Dear Haven

Dear Haven Joy,

I can't believe that you are already 5 1/2 months old.  Time has certainly flown quickly since you have been born.  What can I say?  You are too precious for words.


I won't ever forget the day we met.  When I saw you for the first time you were asleep on Mama's chest.  You loved that skin to skin touch.
As I got that first glimpse of you I thought you looked a little like me when I was a baby.  You had dark curly hair & big cheeks.  Looking like me did past by pretty quickly.  You definitely look like your Daddy & lately you have started to look like Lauren; but mostly you look like Haven.

We were all pretty shocked to see your dark hair & so much of it.  We all thought if you had hair it would be very blonde.  It was very curly your first day, but no curls since then.  I think we should put moose on your hair to bring those curls back.  :)  Also, you had so much hair that it stuck up on one side toward the back.  Around Thanksgiving your hair all of a sudden laid down & it is so long that it goes down your back.

You definitely didn't like your first bath.  I think I can still hear you crying, very loudly I might add, as I watched on.  Poor Lauren was very concerned about you.  It took a lot of convincing that you were just fine & not hurting.  You were ready to get warm & meet your family.

Something else your parents noticed about your little personality within the first few hours of your life was that you were & are still sensitive.  You didn't like big movements.  You had & still have the most pitiful bottom lip that I have ever seen when you get your feelings hurt.

The first time I held you was pretty soon after you were born.  I first took a ton of pictures of you, Mama & Daddy, then Mama gave you to me.  I was charmed.  You didn't want to open your eyes because the lights were so bright in the room.  About that time the nurses needed to take care of Mama for a minute, so you & I went behind the curtain where it was dark.  We then had some one on one time.  You opened your beautiful blue eyes & smiled.  I don't think I have ever seen a baby smile the way you did on your first day of life.  First, I introduced myself to you.  I said that I was your Nanna & that I loved you.  I also said that God loves you, & then I went down the list of everyone else who loved you.   You were & are so precious.

I love the name Haven Joy.  

It seems that Mama & Daddy have named you correctly.  

You really are an easy baby.  You smile as soon as someone speaks 

softly too you.  You seem to be a baby of rest & full of joy.  

You definitely have brought so much joy to me & everyone else.  

Your birth verse is: 

Gen 7:16-So those that entered, male & female of all flesh 

went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.   

I don't know exactly how this might apply to you, 

but right now I see God was Noah's shelter, a Safe Haven, 

in the midst of the storm.  I pray that God will be your 

Safe Haven, & a Shelter all of your life.

Another special moment the day you were born was witnessing Lauren holding you for the first time.  That was too precious for words.  She took her "Big Sister" job very seriously.  You were great as you just rested in Lauren's arms.  Lauren held you for at least 30 minutes without moving a muscle, including her head.  Only her eyes would go back & forth.  The pink monkey is what you gave Lauren the first time Lauren met you.

I love to tickle you.  I can put one finger under your arm & you will tilt your body in that direction & just giggle out loud.  You sound just like Lauren when you laugh.  Also, I have to get some sugar kisses every time I hold you from those sweet cheeks of yours.

This past few days we have been celebrating Christmas.  All of a sudden you started doing some special tricks: you love standing up, if we hold you of course; rolling over consistently; almost sitting up by yourself; enjoying this bouncy jumper thing; wanting a sippie cup; & loved the Christmas wrapping paper-everything goes in the mouth.

I have enjoyed keeping you many Wednesday mornings lately while Mama has some appointments.  It has been a great time for you & me.  I didn't think we have had too much special time until then.  It has been a great time for us to get to know one another better.  Also, on Thur. nights Grandpa & I baby-sit while Mama & Daddy work.  Here, we have learned you are definitely a Mama's girl.  When it comes to night time, all you want is her.  You change from your sweet, smiling self to a huge crying melt down.  I usually can console you, but that last Thurs. we kept y'all, no one could make you happy but Mama.  When she walked in the door & could see the look on our faces, she knew that it had been a hard last hour.  She quietly calmed you down in your bedroom & all of a sudden it sounded like you began tattle tailing on us for trying to put you down to sleep.  Mama then brought you out & you just grinned & grinned.  You are a mess & we love you.

Well, I just didn't want to miss this opportunity to tell you how blessed we are that God gave you to us & I'm so proud that you are my Grand Daughter.  I'm looking forward to taking you to the park, zoo, making cookies, & having tea.  It will be fun to see what else we can come up with to do.

I love you.

nanna :)

Creating Holiday Memories Scrapbook

I'm calling this blog a scrapbook because, I am going to fill this blog with pictures.  When I look back on this time, this is what I want to remember.

.10.26-28.12 fall box; mt magazine

This years traditions really began in October while we were at at Mt Magazine.  What a perfect weekend.  All of us were able to come, including Amy's friend Kim.  It was so much fun just walking into our cabin.  It was beautiful!  Lauren walked in & just glowed.  We hiked, loved the outdoor spa; building fires; roasting marshmallows; carving Ben, Jenny & Lauren's pumpkin; just relaxing, having coffee & hot chocolate.  The weather was perfect!  Lauren's excited over the spa was something else.  Oh yes, opened the fall boxes.  If you don't know what the fall boxes are, please go back & read Oct 13, 11-All This In A Week?: Part 4-Thur. Tradition.
11.1.12-November

Even though I decorate for Fall in Sept with pumpkin & harvest, when November comes around, out comes the turkeys, Pilgrims & Indians.

--We began the November festivities by attending Angela Driskills' party for the staff in Dave's office.

--The following Saturday was extra special.  I took Lauren to go get donut holes, then to see Mrs. Claus at the Holiday House.  Her eyes got so big taking it all in.  Lauren's most favorite thing was riding the escalator, not the milk & cookies, & certainly not taking a picture with Mrs. Clause.

    That afternoon the girls & I went to the Holiday House.  We did great in not buying anything until the end.  All of a sudden we hit the mother load.  It sure did make my Christmas shopping easier.








--Then I was off to Valdosta for the Batts' Thanksgiving.  It could not have been for perfect.  Mother had been working on this since Sept.  I picked up Brittany along the way to ride with me.  That was a nice change instead of me driving by myself.  The only thing that was negative was  I got a speeding ticket.  Anyway, here are some entries that I wrote in Face Book:   

Day 16- I am grateful for the belly laughs playing Phase 10 with Brittany, Corey, Mother, & Melissa until midnight as the turkey was being prepared.
Day 17-What a perfect Batts' Thanksgiving celebration. Mother did an exception job in all the preparations & planning. The meal was totally delicious, devotional time was sweet, & going through mine & John's ornaments was a special time. Added blessing was visiting with the George family. It was joyful to my soul.

--When I got back it was time for our Thanksgiving.  Ben & Jenny with the children went to Picayune. It was quiet here but very festive having Amy & Rio with us for the weekend.
--Thanksgiving was early, so I began taking down all fall & putting up all Christmas.

This past November in Face Book, a childhood friend got me started in writing what I am grateful for everyday.  This was my last entry in November that I wrote:
Day 30-I am grateful for Dec. & what it means in celebrating my Savior's birth-Jesus. Looking forward to sitting back & savoring the moments. Looking forward to special time with the family & building memories. Looking forward to having my Mom for Christmas week. I guess still being new to Little Rock, we won't be having holiday events to put added stress on this month. What I do have are planned events in creating memories with loved one. Have an awesome Christmas season

In Dec. the same childhood friend found Christmas songs each day, which I copied to my timeline.

12.2.12-December: new traditions
Dec.2-During sunday night dinner, we finished our tree.

Dec. 9-Make the Ginger Bread House

Dec. 15-Making cut-out christmas cookies

Dec. 20-27: Mother coming to enjoy christmas & the trimmings; other scenery

Peabody hotel & trolly;

hotsprings with Lavern;

church;

Christmas eve dinner at amy's;

christmas am w/B&J's; lo's red boots

snowed in;

the end

ann :)

The Christmas Letter

Is it your tradition to mail Christmas letters?  Well, we have tried to make it our tradition.  I don't know how I did it, but during these last few years, I have gotten my husband to write the Christmas letter.  He is an excellent writer & very humorous.  I figure since I do all the decorating, baking the Christmas presents & Christmas meals, buy & wrap the presents; he should write the Christmas letter.

For a while he wrote it every year, then he decided to go on the every other year plan.  Not only do we send out a letter, but I include a picture of the family or grand children.

I love receiving every ones Christmas letters & catching up.  My favorite part is seeing all the pictures & seeing how much the children have grown.  

Today was my day to put the Christmas letter all together.  I'm not complaining, but it took me 5 hrs to put the Christmas letter together.  If you receive these letters, I hope you realize what a precious gift you have received.  By the time you write it, by the special Christmas paper to put it on, maybe add a picture, then the stamp; there is a price to this gift.

My favorite Christmas letters that we receive are the ones with pictures & are short.  Sometimes all of our letters come across as if our lives are perfect, including ours.  It is one thing to be positive & another thing being real.  What I don't like are receiving a cards with just a signature on it.  These are so impersonal.  Oh yes, what about those personal business Christmas cards with all the workers signatures.

Oh well, here is our letter (written by my husband with my idea for the letter), & picture.  I'll let you be the judge.  We do hope that you have a blessed Christmas & Happy 2013.    

Dear Family & Friends                                                                                    Dec. 2012

     Most people don't know that the abbreviation for the State of Arkansas is AR so some have thought we have moved to Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ) or Alabama (AL). Nope: we are in Arkansas, which, as we have learned, is NOT part of the South; they serve more cream of wheat for breakfast than grits-not Southern at all.  Nevertheless, we love being here because we have wonderful time together with Amy and Ben and his family.  Sunday evening is our usual family get-together and Nanna does most of the cooking.

     2012 has once again proven the old adage that "nothing is constant but change".  We lost Ann's father this year and he is greatly missed but we gained another granddaughter, Haven Joy Register; Lauren is a great big sister and Ben and Jenny are wonderful parents.  Ann lost her dog of 14 years and Amy got a puppy named Rio; he was supposed to be a mix of lab and boxer but, as it turns out, he is a lab and Great Dane mix.  Amy takes him for a run every morning and on weekends throws a saddle on him and rides him in the woods.  Ann lost some close personal friends to Heaven and started a Bible study in our Church.  We both have missed our friends and the beautiful mountains of NC but Ann has a new life with the grandchildren (Nanna is special; Grandpa is not nearly so cool) and Dave has a practice he much prefers over his old one.

     Amy loves her job but it is very challenging; she works with troubled teenage boys and does an amazing job.  Ben still has the same "day job" but in the evenings he and Jenny do private counseling, which is a blessing to their patients.  Ann passed her Arkansas Dental Hygiene boards but hasn't found the part time job she is wanting.  Dave is thankful for his full time career but concerned about the future of health care; he is excited to be doing some duck hunting with Ben.

     We wish you all a safe and meaningful Christmas season.

 Dave and Ann Register

ann :)

12.11.12-ps

found out today that stamps cost$.45.  I senat a lot of our christmas letters out with a $.43 stamp.  I wonder how many are going to come back.  Oh well!

Three Most Dreaded Words in the English Language Are....

I enjoy writing my blogs when the incident happens.  I'm more in the moment that way.  So, I am very behind in writing this one since it happened during the evening (30th) before New Years Eve Day, 2011.  I love the story anyway & I hope I can do it justice.

We had a great Christmas with Amy this past year.  Amy prepared the most awesome meal Christmas Eve.  The table was decorated so festive.  After a relaxing evening at her home, we all came to our place where Amy spent the rest of the Christmas weekend with us.  We had a great Christmas Day even though it was quiet with the three of us.  The following day, Amy & I went shopping for the sales.  She is a great one to have around to help you discover the deals out there.

Ben, Jenny & Lauren are on the every other year plan.  One year they spend Thanksgiving with one side of the family & Christmas with the other side.  The next year they switch.  You might can identify.  We did the very same thing when our children were growing up.  The family who doesn't get to celebrate Christmas with Ben, Jenny & Lauren hope to celebrate Christmas on New Years with them.  This year was no exception.

Since I begin playing Christmas carols the 1st of November & decorate the day after Thanksgiving, I am ready for the tree to be taken down Christmas night & the rest of the decor down the next day.  Ben just could not stand that this year.  He wanted it all up for our second Christmas.

I was not going to repeat the Christmas meal all over again.  I prepared the traditional New Years meal, with ham, black-eyed peas, collards, etc... which we ate with our celebration at New Years Eve lunch.

The night before New Years Eve Day, I was frantically putting together our granddaughters Christmas gift.  I bought this child's basketball goal at least 6 weeks before Christmas.  We thought of several ideas that might be good for Lauren this year.  Dave wanted Lauren to have the basketball goal, but for some reason I was the one putting it together.  These directions were not written out.  These directions were pictures on the huge box that the basketball goal came in.

It was a great work-out.  I used all the strength that I could muster up to put some of those pieces together.  Some pieces I even needed a bar of soap to squeeze them together.  I even got the applicaes on correctly without tearing them.  I was so proud.  Now, it came time to put on the final touch-the nylon net on the hoop.  I was following the pictures to the "tee".  For some reason the net wasn't fitting to the hoop.  I tugged & tugged.  I had finally had it.  I went & got some string & tied each loop so neatly.  It was now perfect for play.  I was not going to have my granddaughters present not ready for "Christmas".

We had the best time having Christmas all over again.  In fact, I almost forgot to bring out the basketball goal for Lauren to try out.  I have to admit that her Daddy & Dave had more fun with it than she did.

EVERYONE also informed me that I put on the net backwards.  I had to prove that I did do it correctly, so I took them to the box with the directions.  Well, I have to admit that I did put the net on backwards.



I think this illustration might prove that the most dreaded words in the English language are SOME ASSEMBLE REQUIRED!!!  The second set of the most dreaded words in the English language are BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED!!!  Do you agree?
                                                         ann :) 

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)