Let the Festivities Begin

It almost seems like Christmas is tomorrow and not Thanksgiving. That's because we put all of our Christmas decorations up in preparation for a houseful for Thanksgiving. I know that sounds odd, and yet I just wanted to have ALL the decorations up for Christmas for Thanksgiving. (that really sounded odd). So we have a 9 ft tall tree in the living room, a 6 ft tall tree in the family room, garland and lights adorn the front stairway railing and the fireplace mantel and I just love it. I also was given a candle warmer (it warms and melts the candlewax and the smell permeates your home with no smoke or soot....plus the candles last longer and smell stronger). I have a "pumpkin pie" candle simmering in the warmer and I just LOVE it. Scott is placing the red flood light outside this evening to illuminate the front door with wreath and the front stoop with an antique runner sled......simple, but beautiful.

We have Scott's cousin and husband and 6 children coming this evening. They'll spend the night and head off for other relatives in the morning. We're sort of their pit stop. Their oldest child is 12 and their youngest is 2. Kris and Erik should really do a blog because their family is never without something to blog about. Whenever we go to their home Scott says that is the best form of birth control. We laugh. And then I think to myself how truly blessed is their quiver full of children. I often think what a blessing is my little quiver of 2....sometimes I wish the quiver were fuller (more full....i don't know the correct word....i'm sure someone will let me know...lol).

After Kris and Erik and family head out we'll have about 14 more coming. Scott's 2 brothers and their families, Scott's Mom and Dad, my mom and sister.....it will be interesting.

I read an article in Better Homes and Gardens which labeled family members. It was a riot. You have THE HOLIDAY SQUATTER (the relative who hangs around way too long), THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST (the family scorekeeper that always dredges up old insults, embarrassments, and disappointments), THE WEIGHT WATCHER (that relative who has lost 30 pounds and is hungry to share all her newfound nutritional knowledge as you fill up your buffet plate), THE TIPPLER (the one who has a few too many alcoholic beverages and loose lips that tells one too many off-color jokes), and THE YULE LOG (that relative that parks their butt in front of the TV and never engages in conversation).....so which one are you?

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your familes....we truly have a lot to be grateful for.

Hangers are like rabbits!

I'm convinced.....somehow these little wire contraptions that we use in everyday life are like rabbits. They breed and multiply and need a place of their own. At least in our household. Yesterday I was feeling a sort of organizational moving and I set forth to clean and organize my husband's and my walk-in closet. Stupid...that's all I can say. I had some sort of assanine idea that I could get the job done in just an hour or two. Well....5 hours later I still had a mess in my bedroom, hallway and anywhere else you can thinkof. And it's all because of those stupid hangers. No, not really but they are a nuisance.

It's probably because my husband gets his shirts laundered (he has an anal retentive part of his nature that demands crisply heavy starched collars and cuffs...which I can't possibly create with an iron and bottle of spray starch...so I don't even attempt it). Each week five of those little blue wire hangers make their way into our closet...that's 20 per month and 240 per year...But, I swear, I must have found about 500 of them, or so it seemed.....Envision being in an empty room with 2 rabbits and within a very short time you're surrounded by a gazillion of the white furry creatures and you're going insane!! Well that's kind of how I felt yesterday.

Then, fortunately, my sister Peggy came over and I was able to give her a bunch of hangers (she said she actually to go to the store to BUY some of them---she must have neutered or spayed hangers at her house) and a box of clothes that I just simply don't wear anymore and she was excited to receive them......what a joy for me....

I realized a few things after my day with the hangers:

1) We have way too much STUFF!

2) It feels really good to de-clutter and give STUFF away to people who will have use for it.

3) I detest too many hangers!!

Have a GREAT day and weekend!

Bleacher Butt has Begun!

It's already mid-November and I thought that we would have a nice little break between fall sports and winter sports. Not so. That little 2 week break went by way too quickly for my liking. Now we're full force into the basketball season. Sis will be playing on JV and Big Guy will be on the "B" squad.....

So the days become much longer for Scott because he waits at school until Sis is done practice which usually is around 6ish.....then add a shower and you guessed it they're not home until about 7:15....it makes for a long day. We're shopping for a third vehicle right now. Never thought we'd do that and yet it's almost a necessity. That way Scott won't have 13 hour days....only Sis will....

I have full confidence we'll find a great deal on a good pre-owned vehicle. My sister, Ruth Anne says that Scott always eats straw and craps gold. I always say that he can find a diamond in a goat's a**!! We're looking for safety and style. Sis will be getting Scott's Jeep Cherokee Laredo and Scott will be getting a new vehicle. Well, not new.....but new to him....

The first game of the season is next Tuesday....my butt will be numb by March....then it's a break (which won't seem like one, I'm sure) until track season starts.....Aaaahhhhh, life...it whizzes by.

The days are long and the years fly by.

Found Dog = Happy Boy

Well, Joe was found. Actually when Jake came home from school and was inconsolable I decided to take a trip to the Humane Society and see if anyone turned him in. You see, his tags weren't on his collar cuz I'm sure we don't have him licensed....

Scott and I were gonna just let it slide and tell the kids that he wasn't turned in....I know...you're thinking pretty mean parents, huh? I couldn't do it...and I know when Scott got home from work he wouldn't be able to let it slide either. Probably cuz we knew we were lying to the kids.

Well...they had already inputted Joe into the computer so it took $25 to free him from jail.....then I have until the 20th of November to prove that his rabies are up-to-date and that he is licensed. Probably another $75. Oh, well...it's just money. We probably would have been buying a new dog anyway.

Joe seemed a bit tired upon returning home. He's old (about 9 people years) and his little jaunt today probably wore him out....HHHmmmm....wonder what else he did during his time away? I can only imagine....

The Party's Over

Well, the Sweet 16 Birthday party went over well. Stef had 7 other 16 year olds there to celebrate her big day. She actually co-celebrated it with her friend, Sarah. They blew out 32 candles between them. They were laughing how the 32 lit candles lit up the room. I told them to wait until they're my age. They rented movies....scary ones and chick flicks....and then ended up going to bed at about 3 AM......a fun time was had by all, that's for sure...

Stef said in the car on Sunday, "Wow!! I'm almost 17 now, Mom!!" I said...just enjoy your 16th year and don't wish your life away. Geez...I think I heard that one from my parents when I was her age.

One of Stef's gifts was a navy blue cardigan sweater. They were laughing that they'd have to sing the song from Mr. Rogers everytime she wore it. Instead I thought of my dad...cuz every Christmas someone would buy him a new navy blue cardigan sweater....

And...if you could...please keep our dog Joe in your thoughts....he got out this morning and hasn't returned. Of course, his new collar didn't have his name or phone number on it. I'm sure after school there will be one sad little boy.

Sweet 16 and never been.........better!!

At the nudging of my sister Peggy I'm posting a comment today about my daughter, Stefanie. Tomorrow, November 4th is her 16th birthday. Above are some pictures of her (she's the one in every photo with the huge cheesy smile and blonde very curly hair). Peg said I should post about my 16th birthday and then about Stef's. To be real honest, I can't remember much about my 16th birthday. I only remember I was a sophomore, in the middle of track season and probably VERY consumed by boys (or trying to obtain a boy) and getting my driver's license and what party to go to on Friday night. That was pretty much my life at that time.....Stef seems different...perhaps because I'm her mother and I see it from a different perspective. And yet in some ways it seems the same....

SAME: sophomore year and consumed with getting her driver's license.
DIFFERENT: the start of the basketball season, NOT consumed with boys or trying to obtain a boy and NOT what party to go to on Friday night

Stef seems more different than I was at this age. She seems to think deeper and think less of herself. She's realized after her most recent breakup with her boyfriend of 7 months that she doesn't need a guy to complete her. She realized that she didn't have any regrets about things she did with him because her standards were set so high and that true love waits......She's realized that friends will ALWAYS be there. She's discovered that dating is too complicated and she'll pass on that until she's ready to have God lead her to her future spouse. She's taught her mother a lot about forgiveness and unconditional love.

I've learned that she's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She's a blessing in my life that I am very thankful for.

Last week, a Mary Kay friend of mine lost her 24 year old son in a single car accident. This was the email message we all received from her:

Hello Area - it is w/a heavy heart I write you tonight. Today I was
notified that my 24 yr/o son Russell was killed in a car accident. It has
been a day of mourning, prayer and phone calls. I'm sorry to let you know
in an email, but it's a blessing too to let you all know so easily. When
the 3 fully uniformed Coast Guard guys came to my doorstep - I knew. As
strange as this seems, my very 1st thought was "I'm so grateful!" Russ had
become so close to his Savior this past year and was faithful in the Word
and prayer. God is faithful and good - Russ made it "home" safe. He was to
be the best man at his brother's wedding on Nov 11... but now he is at the
wedding feast that we can only imagine! We are leaning on God's promises
and can feel the prayers that have already begun for our family. Time is
short - I've said it for years and I'm so grateful that I had 24 wonderful
years w/my precious son. I stayed home w/him (thank you God for the vehicle
Mary Kay) his entire childhood and was able to travel extensively w/him and
visit him often during his Coast Guard years.(thanks again God for giving
me the money and the time). The years have flown by - the Bible tells us
that our life is "but a mist" - I pray that through this tragedy in our
family, you will see God's love and faithfulness shining through... and
realize that our eternity offered freely through Jesus is truly "what
counts"! sharon

Now, I know that I, too am grateful for the vehicle of Mary Kay so I could be a stay-home Mom with Stefanie and Jake. I don't know if I could have written such a beautiful email after hearing such tragic news of my child's death. But then again, are they really our children or are they the Lord's and we're given stewardship of them? I've had 16 years with Stefanie.....16 wonderful years. I love her so much and pray that I will be able to enjoy MANY more years with her.

Thanks for tuning in.....