In Memory...

It’s that time of year. Time to remember all of the things that happened in 2008. 2008 started out good. Then half way through it all fell apart.

As I sit here looking at the MSN home page you see “In Memoriam 2008”. On that list you see actors, singers, news people, athletes, designers, politicians and many others.

I have my own little Memoriam list for 2008. None of these people were famous nor were they rich. They didn’t make laws, records or clothes but in their own way they touch many people’s lives.

I would like to list some of the people we lost around here. I know there are much more but these few come to mind.

Mary Ann Gibbs

Sammie Black

Phyllis Powell

Wade Holt

Josh Linder

Gary Arender

Buster Hall

Ann Reese

Judy Brown

Leon Groom

Bill Manning

Ed Duke

Bob Vinson

Kyle Zitko

These are just a few that have passed away from this area. Each of these people will be missed. Most of the people on my list weren’t that old. Mom was 62, Wade was 18. Isn’t it weird that each of these people was allotted a certain amount of time?

I mean, God gave Mom only 62 years to be here with us. Somehow I feel cheated. We all think we will live to “be a ripe old age”. Sadly, they didn’t and some of us won’t. I can't imagine what Wade's parents feel. How robbed or short changed they must feel.

I wonder if you recognize people from your community when your in heaven? It was explained to me that people in heaven don't know what's going on down here since the bible tells us there are no tears in heaven. If our loved ones could see us they would be unhappy and sad because we are unhappy and sad. Their prime purpose is to worship God not feel sorry for us.

I know that Mom enjoyed singing. I know that Mary Ann could sing also. Wonder if they are singing together??

As we go into the “New Year” let us all remember that we never know how much time we have. Remember to let those around you how much you love them. And by all means…make sure you have everything planned and prepared for. Case in point…here.

Christmas 2008 doin's

A friend of ours always makes these wonderful cookies and icing for Christmas so tonight we pulled them out and decorated! Oh and we ate them also. You can tell that the kids had a nice time doing both.

I've also taken a few pictures of some of the ornaments on the tree. Some explanation is required for a few of them. Let's see...

Melissa's is the Christmas tree shoe ornament. Michael's is Snoopy since he's like Charlie Brown, wishy one minute, washy then next.
Tinkerbell belongs to Amanda. Last year she picked out a Disney Princess one but since she's growning out of the Princess stage...

Mike is the Grinch. No explanation needed for this one. And of course, Rhett and Scarlett. One day my cousin Nancy will be inheriting all of my GWTW stuff. I'll leave notice that the ornaments need to be handed down to her also. I know she will enjoy them as much as I have!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Pet Peeve #4

Here's another one of my pet peeves...Empty hangers left hanging in the closet!! Please tell me what is so hard about taking your clothes off the hanger and removing the hanger from the closet???

It drives me crazy to pull out the hangers as I am hanging up freshing dried clothing. I'm finding out that the older I get, the more pet peeves I have.

Homeschool happenings

This blog that I started about 3 years ago was a way in which I was gonna keep up with Amanda's homeschool adventure. Some how life always gets in the way and I blog about that instead. So tonight, I thought I would actually blog about Amanda and close a chapter in her life.

For the past 2 1/2 years, Amanda has attended a little cooking class called "Show off Chefs". It's been taught by a teacher from the school district here. Her name is Marie Thomas Osborne. She grew up here in Podunk, TX. and is making an impact on her students. Both in public school and through her cooking class. Tonight was her last night to hold class. Due to different circumstances, she had to make the decision to close up shop.

I would like to Thank Marie for the past 2 1/2 years for the time, effort and creative recipes she taught Amanda and the others.

This is also our last week of school before taking 2 weeks off for the holidays. I know we are looking forward to the rest. We have quite a few homeschool families that attend our church and one particular family started school earlier this year in order to take the whole month of December off!!

The science class that we had for 14 weeks is over. History is still a booger! and will have to be the only subject we do over the holidays in order to not get behind. It's A LOT of reading but I have enjoyed reading about our history. Although, I am tired of the Pilgrims. I'm ready to move onto the colonist, American Revolution, Civil War, etc.

Piano lessons will resume the week of Jan. 5, 2009. 2009! can you believe that??? January 7, 2009 will be Amanda's 11th birthday! Man, I'm getting old. No, actually, Mike's getting old!!! I'm just saying...

Anyway, looking forward to Friday and hopefully some warmer weather!!!

Christmas Questionnaire

I saw this on Beth Moore's blog and thought I would post it also.

1. Fresh or Fake Tree

We use to do fresh trees when I was little and when Mike and I first got married. But then I had to be the one to clean up the mess so we now have one of those trees from Walmart that is pre lit!! I so enjoy it!! It's in three pieces and isn't too big. That way it doesn't kill you getting it in and out of the attic.

2. Favorite Ornament

My favorite ornament(s) would be my GWTW ornaments. Yes, I have Gone With the Wind ornaments.

3. Favorite Christmas Song

O, Holy Night. I know a lot of people have sang this song but Martina McBride's version is beautiful.

4. Favorite Tradition

We don't really have "traditions". Mike usually reads the story of Christ birth from Luke. One year he wanted to change that and read it from Matthew. Which didn't go over well, it sounds prettier coming from Luke.

5. Favorite Gift Ever Received

This one is difficult to answer. It would have to be either my pink chi iron because without it I am a big bush head!!! or the Campbell soup mug that I found in Mom's closet after she died. I collect Campbell soup kid stuff. She had bought the mug and put it away for Christmas.

6. Favorite Christmas Meal

My favorite Christmas meal is probably the ones in Kansas City with Mike's parents. Yes, it's very stressful up there but his Mom knows how to set a beautiful table along with the wonderful food.

7. Favorite Christmas Cookie

Ok, this is EASY...chocolate chip!!! But it doesn't have to be Christmas to have them.

8. Favorite Place to Be

Home with my family.

9. Favorite Memory

It would have to be when I was in Kindergarten or first grade. We lived in Oklahoma. My sister and I were being tucked into bed by both Mom and Dad, it was Christmas Eve and they were explaining that we needed to go to sleep so "Santa" would come. Now, I'm not making this up, really. We heard noises on the roof. I totally promise! Something was on the roof and it sounded like hooves. I know, I know...

10. Favorite Christmas Movie

It's a Wonderful Life has to be my favorite Christmas Movie. When George realizes his worth more dead than alive, then God sends Clarence to show him what a truly wonderful life he had. My daughter can't figure out why it's in black and white! Oh and Charlie Brown Christmas is right up there. I'd put both in with GWTW, of course!!! LOL!!!

Happy Holidays!!

Yes, we are trying to get ready for Christmas. Michael completed the yearly ritual of putting the lights on the house.

Michael, Melissa and Amanda decorated the tree this year. They did a pretty good job. We did purchase a smaller tree from Walmart for $25.00 at the day after Thanksgiving sale. It's pre lit so that was a blessing.

Every year we decorate the outside. I enjoy that more than anything! I am a light person! One day, I'm gonna have the entire house decorated and timed to blarring music! I'm sure the neighbors will be thrilled!!!

We also hit the day after Thanksgiving sale at Lowe's. We ended up with Chuck and Snoopy. Don't you just love 'em!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

After working hard the past couple of weeks, I decided that we should take the entire week of Thanksgiving off. Actually, I scheduled it when I was doing our Homeschool plans.

Last year I created my "thankful list". I've debated whether to do it again this year. Things are a bit different.

A year ago, my sisters and I weren't talking. We had two separate Thanksgivings. Mom spent two Christmases with "the sisters" and us. Michael had left home for a whole year. I was sweating how he was going to get the money for GFA. I had substituted friends for family. Then somehow the friends part got screwed up.

I know that we should be thankful for our families, friends, jobs, health, and our homes. It's hard trying to find the good, glory, blessing or thanksgiving in death. While all of the support, food, cards, people coming to the visitation and funeral was very much appreciated. Their lives go on. Ours do to, but there's a part of it that ended. We have to get use to not having Mom around.

I'm still trying to figure things out.

With that being said, Happy Thanksgiving and be sure to tell all of those that you love that you "love them".

Important dancing news...not

In case your wondering...no I haven't seen my dancing with the stars workout dvd. I'm hoping to find it Christmas morning though. My show is almost over and again I have NOT been disappointed.


Lance Bass has come a long way, baby...I really think he's going to be in the final two.


My pick, Warren Sapp, I'm afraid will be third. I could be wrong if he gets a lot of votes from the people! I hope I'm wrong. I hate being wrong but in this case, I wouldn't mind.
Cody, bless his heart. He's tried very hard but I think he's gone tonight. If he's not, due to all of the teeny bopper Disney crowd, that probably means Warren is out of there, then I'll be completely upset.
Brooke Burke, I didn't pick her in the beginning of the show. The woman I picked was that fabulous Olympic volleyball player! But due to injury she had to leave. So...here's who I pick to win Dancing With the Stars this year. Hey, I've been pretty good over the years picking 'em.

After all tomorrow is another day

This past weekend my husband surprised me by taking me off to Jefferson, Texas. It was our 22 anniversary on Nov. 8 so we took off for a night. I'm sharing this with you all because I know my cousin Nancy will be so excited to hear of where we stayed...
LOOK!! A Claw foot tub!! Do you know how long it's been since I've taken a bath? Not that I don't shower regularly, I just rarely have time to sit down and bathe. How romantic is a claw foot tub!!!???
Are you starting to get an idea of where we stayed??? Green po'teers?? Ring any bells??
Here's the long entry hall way. Right off of that to the left is the formal dining room, to the left is the parlor.
Here is an enclosed sitting area with fireplace for all of the guest. We stayed at Scarlett O'Hardy's B&B. The woman who owns it is named Bobbie Hardy. She's a GWTW nut also!!! I didn't realize it but the author of GWTW, Margaret Mitchell, her birthday is NOVEMBER 8. The same day we were married on!!! Same day mind you, not year...

We had a great time down there. I think each year we'll go so that we can stay in a different room! She has 5 to choose from. We stayed in "Aunt Pittypat's Room". Scarlett's was booked. Then you have Belle's room, Mammy's room and the General's room.

Breakfast was FABULOUS!!!! She's sending me the recipes. Who knows, maybe when we get older we might retire in Jefferson and become B&B owners. I think I might like that. By that time Mrs. O'Hardy might be in the market to sell her already established B&B!!

I mean, think about it. You entertain guest Friday night thru Sunday morning. Serve them breakfast each morning and bid them farewell when they leave. Sunday evening thru Friday morning you are free and in the process make a little money.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the museum. Yes, Nancy, there is a GWTW museum. Of course, my collection is nothing compared to hers. She had to have a 1700 sq.ft. building to house her stuff. You can't even imagine all of the memorabilia. It just makes me get all bubbly inside just thinking about it!

Anyway, if your ever in that part of East Texas, be sure to stop by. And if it's around Nov. 8, you might just see me and "my Rhett" wandering around!!!

Haven't rambled in awhile, so lets see what I can stir up???

Change…well; we’ll see what type of change is coming. I have been told that before I begin to say something I usually preface it so…

At the risk of ticking some off…

Over the past two days you’ve seen a change. You’ve seen people cry over the decision made in our presidential election. You’ve seen people hang their heads in worry. You’ve seen the entire world rejoice in the decision made and they. don’t .even .live .here.

For the older black Americans, I can see why they are so emotional. They had “a dream” and they have finally seen it achieved. Hopefully for our country, this will put an end to racism. Hopefully, for our country this will put an end to “playing the race card” anytime something happens. Hopefully, for our country this will make ALL people realize that they can achieve anything if they WORK hard enough.

The oddest thing I’ve seen is how “Christians” have acted, voted or expressed their arguments for decisions they have made.
It goes from one extreme to the other, each side using scripture (or trying) to back up their decisions.
It seems as like our political parties, democrat and republican, we have two sides to Christianity.

There are two blogs that come to mind. Here and Here.

My question is: Who’s right??

Disclaimer: I do not personally know any of the people I have linked to; I read their blogs that is all. I am in NO WAY JUDGING any of them.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe Jesus is either democrat or republican.
I do think both sides use Him.
I'm just asking the questions!!!

Some cast their ballot in order to vote against one candidate or the other. Some cast their vote in order to show their displeasure with the current administration.

If we are “one” body, shouldn’t we feel the same about the “issues”. Now I’m not talking about our own individual convictions. There is a huge difference between my personal convictions and what God says, like for instance, wearing a purple shirt. If God has convicted me of NOT wearing a purple shirt, then I should abide by that. Because to ME, that would be a sin, going against what God has convicted me of. BUT just because He convicted me of not wearing purple, I shouldn’t force that conviction onto someone else.

BUT if it is an “issue” that God declares is an abomination to Him, if it is a commandment that I have been told to obey or if God has a problem with something that is causing sin, Shouldn’t I have a problem with it also? Shouldn’t I cast my vote for someone who stands up for that?

By the same token, if a candidate doesn’t personally believe in something but believes that people should have that “right”, shouldn’t I vote for him?? Because he “personally” doesn’t believe in it. But then, having that right doesn’t make it right or does it? Or shouldn’t we all be tolerant? Tolerant against sin?? Or tolerant to sin??? WOW…that’s kind of what it’s boiled down to.

Then you have this: Here. After all, doesn’t God actually choose who’s in charge? Doesn’t He allow situations to take place in order for us to become closer to Him? Shouldn’t we all come together and pray for our country? And for the unity of “the body of Christ”???


Maybe if the Church got it together, the rest would follow…

We have to remember that “Our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts. “

Lord, have mercy on us all...

Don't forget...
It has been said that all government is an evil. It would be more proper to say that the necessity of any Government is a misfortune. This necessity however exists; and the problem to be solved is, not what form of Government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect. -James Madison

Well, it's about time!!!

Monday and Tuesday nights will find me sitting in front of the tv anxiously awaiting DWTS. As I've posted before, I enjoy this show. Yes, the clothes are skimpy but look around at some of the things that people are wearing in every day life. Well, maybe not here in Armpit, Texas but you'll find some hum dinger outfits, trust me!!!

Anyway...Last night Cloris was FINALLY kicked off. I have to agree with Carrie Ann when she made the statement about Toni Braxton being kicked off and leaving Cloris. You have people who can really dance get the boot and people who are a joke staying.

With the holidays coming up, I have started purchasing Christmas gifts for the family. Hello BIG, BROWN SLEIGH!!! I get all bubbly inside when I see the UPS guy pull up!!

I can't think of anything that I would particularly like to receive for Christmas this year. After the past couple of months that I have had, not a whole lot seems to matter. BUT I did come upon ONE thing that I MIGHT. ENJOY. getting.

Viola,
I can see it now...ME, learning how to Cha-Cha, Merengue, Samba and Mambo!!! And in the process losing more weight!!! In the middle of my living room...with NO ONE home. UUUUU, I'm getting all bubbly inside!!! Guess there are bright spots in life!

Ok, I have to admit...

I have a guilty pleasure. It may come to some as a surprise BUT I love musicals!! Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Camelot, Sound of Music. I enjoy them! It makes me want to get up and start singin' and dancin'. Even though I can't do either but to be able to is another one of my secrets.

Tonight, like most moms around the country, I took my daughter to see High School Musical 3. It was cute. My 20 year old son and his girlfriend went with us...secretly...they enjoyed it too.

I even saw an old classmate of mine who had taken her daughter. We saw one another coming out of the theatre and she said, "That made me want to stand up and say, I love you, Dreama".

It's just that kind of movie. All gushy sweet. It makes you realize how old you are though! I mean, that Zac Efron kid just turned 21. I was 20 years old when he was born! Man, now I'm depressed!!

Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves.

It made me think about last year. We watched High School Musical 2 in August of last year at Moms. Michael was about to go to Gospel for Asia. Melissa went off to DBU. I hadn't ticked my sisters off yet, Mom was alive and things were good.

Amanda is doing pretty good with her piano lessons. Her teacher is a young woman who use to teach music here at one of the schools. She is so sweet with the kids she teaches! She is very patient and is a huge blessing to all of the kids that take lessons from her. We are very grateful that God is allowing her to stay at home now so we can take advantage of her!!

Our Science class has been going for 8 weeks now. It seems to be moving right along. Most of the moms have learned things right along with their children. Did you know that Venus rotates opposite from the Earth??? And it all happened with a big bang, right??? LOL!!

Almost 3 months to the day that Mom went into the hospital, we sold her house. Or actually, our house. It's a good thing but sad at the same time.

I almost cried as I was handed the check at the bank. I've noticed that I measure time beginning with July 16, 2008 and ending with July 29, 2008.

I don't think I'll be driving down Market Street that often anymore.

We've been very busy with School the past couple of weeks. Tomorrow will begin a complete week of school without interruptions, I pray. It seems like at least one day during each week I've been to the doctor. I've gotten a good report from each test so now I might be able to stop wiggin' out.

Amanda is doing such a wonderful job so far this school year and we haven't killed one another yet so there's a blessing. She seems to be doing more on her own instead of me sitting right there beside her making sure she does it. Which is a wonderful thing.

Michael is going to school at Criswell. Prayerfully, God will supply the funds for him to be able to go next semester. He just might not be able to take as many hours. Mike has been working loooooong hours. He was up til 3:00am this morning working. In. Our. Bedroom.

Luckily I'm able to sleep standing up with or without light.

On the upbeat...

You turn on the news in the evening and all you hear is how the ladies of The View are having cat fights over the upcoming election. How we should let Madonna, Oprah and Barbara Streisand tell us how to vote.

Tina Fey will be leaving Earth if Sarah Palin ends up in office, she must be trying to out do Alec Baldwin. Wasn't he going to leave the country if Bush were reelected anyway???

And if you will indulge me...How Obama, our newly appointed savior, will kiss all the boo boos and make everything all better. I'm just saying...

Anyway, here is a story that you might have missed between all of the nonsense, smears and junk. It really touched me.

Take a read and enjoy!!

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081012_ac_queen.106e5560b.html

Say it ain't so...

OOOOHHH NNNNNNOOOOOO!!! One of my picks to be in the top two is now gone! Misty May Treanor tore her Achilles tendon and is out for the rest of the show. They showed what happened to her in practice. You could actually hear it pop. AWWW...it was gross.

More Sharing...

I'm into sharing lately. I don't know why. Usually I don't do that. But I felt as though this was important.
As some know, my Mom died 2 months ago. It was discovered that she had signet ring carcinoma. Which is a very aggressive cancer. If the ARDS didn't kill her, the cancer would have. Since then I have pretty much been "wigged" out about the whole thing.
I have been for my "yearly humiliation" which I haven't done in about 5-6 years. I've had the top portion of my body "squished". It being October, breast cancer month, I thought it was about time to do that.

But this morning a little after 8 am, I had a colonoscopy. Yes folks...a COLONOSCOPY. And yes, these are pictures of my colon. The worse part about the "whole" ordeal was drinking that vile concoction. It reminded me of when you smell something electrical burning, that is what I imagine that would taste like.

After it was all over and done the first thing we did was eat. I have NEVER gone without food on purpose for 24 hours. Hello, quesadilla explosion!!!

Anyway...

I go back a week from today to see the doctor. According to him, everything looked fine. They did find and removed small polyps. Those are the small white spots on the pictures. Isn't that the most amazing thing?? Look at all of the little blood vessels.

In about 5 years, I'll have to have this done again. Just in case...

Pet Peeve #2 and #3

Here's another one of my pet peeves that I thought I would share with you.

This particular picture was taken at church. Notice the old trash bag has been taken out, tied up and is ready to be taken to the trash can. Hence the phrase...take the trash out.

But look. In the can. There's more trash. And. No. Trash. Bag.

Pet Peeve #3 "Key Words" "Change we really need", "Hope and Change", "Yes, we can", "Reform", "Prosperity", "Peace", "Fundamentally"... Did any of those words comfort you or tell you how they were going to help the country????

Pet Peeve

Now, I know that my bathroom is not the only one that has this problem. Do you see it??? A toilet paper roll sitting on an empty toilet paper roll that is hanging on the toilet paper holder.

Why? What is so hard about changing the toilet paper?

It's an easy thing to do. It just takes a little time.

So, the next time you are sitting there and notice that the roll is empty...get a new roll but PLEASE put it on the holder.

My picks for the season

Yes folks, It's that time again...my picks for Dancing With the Stars.

Warren Sapp is a retired defensive tackle. He's a BIG man!!! He was so light on his feet and fun to watch. I'm picking him from the men's group.

Misty May Treanor. Here you have an Olympic goal medalist. A 2 time goal medalist. A fantastic volleyball player. She's a pretty good dancer too. She's my pick out of the women.

It was strange watching DWTS and not being with Mom. It's even stranger not being able to pick up the phone to call her.

In 6 days it'll be 2 months that she's been gone. It's still hard to comprehend. Mom was a LOUD, little woman. We always made fun of her for being loud. Right now, I would enjoy hearing loudness.

And if Cloris Leachman doesn't get kicked off tomorrow night, I'm gonna shoot myself in the foot. I understand that she's 80 something years old...but she cannot dance!!!

Some of what's going on

I'm sitting here watching the effects from Hurricane Ike hit our area. We have been blessed with just rain and some high winds. So far we haven't lost any trees and I made sure to put things around the yard up yesterday so they wouldn't be gone with the wind.

Our local grocery store was a mad house yesterday with all of the people around trying to get water, food and gas. We usually have Saturday evening church but cancelled that due to the weather. It's been nice to be home on a Saturday night!

Last night we went to Homecoming. We left after half time since the score was 44-6 in our favor. We set near the band and here's my niece doing her thing with the Drum line.Amanda managed to get her science experiment done despite the clouds that were blowing in from the Gulf. Along the way, she decided to eat a little of it.

She had to melt chocolate with a magnifying glass. She had to determine if it melted fasted with the magnifying glass far away or closer. Then she discovered she could catch a leaf on fire with the glass...watch out Survivor.

Below is a picture from the first week of school. We went to Six Flags with our cousins and some friends. Aren't they cute???

Oh, I can't forget the visit we had with John McCain...isn't this so funny!!! We've been getting together with friends to study some history and this being an election year, well, what can I say. Senator McCain couldn't resist a visit.

Now if that ain't some stuff

WHEWWWW!!! Last Tuesday we started our third year of homeschool. Last Wednesday, I wanted to enroll her back into Public School!!!! After months of being prepared I was ready to sell it all and head up to MISD.

I'm not really though, but the thought DID cross my mind. In fact I told Amanda that if she didn't apply herself here at home with her studies, I know some people up there that might be able to motivate her.

So far her Bible study, Spelling and Handwriting (is improving) are going good. It's the English and Math that she doesn't get into. I knew History and Science were going to be boogers! I might have to rethink our schedule. We have ended up doing those subjects at night. And in a few more weeks we won't be able to do that...Dancing With the Stars and Survivor will be back, thank you very much!!!

The Spanish cd that she's doing, she isn't too keen on since it doesn't sing like Hannah Montana or look like the Jonas Brothers.

Amanda asked me the other day what age she had to be to have a boyfriend...I said 21. She has to wait until 16 to have her ears pierced, 21 sounds good enough for a boyfriend.

My sisters and I had the estate sale at Mom's last weekend. It's so strange to go into her cute, little house and nothing be there, especially her. There's a lady in town that's interested in it. But she hasn't made us an offer yet. I'm praying that she buys it, I know she would take care of it!

Homecoming is this weekend. We play Kemp. This isn't the BIG homecoming so there's no parade or any grand festivities. Rhonda, my sister, is a teacher at Kemp. She graduated from Mabank but teaches at Kemp. She also has the audacity to sit on their side during the football game at Panther Stadium. Her daughter, Caitlyn is on the Mabank Drum Line. But she's sitting on Kemp's side??? Go figure...

So far things are going good between the sisters and I. Maybe things are changing between us.