Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Tale of 2 Boys...







OK....  what was I thinking?  I actually said "Yes".  I told my dear husband that he could buy MY BABY a motorcycle for Christmas.  I said he could buy himself one too.  I really must be STUPID.    I made them buy all kinds of body armor.  That boy is strapped into several layers of gear.  I am surprised that he can move those arms.  Yep, we must protect those precious little monkey arms and chicken legs.

But, when I saw the joy on his face when he figured out the gift, priceless.  He looked at me with those big brown eyes of his and said..."this is the best Christmas ever".   I was hooked.  I gave him the keys to my heart and mini-van.  Now, BABY.....  you must stay 12 forever.  AMEN.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Naughty List......



Yesterday, I attempted to take some Christmas Card pics.   This is what I got.  My little "angels" gave me their best.   This picture sums up the experience.   At least, I love those 3 and think they are cute. Yesterday afternoon, I might have sold all 3 and their Christmas presents for a one-way ticket to Barbados alone.  

 So, for the first time in 17 years............No Christmas Cards will be sent at our house.   If by chance you are a friend reading this blog and want a little something to do......run get your address book and change our zip code to 75033.   Merry Christmas from us.  Look for a card and family update at another time.

p.s....  the twisted part of my personality really likes this card.  The cheap side of my personality didn't want to spend the money & time on processing and mailing it at such short notice.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Guess who I know?





 Yes, not only do I know Santa Claus,  I know his 3 brothers too.  
Merry Christmas from me and the boys.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Tiger Hates Tramp. The End.



No, that isn't snow coming down.  I just need to clean the window.

Our cat, Tiger, hates Tramp.   They have a relationship similiar to Garfield and Odie.  Tiger lives to make Tramp miserable.  He lives to taunt and ignore.  Tramp just wants to please and be a friend.  Tiger doesn't need friends.  Tiger doesn't want friends.  He is about 16 years old in human years.  That makes him a geriatric patient at the cat hospital.  Tiger, however, has been drinking from the fountain of youth for quite some time now.  He lives life to the fullest.  He goes out nightly in search of his prey.  He frequently brings them home.......for a late night snack.  Our yard is literally pest free.  The neighborhood bunnies, squirrels and mice know that our little postage stamp of a yard contains the scariest cat on the block.  Tiger is about 13 pounds of hair and attitude.  If the truth were known about how many lives he has lived.....He has about 8 more to run with.  



"

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Pumpkin Bread……with or without cranberries & pecans.


I received a threatening post from the Cajun this afternoon.  She threatened to start visiting my BFF"S blog more frequently if I didn't change up the post and do something without cranberries.   Yea, like Ree would notice the new Cajun from Lousiania.   She hasn't even noticed the Redneck Texan yet.

I have to apologize to the cajun now…….sorry.  This post was next on the old blogging block.  







My son BEGS for this stuff!  He absolutely loves pumpkin bread.  He loves it even more with cranberries.   I make it for him year round.  UNFORTUNATELY,  It is difficult to find fresh cranberries in the summer and craisins just aren't a good substitute.  It is delicious either way.




PS…..  If you bake with the cranberries it may need to go for a few minutes longer.









A mom just can't say no to those puppy dog eyes.








Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Merry Christmas Subway Art.!!



 Lately, I have been seeing "subway art" inspired posters and prints everywhere.  If any of you would like this for yourself.....  just leave a comment with your e-mail and I will send it to you.  Think of it as a gift from me.  You can frame it for yourself or a friend.   Just process it as an 8x10 for the best color. Ok...so I am feeling kinda proud of myself.  I actually accomplished something this morning!  I  made subway art for Christmas.....it confused my husband.   
I truly have my merry on today. 










Wednesday, December 7, 2011

MY CHRISTMAS PRAYER.

Lord, this Christmas open my eyes to the needs of people around me.  Give me a burden and a compassion for hurting people, for people who need you.  Lead me to someone who is hurting, needy, dying, hungry, who needs your love, your work in their life, who needs someone to care for them, someone to demonstrate your love to them, someone to lead them to you.  And then give me the will to act, to reach out.  Give me the willingness to sacrifice my own pleasure, my comfort, my security my time, even my own well-being so that you might transform the life of that one person for your glory.   Amen.








That prayer was in our bulletin last Sunday morning at Church.  This video fits in perfectly with it.  Merry Christmas to all you you in blogger land.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Handmade Poptarts..... Grab the toaster oven now!!

Poptart anyone???

I found the cutest little gadget at my favorite store this summer.  Yep, Williams Sonoma had a sale.  Their pop-tart cutter was marked down to 4.99.  Who am I to argue with a 50% markdown?  Lets just talk about how amazing and deceptively easy to use and whip up a batch.  Don't you think it looks like I spent some serious time here?  Wrong-o my friends!  Well, maybe just a little bit of time.......

The details include.......Make the dough. Yes, I made the dough using a recipe off of the side of the flour bag.   Chill.  Cut. Stuff with jelly. Bake.  Drizzle with pink icing from a can and add some snazzy sprinkles.  YUm...YUM....  C.G. and his buddy, B.M. were loving them in spite of their offensive coloring.

So, I should make more this weekend.........  How does pumpkin sound?   


Now that I look at that picture.....doesn't it look like an ant is on top of the frosting???  EWWW!!!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

It worked!! Amazingly Easy Caramels.

Like the majority of stay at home moms these days......  I have been spending a small portion my day wasting time on Pinterest.  Yes, I am willing to admit that it is "kinda-sorta" a big waste of my day.   But, it has more potential for doing good around the house than Facebook does!!!   I love to peruse the outfits that are put together and dream of wearing them and, of course,  I always look amazing.  (Don't forget this is my day-dream.)   I love to look at all of the projects I could make and pictures I could take.  Who doesn't right??  And don't let me forget all of the decorating ideas that I pinned on my Holiday board.  This brings me to all the cooking ideas.......WOW!   This place really lets me channel my inner Martha Stewart.....just without all of the embezzling.    Now Bedazzling........  that is a whole other story.  BRING ON THE GLITTER BABY!!!!!


Let me get back to that cooking stuff.  I found this recipe for making caramels in the microwave.  I needed to justify my love for Pinterest.  I had about 6 minutes to spare and all the necessary ingredients.  This stuff blew me away with the easy factor.   It might be amazing to layer it in some brownies or  bar cookie.   Maybe some apple pie????   The yum factor here is above a 10!!!   I might be giving this stuff as gifts to teachers and friends.  


Here goes....


1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Combine that together in a microwavable dish.  (I used a large batter bowl.)
Heat for 6 minutes and stir every 2 minutes.

Stir again and pour into a lightly greased dish.

Let cool and cut into pieces and wrap individually into wax paper squares.  I wonder if parchment paper would be better?





Enjoy......  Merry Christmas!  From me and Pinterest.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

A Thanksgiving Classic............

A year or so on facebook...the lovely Julie H. commented on a post of mine about making Thanksgiving dinner.   I mentioned that this stuff was a staple at our house.  I like it just because I can forget about it and worry about something else that needs to be baking.  I found the recipe in a Southern Living magazine and adopted it as mine.  Some might call it plagairism.  I call it MINE.  You decide..............




CROCK POT DRESSING...
Ona’s Slowcooker Cornbread Dressing

4 ½ cups cornbread crumbs (I typically make cornbread the day before.)
1 (16 oz) pkg herb stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farm)
2 (10 3/4) oz cans cream of chicken soup
2 (14 oz) cans low sodium chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon rubbed sage  (sometimes I forget to buy this stuff..)
½ teaspoon salt – (I always use kosher sea salt)
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter, cut up

Stir everything together in a LARGE bowl. Pour it into a large lightly greased crockpot & dot it with the butter.
Cook, covered, on low for about 4 hours or until cooked through & set.



so easy...so yummy...and it totally leaves the oven ready for something else!!!!!     Don't forget the slow-cooker liner and you will avoid clean-up too!!!!!   Oh yeah!

It might have been nicer if that picture of my crock pot showed the actual dressing.  I think I was just bored with a camera last year........  I  also think I should have washed the outside a little bit better.


**** 11/27/2014 edit   This year I altered it just a bit and made the stuffing even more amazing.  I cooked a tube of Jimmy Dean sausage and added it to the stuffing along with about a half can of chicken broth.   No words can describe how remarkably amazing the stuffing is with this small change of BIG FLAVOR.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Would someone please make this for me?

Ok,  last week on GMT they had a girl on there making appetizers.  She made this and all the teens in the audience were going crazy for this stuff.  This stuff is all I have been thinking of when I am in the kitchen or grocery store.  I am avoiding it.  I think it might be amazing and I am afraid to go there.  Anything with BACON!!!!!

Here goes............

Get a brownie pan and layer this stuff in it.

1 brick of cream cheese....softened and spread out.
1 jar of pumpkin butter
crumbled bacon
green onions
toasted pecans

I saw a bag of "Stacy's Pita Chips" at Sams yesterday.  They were gingerbread flavored.  Would that work?
Wheat thins might also be a good one to dip into it.

Someone?  Please?  Make this and let me know!!



11/29/11....... Here is the official picture of that madness.  It was awesome.  It was different.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Broccoli-Cheese Chowder!


This is another one of those amazing comfort foods I crave when it starts getting cooler.   My kids love it.  Yes, they eat broccoli.  They also eat asparagus and mushrooms.  (Yes, I am bragging here!)

1/2 stick of butter 
1 onion, chopped

saute this together.  
Add about 6 small portabella mushrooms, chopped.  
Stir it around for a few minutes.

Add a can of chicken broth and heat.
chop a small package of velveeta and add.
Dump in a can of cream of mushroom.

Keep stirring occassionally.  
Cook a bag of "steamFresh Broccoli" and chop finely.

Add the broccoli to the soup stuff.  Add some 1/2 & 1/2 or maybe about a half cup of milk if you need some extra liquidy goodness.  Heat until serving time.

Top it with some chopped bacon.  Yum!

Friday, November 11, 2011

What I want to do............




This is what I want to do right now.  I don't want to sort those horrible socks.  I don't want to sweep for the umpteenth time today.  I don't want to be a big girl today.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cinnamon Roll Birthday Pancakes!!





Can you say "YUMMO!!"  This past week little Mr. C.G. had his 12th birthday.  We were so overwhelmed with school, band, baseball games, homework and the world series that he didn't get to open presents until 2 days after the fact.  What does this say about our lifestyle?   Obviously, We need to hire a live-in housekeeper and chef.  I will find an "Alice" immediately!   (Brady Bunch reference there..)  Now taking applications.......

This morning, C.G. and his sister woke up and begged for Cinnamon Roll pancakes.  Beware of these babies.  They will cost you some major calories.  The good news is you will get major bonus points in the cool mom category.   We all know that those points don't come too easily.   These little babies are amazing.  These little babies are the next best thing to the cinnamon rolls I made last month.  Too many of these babies and you get to shop for new clothes in a bigger size........

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes........
1 1/2 c flour
3 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
4 t. baking powder
1 T. cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
1 T. corn syrup
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 T. vanilla

Mix all that together and cook like pancakes on a griddle.  (someday, I might try these in the waffle press..... ???)

Combine this stuff and drizzle.....
butter, softened 1/4 cup
powder sugar, 1 cup
maple syrup, 1 T.
Milk   1/4 cup

Because lil C.G. is a syrup snob;  He won't use Aunt Jemima on his pancakes anymore.  He prefers the good stuff on top............  MAPLE SYRUP.  He drizzles some of that too.  Heaven Help Me NOW..... I have created a little monster.   Please forgive me future wife of his.  :)  He is pretty darn cute, tho!!!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY C.G. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


(P.S.   Tiger loves you too. )

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Peanut Butter Crisis...........

Just one bite.......?

The other night I heard on the news that the prices of peanut butter were going to triple at the end of the week.  This bothered me.   Immensely!   Yes, some people are concerned about national debt & the next election.   Others are concerned about preservatives in our food.  What got me was the simple fact that we were almost out of peanut butter........well, that and I needed to mail my daughter her retainer.  Immmediately, I drove over to  WallyWorld and bought 8 brand-spankin- new jars of Jif.  (Yeah, Choosy Mothers Choose Jif.)   Seriously, 8 jars.  One of them is still rolling around inside the mini-van.....  

I immediately whipped up a big batch of p.b. cookies for  Miss C.   We all know that college girls need fresh home-made cookies to share around the dorm.  I found this recipe online at another site and modified just a little.   Some people might say I  "kicked them up a notch."  These little babies are called....   "Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness".  The recipe makes an ever-lovin' ton of cookies....and they mailed really well after I wrapped them individually in saran wrap and laid inside an air filled ziplock bag.  Here is the recipe...........


3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
2 sticks butter, room temp.
6 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Vanilla
2 Whole eggs
1 bag of Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 bag of Semi -sweet chips

Combine it all at bake at 375* for about 10 minutes if you are using a stone  like I do...Enjoy!!
But try to make them smaller...they are amazingly rich and it will help justify that second cookie.

Maybe I should make another peanut butter run?????





Sunday, October 16, 2011

Taco Soup.....for you C.G.



Ok, baby...........

Go buy about a pound or two of hamburger meat....Brown it with a onion and a small amount of garlic if you have it.  Otherwise, don't worry.

Drain off all the greasy meat juice.  You can rinse the meat if you have a colander.

Put it back into the large stock pot  (pan).

Add :

2 cans of petite-diced tomatoes
1 can of mild Rotel tomatoes
2 cans of corn or hominy, drained
2 cans of beans.......(either ranch, red kidney or black)
1 small can of diced green chili's
1 can of beef broth

a package of taco seasoning....mild
1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning

Mix it all together and re-heat on low........serve with chips, cheese and sour cream.

*You can also add some water if it gets too thick while it is heating.

Invite over a lot of friends.  This makes a ton.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hate..........

 I hate licorice.  I hate root beer.  I hate the taste of wintergreen and spearmint.  I hate profanity.  I hate sorting socks (maybe that is why I prefer wearing flip-flops???)   I hate Subway.  I hate un-necessary laziness.   I hate the smell of sourcrout.   I hate dust-bunnies.  I hate pre-concieved thoughts and emotions.  I hate assumptions.  I hate gossip.  I hate the smell of burnt cheese (cause that is what is going on inside my oven today.)  I really hate rush hour traffic.


Why am I doing this post?  I want to clarify to myself why I am here on this earth.  I am here to be true to my convictions about what is right and wrong.   I am here to give my children a good life filled with a Christ-filled upbringing. I am here to feed my children and  make sure the dog gets fed in the process.  Beyond that..........  let us all just breathe in and out.  AMEN.  Everything else.....just a bonus check.


I love a good penguin................   This guy is at the Ft. Worth Zoo.  He was sitting in the window!!!

Monday, October 3, 2011

BOA on Saturday! (READ THIS PLEASE C.G.)

For those of you that are not into the world of band...let me tell you about it.  Last Saturday...(all day & night)  an event was held here in the  DFW metroplex called BOA. BOA means "Bands of America".  Apparently, it is a prestigous contest which is held statewide and ends nationally.  This is a yearly event and most of the shows are quite entertaining and beautiful to watch.  Our little 4A high school competed this weekend.  We were the smallest to perform!  That makes me laugh since we are marching close to 150 kids.  It takes 6 extra large school buses and 1 1/2 Semi-Tractor-Trailers to move us around.   

This years show is called "The Midas Touch".  It is the most incredible performance to date that I have seen Mr. Miller put together.  Basically, King Midas runs around the field as the band plays.  He is angry and vengeful.  He turns the complete band to gold.  The kids strip off their navy jumpsuits and jackets behind large screens and are magically turning gold as they are marching.  The colorguard girls are transformed to gold as well.

Speaking of precious metals.............Look what our crew brought home!   Yep, all their hard work paid off!!!

I am proud to say my children are all a part of this program.  Thank you too all the directors, teachers, staff and students who made it possible.






My baby, M.G. is in the front row here.  She is the pretty one in gold.

This is the full retreat which is at the end of a BOA finals.   We are on the far right.  My baby is in gold............  :)



The next part of this blog post is a copy of an email sent to the parents this morning from our director.. It explains the philosophy of the program and what is taught.    I think they are doing a fabulous job of teaching these kids about life, sportsmanship, respect, goals and hard work.  Kudos to the staff at WHS!!!



Dear WHS Band Parents,
As we settle into the competitive season, I feel it's important to address our philosophy on competition, show design, and what makes the Wakeland Band a special place. Many of you have emailed me some great questions. This is a bit of a catch-all, as well as an introduction to the new parents/students...
It's incredibly important for our kids to be honored in every way possible. In a society that's constantly rating/ranking our kids and their abilities, we feel it is vitally important for them to understand that this ranking/rating process is not a static one. Each week during October, our students are being assessed by a panel of adjudicators who take a very subjective art form and assign it a rank among other schools' artistic visions of a marching show. At Wakeland, we make it our goal not to discuss "beating" other schools, but about performing better than our last show. If you have a chance to watch our post-show talks, you'll often see me ask the student-performers to hold up their hand/hat if this was their best show of the year. I've told them that, in a "perfect season", every performer should raise their hat every week. Of course, that is unattainable. This is how we learn to do better...and I feel that it applies to real life as well. When they're in the business world, or law, or medicine, and are asked to file a report, defend a client, or perform a procedure, they should set their goal on doing it as good/better than the last time they did it. I'm sure that those of you in management know that employees like this are a rare find in today's world of "one-and-done".
I've told the students to wear their medals to school tomorrow, as I think it's a nice gesture to show the rest of the Wakeland community what we're doing while not rehearsing, going to class, studying, or supporting our football team. But at 4:15pm tomorrow, the medals will go away, and we will begin again with another set of goals for the Birdville Contest this weekend. The staff works carefully to set achievable goals, and we constantaly remind our students how close/far they are from attaining each goal for the week.
When it comes to design, as you look at other shows, you notice that what we do is quite different from many other bands. We have always believed that a quality show should tell a story. I suppose it's like history. We could learn just facts, figures, numbers, and dates OR we can learn the story BEHIND the story. Since 2006, our goal has been to tell a compelling story - from the process of becoming a butterfly, to a game of chess, to a day in the life of a marching band performer, these are our stories and this is our history. So, when you're at a contest and people say, "oh, that's Wakeland", please know that what it means to them is that we are different. There are a few others who share our approach, and many of them are the very best of the best, but as the season progresses, you'll notice the chasm between those who communicate and those who play for points. Given a choice, I would always rather be the most memorable show. I would rather our students have the opportunity to make people think, to make them smile, and to make them wonder. Artistically, these are values that we feel define our program. If we can make our judges think, smile, and wonder - well, the points will come along quickly.
Many of you asked me to share my thoughts on Saturday after viewing the final recap. I spend lots of time staring at recaps, so here's my opinion so far. On Saturday, we performed really well in the Effect captions. These are the hardest captions to do well in. They have to do with the design of the show - how all the elements work together - and how the kids perform "emotionally". The 3 effect judges had us in 4th, 4th, and 9th places. That's a great start. We also did fairly well in the Music Performance and Visual Performance captions that are judged from the press box (13th in Music and 9th in Visual). At this point, if you see it like I do, you're wondering how we're not in 7th or 8th place. The reason we weren't ranked higher has to do with the final two judges. These judges are on the field, and they look at our individual students' marching/playing abilities. We ranked 29th and 31st in these areas of 33 bands. We won't have any more on-field judges this year, but it's certainly a sign of what areas need work - individual performers. That's why our rehearsals are always performer-focused - it's important that we raise the level of the individual performer so that it matches what you're seeing/hearing upstairs.
Early on in the season, I would always rather judges have us ranked higher in the Effect and Ensemble (upstairs) captions. The downstairs captions will come with time and training. Adding more effect is a HARD thing to do; thankfully, we are clear there. Cleaning drill and music is what we were born to do in high school marching band; this will be our task over the final 25 rehearsals of the season.
So, I hope I've not rambled on too much, and I hope my explanation makes some sense. Of all the UIL 4A groups we saw, we're on top by a healthy margin, but trust me that we have "awakened sleeping dragons" in some of these cases. We need to make sure we're working hard to stay on top for the next 5 weeks.
Thanks again for all you do.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

to prove I am thrifty........


I found the above cork boards at the local goodwill for 5 dollars apiece.  They really weren't even worth that for a bulletin board.  The frames were chipping and falling apart.  BUT, totally worth it for this memory board project.  WHY oh WHY would I pay the full price for something that will be covered??




They look pretty snazzy now!!!   Some ribbons, a few yards of fabric, some COVERED buttons  with a ton of staples and duck tape on the back........I am feeling mighty crafty!!   

Monday, September 26, 2011

George of the Jungle Muffins.


These muffins were named a long time ago when we had to give all the food served a special name.  Little Miss M.G. required it to eat.  Seriously!  If I named everything on her plate...she just might eat it.  BBQ...became "Special Meat"  Ranch Beans......were always called "Cowgirl Beans".  So any kind of chili or soup contained "Cowgirl Beans".   

She had a love for the movie.."George of the Jungle"  M.G. would run around the house or any store thumping her chest and do the Tarzan call.  It was quite hysterical and we loved it!  Maybe when M.G. reads this post she will do it for me???  Please???!!!  There was a certain road-trip to Colorado when we watched that movie literally the entire day.  We quote lines from it to this day.    "Watch out for that tree!"  "George look pretty good in Armani.....pretty darn good!"  "George have stirring of special feelings...right now."   I will be watching that movie this afternoon....

In the meantime........we must eat "George of the Jungle Muffins"  YUMMM!!!!!    

1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts  (optional)
1 cup mashed overripe bananas  (3 medium)
1/4 cup of vegetable oil or applesauce..(I can't tell the difference!)
2 eggs

Stir it all together by hand until the liquid is absorbed.
Pour into a greased muffin tins.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes...
or use a loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.

Glaze it.........with
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla or coconut extract
milk or orange juice
small amount of butter

combine that and drizzle over hot bread......YUMMM!!!


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Skin in NYC......

As mentioned last week...I have been fortunate enough to visit NYC three times since 9/11.  These pictures demand to be posted as typical skin sightings you will see on Times Square...

The Green & Blue Corona Kids....



Bruce Willis's Head!!!!!




Jumping for Cancer Awareness.  My girls learned here that black men really shouldn't wear tighty whitey's alone at night on Times Square.








And lastly....but certainly not least.....  THE NAKED COWBOY!!!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11....... a decade later.



10 years ago today...  I was walking home from the local elementary school.   I had left them in the arms of a safe world as I knew it.  I was walking home to wake up my baby and enjoy a typical Tuesday morning with him.  True, a Tuesday morning filled with laundry and the general load of stuff that all stay-at home moms truly loathe.  Nonetheless, it was a Tuesday.

We all know what I saw the minute I walked into the door.  The shock as I saw how a simple 20 minutes can change a persons world.  I remember thinking that it must have been a huge pilot error.  I remember how that thought changed the minute I saw the second plane crash into the other tower.  
To the best of my knowledge......prayers started going throu' my mind.  Prayers for the people running in fear and shock.  Prayers for the people already dead.  Prayers for the families.  Prayers for our Nation that was already in a state of shock and numbness.  Then there were the prayers for my family...knowing that all were safe at school and work.  I felt a general sad-ness that day knowing some families weren't so lucky.

Since then, I have been blessed to visit NYC 3 times.  Yeah, I am a lucky girl.   But not in the sense the you may be thinking.......I am lucky to have most about anything I want and need.  I am lucky to have amazing children.  I am lucky to have a great husband.  All of whom I love unconditionally.  All of whom are in good health and have strong values and commitments to the Lord above.

Many people say that Christ wasn't around when those two tower fell.   I disagree here.  The above cross was found in the carnage as they removed debris from ground zero.   Christ was there.  If those 2 plane had hit the towers just an hour later.......  most of the workers would have been in their offices.  Most of the morning traffic would have been going strong.  The casualty list would have more that doubled.  Christ was there.  He protected so much more than was lost.  He was there within the hearts of families and fellow Americans who stepped up and gave anything and everything they had to help with our grieving nation.  Christ was there and I seek comfort in that.  

I am a lucky girl.  





Saturday, September 3, 2011

last night.....

Week One.  Game One.  WHS vs. Rockwall Heath.  Our fearless Wolverines lost the game to themselves. I think the boys should have won.  They fumbled in the last minute of the game and lost 20/14....or at least that is what I think happened!  I really didn't care too much.  I was there to watch the band and their line of beautiful color-guard girls.  There was one in particular I had my eye on........  YEP.  Lil' Miss M.G.  This is the one who  shall be called Petunia someday.  LOVE HER!!!

She is on the left with her home-girl.....C.S.
Let me say..... Watch out world!



The dress of the night....white tinkerbell dresses.  So Cute!!


Warm-ups


She was all smiles the entire night!!!!!

GO BAND!!!!! 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Random-ness.......


Yes, this is real.  Yes.... a local establishment.  
No...not where I get my chainsaw repaired.


Enough Said.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

a letter from a friend...


Yesterday afternoon, I found this e-mail from a dear friend in my in-box.  She too said her goodbye's to her daughter this week.  She wrote this down as a way to give her girl to the Lord's capable hands for guidance and direction.  The stuff that only HE can do when the parents trust in HIS ways.  Enjoy and may it help someone else as it helped me.


Dear  Beautiful G.G. (God-seeking Girlfriend),
My heartbeat accelerated and I realized I was holding my breath. My sunglasses were securely in place. Sticky perspiration matted the back of my blouse.  “Where is she? Where is she?” kept running through my mind. I was slightly slouched in my Mommy White Minivan when suddenly – I SAW HER! “Oh thank you Lord!” She was safe and having an animated conversation with someone who looked relatively normal and sweet. Immediately, slouching lower in my seat, I muttered, “Don’t catch me, please don’t catch me.” 
We had moved my oldest daughter into her dorm room the day before, and I was on my third drive-by at the University of Arkansas. “Oh Lord, please don’t let her catch me,” I begged. I really did have legitimate reasons to drive through the campus three times. No… Really…. Well, legitimate in my mind.
Faith and continuous prayer have been my most constant companions for a week and a half since my baby girl has moved out. That sickly ball of fear that plagued my stomach for the last month seems to be growing smaller. I haven’t cried today… yet. I know the job of parenting her is not finished, but it feels like I’ve been fired.  
Then I realized. My faith is so small. I actually had to ‘see’ my baby to relieve my fearfulness. In Jeremiah God reminds us that He has a plan for our children and for us:
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
 However; God asks us to have faith in Him without having to ‘see’ Him. Peter tells us:
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8 NIV
Even though Peter was telling believers to have faith when they couldn’t see Jesus, Peter knew firsthand how difficult that could be. Remember when Jesus walked on the water and Peter said. If it’s really you, I want to walk on water too. 
 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:28-30 NIV
Peter could see Jesus, and yet His faith faltered. 
This made me ponder:
  • In what other areas of my life does my faith falter? Why?
  • Do I have less faith when God’s plan doesn’t match up with “my” plan?
  • List five ways in which God has been faithful.

So, the Bible tells us that God has a plan for us and for our children. It also says that if we will believe in Him even when we can’t see Him we can have glorious JOY! Right…Easy to say-harder to do, especially when you have just been fired from a job that you love (most of the time) and have been working diligently, persistently, and doggedly for the past 18 years. “Lord, when will I feel that glorious Joy?” and then He whispered to my spirit, “Have Faith”.
God has been faithful. I don’t know what He has in store my children. They are His. I just get to be the caretaker for a certain time period. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t have a bit of fun while I’m the caretaker. Do you think a different pair of sunglasses might work?
Have Faith Beautiful Ones.
G.G.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Livin' the SFA Way!!!!!!!

This week has been a huge week for our little family.   Our baby girl....the lovely C.G. (who shall be renamed Penelope someday)  packed her bags and left for college.   I know she was ready to leave....but was the big scary world of SFA ready for her.???  I'll let you judge for yourself here.... :)


I think we could have squeezed  a few more things into the grey cave here......maybe more shoes.  BTW.....thanks for the opportunity to get new ones LAWRENCE.  (typically, I like to use initials and protect the reputation of the innocent....not in this case)   I can't wait to see what comes her way on Black Friday.... BABy.....don't forget mommy-dearest loves you and wears a size 9 1/2.


Do you think lil miss C.G. could get more excited?  Doubtful.  But that is her trademark pose.  She can be quite the little goof-ball.  But we do love her dearly.....as any parent would.


Home Sweet Home....for the next few years.


Dorm Sweet Dorm for the next year......This is a freshman only hall. She resides in the right tower on the back side........  It is 10 stories tall and complete with elevators and a matching one on the left side.  FYI.....BOYS LIVE HERE TOO!!!!  :(

She was so excited here....look she is about to wiggle off that bunk.  NICE.
I have some black padded memory boards ready to mount on either side of that Audrey Hepborne poster.  They were incomplete at the time of the move.  I finished them last night....and let me just brag on my crafty self...they do look amazing.  


Good Luck with Life Baby GURLLLL...and always remember to make good choices.  You know mommy and daddy love you always.   Now AX'em Jacks and Live the SFA WAY!!!!!


p.s......  "could you 'pleaseprettyplease' call me occasionally?  XOXOXOXO"