Wednesday Ramblings

I know, I know - I'm posting! These are things that have been on my mind lately....

I'm in awe of anyone who understands how a computer works. Lately someone said "It's the server," when I mentioned a problem. What's a server? Of course, I don't understand TVs or electricity either.

When you tell me that your child wouldn't let you do something when they were an infant, I think you weren't in control of your infant.

Cooking for Manna & More is fun but alot of work and worry. The ladies (and sometimes gentlemen) make fun. Being able to tell somebody else what I cooked is fun, too.

I saw a show with a Playboy bunny and her mom. I can't imagine teaching your daughter that that lifestyle is okay. It occurred to me that it would be easier to teach that lifestyle than a Godly one. Any time Abbie wanted to wear a bikini, it would be okay. Any belly baring (in style) shirt Abbie wanted, is okay. All the glitter and flash that she loves would be okay. Bigger and bleachier is okay.

Halloween is fun but how many costumes can one child choose?!? Yes, I've outlawed witches, vampires, Grim Reapers, and monsters at my house. Abbie would love a glittery, flashy witch costume but I tell her no. She going to be Sandy with a poodle skirt, she says. You are supposed to understand that she's not Sandy at the end of the movie.

Spencer's (I will not provide a link!) is disgusting! I was looking for a beard for Kenny and I was sooooo happy Abbie couldn't read.

I really missed sewing. I made myself a poodle skirt and it was great fun! The fabric and thread feel good again.


I'm sure there's more but that's all for now.......

Hey, Hey, Hey Goodbye

Now, on to the Homecoming Football game! this is Abbie in the 3rd quarter - she fell asleep. All that back patting at YCW came in handy!
I'm not sure about this smile. I've said before that Kenny is fascinated by all things Asian - maybe this is an attempt to get some Chinese food. I've given up on trying to match his clothing. It's a free-for-all!

Here's Abbie with Joel. Joel came to visit for Homecoming and Doc Dubose's retirement celebration. Joel was Jim's roommate in college and the Best Man at our wedding. Kenny's middle name is Joel in his honor (and the minor prophet in the Bible!)



Other Interesting Stuff From the Game -

• It's the most integrated function in Abilene. There were more black faces there than any other place I go in town. I hope that doesn't sound racist - it was interesting.
• It was packed but I didn't see a sea of purple. Any game on TV has a sea of color - not this one.
• Where were the shakers??!! Again, most college games (well, SEC) have TONS of shakers! Not so here there were just a few. Also, for future reference, shakers go back and forth, back and forth, not side to side.
• The Big Purple (band) did a spy theme ( Kenny named it) and my kids loved it. The funniest thing was the flags. On the Mission Impossible theme, the flag girls struck poses like with guns. They all ended up on the ground (except the girl in the middle - what was her story?) The funny thing is they have a guy who spins (twirl is inappropriate) a flag and he stood with his arms crossed the entire time. He looked happy when everybody else went to the ground so he could, too.
• Overheard spoken by loud girl: "He's like 80. Really old. I'm thinking 29."
• Also overheard spoken by loud girl: "My neighbor is a real cowboy. You know, with a handlebar mustache and everything. But he looks really old from riding horses and everything." She was sitting next to Joel - big mustache and Wranglers.
• ACU won. All the people around us kept talking about when they were in school and ACU never won and they never went to the games. GO CATS!

The End

I had to include this shot because I like the way the mascot (you can click on any image to see it bigger) is telling us to "GO HOME." I didn't mention that my kids got tons of candy - there were several parade participants giving it away. The cheerleaders - nada.

I'm glad someone understood the nuances surrounding the floats. Sarah put the explanations in the comments section of the previous post. Be sure to read it - you will gain invaluable insights.
Note to self: Stand by the Stirmans at next year's parade.

Be sure to come back later for the "rest of the story."

Homecoming Saturday

Yall know I LOVE parades! The ACU Homecoming parade is no exception. The students do lots of funny stuff - especially the girl's clubs. ( Clubs facinate me. There's so much there to explore.)
These girls all had on pajamas. The one on the float had on Superman pjs. I just thought they were funny!
These were my favorite. They were Dr. Suess girls - a pack of Little CindyLou Whos! Loved them! I thought they had a spiritual meaning (Oh! The Places We'll Go!) but now I'm not sure.

This is Troy driving some cool car. One of the cars in front of him had driven a circle in the intersection - we wanted Troy to do it to! He couldn't hear us telling him to.

These folks are from the Christian Village (Where ACU Retires) and I just wonder who did up their stuff for them. There were two older gentlemen carrying their sign - walking!- in front of them. Several older ladies were handing out ACU paw prints to put on your car antenna - we got three!
I didn't know what this was about but I liked all the purple. The Dr. Pepper sign was turning, too. Impressive.

This is the winning float. I didn't understand it either but, hey, I'm not an alumni.

Torn Between Two Lovers

I've been sick so I'm asking that you talk among yourselves.
Who should Lorilei end up with: Luke or Christopher? Who will she end up with?

While we're on love triangles - what about Kate? Should it be Jack or Sawyer?

Discuss.

Free Indeed

I love my church! This picture was taken 2 weeks ago at our church picnic. That's Abbie and I going down the big inflatable slide. If you're still worshiping where folks make a list and check it twice, get out while you can! Christ saved us for freedom - not checklists!

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Goodnight Ladies

Back when I had my 2nd child, I was determined to have a co-sleeper. Number 1 had slept between Jim and I for 5 months and I really didn't want to roll over on this one. I thought I would sleep better if #2 wasn't in bed with us. So we got a co-sleeper and it was cool! I could nurse her and roll, put her in her own space and not worry about smothering her! I was very happy for a (short) while.

Kenny was quiet in bed with us and moved very little. Abbie, on the other hand, made all kinds of noises! It took very little of these noises to wake me up. I believe that if the Mommy is sleeping - the baby can be anywhere. In Mommy's bed, in baby's crib, on Daddy's chest - whatever works for your family. Well, I wasn't sleeping!

It wasn't long until the sweet baby went in her own crib (across the house) and her monitor had to be turned down L-O-W. When we moved here, Abbie was 16 months and I had to put her monitor outside her door or the noise would keep me awake.

Conclusion: Abbie is a noisy sleeper.

Now come to today - Abbie is 4 and sleeps in her bed with her door closed. She is afraid of the dark and has her closet light on and the door open. It works for our family for now. But lately ( you knew this was coming) she has been coming in our room at night. She has a pallet on the floor and she can just lie down if she likes. She talks. It wakes me up. Last night, after throwing up 3 or 4 times, Jim put her on her pallet. It was fine. She went right to sleep with her dishpan (that thing they give you in the hospital along with the cheap water pitcher) by her side. About 4:30 she screamed/yelled in her sleep, I sat straight up and yelled, too. It didn't wake her up but Jim rolled over. I'm trying to accept this as a small thing.

Conclusion: Abbie isn't ready for any sleep-overs.

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Do people say "pallet" anymore? Do you say "pallet?" Did your grandma?

Baby Got Back

There's a new "Activity Fee" at Young Children's World - it pays for Stretch and Grow. It's some kind of exercise, healthy eating, naming muscle thing that I think Sarah would be interested in.

Abbie came home on Thursday telling us she was sitting on her "Booty Maximus." Not just yet, sweetheart.

Alien song

It's an oldie but a goodie! We need a little disco on a Friday!

Friday Fun Zone

I'm posting two funnys I've been sent lately. Both of these crack me up! Enjoy a smile or a grin today!


The Alabama preacher said to his congregation, "Someone in this
congregation has spread a rumor that I belong to the Ku Klux Klan. This is a horrible lie and one which a Christian community cannot tolerate. I am embarrassed and do not intend to accept this.Now, I want the party who did this to stand and ask forgiveness from God
and this Christian family." No one moved. The preacher continued, "Do you have the nerve to face me and admit this is a falsehood? Remember, you will be forgiven and in your heart you will feel glory. Now stand and confess your transgression." Again all was quiet. Then slowly, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a body that would stop traffic rose from the third pew. Her head was bowed and her voice quivered as she spoke, "Reverend there
has been a terrible misunderstanding. I never said you were a member of
the Ku Klux Klan. I simply told a couple of my friends that you were a wizard under the sheets." The preacher fainted, and the congregation roared!

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A man walked into a very high-tech bar. As he sat down on a stool henoticed that the bartender was a robot. The robot clicked to attentionand asked, "Sir, what will you have?"
The man thought a moment then replied? "A martini please."The robot clicked a couple of times and mixed the best martini the manhad ever had. The robot then asked, "sir, what is your IQ?
"The man answered "oh, about 164." The robot then proceeded to
discuss the 'theory of relativity', 'inter-stellar space travel', 'the latest
medical break through, etc.......

The man was most impressed. He left the bar but thought he would try adifferent tact. He returned and took a seat. Again the robot clickedand asked what he would have? "A Martini please."& Again it was superb.The robot again asked "what is your IQ sir?"
This time the man answered , "Oh about 100". So the robot starteddiscussing NASCAR racing, the latest basketball scores, and what toexpect the Dodgers to do this week end.
The guy had to try it one more time. So he left, returned and took astool.... Again a martini, and the question, "What is your IQ?"??This time the man drawled out " Uh..... bout 50".The robot clicked then leaned close and very slowly asked ,

"A-r-e y-o-u-r p-e-o-p-l-e g-o-i-n-g t-o n-o-m-i-n-a-t-e H-i-l-l-a-r-y-?????

Just 15 Days

I mentioned the other day that I always liked to have a project to work on and I'm currently without. Blog writing usually doesn't count - it's so easy. It doesn't require too much thought (you're all thinking "Yeah, I've noticed.) So when I read that my old buddy, Amy, was embarking on 15 Days of Creativity - I decided to join up!

I'm not as artsy/crafty as Amy so I've changed up my personal challenge a little. I'm committing to work on a creative project for 30 minutes daily for the next 15 days. I'm excited about picking up my sewing again. I'm ready to see something come from my hands. I'm looking forward to writing something for the Coffee Group site. Maybe I'll try something new! Take some photographs, do some bead thingies at Friendize, try a new cooking technique, plant some flowers - anything to spark some creative juices!

I challenge you to try something creative! Make your own commitment in your own way. I challenge you to post in the comment section for accountability on your commitment (were you listening to Phil yesterday?)

How Beautiful

Last night was one of the sweetest weddings EVER! Jamie and Geoff Carroll are now married and they have truly dedicated themselves to the Lord. They have both been in Israel for Hebrew school (grad school?) and the wedding itself had some interesting Hebrew traditions included in it. I won't go into those here - just ask me when we have time.

I really wanted to tell yall about the purity rings. Both dads did the ceremony and first Jamie's dad talked about the purity ring that her parents had given her. How they had taken her out and given her this ring as a symbol of her promise to purity. Then the dad gave the ring to Geoff. I was so teary. Then Geoff's dad (Mr. Donnie our children's minister) talked about he and Lisa taking Geoff out and giving him a purity ring to remind him of HIS promise to remain pure for his future wife. Then Donnie gave Jamie Geoff's ring. Such a beautiful symbol of commitment to God and their future lives.

What a powerful testimony for all of us (me first) to raise our children with God at the center of their lives. To not bow to the world's view of normal and "okay." To seek God first and to follow His path for their lives.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psm. 34:11

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This photograph was taken by my very talented friend, Tammy Marcelian and I lifted it off her Photography Blog. Maybe that wasn't nice :-)

Does Anybody Really Care About Time?

I acknowledge that I like to have a current project. I seem to always have something on the front burner that demands my attention. It may be sewing, smocking, writing, speaking, cleaning (ok, NEVER cleaning,) or something I haven't envisioned yet (but I'm excited just thinking about it.) It seems to be my pace.

Last night, while I was working at Dittos for Kiddos, one of my new friends commented that I tired HER out and made HER feel guilty with all my goings. I was surprised that someone would see me as busy. She doesn't even know about Praise Team, Sunday morning class, Beth Moore study, bunko, Abbie's dance class, Abbie's speech class, Kenny's TaeKwonDo class, etc. I'm thinking she doesn't even read my blog and yall know that makes that me sit down and compose thoughts.

If she knew everything I truly do, maybe she would lie down and take a nap.

Sometimes I feel too busy - sometimes I feel that this is the way it's supposed my life SHOULD function. I think about next year without a job (presumably) to go to 2 times a week and how that will be. I'm writing this on Saturday morning without anything to do until this evening and I'm feeling free. Well, I have a pile of laundry, messy kitchen, pile of hand-me-downs to take care of - maybe I should get busy......

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Did anybody recognize the song? Are you going to sing it all day?

Payback is H*ll

I cannot pass this by without a comment! My sweet husband has pulled a groin thingie and is on bedrest. That's not the funny part. One friend said that finally a husband has some issues with HIS private parts since it seems that all the mommies have had problems previously. That's not the funny part. Today dear hubby had to have a sonagram. It was done by a woman. Just think of it as payback for every OB/GYN that said "Scoot down a little bit more."

This post was approved by my dear hubby.

Edited to add: The sonagram showed they are HUGE and made of BRASS! And that he should be up and around soon.

I Was Drunk The Day My Mama Got Outta Prison

Monday 3:05 pm: Riding in the car with Abbie and the radio is on a country station.

First song: "She Ain't Much Fun Since I Stopped Drinking" Abbie asks "Why isn't she any fun anymore?"

Second song: "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" Abbie says "That's a funny song."

Monday 3:12 pm: I turn the station to Christian music.

True Confession #1

I've been outed. It's true - I'm a SciFi fanatic. It started at a young age when the original Star Trek was on and my family always watched it. I have 2 brothers and a dad that controlled the TV so it wasn't long before we all fell in love with the original Battlestar Galacticia. I've always LOVED any time travel movie (Somewhere in Time, for the girls) or book (the Outlander series) and read alot of fantasy (that would include JRR Tolkien) when I was younger. I hit the SciFi channel every day to watch Stargate SG-1 and I've printed a picture of Samantha Carter so Rosie can cut my hair like hers. Any Star Trek on the air - I will watch. Seen 'em all. I was so excited when Phil used the Phage in a sermon over the summer! That's some serious sci fi!

Last night Jim and I watched the season finale of both Stargate SC-1 and Stargate Atlantis and I can't believe they are making us wait to find out what happens in, what, 6 months? All the dedicated fans would have tuned back in anyway! Why make us wait??!! I do have to say that the time traveling Dr. Who has always left me uninterested. I watched the new one last year and it wasn't appealing - too British, maybe?

None the less, life goes on. For me it's going right to Battlestar Galactica! It begins in 2 weeks and I'm beside myself! These are not your daddy's Cylons - these are BAD guys. Or are they? They believe in a god that created them. They have more faith than the humans usually. The humans believe in multiple gods that are fashioned after the gods of Greek mythology. History has shown us that all peoples have a creation mythology - why wouldn't robots? And what happens when robots and people procreate? Because on Battlestar Galactica they are. There's also an interesting contrast between how we do government and they do government. How much is the military in command and who commands it? What about religion in the presidency?

A rather long confession, I know. The link will take me forever but feel free to follow them. I've even put Galactica's webisodes link on here because they have original little tidbits! If you follow the 2nd link it's a 3 minute re-cap so you can join me in my addiction. Have a great weekend and May the Force Be With You.

Best Week Ever

Whew, it's finally Friday! I have lived though the Best Week Ever! I must say that ACU Lectureship was great. Being on the program was great but so was the whole experience. The weather was fantastic and all the people working with the program were so helpful. Tuesday was the best banter day we had. It flowed and rocked at the same time - Donna and I flowed and rocked, too. Tammy hit a home run on Wednesday - there were fewer tears shed than last time. All in all EVERYBODY should hire us for their next Ladies Retreat - we are good! Tammy has already suggested that when we speak at next year's Lectureship (of course they'll want us back!) it will be on "Loving Our Husbands." I'll be doing the portion for people who are grown and hubandless - it will be on living God's plan. It seems to be my recurring theme.

Teaser: So many women are unsure what their guy wants or how to make themselves happy. So many women talk about thier husbands like he's an idiot! How can we make our marriages something God intended? Let's learn from over 70 years of marriage what works for these ladies.

Would you come?

See some pictures on Sarah's blog....

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Abbie's ready for dorm life. She's missing MawMaw and PawPaw and wishing they were here. She said she'd be happy if ALL our family lived in an apartment together. She mentioned Aunt Margaret and Sadie (MiMi's dog) and then all our friends! She's a social butterfly like her Mommy.

Good Day

We did it!!! We actually got up on stage and "did" Coffee Group! I can't believe the first day is in the can! Apparently we weren't loud enough, my dad didn't come because he thought he'd be the only guy, and I was sweating (or glistening, maybe.) Judy and Sarah were GREAT and my mom said she smiled the whole time.

Tommorow Donna and I will stand up and declare that God is faithful. Be in the Fulks Theatre at 9:45 for the grin to get your though your day!

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Sidenote: Kenny just completed his homework and there was NO DRAMA! This includes Bible Bowl - 10 questions! He just told me that all that screaming just made the work take longer! Then he went outside to ride his bike! Let me tell ya, that's a good day.

Bama MawMaw in West Texas

Bama MawMaw: "Denise, how do yall keep your hair from blowing all over the place?"

Me: (laughing) "Mom, it just blows. It just blows." (more ironic laughing)

Top Ten Memories of Harding U

So, some of you out there didn't know I was a Harding girl? I'm one of the few and far between that live in Abilene but didn't go to ACU. There's a handful of us and we look GOOD!

1. Pattie Cobb or Heritage? I did both during my time there - Pattie Cobb did have more of a smell but what can you expect? The place was 40 or 50 years old when I was there.
2. Singing in Pattie Cobb - Pattie Cobb was much looser and had talent night every once in awhile. It was actually my first public solo and my friends were (happily for me) rowdy and in front. I sang "Walking After Midnight" by Patsy Cline and it gave me the confidence to do it again.
3. Hell Week and Rough Night - Did we really call it Hell Week? I'm pretty sure. My class was one of the last to have a TRUE hazing experience. That year somebody didn't wash off the stuff they had painted him with and his parents sued HU. That's when we all learned the phrase in loco parentis. IDIOT! Ruin it everybody, will ya? I personally was sooo nasty when it was over and I continued to find feathers in my hair (from the "tar" and feathers) for weeks afterward.
4. Bible At 8:00 - I was the most naive Freshman EVER!! My first semester I had Bible 5x a week at 8 AM. There was a very strict attendence policy for Bible classes and I had to be there everyday!
5. Fall on Campus - It's the most beautiful campus! Lots of trees that turned beutiful colors in October - just lovely.
6. Spring on Campus - Then in the spring the dogwoods would bloom. They are so gorgeous! There was a huge pink one near the library that I can still see in my mind.
7. Cathcart, Stephens, and New Dorm - I lived in all three and I think I liked Stephens the best. It just fit me. The Dorm Mom was some grumpy woman that thought those rules were the Ten Commandments or something. I would say "Get a life" but it's too obvious. They did rename New Dorm while I was there so I lived in both New Dorm and Sears.
8. Bible 206, Bible207 - Okay, it's hard to believe that this makes the list but it does. My freshman year (ONLY!) two guys would advertise the campus devos during chapel by singing those 2 words over and over. It was always hysterical and we all loved to see them coming on stage. One of those guys was Monte Cox - currently on faculty at HU.
9. Playing softball - I ended up in a jock club. Harding had a very elaborate system so everyone got invited to join a social club. I was accepted into my 2nd choice and it had lots of jock girls in there. I was NEVER a jock. My junior year they put me on the field because I was early to watch the game (insert athletic supporter joke here) and they needed one more person to field a team. I'd never thrown a ball or hit a ball or been on the field - yikes! I walked one and struck out one. My boyfriend taught me to catch after that. I do want to say that I loved my club, Kappa Delta Kappa, and those were some of the best girls to hang with ever.
10. Getting my diploma - I wasn't an outstanding student and I had finally learned to study by my senior year - so I was happy to get out! Cliff Ganus handed me my diploma and my entire family was there - it was a good moment.

It's hard to believe that moment was 20 years ago but it was. This is my reunion year and they don't even have my address anymore. I usually read in alumni magazine that Pop gets (Class of '59) and see if anyone I know is listed. I've run into some people over the years that I went to school with and how can we not be friends? It's a small college and it was a wonderful experience.

Memories, light the corners of my mind Misty watercolored memories of the way we were.....