Tricks are OVER

ROOSTER ...Move over TOP GUN














LULU with DARK HAIR as Snow White

Halloween was never my favorite holiday. I didn't like all the mean things and pranks. I didn't like putting masks on and getting scared. I just don't like it. Except for the candy. But, tonight my grandbabies all over Texas have been trick or treating. Some for the first time. I have loved seeing their pictures and all the fun they had. I wish I could have been with each of them. We did do trunk or treat at church tonight and the kids had fun from our congregation. But, check out my babes from a night of fun.






Princess Possum getting a skunk lesson from her daddy. He is telling her to get lots of candy. She makes a beautiful stinky skunk, don't you think?



















Tiny Princess waiting to get her zebra shirt on. Then her daddy told her to go get him some candy.

NOT my best Martha Day

DEAR MARTHA,

Some days you are the dough sometimes you are the dough stuck to the pan. You, of all people, should know that. Lest you start wagging your finger at me and saying I did not properly prepare my pans let me defend myself and say I DID TOO. Sometimes, I just can't do it like you. I see it in on the page. I see it in my mind. But, something happens from here to there. From oven to cabinet. First, just let me say that I do love to eat raw cake dough. There that is out. But, there was still plenty left for the cute pumpkin cupcakes.

I bought all the necessary ingredients. I bought a new mini bundt cake pan. I know how important it is for you to have the essential cookware and products. Just like in the picture. I pre-prepared my pan. I had the visual in my mind. I bought fresh new food coloring because I hadn't bought any since the late '70's and didn't really know how long it kept. I must admit I was surprised to read that it was 50 drops of yellow to the red. I was willing and ready to count each drop for my orange frosting. I bought pretzel rods for the stems. Just like in the picture. My little library Bookworms were going to love these for our party on Wednesday!

So, hence the routine. Like a million cupcakes before. Prepare as directed! Don't you love that? This is what they were supposed to turn out to look like.



I basically just turned out with crumbs after I pried the bundts out of the pan. I'll try again tomorrow. Why do I always need a headstart on any project?

STOP ME BEFORE I'M TOO MERRY

HELP! It's just now fall. I love pumpkins. I love leaves. I love all the orange colors everywhere. But, Christmas catalogs are arriving in the mail daily and tantalizing me with scenes of merriment and elves. With wondering if I need a new Christmas tree and why didn't I go to Hobby Lobby's end of year sale last year? With what kind of paper should I wrap gifts in? With lists and lists and lists. With wondering how I am going to make some quick cash for Christmas money. I'm retired now you know. And now, I have 4 grandchildren unlike last year's 2. Those four are my GIFT. But then, I have to find the perfect gift for everyone. I love the insanity of this season. I am "sick" like that. I'm dreaming of all my children home to relax for a few days then. I'm loving all the generations that will be in this house and adoring each other. But, I have to make pumpkin cupcakes for the library on Wednesday and I haven't even bought a Thanksgiving turkey yet.

Talented People

It never ceases to amaze me how some people are so talented! I actually "won" this beautiful logo in my sidebar from a gal with a great blog called Isabella's Closet. Her link is www.isabellascloset.blogspot.com. She has some great ones on her site and sells them so reasonably if you want to buy one. She also has lots of vintage things that are pictured. And some great music while you read! Or maybe she'll have another contest and you can win one too! My niece, Jenna, entered an entirely different contest at another site and won a precious banner for her site from a talented girl! http://www.fabulouskblogdesigns.blogspot.com/ Link off of hers from my list of family and see her cute one. It's the week for family wins!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

A Better World Begins With Us

For the largest percentage of people who read here we have all ironically come from similiar backgrounds, beliefs and passions. In fact, no one that I know of that stops here thinks differently about most subjects than I do. It still is so interesting to me that we somehow "found" each other and began friendships and comment on each other's posts like friends we will see later. We live in different areas of the country, worship in different assemblies, and have different fears and loves. But, basically we are all pretty much from the same mold. If you have ever read here long you know that I have a love of family and children. I ran across this tonight in an old school folder and it touched me just like it did the first time I read it. I don't know who wrote it....maybe you do and maybe you've seen it before. This vintage picture is an old print depicting street children. Which is a part of life that many of us choose to pretend doesn't exist today. But, it does and it still is not fair that all children are not born into happiness. All I have to offer for them now is my prayers. So, I share this prayer with you .

We pray for the children who like to be tickled

Who sneak Popsicles before dinner

And can never find their shoes

And we pray also for children

Who can't run down the street in a new pair of sneakers

And who never get dessert,

Who don't have any rooms to clean up

Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser.

Dear Lord, we pray for children

Who spend all their allowance before Tuesday

Who throw tantrums in the grocery store,

Who pick at their food, Who squirm in church

And who scream into the phone.

And we pray also for children

Whose nightmares come in the light of day

Who rarely see a doctor, who never see a dentist

Who go to bed hungry

And who cry themselves to sleep.

Finally, we pray for those we smother with love,

And we pray especially for those who will grab the hand of anybody

Kind enough to hold it.

Swim Said the Mama Fish

For some reason I have always had a fascination with fish tanks. We have always had one set up it seems. For years! Not a huge one but just one that is fairly easy to maintain. The kids always seemed to love it when they were little. Now the g'babes. I love the hum of the flourescent light, the bubbling of the pump and I even like to sit and watch the fish. It's calming and it is right up there in my book with a roaring fire ( well maybe not ), candles lit, and good music on. I love my fish. EXCEPT. I am not having a lot of luck with my tank lately. I don't know what in the world is happening. I don't buy expensive $$$$ fish that I would hate to have to flush. But, even the cheaper ones at Walmart are almost $ 3. You can't even buy a good cheap snail. I feed them the best food. I have algae eaters. Last winter we kept getting this "funky" stuff in it and all the fish swam over to the river of life. To swim eternally. We emptied it out and then refilled it and left it up and running. It drove the kids nuts that we didn't have fish in there. And to tell you the truth, I just forgot we didn't have any in there. Everytime they would come they would run over and look. People would come in and say, "What a nice tank. But, where are the fish?" It got embarrasing. So, before the kids came the other day I went to Walmart and splurged about $ 30.00 on some new fish. The "fish" man at Walmart always asks me the same questions and acts like he knows everything about fish and tanks. I got about a 30 minute lecture on aquariums. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I said. LIke I already knew. But all I knew was, the tank had been empty and just waiting for new tenants so I bought 10 platies and 2 plecostamus ( algae eaters ) and gingerly drove them home. Every morning since, I have found one floating. Did you know you can take dead fish back to Walmart with your receipt? Sorry, I draw the line.. I am not standing in line at the service desk every morning with a baggie full of water and a dead fish. After this round of fish, I am packing it up. I give up! I think I'll take up fishing in the river.

WORDY WEDNESDAY

I don't feel wordless today. Actually, I rarely do. So, for today, just for today ...... WORDLESS WEDNESDAY IS WORDY WEDNESDAY. My sweet friend, Snapshot made me feel better that she missed me so I am turning myself in! No more excuses! It feels good to be missed because truthfully sometimes it feels like I have nothing worth saying!

But, I've been basking in the fall of Texas. Which is basically a breeze out of the north that is sometimes cool and sometimes hot. The leaves don't turn beautiful colors they just fall from the trees in the swimming pool and all over the yard. I like the xeriscape look in the yard so they stay there until we mow again.


This is what I want to see. Just once in my life ( again ). I didn't appreciate the beauty until I was older. Like now. Don't get me wrong. I love Texas. I am a TEXAN by birth and deep rooted in all the ways, sayings, recipes, and wonders of Texas.


I really had been thinking about blogging. I have some topics stored in my mind but all of a sudden it started to feel like I was procrastinating on a homework assignment and I started to feel pressure. Blogging shouldn't be about pressure. I am still reading, web surfing and commenting but I just have not had alot to say that you would have been interested in. I've been busy and done alot but mostly I'm pretty boring............Here are the highlights of my last week.

All the baking and decorating went great for the shower on Sunday. The triple layered humming bird cakes were scrumptious if I do say so myself! Plus, they did NOT fall apart like they did in my dreams the night before. Heather pitched in and helped me bake them too! Her baking skills are all "Rachely Rey". And, we'll forgive Ashley for leaving the flour out of the recipe at first! That would have been so funny to have unrolled those pumpkin roll recipe. Becky's pumpkin rolls were beautiful and tasted even better. Our beautiful bride was truly showered. She received so many nice presents and it was a full house of friends and family. My daughters were all here to help. Even JD got to come even though she had some other obligations like a job! I loved having her here to complete my daughters! There were 22 hostesses in all! It's taken us a few days to recuperate! From the work and the excitement. I am still returning stuff today. Now, if we can just make it to the wedding next month.

Every Thursday nights I host girl TV night. It's a night of 3 back to back shows we love. We just basically veg on the couch watching TV and giggling. It's so casual that sometimes we are even in our jammie bottoms! Hubster is sweet enough to make himself scarce unless the treats are delicious! We always share with him whatever food we have. Bec made us our favorite snacks last week.

Then, today was my little library program. You know the one I volunteered for the week after I "retired"? It is going great and I am so glad that Teej agreed to do it with me. We are doing alot of work in preparation but we are pretty natural when it comes to this type of activity. It probably stems from all those years in education and being a Bible class teacher since I was 12. We always enjoy a lunch out after and enjoy the heck out of that! The number of children grows every week. Today, I had over 40 c0unting parents and all. I heard the murmer of someone say it was going to have to go to two sessions. I DON'T THINK SO. We actually built a scarecrow for the library flower bed after reading a book about SCARECROWS. He turned out so cute! Then all the children made a small one to take home.


As we say around here when someone feels bad......Mom had a little "spell" and I took her into the ER. All is well. She got the royal treatment, some meds and when we got home a couple of hours later, Daddy had made a WELCOME HOME sign for the door. He prefers to stay away from anything that might prove to be a little too exciting.




But, the best part of my week was this. All my chickies were in the nest. And I got lots of hugs and kisses. My big ones were here too but never stayed still long enough for a picture. I hate that all of them were here and not once did we line 'em up! But, this? It doesn't get any better than that. No matter what you say.



In your prayers tonight or whenever your prayer time is, please remember a friend of mine whose mother is not expected to live through the night. It's time for her to go. They are all at peace with that. But, tonight she told me wished that she could see her mother smile one more time. I could've sworn I heard the rush of angel's wings coming to take her mother "home". Don't you love that song? Also, another friend's beautiful teenaged daughter has been in a traumatic incident that is causing all kinds of problems. She came home today after many weeks in a hospital. They are distraught. I have a list of others as I'm sure you do too. I know some of you have pains, problems and worries. Things that seem to accumulate and pile up, sometimes making life seeming so hopeless. Sometimes it's hard to breathe, isn't it? But, I do appreciate my praying friends and I know prayer works.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

OK, so it's a word. It's a good one.

Let's Party....Fiesta......Forever...

Everyone knows I love a party. I love to go and I love to plan them. In a small town, where believe me everyone knows everyone, a party is a big deal. One of my older "other" daughters, Tara is getting married next month. Her mom, Tawana and I have been friends since Noah came over. On the ark. A long time. Tawana, Becky and I raised our kids together. All 9 of them. The picture above is minus 2 daughters and 3 sons. I was there when Tara was born. We all three have helped each other plan birthday parties, graduation parties, and weddings together. We make a pretty good team! We always dreamed of opening up a Party Consulting Company. Tawana could boss people around and organize. Becky is the chef. I am the photographer. Tara's been a bridesmaid so many times and now she gets to be the bride. I don't say that like FINALLY she gets to be the bride, but finally her turn is here. She is absolutely radiant and going to be beautiful on her wedding day. She is a beautiful "take your breath away" "drop dead gorgeous" anyway just in jeans! All along while all the other girls were getting married she held out . Her "prince" seemed no where to be found. Okay, she went through a few duds..... She finally decided she wasn't going to rush into anything and set her standards high. All along, it turns out, her prince grew up with her right next door. Or across the road and past the pond. Who would have ever thought it! We are so excited for her and her sweet man. They both are successful business people and have established themselves as respected adults. He comes from an awesome and beautiful family. He was raised to be a leader, strong, and very well grounded. His parents are great friends of ours all too! Of course, her family is "my" family so of course it's great! Small world. Small town.

All the major details for her wedding are pretty ironed out and set in stone. Tawana, as you know, is a decorator extraordinaire and this is going to be a wedding like this town has not seen. With both "kids" growing up here the whole town is invited almost. The weekend parties have already started and this weekend will be her "town" shower. There have been lingerie showers ( see photo above) , kitchen showers, couples showers, Halloween will bring a costume party shower and on and on. And then this weekend's big shower. Now, in small town talk that means that it is going to be alot of people. We'll start decorating on Thursday and setting things in place for the Sunday afternoon shower. I am so excited for her. Pictures to follow after the shower. It's going to be exquisite! I love her dearly and wish only the best for her as she starts out this wonderful life and marriage. I am hoping that Tawana soon has as many grandchildren as I do!

Love Hate Relationship

I have a love hate relationship with bumper stickers. I LOVE to read them. But hate one on my car. Here are some favorites to make you smile for the weekend. Trust me there are more.

Honestly. I think this one should be enforced.



I DO MY BEST


KIND OF ON THE RUDE SIDE, BUT YOU KNOW YOU'VE THOUGHT IT TOO!





Do you own a truck? Then you know of which I speak.



Sorry guys.




How come I didn't get paid for it?



Honestly, I'd let you.



This I do daily.




Awwwwwwwww. Me too.




I have literally had this experience.





Self explanatory.

And the people said. AMEN.

You Want Me To Cut Back on What?

I spent the better part of Tuesday at routine doctor appointments. You know the ones that, thankfully, you only have to schedule once a year. The ones where they know you better than anyone else in some ways. I have been going to the same OB/GYN office since I was 19 years old ( you do the math ) so it is like going to a reunion every year. New employees fill the office each time but some of the same oldies are still around, including me. Now instead of the 3 old docs that used to be there it is a practice of about 10 doctors. It's in the same exact location it was through all my pregnancies so it is rather nostalgic to look around and think that I used to sit there so very pregnant like the young ones sitting by me. My file looks like a rough draft of War and Peace when it comes off the shelf our out of the vault or where ever they store the monstrosity.

Yet, every year when I go, I have to fill out the same paper work. NOTHING about me has changed. But, I politely fill it out anyway. Well, politely, after mumbling under my breath that nothing is new. They just want something else to ram into my already bulging file.



The waiting room is always packed 3 feet deep and there always seems to be a man for every woman. Every "babies daddy" is there. I don't even remember my husband ever going to the OB dr. with me except when I was too huge to pull myself off the waiting room chair when they called my name. I love the generation of men now that take responsibility for the fatherhood thing in all aspects. Not just the "raising" part. My sons all do that stuff too.

I think I gave all the blood I had in my body for tests. Having blood drawn does not even bother me. The girl that was going ahead of me was all clammy and sweaty and horrified. She was asking all the techs had long they had been "drawing" blood because she wanted the most experienced. Her husband kept patting her and the techs were rolling their eyes at her when she wasn't looking. I thought they would be gentle with me since I was so brave and all. After she left, one of the girls mentioned in a whisper that she was glad she wasn't going to be around when she had to give birth! A blood draw, at this point, is the least of her worries.

When it was finally my time to go in we spent our usual first 30 minutes chit chatting about life and what I am doing, how are the kids and how things are in the 'ville. And on and on....... I had not been there before my work status had changed to RETIRED so we had to talk about that. It actually felt cool to cross out the work numbers on the forms and write it in~ Then we had to talk some about how other health issues were going and somehow we ended up talking about my coffee intake. Don't ask how that happened. Dr.'s seem obsessed with caffeine. Especially when they realize they have a very hyperactive heart patient on their table in a vulnerable and captive position. I reassured her that I really have cut back since I am not working. I always had my cup full at work and drank way too much. Since I have been home I usually enjoy 2 full cups in the morning and then switch to tea.......AH, you mean tea has caffeine in it? Of course, I told her my coffee resembled a small mug when in all reality it looks something like this......Caffeine is NOT good for heart patients. Let that be a lesson to you!


Maybe I do need to cut back a little ..........Ok...so I'll cut back a little.






As I was leaving, after scoring a 10 on a possible score of 10, she took out her script pad. I begged for no more meds but she quickly assured me I would like this one. It was a "fake" prescription for a spa retreat. She said she wanted me to go pamper myself for a change. I always did like her.

The mammogram went ok........we won't talk about it. But, if you have a woman in your life you love, make sure that she faithfully gets a mammogram EVERY year. I don't think age 30 is too young to start. In fact, I think it should be mandatory and law enforced. I am totally encouraging my daughters to go have one ASAP. I have seen too many friends and family suffer from this type of the "c" word. My daughters have even lost some friends to it.

So, for another year, barring the return of bad labs or scans, I am squeaky healthy. Disgustingly healthy. Jealously healthy. I just need another cup of coffee.

Another Project Partly Done

It would be totally out of character if I actually finished a project. Like, totally finished it. But, as of around 1 AM last night I completed the 5th season of the GILMORE GIRLS. HOURS AND HOURS . Now, it is on to BLOCKBUSTER today to get Season 6 and the final Season 7. Lest you think I am a total slacker and just vegetate in a chair while watching TV you are WRONG. I am busy in my chair! Remember I told before you I am a multi - tasker?






Multi-tasking takes planning. You know how I like to plan. Multi-taskers continually are processing tasks or problems either mentally or by actually doing it as they are doing any other task. I have a basket by my chair that is full of projects that I can pull out and work on. While watching the GG, I have organized my calendar. I have planned dinners and doctor appointments. I have folded laundry. I polished the furniture. I have finalized household plans, projects and selected paint swatches ( for another project) while sitting in that chair. I have cleaned out kitchen drawers. I have organized photo albums. It does take talent. Don't think it doesn't! Multi-taskers love post it notes, colored pens, and paper. Always keep a trash bag handy.

Here are some very important things to know about multi-taskers. First of all we can be doing 50 other things while we are in a conversation with you. We can hear every word you say. Don't think we are rude.

They have to learn to budget their time. List, list, list. List each day's activities and time alloted for each. Visualizing your day helps keeps you focused if you have focusing problems. Do what you want to do and then learn to delegate! I am still having trouble with this one.

• Take advantage of gadgets. I LOVE GADGETS! Research the latest communication devices, organization techniques, and keep a basket of scissors, glue, marker, notepad, and other quickly needed items by your chair, if you ever sit down to avoid wasting time.


• Use wait time. I keep a notebook in my purse with a daily calendar, phone number, stamps, addresses etc...... If I am at a light, in a dr. waiting room, or where ever I am trapped, I can still plan. I can write out bills, make phone calls that are needed, schedule appointments, or any other thing that makes me feel constructive. Or use the time to pray for help in coordinating your busy life to please God. Keep the big picture of the daily plan in mind to help you priortize your goals.
  

Successful multi-tasking can lead to balance, helping you juggle career, family needs and your own mental and physical health. Multi-taskers should not neglect themselves.....a healthy diet, exercise and sound sleep can recharge you and make you more productive. You either are or you are not one.

I just wish all my teachers throughout my school years had realized this special gift I had and not thought it was just me not paying attention. HMMMM. That could explain alot.