If I Had A Remembrance Book...

I love the Laura Ingalls Wilder stories & shows.  In one of the earlier movies of "Little House on the Prairie," Laura tells her sister, Mary, "If I had a remembrance book," then she told about her family's move from Kansas & telling about their first Christmas in their new setting.

I haven't written a blog in a long time.  I have had some things on my mind that I wanted to write about, but  I think I needed to mull these thoughts over for a while.  Also, what I am about to write is not for me to brag, but only when I read this years from now it is for me to remember.  So, if I had a remembrance book I would write about: the end of my Orlando trip.

It had been a very long 5 days of traveling & I was at the last leg of the trip in Memphis.  While I was trying to get gas, an older woman came up to my car.  She looked worn out, not bathed, poor, & showed only a few teeth when she smiled.  She humbly asked if I had any money to give to her & her husband for gas so they could make it home.


In trying to multi task I was grateful that I had the forethought to first ask some simple questions of their situation, so I could really assess the situation.  Then, I told her to first let me get my gas started then I could really pay attention to what she had to say.  I told her to please stay right there, because I will help her.  I also asked, "If they had eaten?"  She said, "No."  I then said let's go get a Subway while I pay for the gas with my credit card.  I knew I wasn't going to give them cash for anything.


The lady then told me that her husband had been asking the truckers for help & they wouldn't.  I asked why they were in Memphis? Passing through, visiting?  They were seeing her daughter, but she was at work & couldn't get in touch with her.  Also, they has been sleeping in there truck at the truck stop.


Her husband didn't want to wait for the Subway, just ready to get home about an hour away.  I gave her the huge bunch of grapes with 2 apples that I had in the car.  I went inside to pay for some gas.  As I was paying I picked up some hot sausage biscuits for each of them.  When I got back to their car, she was popping in the grapes & seemed so grateful.  The husband told me to stop at $20.  I hugged her good-bye & said, "Merry Christmas."


After, the hard mentally few days, this experience really cheered me up.  I felt that I had followed this scripture,

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.


Also, I couldn't help but think about the first Christmas.  Joseph & Mary were refugees traveling on a long journey.  They struggled: lack of food; physically taxing; poor; needing a bath; not needing gas, but a place where Mary could delivery baby Jesus-not getting help.


I also couldn't help that I didn't look for this situation.  God dropped them in my lap to help.  I believe God does this everyday, or from time to time, if we keep our eyes & hears open, then act on it.


Other instances that have been on my mind right here at Christmas time:
1) Hearing about the death of a 20yr old beautiful, very gifted girl who loved life, loved her family, had a heart for Africa, & a deep love for her God.  We were close to this family while living in Valdosta.  We went our separate ways, but stayed in touch with the yearly Christmas letters & pictures, emails & Face Book.  This was devastating news to our family.  Amy & I went to the funeral service 9 hrs away to love on them a little.
2) Hearing about Hospice being called in concerning Mr. Wiggins.  The family had just received the news that he was free of cancer.   His daughter, Kay, is a life-long childhood friend of mine.  Her parents helped raised me.  Our parents have been friends since they were young married couples. 
3) My Dad now battling a type of bone marrow cancer.
4) The joy of my niece expecting their first baby.


Christmas is about giving, sharing, excitement, salvation.  It is hard to receive surreal to bad news at this time.  "Where is God here?"
       I just read in my One Year Bible on Dec 17; Ps. 136:1
            Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! 


At the time, all I could say with faith-"How true, Amen."
After, all that has happened this month,
        I say with faith that He gives me-"How true, Amen."

I believe that God doesn't cause these difficult times, but He is right there walking along side, & holding us up.

           The verse goes on to say, For His mercy endures forever.


                            Merry Christmas
                                 ann :) 

Traditional Christmas Mishaps-2

Making Christmas cookies goes back as far as I can remember.  I don't remember making them as a family project, but it was something fun that my Mother & I always did together.  Now, these are not the Pillsbury cut-off the dough or box mix kind.  You make the dough from scratch.  The entire process is truly a labor of love.

My Mother seemed to do this with much ease.  She would make the dough, roll out the dough with a wooden roll-in pin & use the same cookie cutters every year.  My job was to put the egg white wash on the cut dough & add the sprinkles.  The sprinkles were traditional also.  First you put on the multi-colored tiny balls ones then add either the red or green sugar.  They were & are delicious!!! Yum :}

(Medical school years.  Amy, 3 1/2 Yr old)






               

(Ben-about 1 1/2 yr)





In making these wonderful cookies, I really don't remember any mishaps as a child.  But now that I have carried on the tradition, the mishaps have seemed to follow me.


Christmas Sugar Cookies :
       I do pretty well in making the dough.  I must say that is a no brainier unless you don't use the correct appliance.  I must say, that I have done that before.  For some reason one time I used a hand mixer & there was a mess everywhere.  Now, I have a great mixer & it is a breeze.
       For some reason you are suppose to chill the dough before you start rolling out the dough.  I don't get it.  For me, after this step I still have to let it soften all the way up before I can work with it.
       Now it is time to roll & start cutting out the shapes.  This is when I wish Mother would be here, take over & let me be the kid again.  My dough is either too thick, or too thin, or a combination of the two.  I take my cookie cutter & do a great job cutting the dough.  Now it is time to gently lift the cut dough to the baking pan.  IT STICKS TO THE COUNTER!!! :{  Here I go again.  Need more flour before rolling out the dough.
       Mother's cookies seemed to be perfect.  When mine are cooked, you have your choice of crispy, extra crispy or soft.  This almost sounds like a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial.
       At least the white wash & sprinkles are the same.  :}
       And they do taste the same no matter the texture.

This year was no exception-same texture.  I even had flour on my face & clothes when Dave walked through the door after a long day of work  This was to prove that I had been working all day long in the kitchen, which was true.  I could have been the lady on the Pillsbury commercial.


One big surprise yesterday when I woke up was to find snow.  I couldn't believe it.  It really got me in the mood for Christmas cookies.

No matter the traditions & the mishaps that goes with 

them they are all memories with the ones you love.

Mother, I wish you were here to enjoy some Christmas tea & Christmas cookies.  Thanks for beginning this special tradition when I was a child at Christmas time.  I love you.  ann :)

(I don't have a picture of Mother & I making cookies,

but this is one at my RDH graduation banquet.)

                                                                                   

                                                             

Traditional Christmas Mishaps-1

You probably have your own Christmas traditions like we do.  A couple of our traditions are putting up & decorating of the tree & making Christmas sugar cookies.  Since I do these projects only once a year, the traditional mishaps follow suit with the activities.

The TREE :
        To begin the tradition, I put on the Christmas music, need hot chocolate in hand & maybe some popcorn by my side.
        Many years ago our first mishap was just getting the tree in the stand.  What an ordeal.  Cutting the bottom of the tree, (so it would soak up water; only if I remember to water the tree), & cutting whatever branches that needed to be cut so it would fit into the stand.  Then you would have to balance the tree hoping it wouldn't fall over.  We finally got smart & bought one of those tree stands that all you have to do is step on the peddle.  Awesome invention!!!  For us, one year this didn't even help because, the tree fell over the night before the morning of my neighborhood Christmas party.  Oh brother!!!  :-{  For the most part, the stand has been a huge improvement.
        I'm sure we all have stories to tell about the lights for the tree. Even after testing all the lights before putting them on the tree, they still seem to go out sometime during the season.  This year was no exception, at least they went out before we put the decorations on the tree.
        I was raised to believe that it was the man's job to put the lights on the tree.  This tradition continued when I had a family.  The only problem about this tradition was that I am a "back-sit light putter oner"   I love the tree a blaze & Dave loves a sweet twinkle.  Dave got smart a few years ago & started letting me put on the lights.  This year he called himself the Coat Hanger-meaning; be quiet, hold the strains of lights & do what I say.  I must say that he had me in stitches until the lights malfunctioned  :{

        How about over flowing of the Christmas tree.  One year this lead to a remodeling job of redoing all our wooden floors.  We were planning to do this job anyway, but now we had to do it.

(This year all the unbreakable ornaments begin half way up.)

          Dave hates putting up a Christmas tree.  He likes it once it is done.  He just doesn't see cutting down a perfectly good tree, go through all the frustration & then throw out the tree in a month or less.  Dave loves me dearly, but this year he said, "If I happen to die before he does, & if he remarries, he is going to marry a  Jew :} "
                                                                     ann :)

Mantels

I love a fireplaces & mantels that dress them.  It gives such warmth & coziness to any room.  Gas fireplaces are good, but I love a roaring fire.  Watching the fire dance around is so soothing.  It ranks up there with watching the ocean shore as the waves come in & out.  Also, enjoying a mountain stream & a babbling brook.

Mantels are even more beautiful during the Christmas season.  I enjoy seeing every ones creativity.  For me all my decorations are very traditional, including the mantel.  Most of my decorations I have had for years. You might have some like that too.  I still have my first decoration that I bought on sale before we were married.  I display it every year even though the angels hats are faded & one angel has a repaired wing.  It makes me smile every year.

The traditional way I decorate the mantel begins by putting the nativity in the middle of the mantel, greenery & red berries all around, with red candles inside crystal sconces on each end.  Naturally, I have the stockings hanging down on each side.  I love it.

Many times during the season when I am alone, I sit back in my lounge chair with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate & enjoy the decorations, the tree, & especially the mantel.  The nativity helps me meditate on what Christmas is all about.  It centers me.

Yesterday, Dec 1, I caught myself enjoying one of these special moments.  Not only did I dwell on all the aspects of the Christmas story but, I began thinking about Christmas memories of old.  One thought that came to me was "I want to remember this memory forever & ever."  I realized that I think that & desire that thought every year.  All of a sudden I immediately started seeing myself in the same scenario at our country home in Valdosta, GA wanting to savor every aspect of the season & not forget it.  How time flies.  That was about 23 yrs ago with our kids in middle school.

I'm so grateful that God centers me, & helps me to savory & remember during the season.
                                                                    ann :)

What's Really Important

Thanksgiving is the time to be thankful for your many blessings.  It is the time for family, friends, decorate for Fall, watch the Macy's parade & football games & eat turkey with all the trimmings.   It is a time for traditions.   

For me this has been one of the best & sweetest Thanksgiving Day's & weekends.  One reason is because last year we never dreamed that we would be living here in Maumelle, AR near all our children & spending it with them.

Our day was one of taking it easy, enjoying a great meal, visiting, Dave & Ben playing Chess.  Jenny had  challenged the family to our first traditional croquet game the beginning of Nov.  We didn't know that Jenny had been practicing all these weeks.  We laughed from beginning to set-up the game to the end.  Jenny & I would be putting in the brackets that the balls would go through while Lauren would come behind picking them up.  We all started squealing & Lauren would squeal right back.  Lauren did get distracted with her own croquet ball & played in the upper part of the yard.  Dave & Ben never got started.  Amy was too sweet to knock someones ball to the other side of the yard.  I was too uncoordinated.  When I deserved the right to knock someones ball way off, I would always hit my shoe.  I was such a big threat.  Like I said, it was a fun time & Jenny won by a mile.

Amy & I have had fun shopping on our first Black Friday together.  We have really enjoyed her as she has been mainly staying over here for the weekend.

Going into this special time I wondered why cooking this Thanksgiving dinner was my easiest preparation time ever since I have been cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  I began cooking Thanksgiving dinner when the kids were toddlers about 30 years ago.

Normally, I get my menu planned, groceries bought, table set & cook two days before Thanksgiving.  This year I asked the girls to bring the nonstarchy vegetables.  I would do the turkey, dressing, pies, etc....  The weekend before we were out of town for four days.  Tuesday was spend Christmas shopping for sales & getting out first flat screen TV.  Also on Tuesday, after Dave worked 13 hrs, he hit a pot hole & busted two of my tires.  We had swapped cars so I could get the TV.  Wed. involved getting both cars repaired.   I didn't even begin to start my cooking until after dinner.  Surprisingly, I was at real peace over the situation.

This year I spent more of my thinking of not counting my many blessings but mulling over why the easiness of the day.  I realized it was one thing that made the difference for me this year.  LETTING GO!  I LET GO of all the cooking.  I'm grateful that I included the girls in cooking.  They enjoyed it also.  In fact I gave them a toast at dinner.  I couldn't have done the dinner without them.  I LET GO of the cleaning.  It was a dirty house.  LET GO two casseroles that I wanted to prepare.  LET GO making the bread that I wanted to make.

Because of this, I wasn't so worn-out or stressed-out, so I could interact with everyone.  When the baby wouldn't take her nap, instead of being in the kitchen, I was the only one who could rock her, snuggle with her & get her to sleep.

Sometimes, we women can strive too much to be this Prov 31 Woman in doing, 

& forget to be discerning to see what doesn't really need to be done. 

We were all stuffed, enjoyed each other, no one missed what wasn't cooked 

or didn't even see the dirt in this brown house.

Proverbs 2:2-4
  ² So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;

 ³ Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding;

 ⁴ If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:

                                 











           ann :)

Old Lady Maxine

One thing I love to wear are socks.  I wear them all the time, with or without shoes.  Lately, when I go on errands during these very brisk cool days, I will put on some black sweat pants & a colorful sweat top.  I will definitely keep my socks on, but throw on my very nice brown sandals.  In fact they are very expensive sandals.

I have a son who dresses very up to date & keeps me aware when he doesn't like my style.  He has told me that the sandal & sock look just don't cut it.  I would ignore him & just keep moving on.

This week I had some trouble balancing my new bank account.  I was in a crisis state-of-mind when I left to go to the new bank in my very casual attire.  Since I didn't have an appointment, I had to wait a while.  The employees were so accommodating while I waited.

As I waited, a dear much older woman shuffled into the bank & made her way to the bank teller.  I had to take a little double take as I compared her appearance to mine.  She didn't shuffle because she was in pain, but I think it was because she was wearing open heeled bedroom shoes with the same white sports socks that I was wearing at the time.  You know the ones with the grey color on the toe & heel?  To make matters worse, the grey where the heel was suppose to be was not on the heel but up the ankle.

She was wearing black sweat pants, but not as faded as mine.  I was wearing my green sweat shirt, but she had a pink sweat shirt with some kind of emblem on the front of it.  Her dark hair looked good in the front, but the back looked like she had just got out of her Lazy-boy chair.  At least mine didn't have a gaping whole in the back.

To accent her entire ensemble was she was carrying a bright gold hand bag that didn't really match anything.





{Old lady Maxine
on the Shoe Box Cards}










1 Timothy 2:9

In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame fastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;

I don't think the Lord has met Old Lady Maxine on the Shoe Box cards.  Maybe a little fixing of the hair, & modest makeup wouldn't hurt.  I even enjoy wearing some jewelry from time to time.  One thing I am going to do is get some new black sweat pants to wear at home, only!  Also, I think I will invest in some black socks.

                                                           ann :)

Chili Cook-off

Who loves chili?

I enjoy it with all the trimmings & corn bread, especially on cold days. 

Many organizations have put on chili cook-offs to raise money for different events.  Then, they would have judges to pick the best chili, give out prizes, etc....  I have felt for these judges sometimes.  You never know what you are going to have to try-hamburger, venison or maybe alligator.  Where do these cooks go to get that food anyway?  I heard that it was suggested for the judges to carry around some Tums.  After about the third bite the judges totally understood why that was a GREAT suggestion.  One judge said after about the second bite she could feel something in her throat, but the burn got hotter & moved down very quickly.

We have been a member of a couple of churches that had a special chili night or had a chili cook-off.

 In Valdosta, our church had a tradition to go caroling & eat chili the first Wed. in Dec.  People would bring their special crock pots full of different kinds chili.  The room where we ate was always very festive as the tables were covered in Christmas wrapping paper with candles all a glow. All ages would go caroling to many shut-in homes first & then come back for chili.  This is where I learned to eat chili layered-rice, chili, onions, cheese & sour cream.  Fun, Fun.

In Highlands, our church had a good ole chili cook-off.  I never entered, but I was always amazed at the different recipes of chili.  This was where I learned about White Chicken Chili  I thought I would try it sometime.

I always cooked my red chili in a big pot on the stove.  Since I saw everyone using a crock pot, why not me.  I found a White Chicken recipe & got out the crock pot.  I worked on it all day.  I must say, it was pretty good.  Instead of putting it up in a container for the night, I thought I would save messing up something else by putting the cock pot in the refrig.

Then the next day, Sunday, I got the cock pot out so it would start getting room temperature.  When it was about time to eat, I put the crock pot on the stove to very slowly start to warm up.  I didn't want to burn any of this art that I had created.

About the time for me to fill our bowls, I lifted the crock pot & a disaster happened.  I decapitated my pot-but opposite.  Not the top but the bottom.  The bottom got stuck to the flat top stove.  The rest of the crock pot came off in one unit.  The White Chicken Chili poured down & I didn't know what hit me.  It was like I was in the middle of a very quick level 4 river rapids.   Chili went every.  All over the stove, down the sides of the stove, down in the oven, all over the cabinets, the floor & me.  Thank the Lord I wasn't burned.   I was so disappointed.  With Dave's help, it took a while to clean up that mess.  Plus, no Sunday lunch.  We have moved since then but I still believe that there is some of that chili between the stove & counters.

I must say I haven't made White Chicken Chili since then.

{I read that this is an easy one.  Should I dare?  :) }

Bottom Line:
Don't put your crock pot on the stove top to warm.  When all else fails read directions & REMEMBER THEM.  When I got a new crock pot, the direction did read in the Do Not Section-don't heat on stove tops.  Oh well!!

Enjoy your chili, however you make it or make it in.

ann :)

When I Am Old

My sweet daughter Amy & I had the best time this morning going to the Junior Service League Holiday House Event.    This was a huge event which they thought of everything.  Besides of all the vendors, you could have your picture taken with Santa, & even have milk & cookies with Mrs. Clause as she reads you a Christmas story.  Guess where I will be next year with Lauren.

I had never seen a Convention Center so decorated from top to bottom.

We had our strategy planned.  We were ready with arms bent & elbow pads on as we made it through the crowds, & even a little hip action when needed.  Just kidding. :)  We just had to taste every chocolate delicacy, dip & soup in site.  Normally I would have spent a fortune, but I got one Christmas gift that I know Amy likes & is really excited about.

Afterwards, we went for Starbucks coffee.  We got the Christmas Peppermint Mocha in keeping with the theme of the morning.  Yum!!

As we were drinking our coffee my sweet girl mentioned that I am going to be an interesting old woman.  Some adjectives were eccentric-meaning quirky, suffocated weird; child-like; oblivious to everything; have a ball; have a great time; live forever-meaning out live everybody; enjoy old age; & my children will be picking up falling objects as I walk through the room (not sure about that one). :)

About half way through I interrupted her & said, "I'm that way now!"  She agreed, but then said,  "You'll be more exaggerated," & went on with the rest of the list.  I even believe that this is probably true.

We were talking about this same subject at another time.  She said then when I'm old & grey I could organize her closets.  Since God has blessed me with this skill I would be as happy as "a pig in mud."  I reminded her about the comment tonight & we started laughing all over again.  She added that she could mess it up all over again for me to repeat the next day, since I probably wouldn't remember doing it in the first place-kind of like the movie "50 First Dates."

Well, I desire one thing when I really am an older woman.  No two things: (1)  that I will have made good memories with the ones I love & (2)

Psalm 71:18

Yes, even when I am old and gray headed (even if my gray is dyed), O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared Your strength unto the next generation, Your might to every one that is to come.

                                                     ann :)

Snuggle

Snuggle.  What a sweet sounding word.  

Merriam-Websters Dictionary defines the word:

intransitive verb

: to curl up comfortable or cozily

transitive verb

1 : to draw close especially for comfort or in affection

2 : to make sung

Other forms : snug-gled; snug-gling

snuggle noun

Examples

- The puppy snuggled up against the sleeping boy.

- The boy snuggled close to his mother.

- The dog snuggled its nose between the pillows.

Origin: frequented of snug.

First Use: 1687

Synonyms: curl up, nestle, snug

Our sweet little Lauren is too busy to stop & be snuggled.  BUT! when it happens I am loss for words to describe it.  I have loved snuggling up with my children, but it is a special sweetness to snuggle up with that precious babe.  Every time it happens, my first thoughts are: "Lord, I can't believe she is mine.  She belongs to me in some way.  How blessed am I.  Thank you!"


                                                        ann :)

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

It is ONLY the 10th of NOVEMBER.

Now!

For years I have been very use to seeing the beginning of the November Christmas advertisements on TV & in the stores to encourage you on what to buy for the Christmas Season.  I have already written in one of my blogs that I begin playing Christmas music on November 1st.  I do have one Thanksgiving CD that I enjoy all through November.  In November I tell the kids to give me their Christmas list so I can get all my shopping done in November.  So yes, I have to admit that November is not totally thinking of Thanksgiving the entire month.   At least I decorate for Fall the beginning of September through at least the end of Thanksgiving Day.

When I was walking through the neighbor this week, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this beautifully decorated home.  The mailbox was decorated from one side to the other.  The outside light fixtures were decorated.  The door was beautifully done.  They all had this beautiful wide red ribbon with huge gold & red Christmas balls.  I couldn't believe that one of the kids in the neighborhood hasn't already popped one of those balls or a football isn't in the middle of the decoration.  If fact, I was even tempted to thump one huge Christmas ball to see what would happen.

I needed some Thanksgiving paper napkins.  I went into Walgreen & learned that there was not one thing Thanksgiving in the entire store.  They had Thanksgiving with Halloween.  Now, let's get real.  You & I both know how Halloween has taken over all stores starting in August.  The clerk told me that all Thanksgiving stuff was taken out when Halloween was over.  Even the napkins.  I couldn't believe it.  Who thinks of there Thanksgiving table in August through October?

Then I went to Kroger for Thanksgiving napkins.  The clerk again thought they didn't have any & that they were all gone with Halloween.  The clerk thought of one spot in the store where they might be.  On the way over to that hopeful spot I said, "Isn't this America?"  Yes, they did have one tiny area with napkins & a few paper plates.  They were the ugliest Thanksgiving napkins & paper plates that I have ever did see.


I can't believe I found my napkins on line.
At least it says, "Happy Thanksgiving."
The smaller ones look better.






                                                                                  I like these.  At least
                                                                                  these napkins have
                                                                                harvest vegetables & a
                                                                                        pretty turkey.
                                                                                             





Well, I know that Thanksgiving napkins aren't the core of my Thanksgiving.  My Thanksgiving meal is going to be great no matter what I wipe my mouth with.  But, come on!  Whoever makes the decisions on what is sold in the stores; if you believe or not believe in how our country was founded on Christian truths & that this is what Thanksgiving is all about; you can at least respect the ones of us who enjoy giving thanks to God for our blessings during this THANKSGIVING SEASON, & leave the Thanksgiving napkins through November.

                                                          ann :)

Walmart has more than Just Greeters

Today, was my errands & baking day.  Most of my errands were right here in Maumelle & one was all the way to North Little Rock.  After finishing my errand at the Super Walmart store, I went to  Lowes which was about 20 minutes away.

As I got out of my car at Lowes I grabbed my purse.  My heart dropped.  I didn't see my red cell phone that makes its home on the outside of my black purse.  All I could think about as I traveled through Lowes was

Philippians 4:6

         In nothing be anxious; but in everything by 

prayer 

and supplication 

with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known unto God.

Finished what I needed to do at Lowes,  looked all through the car & purse many times.  Time was ticking.  I immediately knew what had happened.  My phone somehow got pushed out of my purse & was lying in the Walmart parking lot.  Or run over by now.  Or stolen.  What about my address list?  What about the unwanted calls I might be requiring.

Still staying calm.  I got back to Walmart & looked all through the parking lot.  No phone.  I went to Customer Service.   No one had turned it.  Went to the Pharmacy.  No Phone.   They told me that sometimes people turn in items at the fitting rooms.  Go there.  No one was there to help me.  Every second seemed like an eternity.  As I was waiting, there was a sweet young lady in the next department over.  I told her what had happened.  She stopped what she was doing, really listened & took action to help me.

To make a long story short, it was finally dawning on me that I needed to call the phone company & cancel the number.  The sweet young lady even went to the car with me to try to find the phone.  No phone.  About the time I was leaving, someone came running out of Walmart to tell me that they found it.

What had happened was when the helpful girl called my phone from her phone the second time, someone finally heard it ring.  Sure enough, someone found it in the parking lot.  They called my sweet daughter-in-luv & Jenny told them to take it to Customer Service.

As the young lady & I traveled all around Walmart trying to find the phone, she would say encouraging words like, "The Devil just wants to hinder us."  I knew from her countenance, her over-the-top helpfulness, & commits, God had given me an angel in disguise.  The other employees just did there job.  Nothing over.   When it was found, all I could do was hung her & cry.

Psalm 91:11

For He will give His angels charge over (Ann), 

                To keep (Ann) in all my ways.

God also calls us to be His hands & feet.

Thank you Father that You gave me more than a Walmart Greeter today.

                                         ann :)

Regular Day

Today was a regular day around here.  I had an appointment, did laundry, etc....  I tried to study some RDH which didn't happen.  I mentioned to Jenny yesterday that our neighborhood has a new playground & that I didn't think it was too old for Lauren.  Jenny said, "Why don't we do it tomorrow (today) after her nap."  GREAT!!

Today came & Jenny needed to take Turbo, their cat, to the vet.  I suggested to let me keep Lauren while she took Turbo.  We both loved that idea.

Dave got home after dark.  He grab the flashlight & off we went for our evening walk.  He asked me about my day.  I briefly told him until I got to Lauren.
      I told him every detail.  We went to the playground. Swung; walked up the slide, she would do her routine while up in the tree house-with Nanna saying, "No, No, No" where I felt uncomfortable.  Lauren would repeat it back,"No, No, No" & then obey & come down the slide.  We did this about 10x or more.  More swinging.
      Then Lauren saw the stroller.   We went for a stroll with her holding Truffle's leash for about a mile.  We counted all the pumpkins.  She started a game by turning her head to look at me with the biggest grin you ever saw, & I would say, "Boo!"  Then, I realized that she was trying to scar me.  I would then say, "You got Nanna."  And we would both laugh.  And....

About that time Dave said, "I AM SO SORRY I MADE YOU COME HERE."

                                            ann :)

Hallelujah!!!

God tells us to rejoice in all things.

Philippians 4:4-Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

Well, I was ready rejoice sing the "Hallelujah Chorus"  when we put up the last picture on the wall today.

Yesterday, we hired someone to do a lot of odds & ends around the house while Dave & I hung pictures.  I think we worked about 6 hrs just putting up pictures.  We are expecting company today, so that encouraged us to get finished.

I know God cares for us in all things that concerns us; even getting our home ready for us to enjoy, & to use for others.

I thought about writing out the "Hallelujah Chorus" but, I found this video on YouTube.

!!!ENJOY!!!

ann :)

Trick or Treaters-Oct 31, 11

Even though it is Nov. 4th, I am going to back up the train & write about our experience with our Trick or Treaters this year.  As you know we are living in a new place.  We haven't had children in our area since about 23 yrs ago.  Also, when our children were growing up, they only participated in Trick or Treating a few times.  We felt that God wanted our family to handle Halloween differently.  We began a Fall Celebration at our churches where ever we lived.  It was not only fun, but it would get us out of the house for the evening.  The children would still dress up, (not scary), still get tons of really good candy, & have a lot of family fun.  So when you add those years to our number, that would put us up to about 31 yrs of not participating in Trick or Treat.

Thursday p.m. is when all the family get together for dinner.  The children came at intervals last night.  Amy got in last.  After dinner & while she was doing her laundry, she asked about how our Trick or Treating went.  We had already told her about Lauren, so we got right into the rest of that evening.  {Read blog Celebrate PreChristmas Month Day to find out the beginning of our evening.}  The more we told her about that ordinary night, the more we laughed.  It hit me all of a sudden that I have to blog this conversation.  I don't know if it will be funny to you who are reading this, but it was sure funny to us.

First of all, I began the evening pacing back & forth with my camera around my neck waiting for Lauren to knock & come through the door.  Secondly, while I was waiting on anybody to come, it hit me that Truffle needs her costume.  So, I pulled out her angel costume.  She kept looking at me as I was taking her picture & looking out our front window like I was crazy.

The first timers costumes were so cute.  It was more fun seeing the parents reactions in teaching there little ones how to do the ritual.

I told Amy, "We gave out about 150 pieces of candy".
She then asked, "How do you know you gave out that much?"
I said, "because that was how much was labeled on the bags."
Then she asked, "How much did you give out at a time?"
I said, "I told them one piece.  And I would let them choose what kind.  It was really good stuff.  Then I over heard Dad say, 'Two pieces.'  Two pieces!  This has got to last all evening.  He then replied, 'They were older.'

Later he was giving out 4 pieces to the real older ones.  

                  {Whoever may be reading this, you didn't know you were going to get a play-by-play conversation, did you?  I wrote in the second paragraph that "I have to blog this conversation".  Literally!}

As the bigger candy bars were going fast, we had many different reactions.  One situation we had 2 brothers & a father at the door.  One brother was about 10 yrs old & the other about 7.  The older took his & went.  The younger started digging through the bowl, asking for Kic Kacs.  His father was totally embarrassed.  Now, I know why the father was there.  They never would have made it to many houses if he wasn't there.

When the candy was getting really low of the good stuff, I had about a group of six cute & very polite kids just look at the bowl & say, "No Thank-You," & walked off without missing a beat.  We just died laughing.

Dave & I were alternating on answering the door.  At this point in the evening these kids pumpkins were almost over flowing.  Dave would say to these children, "Since we hardly have any candy & you have a lot, let me just have some of yours?" :)

Parents were bringing these kids by the truck loads.  They would all jump out of the back of the trunk & run up the street, jump back in & start over.  As this was happening Dave gave his commit about not having much candy, & one mother looked at him with a look of, "How dare you not have enough candy for my children."  Excuse me!!

The finally straw was when Dave opened the door & the boys were eye level with him.  He said, "You have got to be kidding.  Did you drive over here?"  After that commit, he thought he better be quiet before they slash our tires.

Well, that is about it.  It was funny then, funny replaying it with Amy & now I'm chuckling writing about it in this blog.

If you are reading this, write me some of your experiences even if it is play-by-play conversational.

                                 ann :)

"Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest"

I love the song "Be Our Guest" in the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast.  If you are not familiar with the song or movie, let me try to explain.  There was a run-down palace where a fearful Beast lived.  One day Belle's father offended the Beast.  The Beast imprisoned the father, but Belle offers herself instead to pay her father's debt.  Belle now has to live in the horrible palace with the Beast for the rest of her life.  Later, Belle found out that her captor was an enchanted prince.

It was Belle's first night where she was met with the song "Be Our Guest" by all the talking kitchen utensils, including Mrs. Pots (teapot) & Chip (a chipped teacup).   It had been a very long time since they had someone to visit the palace.  They pulled out all the stops for Belle-linens, china, silverware, & lighted candle sticks.

What would have happened if Belle didn't accept the hospitality of the talking staff?  Of course the staff would have been so very disappointed.  Also, Belle would have missed the special fellowship.

Have you ever invited guest for dinner or an event, prepared all the food, & then at the last minute found out they were not coming or that they even forgot?  Or even worse, have you done this to someone?  Well, I have to admit yes to both of these questions-shamefully so.  Thank heavens for forgiveness on both ends of the spectrum.

With it being the holiday season, I couldn't help but think about the story of a man who asked God to visit him on Christmas Day.   God said that He was give him this gift.  The man prepared his home & table for the Lord.  Christmas Day came & he waited.  At the end of the long day, three visitors later, all preparations gone & much disappointment later, he went to bed.  He asked God, "Why didn't You come like You said You would?"  The Lord answered him, "I came, not once but three times." 

This also led me to think about what God says in Ps 23:5-6

⁵ God prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

 ⁶ Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.

God prepares a table for me, even in front of my enemies.  They have to watch me eat His delicacies.  What would happen if I don't show up every day?  I'm going to will let you think on that one.

                      ann :)

Celebrate PreChristmas Month Day

I LOVE NOVEMBER 1st!!!

Why?

I celebrate November 1st as PreChristmas Month Day.

On November 1st, I am very glad that Halloween is over.  I don't agree with celebrating fear.  This year I must say I enjoyed Halloween because of our granddaughter & of our new location.  Lauren was dressed up as a pig.  The cutest pig I ever saw.  Our neighborhood has a lot of children of all ages.  Kids came from everywhere.  After about 150 pieces of candy were given out, our lights went off & the blinds were closed.  I must say the first timers were too cute. 

November 1st is nationally called All Saints Day.  I begin playing Christmas music every year on Nov. 1st.  So why not combine the two.  That is why I came up with celebrating PreChristmas Month Day.  I have been celebrating PreChristmas Month Day all by myself since I have been an adult.  Maybe I shouldn't confess this.  This celebration might not be an adult thing to do, but that has not stopped me before.  I started including others about 10yrs ago.

I begin by getting out my big boom box (CD player) & Phil Driscoll's CD.  Second, I find the song "Joy to the World".  I use the same song every year.  That's tradition.  Thirdly, I then set the speakers as loud as they can go.  Fourth, I put the player on pause.  When the recipients answer, I let the player roar with "Joy to the world, the Lord has come.  Let earth receive its King...".  Then I say, "Happy PreChristmas Month Day.  Start playing your Christmas music."  I love it!!! :)

I have one friend that really does share in the same spirit as I do, playing Christmas before December.  In fact, Frank begins playing Christmas music the first of October.  This year I had to get up around 5:30 a.m. to call Frank because of the time zone differences.  Every Nov. 1st, when I call at a crazy hour, Frank & the family never remembers.  They always ask, "Who is that calling at this time of day?"  We always have a great laugh & then a great visit over the phone.

After the Georges, I call all three of my children.  Some get into the spirit of the event more than others.  It is a fun way to start my day.

Yes, it is hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner.  Usually in November, I begin buying the Christmas presents & trying to get Dave to write the Christmas letter.  December is for decorating, baking, & visiting.

I hope that you had a great PreChristmas Month Day, & a wonderful time of planning your season of gratefulness & celebration of our Saviors' birth.

                                         ann :)

What Cup Are You?

If you are a women reading this, you might think I was writing about your bra size.  If you are a man reading this, you probably don't have an idea what I am writing about.

My real question should be is What Cup Style Are You?
                                 Mug?                 or
                                 Tea Cup?           or
                                 Styrofoam Cup?      

You might not realize it, but the style of drinking container says a lot about you.
                A mug says to me that you probably are a warm & sturdy  person.  The drink of choice is probably coffee or even hot chocolate.  A mug is a great one or two handed drink item.  It is great for your morning coffee while reading the paper (one handed), or snuggling up with on a cold day (two handed).
                A tea cup says to me that you might like to dress up, slow down & savor a bit.  It all begins with putting the tea kettle onto boil, & waiting for the tea to steep in a beautiful teapot.  Then, you pour your tea through a tea strainer & you are ready to hold your teacup, & enjoy.  Maybe have a scone with your tea.  This is not like going through Starbucks or McDonald's for a quick drink on the way to & from work.
                A Styrofoam cup says to me that you might be just a little cheap.   A lot of the time these people probably don't like to throw these cups away but, keep a stash of them in the cabinet.  You might rewash them in the dish washer & use them over & over.  Some people may even call these cup users a little bit of a Red-Neck to a degree.  I have been told by these people, that the real reason they like to use these cups is because it keeps the liquid very hot.  To reuse them could be a way to help the environment- on their defense.

                                         TO EACH THEIR OWN

I prefer a mug for my coffee in the morning while catching up with emails & watching the news.  I am gradually getting into a ritual of enjoying tea mid afternoon.  I love picking out one of my tea cups & steep some tea.  Tea time is just for me or time to share it with someone.  If I am by myself, I turn off the TV (if it is on),  read, or listen to music, or just be quiet.  I am looking forward to getting to know some new women this way.  I can't wait to share this time with some old friends.

I have had the privilege of observing a wonderful mother/daughter relationship while living in Highlands.  Shirley & Laura have such a great relationship & enjoy so many things together.  One thing they share from time to time is to have tea.  Sometime they would have tea & a cookie or tea & all the trimmings.  It was through them that have brought this lovely new tradition to my own personal life.  They gave me a delightful tea with all the trimmings before I left.

Having tea & sharing tea are two different things.  Having tea is almost like grabbing a cup of coffee on the go.  Sharing tea is you don't hurry at all.  You take the time to slow down to build & cherish a relationship.

Yesterday, it was my total joy to give my first high tea, & I got to share it with my special girls-Amy & Jenny.  Amy even requested it two weeks ago.  That REALLY meant a lot to me.  Even though they knew we were having tea, they didn't know what to expect.  I really surprised them & I had a blast.  We laughed, shared, & I evened cried a little.  Jenny even suggested for us to do this once a month.  The girls said that they would even help with the food.   Jenny said "I can go to Kroger & buy Cajun Chicken Salad"-like I did.

Hebrews 10:24-25
²⁴ and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

I think that this verse can also apply outside of church.  Enjoy!!!

                              ann :)

I'm Not a Seamstress

Last week was our garage sale.  Please read blog 10/23-Does the Prov 31 Woman Apply to Giving a Garage Sale-it will catch you up to speed.

I have never been a seamstress, but I tried to learn when I was in high school & when the children were toddlers.  In 9th grade I had to sew something in Home EC class.  I picked the easiest thing that came to mind.  It was a scarf with the GA emblem on the corner.  Oh, I wish I had a picture of that thing.  I didn't dare wear it.

I have to explain a little bit about this scarf.  It was not a fashion statement that we have today. Oh No!!!.  All I did was get some heavy green color fabric & cut a triangle.  Make a double seam around it.  Then get some, I think it was called seam tape, & sew it to two corners of the triangle so it would make a tie.  The finally stage was to sew the emblem to the back triangle so it would hang-off just so.  The emblem was not the GA state emblem.  I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church where all the girls went to GA's on Wed. nights.  Besides studying about Jesus, you learned about missionaries all over the world.  I can't even remember what GA's stands for now.  Also, green was the program's color.  Would you believe I still have the emblem in my scrapbook?

When the children came along, I got the bright idea to try to start sewing, again to help save money.  I am using the word, again, very loosely.  My sweet husband bought me this extremely heavy, portable Singer Sewing Machine.  I tried my hand at it & made the children some Christmas PJ's.  I probably spent more money making those PJ's than if I had just bought some.  At that time you just didn't buy clothes at Woolworth & Walmart wasn't into full swing.  Now, most of my day wear is from Walmart.  I must say the PJ's did look cute.

(Dave was in medical school; Amy about 3 1/2 yr old; Ben about 1 1/2 yr old; wearing the PJ's & drawing on the wrapping paper was their gift to who was getting the gift.)


Well, that was as far as I went in being a seamstress.  From then on I used the machine for mending.

Back to the garage sale.  We were trying to give this machine away for $10 to $15.  No takers.  My sells pitch was that the machine just needed an adjustment.  In the middle of the garage sale Dave said that he didn't feel we were being truthful.  I thought since the machine didn't work for about 2 yrs now, it must needed some maintenance.  I also thought that these adjustments would cost us an arm & a leg.  We could buy a new one at Walmart for the adjustment price.

This week on my honey-do-list was to take the machine to a sewing store & get an estament on how much it would cost to repair it.  The lady was so nice & very helpful.
The first thing she told me was that I was using the wrong type of thread-hand quilted sewing thread.  I didn't know there was such a thing, but I was using it.
The second thing wrong was that I didn't have the machine threaded correctly.  Now, I was embarrassed.  Defensively, I told her that it has been a few years since I used it.
The third problem was a tiny screw was loose on the bottom plate.  I fixed that with my finger nail.

The machine worked perfectly.  The real seamstress next to me, told me never to get rid of that machine because it was one of the best on the market.  All this advise was at NO CHARGE!  And to think I almost gave it away.

I wish I could some how use the Prov 31 Women verses concerning this blog.  I think the most appropriate verse would be:
Hebrews 5:2
He can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since He Himself also is surrounded with weakness;

                                                        OR,
                maybe the phrase "Ignorance is bliss" would be appropriate; no

                                                         OR
                                                   in my case,

                          I think I could just use a good ole adjustment.

                                    ann :)

Grand Child Proofing Our Home

It has been a very long time since we have had to child proof our home.  Now, with our grand baby coming in & out, I have done my very best to baby proof our home.

When our children were born, Dave was in medical school & we lived in married housing.  We had a two bedroom apartment & everything was about at arms reach.  If you have ever lived in school housing, then you will know exactly what I am talking about.

I remember baby proofing our home by putting the household cleaning items up, & the fruits & vegetables cans down.   In fact the cabinet for the cans was a perfect place for Amy (toddler then) as a play house.  I didn't need to buy her dolls, I just needed to buy her some can beans & she was very happy.  I remember Amy would use these cans as her blocks, teach school to them & discipline them when necessary.   But woe to one of those cans if they would drop on her foot.

I can't believe that one month from tomorrow I moved from Highlands to Maumelle.  Another thing I can't believe is that I have only cleaned this house twice.  I must say in Highlands, Dave spoiled me by budgeting a house keeper to come twice a month.  I never cleaned it, so for me to clean this house 2x in a month is a great record on my part.  I also must say in my defense that when I have boxes around the house, it doesn't energise me to clean.  Plus, I'm the kind that has to have everything picked up before I can clean.  ANYWAY!!!!

What does cleaning have to do with baby proofing my home?  Well, the first time that I cleaned I was so proud because I bought those white plastic shields & started putting them all over the house.  Then I went to vacuum.  Why didn't I vacuum before I began to be such a good protective Nanna.  I could not get those things out at all.  I finally had to get a knife to barely loosen them up.

Today, I was smarter.  Yes, I still had to get the old shields off that I put on two weeks ago.  This time I vacuumed then added the rest of the shields when I finished.  Also, I remembered my trusty knife to take around the house with me.   At the end of vacuuming, I took great pleasure in gazing in my trash can to see the fruits of my labor-all the dirt.  I felt I had really accomplished something: 1) cleaning, 2) protecting my grand child.

In God's Word it says:
Prov 17:6 a-Grandchildren are the crown of old 
                                                  men...
I think I this verse can also be translated: 
             Grandchildren are the crown of 
                          middle age Nanna's.


(Dave will say that I am not middle age because I am not going to live to 112 yr old.)


Ps.3:3-But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, 
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.


Ps.147:13-For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; 
He has blessed your children within you.


I don't know if you could call these plastic shields bars in own home.  But I do know He has & will bless all our children (Amy, Ben, Jenny & Lauren) within our home.

                         ann :)