Friday, December 28, 2007
Nativity
Our first Nativity. The kids could play with this one.
South Western Nativity
Willow Tree Nativity. My Christmas gift this year. Notice how I set it up.
Deep concentration
Yep, much better! The focus of the figurines is now The Christ Child; our reason for having this celebration.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Need Ear Plugs
I know, with out a doubt, that in spite of my Grandfather's lack of hearing, my Grandmother did not cook Christmas Dinner listening to The X-Men at window shattering volumes on surround sound. Just gotta love having my man home.
So far the sausage balls look good and the red velvet cake does too. Course the cake is still in the separate 3 layers with out the icing yet. Icing and stacking is usually when the cake wins and I lose. Unlike my Grandmother though I will serve it anyway. Lopsided or not, it's hard to pass up cream cheese icing.
If you'd like go to U-tube and type in Kylie plays Silent Night. That is my niece playing piano in the mall. From there you can find my extended family singing to me We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Great people. Wish I was with them. Sorry I don't know how to link you over. It is worth the trip if you have time.
Merry Christmas again! If you see me in the next day or two don't be offended if I mostly say, HUH?!
So far the sausage balls look good and the red velvet cake does too. Course the cake is still in the separate 3 layers with out the icing yet. Icing and stacking is usually when the cake wins and I lose. Unlike my Grandmother though I will serve it anyway. Lopsided or not, it's hard to pass up cream cheese icing.
If you'd like go to U-tube and type in Kylie plays Silent Night. That is my niece playing piano in the mall. From there you can find my extended family singing to me We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Great people. Wish I was with them. Sorry I don't know how to link you over. It is worth the trip if you have time.
Merry Christmas again! If you see me in the next day or two don't be offended if I mostly say, HUH?!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
It's Official
Baking and cooking are not my thing! I spent hours in the kitchen the other day, excited to finally have the time to make goodies. Every year I set out to make a plateful of goodies for my friends. Always with the idea of it being a simple inexpensive way to remember people that are special to me. After several flops at several different things I gave up and went to bed.
I whined to my husband about the failure and pondered how in the world my Grandmother managed to do all she did. I was reminded that she too stayed up into the wee hours of the morning. If she were still here on earth I'd ask how old she was when she finally began to get it right on a regular basis.
The next morning I managed to get a good batch of fudge and a cake baked. Then I had more fun making penguins out of olives and cream cheese. (no cooking involved) So I packed up my cake, penguins, and fudge on the same plate and took them to work. I was so proud... until I unwrapped my gift. The fudge had melted a bit and the cake smelled odd to me. I didn't stick around for them to cut it.
So, a baker I am not.
I also came to terms with the fact that I absolutely hate to cook. I have struggled with this for years. When I manage to get a good meal to the table I feel great about myself. It just doesn't come easy for me; it is a lot of work. My husband and daughter can turn out a meal as if it were nothing; and it always taste great. I have to continue to cook like it or not. Our survival kind of sort of depends on it. Advance planning makes a huge difference. (Great post about this at A Day In the Life of A Preacher's Wife; in my side bar.)
My husband has placed a perfect omelet in front of me so I will stop the whining and enjoy.
Fortunately, I do like to clean. It's a good thing, since my daughter and husband do not. You should see my kitchen, I don't look until after I have enjoyed my meal. ;)
I whined to my husband about the failure and pondered how in the world my Grandmother managed to do all she did. I was reminded that she too stayed up into the wee hours of the morning. If she were still here on earth I'd ask how old she was when she finally began to get it right on a regular basis.
The next morning I managed to get a good batch of fudge and a cake baked. Then I had more fun making penguins out of olives and cream cheese. (no cooking involved) So I packed up my cake, penguins, and fudge on the same plate and took them to work. I was so proud... until I unwrapped my gift. The fudge had melted a bit and the cake smelled odd to me. I didn't stick around for them to cut it.
So, a baker I am not.
I also came to terms with the fact that I absolutely hate to cook. I have struggled with this for years. When I manage to get a good meal to the table I feel great about myself. It just doesn't come easy for me; it is a lot of work. My husband and daughter can turn out a meal as if it were nothing; and it always taste great. I have to continue to cook like it or not. Our survival kind of sort of depends on it. Advance planning makes a huge difference. (Great post about this at A Day In the Life of A Preacher's Wife; in my side bar.)
My husband has placed a perfect omelet in front of me so I will stop the whining and enjoy.
Fortunately, I do like to clean. It's a good thing, since my daughter and husband do not. You should see my kitchen, I don't look until after I have enjoyed my meal. ;)
Friday, December 14, 2007
My Man's Home
I'm still here. Not as busy as I think I am, or like to complain that I am. :)
Michael's home. He came home the first of the month. It's been lots of fun having him here.
I was at the gro store when he came home. Gab called and told me he was here. I promptly started to cry and turn circles in the middle of the store. I should have been home; on the other hand I needed to finish at the store if we were to eat that night.
I am at this moment sitting in an empty house. In my head I should be cleaning up, making gro lists and to do list. I am on call and my week end may not be my own. My family, did I tell you my husband is home, are down the hill seeing a movie. My husband has my two grown kids plus three others that tagged along. So wish I could be with them. However, I must sit and wait for the phone to ring. Praying that it doesn't.
I already know that there is a noon case scheduled for Sunday. I'm not sure just how much of an emergency it can be, seeing as how it was scheduled today. Ruins Sunday morning plans. God willing we can go Sunday night to church; esp since my Kevin has expressed a desire to join us. He thinks that there will actually be some one at church that will talk to him. My men are so funny. (weird) They seem to think that people don't talk to them at church, yet every time I seek them out they are engaged in conversation with someone. Course his two best friends are home for the holidays, so there you go.
Did I tell you that Michael is home?! He's the best man I know. I think I'll keep him, warts and all.
Hope you all are having a spectacular week-end.
God Bless you each and every one.
Michael's home. He came home the first of the month. It's been lots of fun having him here.
I was at the gro store when he came home. Gab called and told me he was here. I promptly started to cry and turn circles in the middle of the store. I should have been home; on the other hand I needed to finish at the store if we were to eat that night.
I am at this moment sitting in an empty house. In my head I should be cleaning up, making gro lists and to do list. I am on call and my week end may not be my own. My family, did I tell you my husband is home, are down the hill seeing a movie. My husband has my two grown kids plus three others that tagged along. So wish I could be with them. However, I must sit and wait for the phone to ring. Praying that it doesn't.
I already know that there is a noon case scheduled for Sunday. I'm not sure just how much of an emergency it can be, seeing as how it was scheduled today. Ruins Sunday morning plans. God willing we can go Sunday night to church; esp since my Kevin has expressed a desire to join us. He thinks that there will actually be some one at church that will talk to him. My men are so funny. (weird) They seem to think that people don't talk to them at church, yet every time I seek them out they are engaged in conversation with someone. Course his two best friends are home for the holidays, so there you go.
Did I tell you that Michael is home?! He's the best man I know. I think I'll keep him, warts and all.
Hope you all are having a spectacular week-end.
God Bless you each and every one.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Graduation
I wish I had a picture to post of the new Marine.
It is so hard to believe that Ryne is now one of the Few, The Proud and The Brave! He is a grown up. He wears the uniform well.
It was so wonderful to be able to be a part of his day!
It is so hard to believe that Ryne is now one of the Few, The Proud and The Brave! He is a grown up. He wears the uniform well.
It was so wonderful to be able to be a part of his day!
Excitment!
Guess What?!
Michael will be with me in person tomorrow! He gets to stay with us one night and then he has to San Diego for 3 or 4 days. Then he gets to come back to me.
He gets to stay with us through Christmas. Then the first of January he goes to Yuma Arizona for a training course. That's 4 hours from us, instead of across country again! He gets to be there for 3 months. I wish you could see me doing the happy dance.
So, on that note I need to go put the place in order and plan a wonderful evening for my man.
Michael will be with me in person tomorrow! He gets to stay with us one night and then he has to San Diego for 3 or 4 days. Then he gets to come back to me.
He gets to stay with us through Christmas. Then the first of January he goes to Yuma Arizona for a training course. That's 4 hours from us, instead of across country again! He gets to be there for 3 months. I wish you could see me doing the happy dance.
So, on that note I need to go put the place in order and plan a wonderful evening for my man.
San Diego Trip
This past Thursday I picked Kevin up from school a little early and headed to San Diego. One of Kevin's really good friends Graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp Friday November 30th.
I have never been to San Diego by myself. Yes, Kevin was with me but he was along for the ride. He didn't know the way. So off we went with my googled directions. About the time I thought I was lost Michael called me on my cell phone, found where I was on the computer and talked me back to the freeway and told me what I'd see and where I'd turn next. Folks that was a God thing. We were at the peak hours of afternoon traffic and it was unbelievable!
Kevin and I found the base, then found a place to stay, ate and buckled down for the night.
The next morning when we got up it was raining. Not too hard, but raining steady. I made it back to the base and we were really early for the ceremony so we sat in the car.
We caught up with Ryne's family and watched the graduation ceremony from inside. The rain kept it from being outside on the Parade Deck. Bummer! Ryne and his family invited us to join him for lunch. Mishel's husband and son were also there and they were also invited to lunch.
So we all caravaned to the restaurant. As luck would have it I followed the wrong person and realized it when he went on the freeway on ramp. I had been told we wouldn't get on the freeway. Yikes! I pulled to the side and realized the Mishel's husband was behind me. Guess what he had a GPS! I had Ryne's phone # so between the two, Mishel's husband was able to get us to the restaurant.
We had a wonderful time, then it was time to leave. I realized I had no clue where I was at! I knew the names of the roads I needed to be on, but had no clue how to get there! It is still raining hard and steady!
Mishel's husband let me follow him to the freeway and he went home the way I came in so things were familiar to me. The bad news? My windshield wiper was dry rotted. There was still rubber on it but not much.
Once I got on 15 I was feeling good about myself. Granted Mishel's husband got me there, but I was there and I was not freaking out. So I'm driving down this road thinking wha-hoo I did it. Then I realize I have a long way to go and it is raining hard. So I remembered my Jesus and thanked Him profusely for keeping us safe.
We did make it home safely, and it was by the grace of God! By the time I got to the 10, the wipers were no longer doing anything but smearing the water. The huge trucks were blowing water on to my wind shield. Once we got to the 62 the rain had actually stopped. Now the streets were flooded.
I was so thankful to be home! That 3 hour drive turned out to be more like a 5 hour drive. I left being so proud of myself and came home humbled and praising the Lord for how He provided.
I have never been to San Diego by myself. Yes, Kevin was with me but he was along for the ride. He didn't know the way. So off we went with my googled directions. About the time I thought I was lost Michael called me on my cell phone, found where I was on the computer and talked me back to the freeway and told me what I'd see and where I'd turn next. Folks that was a God thing. We were at the peak hours of afternoon traffic and it was unbelievable!
Kevin and I found the base, then found a place to stay, ate and buckled down for the night.
The next morning when we got up it was raining. Not too hard, but raining steady. I made it back to the base and we were really early for the ceremony so we sat in the car.
We caught up with Ryne's family and watched the graduation ceremony from inside. The rain kept it from being outside on the Parade Deck. Bummer! Ryne and his family invited us to join him for lunch. Mishel's husband and son were also there and they were also invited to lunch.
So we all caravaned to the restaurant. As luck would have it I followed the wrong person and realized it when he went on the freeway on ramp. I had been told we wouldn't get on the freeway. Yikes! I pulled to the side and realized the Mishel's husband was behind me. Guess what he had a GPS! I had Ryne's phone # so between the two, Mishel's husband was able to get us to the restaurant.
We had a wonderful time, then it was time to leave. I realized I had no clue where I was at! I knew the names of the roads I needed to be on, but had no clue how to get there! It is still raining hard and steady!
Mishel's husband let me follow him to the freeway and he went home the way I came in so things were familiar to me. The bad news? My windshield wiper was dry rotted. There was still rubber on it but not much.
Once I got on 15 I was feeling good about myself. Granted Mishel's husband got me there, but I was there and I was not freaking out. So I'm driving down this road thinking wha-hoo I did it. Then I realize I have a long way to go and it is raining hard. So I remembered my Jesus and thanked Him profusely for keeping us safe.
We did make it home safely, and it was by the grace of God! By the time I got to the 10, the wipers were no longer doing anything but smearing the water. The huge trucks were blowing water on to my wind shield. Once we got to the 62 the rain had actually stopped. Now the streets were flooded.
I was so thankful to be home! That 3 hour drive turned out to be more like a 5 hour drive. I left being so proud of myself and came home humbled and praising the Lord for how He provided.
Thought Provoking
The other day Kevin and I were having a conversation in the car. He made this statement:
"I like the man, but he worries too much about what other people think. I know we're supposed to protect our testimony, but he goes over board."
We are supposed to protect our testimony as a Christian. We aren't supposed to be a stumbling block to those around us.
My question is this: At what point does that concept leave the arena of protecting your testimony and enter into the arena of fearing what man thinks?
It is hard from me to leave this as is. I want to cite examples and say what I think. Before I share what I think I want to hear your responses.
"I like the man, but he worries too much about what other people think. I know we're supposed to protect our testimony, but he goes over board."
We are supposed to protect our testimony as a Christian. We aren't supposed to be a stumbling block to those around us.
My question is this: At what point does that concept leave the arena of protecting your testimony and enter into the arena of fearing what man thinks?
It is hard from me to leave this as is. I want to cite examples and say what I think. Before I share what I think I want to hear your responses.
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