoon. They were great! On the key. On the note. No touching of hair or face. It was really very sweet.

The drama was funny, too. Kenny did a outrageous accent and R tore off his pants (sorry, no picture available.)

Lastly, a shot of Abbie on Easter. She looked so sweet! A friend at church (mom of boys) said she looked like a catalog ad and she did! After MawMaw told her she needed a hat, I dutifully went and bought her one. The minute we sat down she wanted to take it off - I told her she had to wear it until she went to class. Girls and Clothes - it starts early!

OH, one more thing! Notice the bunny teeth on Abbie? They will not get loose enough to pull them out! It is driving me crazy!

It's Sunday!

2008-03-23T16:09:00.000-05:00

Sunday's Coming

2008-03-21T09:35:00.002-05:00

I had this up last year but it still needs to be heard! Say a prayer of thankfulness today cause if God hasn't done anything else in your life - He brought Sunday!

I Really Didn't Want My Age On The First Page!

2008-03-15T16:24:00.003-05:00

I signed up for MySpace yesterday. Then, I deleted it. MySpace wanted to know why I was deleting my page. I don't know.....

Yall know I work for Big Brothers Big Sisters, right? I don't write about it much. There are confidentality issues and I got enough things to write about without mentioned BBBS very much. I work in Match Support - it's my job to make sure that the matches are going well and growing. I work in our PALS program. These Big Brothers/Big Sisters are all teens from the local high schools that go to eat lunch their a 4th or 5th grader every other week.

Is that too much information?

One of the things I'm asked to do for work is to review any MySpace pages that my matches have. They all have MySpace pages. This week was the first time one of the Bigs (teens) had told me that her Little (5th grader) had asked to be a friend on MySpace. So I truly had an obligation to see what was on Big Sister's page. I learned that I can review the page without having a page myself. Also I couldn't figure out how to make my page private. I was appalled that some guy named "Tom" wanted to be my friend! Then I remembered that I had seen "Tom" interviewed on 60 Minutes - he began MySpace.

So, I deleted the one I set up.

Next year, we will review MySpace pages when Bigs are interviewed. At least I think we should - it could really show up something about them.

By the way, it was very easy to lie about my age. Anybody could put anything.....

It's A Small World

2008-03-10T17:45:00.004-05:00

I'm often playing the Who Do You Know Game. You know, that game when you try to find out who you have in common. In a small town like Abilene, it usually doesn't take long to find someone you both know. In a small fellowship the church of Christ, it's doesn't take very long either.

Does anybody else remember Batsell Barrett Baxter? We used to watch him on TV on Sunday mornings. He was mentioned in the funny book I'm reading A Girl Named Zippy - she had to watch him, too.

Anyhoo.

Check out Amy's blog. She is one of my oldest buddies and she lives in Denver. I don't scan or I'd put a picture of her from my wedding on here. She attended a fund-raiser in Denver for DryBones! Some of you know DryBones is a ministry supported by Southern Hills. I told her to be sure to meet Nicki because I had played Bunko with her just last month! I told Amy that she probably would be polite and not mention how loud and obnoxious I was that night. Lo and behold, there's a picture of her and Nicki on her site!

Sadly, Amy's dad passed away on Saturday night. She has gone to east Tennessee to be with her brothers and family and to bury her daddy. I'm sure she'll come back with tons of stories of her crazy relatives. She used to crack us up with those stories. This book I'm reading reminds me alot Amy telling her family's stories.

Equal Time

2008-03-07T12:13:00.000-06:00

You Can Make A Difference

2008-02-27T17:37:00.001-06:00

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics… they will only grow louder and more dissonant… We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea –

Yes. We. Can.

Barack Obama, Nashua, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008

Finally a chance to make a difference in a primary! I've been voting for many years and this is the first time my vote in a primary may effect the candidate for president! I know I'm pretty excited about it - are you?

I won't pretend to know who is the best person for the job right now. I know that I've voted Republican in every Presidential race since Ronald Reagan. I know I crossed over in a primary one year in an attempt to get the Democratic I wanted so he could run for Governor of Alabama. He didn't get the nomination - I voted Republican.

So, consider your choices. Vote your conscience. Live with your vote.

A Love Fest!

2008-02-25T14:56:00.003-06:00

I want to tell everybody that I felt all your prayers for the Coffee Group while we were gone. It was a rough trip for me. I didn't realize that going home would be so difficult. We spoke at my old home church and when I looked out at all those ladies I knew - it freaked me out a little. I wanted to stay and hear about all their children and husbands. I heard that one is having marriage difficulties and I didn't have time to talk with her about it. I saw at least one lady I really wanted to talk with but didn't get over there to at all.

I had a hard time leaving my family, too. My family in Alabama, that is. I wanted to stay and talk some more. I wanted to go see my nephew play basketball and watch my niece in her Little Miss Cougar (all my nephews and niece's school) pageant.

But how sweet it was to come home to all of you asking about our trip. It was terrific to be with my husband again. It was hard on him to take care of everybody on 3 hours sleep. He fell asleep when I got home! My children still had lots of activities at church on Sunday night and I they wanted me to be with them - so off I went!

I thank the Lord that Mimi and Pop are here and can take care of the kids for us. They have already agreed to watch them again on Friday night (Ladies Retreat) and again in April. (My sweet hubby is taking me to the Big City for a weekend - Woo Hoo!)

Love you all and I so appreciate that keep stopping by!

For The Least Of These

2008-02-15T09:57:00.000-06:00

I've been following Phil while he's in Uganda. He has gone to raise awareness for Compassion International. A group devoted to finding adoptees for some of the poorest children in the world. He wrote about Doreen. She is the little girl that he and Donna "adopted." Because someone sends money every month, Doreen is able to be vaccinated and attend Bible classes.

I would encourage yall to read about what's he's doing, pray for safety of all the bloggers who have gone on this trip, and prayfully consider your role in this ministry.

The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

Matthew 25:40

Satan's Plastic Bags.....

2008-02-13T17:08:00.005-06:00

Yall know that we all need to cut down on our usage of plastic bags....... I told yall that I have take to carrying a Big Purple Bag (my children think it's an ACU bag) and trying to use it. I have had alot of success doing away with more plastic bags.

Shopping in the mall - I got one large paper sack (I don't know why paper containers are called "sacks") and refused all other plastic bags that every other store tried to give me. Saved 3 bags that day.

Shopping thrift stores for an 80's costume - refused all bags given. Between Sarah and I we saved 6 bags.

At Wal-Mart - Used my Big Purple Bag and got all but my milk in it! I really holds alot of stuff. Why do you need a bag for milk anyway? It's got a handle.... That was at least 3 bags saved.

Check out the back of Sarah's car from HEB! She spent $50.....

This is my favorite statistic from the Today show story:

If every American household took one re-usable canvas bag to the store on every trip, our country could save 10 Billion plastic bags. Enough fuel for 50,000 cars for 1 year.50,000!

That's alot of saving, people.

When Will It End?

2008-02-11T19:54:00.000-06:00

Kenny told me that 3 4th graders left Thomas on Monday with the Chicken Pox!

Good times.

Moving Day!

2008-02-11T18:10:00.000-06:00

WOW! My new dress came in and I was sitting at a computer at the office!! Don't yall love it! I know I do! Thanks so much to Jen at Blue Yonder Designs - she came up with this for little-ole-me. Trust me, there was much hemming and taking in on the shoulders... Thanks, too, to
After A Cup of Coffee - that's where I won my new design. You can pop over to her site and check out all the other folks who moved in today.

Just So You Know

2008-02-05T08:07:00.000-06:00

Note to self:

If you make up a silly song with the word "f*rt" in it, a 10-year-old will sing it incessantly.

A Question For The Weekend

2008-02-02T08:22:00.000-06:00

I seem to have alot of shoes. They look like they are spilling out of my closet. Everyday they are scattered all over the house - or maybe it just seems like it.

Apparently it's catching - Abbie has shoes everywhere, too.

How many pair of shoes do you have? Which pair can you not live without?

Walking My Life Away

2008-01-31T09:13:00.000-06:00

Funny thing about walking on a treadmill. You are able to increase your speed with the push of a button. You are able to increase your incline with the push of a button. You are able to chose a walking program just by pushing a button.

But (as hard as I have tried) you cannot increase your time spent on the treadmill by just pushing a button. It appears that some things I am unable to manipulate......

Bummer.

We Have To Go Back!

2008-01-29T10:20:00.000-06:00

My obsession lives! It's over here. You know Sarah told me to just have a Lost blog - so, I do. Kinda.

One Small Step For Us

2008-01-26T08:45:00.000-06:00

Do you think we are paying too much for oil? Do you think that our country depends too much on other countries for oil? Are you tired of seeing the Saudis on TV with more money than the law should allow?

Then you can do one simple thing to make a difference. One thing.

Take a re-usable canvas bag to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags they give out.

Here's the facts:

100 Billion plastic bags that are used every year = 12 Million barrels of oil
If every American household took one re-usable canvas bag to the store on every trip, our country could save 10 Billion plastic bags. Enough fuel for 50,000 cars for 1 year.
50,000!

I confess, I haven't been doing this. I have a bag in the car (that I got free from ACU Lectureship - it has Christian Homes on it) that I have been trying to remember to carry into the store. I have switched to paper sacks all the time but that brings up tree issues - at least paper sacks recycle and decompose.

So, don't you have a freebie canvas bag laying around the house that can become your grocery bag? Or, at least, one of them?

I saw this on the Today Show -

The Big Bloggy Move

2008-01-25T09:14:00.000-06:00

My new bloggy dress is ready! It was designed and made for me! I'm so happy that I can't stand it! And just like a brand-new dress, I wanna wear it now - I don't wanna wait!

But, just like Easter, I'm waiting for that special day.

Are you thinking that you need a new dress, too? Have you grown weary of Blogger? Do you want to move over to Typepad? Just need some new accessories (colors, fonts) to make you look better?

Join the fun on February 11 - I'm thinking that there will be prizes, too.

Germy House

2008-01-21T10:34:00.000-06:00

As alot of you know we've had sickness at our house. It seems like everybody has, too. Kenny's been sick since last Monday and he's finally 24 hours without a fever! We are beside ourselves! I've been so glad the rest of us haven't caught it. Amazed really that Abbie's still fine.

I told him on Saturday that I could tell he had lost weight. He ran to he scale and he's dropped about 6 lbs. It reminded me of one of my favorite lines from The Devil Wears Prada.

I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight!

The Queen Of Fun

2008-01-18T16:36:00.001-06:00

While I was walking the treadmill this morning (surprise! I move more than just to my computer) I saw this fun interview with Janet Huckabee on Good Morning America. You can read it here - I'm not sure about the video. I wanted to put it up before they took it down.

I haven't chosen a candidate yet (that seems to be a rather popular place right now) but I loved this story and it made me like somebody else from Hope, Arkansas.

More 4th Grade Fun

2008-01-18T09:11:00.000-06:00

Oh, the Fourth Grade..... Kenny's friend came over and rang our doorbell yesterday. Now, yall, he rings the doorbell about every other day and Kenny usually turns him down to play. But yesterday - when it was almost time for supper (can it be supper at 5:30?) - he yelled something and went outside. I looked for him and they were sitting in the gutter in front of our house playing/talking/shooting the breeze/whatever.

When Kenny came in I asked him what they were doing and he told me they were playing "spinners." Now, all I've heard at my house about playing - is playing on the Wii - what the heck are spinners? And since when do we have one?

They are folded pieces of paper that 4th grade boys play with. Kenny's is colored very nicely and can spin. Now Kenny tells me that some boys play "for keeps," but Kenny doesn't do that. His friend down the street does play for keeps and he has over 50.

Well, bully for him. My obvious question is "How many has his mother already snuck into the trash?"

Edited to add: I actually wrote this in October and I thought I had posted it - apparently not. This may actually explain Abbie's comment on this post.

Could It Be - Another Contest!

2008-01-16T18:01:00.000-06:00

As most of you know by now, my family did not win Tammy's portrait contest. It went to a super-cute toddler with a beautiful red pedi-skirt. I kinda figured that we couldn't beat all those babies and a pregnant lady, too! That's what I call "stacking the deck!"

I'm excited now that Tammy has new a contest! It's her Wedding Image Contest! It's time to choose your favorite shot from the weddings that Tammy shoot this year. I really thought this would be easier because I could choose any picture but, as I'm sure you figured out, that just made it harder! I thought, too, that I wouldn't know anybody but I do.

Dang.

Leap over and pick your favorite! Just like before you could be a winner, too. Maybe I'll win that......

The Chunkster Challenge

2008-01-14T08:15:00.000-06:00

It's time to join a reading challenge. I like having a goal with my reading and I enjoy trying to find books that I'm interested in but otherwise might not read. So I'm joining up for The Chunkster Challenge 2008!

The Challenge is to read 4 books that are big'ens (well, not that big.) The books must be 450 pages in length and need to be reviewed. Dana is the host for his challenge and you may join it too by February 1st! I would love to have some of my faithful readers involved! And there are prizes! I just love prizes......

Here are my titles and their links...

The Other Boleyn Girl - I remember as a young girl being fascinated with Henry VIII - he did whatever he wanted and got away with it. That included murdering wives, divorcing wives and changing the official religion of England (so he could have his own way.)

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - I will admit I don't know much about this book but the title and author intrigue me. So I'm going for it!

Lord John Grey and the Brotherhood of the Blade - This book is the 2nd in a new series by one of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon. She is the author the Outlander series and I've read all of them (at least once) and I'm looking forward to reading them again. I'm currently re-reading the first in this series, Lord John Grey and the Private Matter, in anticipation of the next two. I actually got #3 in this series for Christmas!

The Blind Assassin - Another author that I have enjoyed before, Margaret Atwood, and this is supposed to be one of "those" books. One of the books you must read! It isn't futuristic - the other two of hers I have read are - but actually set in the 30's.

Did I inspire anybody to join? To read with me? To pick up a book and read for enjoyment?

A Question For The Weekend

2008-01-12T09:37:00.000-06:00

Well, we haven't had one in awhile so I felt that we needed one or two.....

How do you take your coffee? Was it an acquired taste?

Get Out The Vote!

2008-01-08T17:12:00.000-06:00

This post will stay at the top of the page until Friday. Scroll past for new posts!

Tammy is having a little contest on her blog and I want one of my readers to win! All you have to do is follow the link over to her site and vote for your favorite picture. Now, I really want you to vote for one of my family's (because they are great!) and we can win a prize, too.

Tammy is giving away a $20 gift card to Target or iTunes for the randomly selected voter and a free 16x20 to the family that recevies the most votes. We can both win!

Okay, here we go....
Follow the link to her site (or click here.)

Watch the slide show to choose your favorite picture. Or look at the gallery of pictures (we start on screen 10.) Here's the skinny on the Waldrop pictures - our numbers are waldrop075, waldrop077, waldrop110, waldrop144, waldrop217, waldrop240, and waldrop251. (All are great...)

List your favorite in the comment section or email Tammy at marcelain5@sbcglobal.net

Wait to hear if you won!

The contest ends on Friday, January 11 and one vote per household (bummer, since some of you have Internet connection in your home, at your work, on your cell, your child's cell, etc.) Is all this clear as mud? You may ask me questions in my email if you have any. waldrops@suddenlink.net

Go Vote! It's your bloggy duty!

New! and Improved!

2008-01-08T16:26:00.000-06:00

I've had this blog for 2 years now and as some of you know I've grown very weary of the look of it. I've been to cheap to change it and I haven't taken the time to figure out how to make it different. I have twicked some of the colors and fonts but not enough to make me happy.

It's a fact that I'm a little font crazy. I see print and I'm instantly drawn to the font. I have had 6 different fonts on my signature line at work. Right now it's Papyrus on the emails I write from home. The body of the emails are in Parade. I love Andy, Curlz, Gigi, Veranda - the list is extensive. Phil had a nice one on the Big Screen on Sunday but I didn't know what it was.

All that to say that I will soon have a new look! I can't tell you how happy I am! I did a little happy dance when I heard..... Christy at After a Cup of Coffee....Or Two (check out those ..... will ya?! A woman after my own heart......) was gracious enough to have a little giveaway and I ran into it and signed up. What did I win? Could it be? Is is really?

A new blog design! From a real designer! That gets paid to do pretty designs for other people! WOO HOO! Jen at Blue Yonder Designs will be making a pretty for me! Cause yall know I'm tried of this old dress....

It will be showing up soon in this very spot to make me smie and preen whenever I see it....

Yes, You Are.

2008-01-07T10:15:00.000-06:00

Abbie says cute things all the time that I promptly forget. It's the curse of the "Old Mom." But I wrote this one down.

After getting her telescope, she talked about her plans for the future. The kids and I went to the planetarium on Thomas Texan night in early December. We watched a movie about black holes - it got a little long but we all enjoyed it. Kenny has always maintained that he wants a career in the sciences. Right now, he wants to be a CSI - I'm still pushing med school as a way to pay for my old age. But Abbie wanted to be a fashion model - despite the fact that she will undoubtedly be 5 feet tall.

Now she says that she wants to work in a planetarium - like Mr. Cathey. Mr. Cathey is one of the teachers that runs the planetarium and does all the lessons with it. She was very specific that she didn't want to be an astronaut - she wants to be like Mr Cathey. "Except I'm gonna be a girl."

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Overheard this morning - Abbie says, "Elvis made me a spinner!" Figure that one out.....

Why Do These Women Always Seem To Be From Texas?

2008-01-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

If you have a young daughter in your house or if you watch the Disney channel, you have heard of Hannah Montana. If you read my TV Blog, you know that Abbie likes to watch Hannah's TV show on Disney and I just mentioned that Abbie got Hannah's closet from Santa. She also spent some money she got for Christmas on a Hannah t-shirt (from Dillard's no less.)

I have even bought tickets to see the movie of the Hannah Montana concert because we can't go to said concert. The tickets are pre-selling at an over-riced rate right now!

We are all Hannah Montana'ed up in here! But this mama needs a reality check. What will she do to get her child a car? or the "must have" video game? or even an IPod? (you may need to re-fresh the link, I did)

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Come back soon -Tammy has a great contest going on at her site and I need your vote!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T09:21:00.001-06:00

I'm loving posting all the time! I'd forgotten how fun it is!

I just bought these yesterday - they feel like I'm putting on slippers....... Does that give you any idea what my New Year's Resolution is? What's yours?

Keep Up, People!

2007-12-31T09:17:00.000-06:00

I try to keep yall on the cutting edge of culture! This morning on the Today Show they noted that a top trend of 2007 was fingernails painted black or dark blue and Victoria Beckham's haircut was The Haircut. I know I certainly got sick of seeing it on lots of women!

So here's a list to keep us all up-to-date!

The top 10 baby names for 2007

1. Sophia/Aidan

2. Isabella/Ethan

3. Emma/Jacob

4. Madison/Jayden

5. Ava/Caden

6. Addison/Noah

7. Hailey/Jackson

8. Emily/Jack

9. Kaitlyn/Logan

10. Olivia/Matthew

Kudos To Yall!

2007-12-29T16:56:00.001-06:00

Check out the new button on my sidebar. If you can read this without difficulty, you must be a genius! Maybe it's the use of the word "kudos."

I Know I Do

2007-12-28T09:02:00.000-06:00

Well, just when you think Christmas is over - Santa Billy brings just one more gift. Uncle Billy spoils my children quite a bit. They assume when he comes to town that he will take them to Chucky Cheese (Mr. Gatti's is out due to a previous unfortunate incident,) the movies, and/or Target for toys.

This time it's a telescope. Apparently it broke his heart when Abbie questioned why she didn't get a telescope. She took him outside and said, "I've been good all year. Why didn't Santa bring me a telescope?" Now, I would have probably told her that we can't have everything we want. Or that Santa decided that she was just a little too young for a telescope. Or to look at that great Hannah Montana closet she got with all the clothes for her Hannah Montana doll.

But Uncle Billy just went and bought one for her. It took 4 different stores before he found one.

Don't you wish you had an Uncle Billy?

The Day After

2007-12-26T09:12:00.000-06:00

Yep, it's the day after Christmas. The day after all the fun and gift-giving. The day after eating all the goodies. The day after a too-late night. The day after beginning all those new books.

We've all made it. We all loved it. I was able to surprise Jim with a gift he didn't expect! That's always a big deal - he wants so little that isn't over $500. It would be very difficult to buy him a truck without him knowing it. Abbie didn't understand why Santa didn't bring her a telescope - she told Santa just 5 days ago she wanted one. Trust me, Santa had gotten all her gifts by then. Kenny was happy with his multitude of books - there are enough there to keep him happy for awhile. And, of course, his Wii. More about that later.....

One of the funniest things I can remember happened late last night..... Do I tell it? Someone wanted to upload the pictures from my camera onto their computer. After the memory card was taken out, they looked at it. Turned it this way and that. Tried to envision how it would work. Then asked, "Does it go in the CD spot?" Needless to say, someone else got off their hiney and showed them exactly where to put it!

Merry Christmas!

It Isn't The Weekend But -

2007-12-20T15:54:00.000-06:00

Does anybody else come home and revel in putting on their pajamas? It's my favorite part of the day.....

Tuesday's Tune

2007-12-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

This is the song that makes the holidays for me. It needs to be Nat King Cole, too. One more week.....

Good Music on NBC

2007-12-18T08:37:00.000-06:00

I have new material over at my TV Blog...... Go see!

Wednesday's Do-Over

2007-12-12T17:09:00.000-06:00

It must be from God that Mariah didn't work. I had tried to post another silly Christmas song and I couldn't find it on YouTube. Maybe this year we will celebrate with beautiful music....

Tuesday's Tune

2007-12-11T08:24:00.000-06:00

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU! BY MARIAH CAREY

I had this last year but I still LOVE it! I'll be singing it all day....

A Question For The Weekend

2007-12-08T16:33:00.001-06:00

Last weekend Kenny and I saw the

Abilene Philharmonic - it was the Christmas Pops concert. I loved it. The conductor actually sat at the piano and sang In The Bleak Mid-Winter - that's what made me think of it.

He also mentioned that the Season wasn't complete without his favorite song sung by a particular soprano. It made me think,

What song is your favorite of the Christmas Season? Do you have a singer, too?

Tuesday Tune

2007-12-04T08:14:00.000-06:00

I thinking (last night when I couldn't sleep) that we need a little music of the season! So for the rest of the month I will post YouTube videos with various Christmas songs. I love this song even though it starts out a sad. I really wish I was singing with these people, in a candlelight service, in a huge cathedral, on Christmas Eve, too.

Vote For Our Friends!

2007-11-30T16:56:00.000-06:00

My friend, Tiffani and her hubby are in a cool contest! Tiffani loves Bebo Norman! Read what she wrote:

Stephen and I entered an online video contest on Bebo Norman's website, bebonorman.com. (He's a Christian singer we really love--"O Great Light of the World", "I Will Lift My Eyes", ...) Our video is one of the top 3 finalists!The video that gets the most votes wins a trip for 2 to Nashville to watch a concert and hang out with Bebo. Which is where you come in! Please, if you have some spare time, go to http://www.brickmanmedia.com/bebo/vote/ and vote for our video, which is the fireplace video, #2. Vote as many times as you want. (You could even forward this email to your friends/family.)Thanks for your help

So go and spread a little Christmas cheer for my friend!

Observations On Black Friday

2007-11-26T17:38:00.000-06:00

Yup, you guessed it, I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I have gone int he past - I've not gone int the past - it all depends on the Deal. The Deal has to be good enough and what I want. I do not shop on Black Friday - I buy. That being said......

I saw two ladies that told us all they were up from last night - they had had plenty to drink on Thanksgiving.

Never go into the Shoe Carnival at 6:00 am. They just love to use that microphone - even at 6:00.

I was amazed that every one was talking on their cell phone! who are you calling at 6:20? Are they happy you're waking them up?!

The streets were empty - except for the snow - and when I got to the mall, at 5:20am, the parking lot was full. I had to laugh out loud.

The retail associates were very nice - except the guy who was yawning so big I could see his uvula. EWWWW!

A Question For The Weekend

2007-11-24T22:35:00.001-06:00

Who is this good-looking fellow and why is the number 6 important to him (and me?)