Christmas 2010

It wasn't the Christmas I imagined, it wasn't the one I hoped for, it wasn't the one I wanted but it was the one I got and sadly, it has come and gone so quickly...

Christmas Eve we zipped down to Harlingen to have an Italian supper with Jim, Judy and their family.  It was an accident prone evening....Judy started it...she broke a glass, BB was talking and knocked her Cosmo glass over....and it broke....then ( I missed the shot) just a few minutes after this photo of Katie and Amanda....               Katie dropped her phone in her Ranch dressing covered salad!

Amanda meets Monroe Paige Buck.  She was so sweet for it to be way past her bedtime.




 We did make it back home, sleepy but safe.  Looking forward to Christmas day.


 
We messed around, fed the animals, and all the routine stuff and finally settled in to open presents.  Ryley got hers...she is the only dog at our house that got a present....and we opened ours and I think everyone was surprised...I know I was.  I love my wii and can't wait to hook it up and my Donnakarran perfume- Cashmire Mist...is mmmmmjust the best.  I would post more photo's but it seems my computer has decided that I shouldn't.  So, like the rest of this Holiday....I'm following someone else's agenda but that's ok. For today, a king was born, a saviour, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger, visited by Wise men and Sheppard's, who became King of Kings.

Tis the Season.....

Ho,Ho,Ho, Merry Christmas!!! As promised.....here is the complete poem that I gave you a preview of in November.

Twas the day after Thanksgiving when the panic set in.  The time to buy presents was about to begin.
Black Friday sales and online twitters, with hopes that by Christmas, all would be delivered.
We rush through the malls "as dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky"; looking for the perfect present to buy.
Trust nothing to Santa, the elves or his sleigh, we just need those gifts to be opened on Christmas day.
Hunting, and pecking through store after store.  Do we remember why we are here anymore?

Finally all gifts are wrapped and under the tree, hoping to fill each and every receiver with joy and glee. 
We set out baked cookies and milk in a glass , and fall into bed where we weerily crash.

Christmas Day dawns clear and bright, with none of the panic we felt last night.
The cookies are gone as well as the milk.
The stockings are full and hang with a tilt.
As that moment of silence still hangs in the air, we send up to Jesus a special prayer.
Thank you dear Lord for a glorious day, for the shopping and baking that paved the way.
For all or our family here and away, let each of us celebrate your birthday today.

Merry Christmas to all as we remember the reason for the season.

I'm going to share a photo of my sweet angels.....sitting on Santa's lap.  This is Morgan's first Christmas and she wasn't afraid.  Caleb asked Santa for a BB pistol....Santa:" You'll shoot your eye out".  Caleb: "Just like Ralphie!"

Shopping.....the holiday's......

I just came back from the only "Black Friday" shopping I intend to do....with no prize.  The crowds weren't what I expected.  Looked like a typical Saturday crowd and the salespeople were just as rude and in-attentive as usual.  So what's the big deal?  If they would have great sales like this every week til Christmas I think they could continually pull a crowd.  My big question goes to those of you that are the first one's into a store....did they really have what you went for?  My opinion?--- I think a lot of the stores never had what they advertised to begin with.

With that, I have Part I of a two part poem for your Holiday...I will run the entire thing in December; but this fits today.

Twas the day after Thanksgiving when the panic set in,
The time to buy presents was about to begin.
Black Friday sales and online twitters, with hopes that
by Christmas all would be delivered.

We rushed through the malls "like dry leaves before the hurricane fly when they meet with and obstacle and mount to the sky"; looking for the perfect present to buy.
Trust nothing to Santa, the elves or his sleigh.
We just need those gifts to be opened on Christmas Day!
Hunting and pecking through store after store.
Do we remember why we're here anymore?

Look for the rest...next month!!

Our Thanksgiving was really nice, HOT and WINDY, but nice.  There were certainly large gaps at the table and each one absent was greatly missed.  Jessica and her family were elsewhere as was Amanda (my daughter) and Mrs. Hancock has been in the hospital but we all spread the food around and ate their share.  This was Morgan's first Thanksgiving and after she got used to all the people she was quite a ham.  Her "uh,uh, oh" was a hit with everyone.  Her onesie says "I'm stuffed".  I'll have to steal a photo of Caleb from Susie....he was being shy when I was taking photo's.

Those of you who replied to my question....hope you are keeping warm, home in bed....if you were crazy and went shopping...I hope you found all your bargains. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks.......giving........

We are such last minute people.....but I think we have finally decided that we are not having Thanksgiving at home but in Harlingen....I think.....  Not so much work for me (not that I mind) and we will be with family....but sometimes home is nice.

Tackled our bedroom this month...new carpet...new bed.....If I could just find a spot for all the stuff I had to remove from my room I would be happy.  It is so nice and uncluttered right now!

Know anyone looking for a great dog?  Amanda has 3 AKC Lab puppies for sale.....(well, the male might be spoken for)  They well be large.....as you can see in this photo at just over 8 weeks....they are catching up to their Mom fast!

Left to right: Bear, Dora, Goldie and Ryley-the Mom.

They live in Denton so if anyone is interested???????

Have also decided to try my hand at upholstery......without taking the chair apart.  Slow going but I might actually get it done soon!  Of course, TODAY my hubby offers to take it apart for me......uhmmmmmm too late.

This is short, I will surely blog more later...and I added a quiz.....I will be interested to see your answers... Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Advertising....what's the message?

With bullying being such a hot topic these days I've started really looking at some of the commercials on tv.  Have you seen the one where the boys have a jump rope competition to see who gets the sandwich???/  Great premiss, good idea, but then it goes astray when it has the little girls tie them up and ....steal the sandwich.  Is that a good message to send, that it's OK to steal their sandwich???  That is just the most obvious of the commercials running today supporting bad manners, bad ethics and/or bad parenting.  A local bar has an add inviting people out....and if you don't "I'll slash your tires".  Makes ya wanna run right over and have a drink doesn't it?  Goes along with the country song that promotes keying the guys 4 wheel drive. What kind of messages are we sending to our youth?  If you think I'm over the edge, next time you sit down to relax and watch tv, really listen to some of these ads.  You will be surprised.

Today is my husbands birthday.  I've known this man for 40 years......guess we've had fun cause time has flown!  His biggest decision today???? Where to eat tonight.

Looking forward to Nancy Carmack's next blog. I'm sure it will be filled with beautiful wedding photo's and all her thoughts.  Since we are in the planning stages of a wedding, I'm looking forward to seeing if we are on the right track to a successful event.

Well, can't publish this without mentioning the Texas Rangers. Ok, there, I mentioned them.  I am just a bit angry with them so you know the saying, "If you can't say anything nice....."  I'm sure all of Texas is hoping they can shake it off and make a comeback.

Have a great day and a safe Halloween!!!

Why ????

Why do people drive the wrong direction in a parking lot, even when they see a very large red Excursion coming right at them?  Why do you have to know Spanish to get a job but not English?  Why does diesel (that is cheaper to make) cost more than gasoline?  Why have parents stopped teaching their children manners?  Why do we enforce the seperation of church and state and take Christmas and Easter as holidays? (I like them, so don't change that) Why are we not allowed to  pray at a football game but all the kids can openly cuss on campus?  Why do they still call Pigskin Jubilee a marching contest when all the bands walk? (No high knees and pointed toes these days..)  Why do they call it babysitting when you rarely get to sit?  Why can't anyone have a personal opinion anymore?  Why do clueless people always want to give advice?

I'm sure there will be more "Whys?" later.

Just going to add a few photo's to brighten your day.....

This is the rig my son was working on in Alabama....
He worked nights so don't think he got to look around much while he was there.

This is Morgan......she really likes to make faces now.

This is one of my favorites!

I think this is Goldie....one of the "monster" pups that Amanda's dog had.  This is at 4 weeks and that is a standard size laptop....not a notebook.  She sent a picutre the other day and their paws fill up her hand.  They will be large hunters!!!

As I write this I think of several of my friends who are having personal issues this week....good and bad. Diana's Mother is holding her own but could use lots of prayers for God to do what is best...and I'm sure my friend Nancy is beside herself counting the minutes until the backyard wedding is a success. I'm sure both of these problems will be solved with God's guiding hand.

Think I may have posted the pup photo....but it's so darn cute...who cares!!! Till next time....

Thoughtful weekend

See this amazing young man?  This is my son....looks like lightning is coming from his fingers.  His fiance gets singing wake up calls from him....(he's on a rig in Alabama)  isn't that romantic?





By the way, he was performing with his band at Zoofari at Gladys Porter Zoo .








Saturday I went to my Grandson's soccer game....5 year olds play great soccer; then to lunch with his Mom , her Mom and Morgan, at Arturo's in Weslaco. Afterwards we stopped at Well's of Weslaco....wow, hadn't been there in years!!! What memories that brought back!  If  Dad's crops did well, Mom would take me there and I could get 2 dresses!!! (this was during my high school years).  I don't know if I grew up or if the store has shrunk but it didn't seem as large but still very elegant.

After that trip, Caleb came home with me.  We rode everything there is to ride here, played washers, and T-Ball and keep away (with Stitch).  Then he called his Mom to see if he could stay all night.  He did. For once he didn't sleep cross ways in the bed, which was great!!! He stayed 1/2 the day Sunday before he wanted to go home.  I think not having the golf cart to drive (Bill was using it) made it boring.  But what I am getting at with this whole story is....while riding around with him I thought...wow, I really have a lot of stuff that needs doing or that I should be doing....I am getting further behind...blah,blah,blah...and then it dawned on me.  What I was doing was 10 XXXX's more important than clean dishes, mopping the floor, laundry or any of those other things that are still waiting as I write this.  I was spending time with family...creating a bond that lasts (I hope) for a long time....I was sharing moments with a little boy that will never come again...moments that once they are gone...you can't get back.....and.....we were having fun.  So today, I will get back to work.  I will load the dishwasher, vacum and mop but yesterday...I made memories.              

things that make you go ahhh or awwwww.....

First the awwww...this is Goldie...she is 5 weeks old and looks to be a computer geek.  Just so you know her size...this is a regular size laptop...not a notebook.  And....she's the runt.....  Don't think there is anything cuter than a baby....

Now an ahhhhh....his name in the marquis lights......(he sings that song too)...same great music, just going from Texas Heat to.....Ryan Lee Baker or the Ryan Baker Band......or what ever....just wish fame would call him up....but...whatever will be will be....

And of course, another awwwwwww.....Morgan is such a happy girl....and sooooo much fun. Babbling and giggling and making all those cute baby noises.....and crawling every where.  Hmmm I must ask Susie for some Caleb photo's....course I have some in my video since we are back on the soccer field...but they take brain power to post...and I'm just a little lazy today.













Susie is working really hard to find a place for their wedding....I'm helping but...wow...it has really gotten expensive!! I did get invited to see her try on dresses....that was so much fun we all wished we could find some more for her to try....but...she found one, totally different from what she was looking for, and it is gorgeous!!!  and.....looks awesome on her...

Well, just wanted to start October with some cute photo's and simple talk....I'm sure I'll have more to say later.

Hmmm....just thinking

This wasn't the photo I was going to post today...but it wasn't near as cute anyway!  Thought this would remind everyone that although summer is about over, along with the heat.....somethings of summer are just too sweet to let go of!  Susie really takes some great photo's!!!













Ok.....what happened to Halloween and Thanksgiving?  Christmas is taking over all the stores!!! Hello!!!! It's September!!!! On that note,  it has me thinking of making a video.  Long, long, far, far away...I would dress like an elf (well I had REALLY short hair and was pretty slim) pack up my collection of "The Night Before Christmas" books and read them at Garza Elem. where my children went to school.  Even read them at a Jr. High and for the Jr. Service League's Dios Festivos...but as I said, that was a long time ago.  So...I think I will.  That would be something my kids and grandkids can watch at Christmas....and I do have a variety of books.  Things like that get started when you have friends who own a Hallmark store and want to dress up at Christmas!!  I'm pretty sure they were the only store in the Valley that had an elf work at Christmas.  My favorites are writtne and illustrated by James Rice....the start of the whole collection was when I paid fifty cents for "A Cajun Night Before Christmas" at the flea market.  It is still my favorite.  Ok, well that's the plan.  I'll let you know how it works out.

Just a side note........it's raining.

ramble, ramble, ramble....

Sometimes you just have to learn that patience is a virtue. A "hot" truck doesn't always turn out to be the best thing for you.  Bill and I spent Labor Day trading vehicles, returning "Blue" to her owner once again and "Grey" will go to the shop.  Of course when Grey got unloaded at the mechanic....she worked fine. Hmmm....

On the way home we drove by some future wedding sites.  Of the two the kids are thinking of...this one seemed more intimate.  The Winfield Inn in Kyle, Tx. Joy of joys...Ryan and Susie are thinking of moving up the date....which excites me cause I just love the idea!  But...also means we all have to get on the ball to get things done.

On our way home from Buda/Kyle...(that's where we made the switch)  I captured this sunset!  It was rather dramatic with the pouring rain looking as if it was washing the sun away.  At one point , it was raining on both sides of the sun....isn't God grand?

In front of us was a triple rainbow.....but I could only get two bands in the photo....one very distinct and the other just to the righ was lighter and there was another band to the far left...(sorry about the dirty windshield)..Nature was surely at work on Monday evening.

And then........my favorite.  As we came into George West on Hwy 59 (?) we were treated to a brilliant yellow sunset that this photo doesn't even capture the brightness of.

All in all it was a fast trip but a good, safe one.  Got to see Amanda (however briefly) and her friend Austin, some glorious scenery and was indulged by my hubby.......we stopped at the Dairy Queen for a Blizzard. Now that you are truly bored... I will go eat lunch and watch my soap opera.....it will end on 9/17....such a shame.  It will be replaced by another game show.....wow...greed  and goofyness....(sp?) just what we need more of.  Hope you at least enjoyed the photo's....until next time...be safe!

Hmmmmmmm......

Has anyone else noticed how strange and perhaps silly the world is becoming?  How people often say things that just make you go.....HUH?   Mr. Obama recently stated that oil evaporates......Our local news anchor evedently has changed the way we are to say Benjamin to BenHa-mean.....a courthouse employee is going to put an ad "on" the paper.....a local sign company makes "magentic" signs....(magnetic?)....does anyone feel their high school English teacher cringing??????  Not to mention your journalism teacher....I for one still look for the " who, what, when, where, why and how"  when I read a story.....alot of times it isn't there!  Funny how we are spending more and more on education and the kids know less and less.  Is teaching to a test really working?  Sure the kids are doing math and other things earlier and earlier but where is penmanship, sentence structure, spelling.....If our education was so bad how can we be teaching our youth? A person can be smart as a whip but if they can't string words together to make an intelligent sentence what good are they going to accomplish in the job market?  How will they apply for one?  Ahhhhh yes, I forgot! The computer! The do all, say all, fix all, know all of our society....yep I'm typing on one now.  That's not to say I condem them...they are great when they work but when they don't?  Ever been shopping when a stores computer was down or there was a power failure?  Know very many people who can make change in that situation?
Ahhh the good old days!  Spelling tests, writing all those continuous circles, all those term papers with proper sentence structure.....

We had our family vacation again...we almost didn't but now I intend to bore you with some photo's! My granddaughter Morgan surprised us all and was a great rider (in my Excursion) and liked the Frio! Her Dad is letting her dip her feet.

It's very seldom that you come across anyone famous when you vacation.  They usually don't frequent places that us common folks do....but it was a nice surprise to meet country singer Kevin Fowler's Mom and Dad on the bank of the Frio River.  Such nice people...I've met the son so now I see where he gets it... Ryan and Mr. Fowler had a nice chat and got some good advice concerning his singing career.  The Fowlers had spent time at Kevin's ranch and were on their way to Corpus to drop off their grandson (?)  I didn't quite catch the relationship....

Early morning coffee drinking caught these workers singing atop a home they were building up the hillside.  The zoom makes them look close but as you can see in the next one....they weren't.Caleb and  Alex were the water assasins!

Morgan  looks ready for the rapids!!! She wasn't really all that impressed to be in her floaty...she couldn't see or reach for the rocks in there.

This is a shot of the steps that my kids made a hundred trips up and down when they were younger and we stayed in our motorhome at the now closed Bee's Camp. I didn't get the chance to ask but I think the park is being turned into a subdivision.  The deer below were in the backyard of the home we rented!

And my final photo.....do you remember S'mores?

Hmmmmmm

I really should blog more.....since I always have to hunt for my sign in information....or do I just have too many passwords and user names to remember??

Morgan Avery

Took a road trip yesterday.  Just up to Kingsville for the 2010 National Junior Santa Gertrudis Show, to visit a friend who was helping out his friends ( well, guess they are mine too).  Transported us (hubby went) back in time as we remembered all those show disappointments...the conversations never change.  These shows are judged by humans...still...and it's only one man's opinion on that given day, at that time, about that animal. Sure don't miss that part of it.  Got to walk not one but two cows back to their pen....haven't done that since 2003.....if I even did it then!!  Two of the nine there joined us for a great dinner at Kings Inn....mmmmm...frog legs, shrimp, catfish, onion rings and french fries....all preceeded by a plate of tomatoes and a great salad!!! 

I heard today that our friends did much better at the show!  Congrats!!!
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Our grand daughter is sooooooo cute! (Isn't everyones?)  We got to babysit the other night....but....she's old enough now to miss her Mom.  She was a little fussy but we got her to sleep.  They had a good night out and we enjoyed Morgan...fussing and all.  I'm sure if her brother had been there she would have been fine....they are crazy about each other.

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Just Rambling

Do you have different passwords for all the different sites you visit?  I have two books that all that information is written in because somehow my brain just can't keep up with it all.  It started out simple...then sites wanted numbers and letters, some wanted harder passwords, some longer...so  now I always hope that I am guessing right and if not....the search is on in one of my two books.  Computer life can be so challenging sometimes.

Blue #5...Caleb is up in the air for soccer!

Being a grandparent, so far, has been lots of fun.  The only draw back so far is I can't just sneak into their room at night to check on them or just to look at their sweet faces.  Grandparents don't get to see those sweet kids much if the parents or the grandparents lead a busy life.  If you stop by while in town..you either don't want to leave or you leave wishing you could have stayed longer. So....I take pictures. I take my own or I borrow what is posted of those great moments in life that Mom's and Dad's get to share with their kids.  Missing those great moments is tough but I'm sure it's not as tough as guiding those great kids through the world day to day.  Hope you enjoyed looking at two of the best kids in the world, Caleb and Morgan , but if you have kids or grandkids I'm sure they are the best too!

Is there anything that can make you smile faster than a baby?

Morgan Avery sure knows how to do it.

Land of the Free, home of the brave.........to my friend Nancy....you might want to play the Star Spangled Banner and My Country Tis of Thee at the tea room.   No telling how much longer you will able to before these songs are banned or replaced.  The people that we have elected to office have taken a giant leap towards Socialism..is  Dictatorship or Communism far behind?
This healthcare bill is a step towards socialized medicine.  Unlimited pay out?  No claims denied?  Forcing businesses to offer insurance to all employees?  Remember when insurance was a plus or an extra benefit offered?  Does the government think the insurance premiums aren't going to go through the roof with this?  What this country needs is LESS government.
The insurance companies have gone wild; auto and health.  Frivolous lawsuits have fueled the insurance companys ability to gouge everyone.  The discount healthcare cards are also a big waste of money for people looking for a break in the high cost of medical care.  I found out that procedures are cheaper if you tell the doctor/hospital that it is private pay instead of presenting one of those stupid cards.
Has anyone stopped to wonder why we find it necessary to punish rich people for living the American Dream?  Why are they responsible for funding medicare and social security?  Why should the percentage they are charged be different than what everyone else is charged?
We all stood by as they removed prayer and the pledge from our schools.  We stood by as they removed prayer from our sporting events.  We stood by when government gave themselves huge raises and removed themselves from the Social Security pool.  We stood by when we were warned that terrorists would attack us at home (before 911).  We stood by as illegal immigrants marched to Washington, demanding rights and waving foreign flags.  Is that what America has become....the country that "stood by"?

Come election day....will you just stand by?  We need some people with common sense in office....too bad they have too much common sense to run.

I leave you with the 4th verse of the Star- Spangled Banner: "O thus be it ever, when freeman shall stand, between their loved home, and the war's desolation; blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land, praise the power that hath made, and preserves us a Nation!  Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: In God, is our trust; And the Star-spangled Banner, in triumph shall wave, O'er the lad of the free, and the home of the brave"

Opening for Gretchen Wilson (then Dodge Arena)....couple years back.....Nothing better than hearing him sing.

Time Flys

Time Flys.....on Tuesday my son will be 29!!  Where did it all go?  Soccer, T-ball, Coach Pitch, kindergarten, grade school, jr. high, high school college....trials, troubles, good times and bad, girl friends, new love, lost love,one country band then another, moving out, girl friend, live in, new baby daughter, fiance', step father, son.  Thank you God for letting me be here to share, witness, teach, learn and love this amazing young man.  I hope you let me stay to see his family grow and age.

Miss Morgan Avery and I had a very nice one hour of alone time yesterday.  Got to do my first of what I hope will be many baby sitting duties.  Big brother Caleb had soccer practice and it was too messy for Morgie to tag along.  Hard to believe she will be one month old on Saturday.  I'm sure time will continue to fly by.

Changes

Things have changed!!! I have a new grand daughter!!!! So cute, so fluffy, so perfect...7.3 lbs, 19 1/2 inches, Miss Morgan Avery Baker made her appearance the evening of January 13, 2010 ..actually at 6:03p.m.  Now the hard part has been not pestering them to death to see her.  Course Caleb has been an awesome big brother and is still the fun loving little guy that I just love to squeeze!

The Lee Ann Womack fund raiser went pretty good.  The sound equipment worked great for Texas Heat and her but not so much for Joe Nichols....he was kind of a smart a... so think he kinda got his just due.

My new dog, Stitch, the French Bulldog, has adapted to Valley life pretty well.  He's a bit of chicken and kinda scared of Bill but he keeps us entertained with his goofy antics.

Post Holidays....

A cold crisp weekend has crept into the Valley. Ice in the bird bath, water trough, bath tub (rainwater catcher) and even on the hood of my truck.  Not something we see everyday here but it has been twice this winter.Of course it will warm up as it always does and we will be wishing for cooler weather again.  Amanda has been here almost since Thanksgiving. She went home for a week and came back for her truck, went home again and turned around 4 days later and asked to come home again.  First time in 6 years we've had her for both holidays and for so long.  Fattening her up a bit as she is not quite her "catching" weight anymore.  She cut her hair and it really looks cute cause it's not in a pony tail all the time now.  Ryan has been doing a few gigs and has a big one coming up on 1/20 when he will open for Lee Ann Womack and Joe Nichols.  It's an acoustic fund raiser for St.Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Can't wait as I love to hear him sing.  Caleb has been in a great mood around us all through the holidays; a great feat for a 4 year old!! Susie is ready for her baby to get here as we all are. She is such a sweet girl and a great Mom with Caleb.  She certainly keeps Ryan on his toes too.
Bill, Ryan,Caleb and our neighbor have gone off to the deer lease today. I think to just get away from it all mainly...but if they relax and have fun it's a weekend well spent.