“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

After my wild week of travels I am home. I feel like Gilligan must have felt on his "three" hour cruise!

All is well. Tawana is home and tucked safely in her own bed to recuperate.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers!

GOD BLESS AMERICA tomorrow. Land that I love.

Now, EVERYONE get out and VOTE!

Well........where do I begin? Lest you think my life is boring here is a recap of the last few days for my loyal 5 readers. Bear with me as it is pretty newsy.

1.) Wednesday Morning I woke up about 1 AM with my left arm aching. NOT GOOD for a heart patient. In fact, both other HA's have started with that same symptom but the big "explosion" followed soon after. Stubbornly, I stayed in bed and prayed. Can the word stubborn and pray be in the same sentence? Hmmmm. By noon ( yes,10- ish hours later. ) I decided to call the cardio dr. I just told him that I had NO other symptoms other than that. He politely told me to GET MYSELF TO THE ER NOW. I did. All of the cardiac testing turned out negative. THANKS to God. I am fine!

2.) Enroute to Abilene on Thursday I received a call that my BFF Tawana had been in a head on collision on her way to DFW. I had Mom and Dad with me and we redirected ourselves to the TRAUMA center at Brack for the next 7 hours with Terry, Tracy and Becky BFF. God wrapped his arms around Tawana and saved her life that morning. Although her injuries are extensive, painful and will be long healing, she is alive and coming home sometime next week. Lacerations and broken bones can heal. It was a sweet and happy moment of rejoicing when we all realized that! Our trip resumed after her admission to a room to heal. I SLOWLY proceeded the rest of the 4 hour trip my heart heavy with compassion, sad to be leaving her but relieved to know that she will be home soon. LIFE is sweet. Life is precious. Tell your family you love them everyday. We pulled into Abilene at around 10:45 ish. I felt like .... well...... I felt a little tired.

3.) Everyone headed off to school on Friday morning and Mom, Jaxon and I went to Cracker Barrell for breakfast. About 1 we headed up to ACU to watch our own little family STAR soccer player, Jordan, play an awesome game. They lost 2-1. Sniff. I hope I wasn't a bad luck charm. Soccer ....man. How do those girls RUN for a straight solid hour. NON STOP. Back and forth.....And the wildest part was that Jordan had broken her arm the day before and she played the entire game! Not trying to brag but she played an unbelievable game. I am so proud of her. Then Fri. night we got to watch Abilene HS beat Richland Hills, leaving them undefeated and headed to playoffs. ONE more district game. I was grinning from ear to ear watching my sweet son interact / coach those boys. I couldn't help but remember what seemed like yesterday, when he used to sit in the press box with his little helmet on and dream of being a "football boy". Now, he is on the field running up and down being the cutest coach EVAH.....evah. They have a great bunch of boys and my FAVORITE 2 coaches. Another great part of the game was sitting the second half with Connie, Don, Mel, and Rob! We had a great visit. It just reminded what I already knew. We miss them SO much. Our lives both at church and away are VOID without them. They are the most amazing people. If you remember, they were our "family" that was so badly injured in a car accident in the spring near San Antonio. They have enjoyed their new lived in Abilene and being with Mel and her family. They get to watch their grandsons play sports and are enjoying settling in to a new church family at Hillcrest. Does Hillcrest know how lucky they are? They better! We love us some Adams' people!

4.) Things calmed down a little on Saturday. "Our" coaches worked at the field house all day, JD had to work a few hours so Jaxon and I headed out shopping. We both love that. I am trying to teach her a few strategies on bargain hunting. Then we had a big family dinner ( ROAST and all the trimmings ) at Jody and Jim's house. Jordan and Kyle joined us and we had a great time. All the guys and Jordan watched the TEXAS/tech game. We all know now how that turned out. Some were happy ...... some were not. Just saying.......won't say who.

5.) JD and I got to catch up on one of our favorite TV's shows she had recorded and stayed pretty lazy most of the morning. When she left for work I cooked a big pot of veggie meatball soup and a loaf of banana bread and Jaxon and I played with all the toys in the toy box. Then tonight I stood in the dark nursery with the sweetest smelling little bundle of happiness that has grown so much in a year. Her little head was snuggled on my shoulder. I could hear her softly sucking on her finger. We sang and swayed. When I layed her in her bed I realized that tomorrow night I would feel so empty! I've had so much fun here as I always do.

6.) We are headed home in the morning early. My mom's cousin passed away and we are planning to go to the services at A & M church on Monday. She and Daddy were both really sad about his passing. But, we all agreed that his Heavenly homecoming would have been worth witnessing. I know that there was rejoicing from the Lingleville crowd when he arrived. NO sadness for him.

**I think my next 12 weeks will be spent helping by being one of Tawana's nurse/cook/ housekeepers. Between Mom, Becky, and myself , we should have her covered. I know that our church family will pitch in and help with meals too. Because, that is how we all roll....we are close.

**Remember me as I try to continue the library program without Tawana. We had just outlined our next 7 weeks of the year for BookWorms. She had them all organized and books pulled. She had even filed crafts for each lesson. Little did we know.......sort of weird now that I think about it.

Last night the weatherman mentioned a norther moving into our area this evening. Now, in Texas that is big news. Especially after we are used to most days being at least 80's or 90's. We rarely, if ever, have snow. And by snow I mean it falls from the sky but never hits the ground. Maybe we do get too excited over ice days which occur two or three times a year. But, for some reason the news of the FIRST norther or frost just totally excites most of us around here! I have to cook a pot of chili for the annual event. It's ready and the cornbread is set to put in the oven. I keep opening the front door to see if it has gotton here. So far at 4:19 PM? It's still hot.

No wonder the meterologist doesn't leave his cell number on the bottom of the news screen.

**This is too funny. Can't take credit for writing it but sure did get a chuckle out of it. **

THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY! We Must Stop This Immediately!

Have you noticed that stairs are getting steeper. Groceries are heavier. And, everything is farther away. Yesterday I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become!

And, you know, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones. They speak in whispers All the time! If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they're red in the face! What do they think I am, a lip reader?

I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn't even recognize me. I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection. Well, REALLY NOW - even mirrors are not made the way they used to be!

Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days! You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.

Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20? Do they think no one notices? The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank. Do they think I actually 'believe' the number I see on that dial? HA! I would never let myself weigh that much! Just who do these people think they're fooling?

I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on -- but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in there!

All I can do is pass along this warning: WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!
Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities.PS: I am writing this to you in a larger font size, because something has happened to my computer's fonts - they are smaller than they once were.

OCTOBER is officially BREAST CANCER AWARENESS month. I have done my part and had my annual mammogram. Have you?

I personally think that insurance companies should lower the age requirement so that all women, even youngun's in their 20's - 30's should be able to qualify for coverage. I have seen too many young women be diagnosed even when it's not hereditary.

Too many family and friends I know have had to deal with the nightmare of C.A.N.C.E.R. and the horrible treatments. I have a precious cousin fighting for her life right now and sweet friends who are doing the same. Life is hard enough ! PRAY FOR A CURE! But, do what you can to help yourself and others! Get your mammogram and support cancer research.......

FOR those of you stopping by for the FALL OPEN HOUSE.....scroll down a little past my little blurbs 'of late' and you'll find it. I got a little anxious and posted early. THANKS for stopping by and thanks to Deena for organizing!

They don't always seem it but today has seemed like a LONG day. I guess because I have had a busy past few weeks and all of a sudden NOT.

I slept until 8:30 AM and then wandered around with a few cups of coffee for about an hour assessing(LOL). I was going pretty good by 9:30 AM. By 4:00 PM I had cleaned the bathrooms, made the bed, stripped the guest beds, washed, folded and put up 3 loads of clothes, cleaned, cooked dinner, run to the pharmacy and the ranch store to pick up "ant" killer, organized some library thoughts that Tawana left me for Wednesday, did a few emails, and now I am fixing to bake something sweet. I haven't even watched TV. Trust me there is plenty more I could do but at 6 PM I just realized it was a holiday.

So tomorrow? I'll have my own private holiday. Just because I'm retired doesn't mean everyday is a holiday. Everyday is just Saturday.

SO, here are the rules;

1. Link to the person who tagged you http://www.ashleyallenphoto.net/
2. Post the rules on your blog. Copy and paste onto your blog, then fill in your own answers.
3. Write six random thoughts about yourself
4. Tag six or so people at the end of your post
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

Six random things about me:
1. ] I'm very spontaneous about everything I do.
2. ] Most times I think with my heart and not my head
3. ] I learn something new ( or 2, 3, or more ) things everday.
4. ] I feel most secure and content in my own "nest". I think I could never leave my house for days sometimes. Then I crave the social world!
5. ] I am a compulsive sales shopper... Know of any good ones going on now? I love to buy for other people.
6. ] I love jewelry! Mostly bracelets. My motto? When in doubt over-accessorize.

I am so random that I could have gone on and on. 6 was too easy!

I tag:

Jenna
Hollie
Kelley
Christine
Kathy
Sheila

I think Ashley already tagged Heather and JD if not...TAG.

When I retired one of the children painted me this portrait of myself. Don't you think she captured the real me? Even down to the jewelry I was wearing. You gotta love 2nd grade art class. I enjoy it everyday as it hangs by my desk.

Several years ago, my friend Deena over at Can I Be Pretty In Pink ( and yes, she can ) started hosting an open house for all the seasons, so although miles separate most of our blog friendships, we can visit through pictures. So, here is where I spend my time. Here is where I nest, love, sleep, and make memories.

Welcome to my house. I love FALL. I don't like Halloween, witches, skeletons, RIP signs, ghosts, and scary masks. But, I do love pumpkins, scarecrows, fall colors, falling leaves, the smell of cider, the hope of a "soon" roaring fire, and the drop in temperature after a blazing summer. I love opening the windows for a breeze and caramel apples. I love the first real nip of cold air because that means soup.

This funny little guy guards my front door and keeps the little RED birdhouse safe. I never know when Mommy Wren is going to show up to raise a new family.



Scarecrows do NOT scare birds.

Do you see my LIZARD friend who stays on porch year round? He likes to hang around and watch every season change. I swear he is prehistoric. His favorite perch is these solar lights. He is watching me make his picture AGAIN. This summer his wife was with him for the portrait. Can you see him on the metal rod on the side of white post?

Come on in. Watch your step up there. Even after all these years I still fall in sometimes! Usually because I am admiring the pictures of my grandchildren on the wall!












This old window that sits up on the piano was off the farmhouse that my son in law's grandparents lived in for over 70 years. I like to think that his grandma Salas used to look out this same window!












I love pretty books to display.








I told you I like pumpkins. They are scattered and hidden everywhere. I wonder if I counted them how many I would have? I have some that are "not real" but they sure look it until you pick them up!




I haven't set the Thanksgiving table yet but I use all my emerald green glass dishes and glasses that are in the cupboard behind my table. I started collecting the green glass years ago and love to find new pieces. It works for all occasions. I love it at Christmas too with all the red. Even Easter bunnies look good on them! I like to use my special things instead of saving them for "something special". EVERYDAY is special! Get out that china, girlfriend!

If you want, you can sit in the kitchen and have a cup of hot apple cider. Or join me in a cup of coffee. I love to crank up the pot about 3 every afternoon. I inherited this trait from Mom and Dad.







I bet I could find something good to eat too.







It is still too hot in TEXAS to have a fire in the fireplace but until I can I keep candles burning in there. It's some kind of therapy for me.

Let me tell you that some good naps happen in this room!




I also love to collect OLD books and hymnals. I have quite a collection and some of them were actually my grandmothers and are in great condition. Some I have bought for myself and I am always looking for a new favorite one. I have a basket of really old hymn books. I thought I had made a picture of them but couldn't find it when I started looking!







Even the laundry room has to have a little fall. I spend ALOT of time in there. How in the world do 2 people have so much wash?











This old book was actually one of my own children's books. I am so glad that my mom saved things like this for us. I have several of my old story books. I guess it qualifies them as antiques. DON'T ANSWER that.

This is my side of the bed. It is always a peaceful place to end the day. See the alarm clock with all the letters off the around the alarm buttons? I haven't used that clock for "getting" up purposes for 2 years and I LOVE IT. I forgot how to set it. I try and always remember to blow out the candle on my side but it smells so good. It is the BEST candle ever and I stock up at this time of the year because Walmart only puts them out in the fall. They are seasonal, they say. For $ 5.00 and they last forever.






The smell just overtakes the house but it is not strong and overbearing. The first thing anyone says is, "your house smells so very.....CAN YOU SAY YUMMY..Everytime I go to Walmart I buy a candle to put away and save for summer when they are off the shelves and scents like this are gone.

Don't be afraid to drop by anytime because this sign says it all. Plus, I love to have guests.....even unexpected. Well, if it's after 10 AM!

Why does blogger scatter words and pictures everywhere? It should be easy to set something up and save it and it actually stays that way....grrrrrr.

Jaxon's weekend at Camp Neena was a blast. We didn't really do anything exciting but snuggle and watch TV. She is such a good girl and was game for anything. We did take Nana to Dairy Queen and played with Poppi while he was trying to take a nap. We went by Auntie Tawana's house and played with all the goody's she had. We ate at Cabana. We went to church. We stayed busy. I had an utterly fun weekend watching her and all her precious little mannerisms. She was very good! I hate being so far from her that I can't just get a hug whenever I want. But, for now I'll consider myself fixed up until next month. The truth though? Neena never gets enough hugs.

We finally got our precious little refugee family back to the Houston area. Things are fine there. Some trees down and part of a fence but the house is fine. And Tucker was here too and he is feeling 100% better. He still has a couple more vet visits to get dismissed and get his last shot but trust me. He had plenty of energy and spunk back while he was here. And we were very glad. I had the cutest little "sidekick" to ride with me so I wouldn't be lonesome on the way home. Aunt YaYa, Reid and Macy were ready to get home with their Daddy and their life back to normal! Which is busy. So, we met Uncle T, Aunt Ash and Uncle B, and Avery and I had all 4 of my babies together for at least an hour! But, Jaxon is here for the weekend. YIPEEEEEEEEEE. Her mommy went to a wedding and her daddy is way deep in EAGLE football. So, I was so excited for her to have her very own first OFFICIAL Camp Neena. We are having loads of fun although we miss all of the cousins who played with her and loved on her. Now it's just down to us! We have been singing lots of songs, reading lots of books, making lots of animal noises, watching lots of Dora and Backyardigans, and just chilling. She is a snuggler and I love it. She like to sing too so we just curl up! Honestly, could she be any more precious and beautiful. I AM SO BLESSED.

We tried to help the kids get home today to check on their house and property. We all knew they wouldn't be able to stay because of electricity outtages but at least they could see that things were still standing. Schools are closed there indefinitely for now. BUT.......we never made it past Katy. Road closures, traffic chaos, and detours that you couldn't get out of made us turn around and head the 1 1/2 hours back. With our luck, we would have gotton stuck in that traffic with no way to exit or turn around and be roaming for days. Keep on praying for the next return effort!

I am going to be "playing" hostess with Deena sometime this week. We are opening our houses up for a fall open house.....stay tuned.

Most of the time I hate "hoopla" that has no basis or accuracy. You know what I mean by that? To me it is when everyone get's all riled up by a situation and then after it's over it's like, "Is that all there was to that?" Don't get me wrong. I know this weather situation along the gulf has been horrible. And no telling what the end will reveal when people can get back to their homes. The news people are going nuts! It was well deserved hoopla! I guess what I mean is that if this was a Catergory 2, I can't imagine what a Category 5 would have been like. DEVASTING! It has just been totally consuming our every move. We have been watching it for days and yesterday and today, we have kept the computer on a Houston station watching all the familiar places being attacked by water and winds. I am so grateful that it wasn't a rerun to the devastions before that almost took Galveston in the early 1900's. I guess we can be so thankful to mass communication and modern technology for that! I realize that there was tremendous damage, probably loss of lives ( unknown SAD stories that will knock me down emotionally) loss of businesses and monetarily crippling people as things unravel today. We've already heard some pretty sad stuff on the news.

I expected to wake up to rain. We need rain so bad and it looks like Ike bypassed us on that. I am seriously dreading the news that my daughter might hear today about her house in Clear Lake. They are here safe but remembering so many things that they wish they would have brought with them. Pray for them. The kids in Katy rode out the winds in the darkness, as scary as they sounded. Why are things worse in the dark? Everyone of "mine" are safe and for that I am very grateful. The material things we'll replace if needed. But, today there are board games, snuggling, maybe a movie, tv coverages, and chicken and dumplings.

It may be rather hard to tell by the picture but the most handsome soldier is my Daddy. He is the first one facing the front on the far left. I am not sure where this was but it was during WWII. Now, as we reflect on another 9/11 day let us all remember this new generation of soldiers everywhere today that are fighting again for the freedom of our country. For all the people on that scary day that lost their lives so tragically, and for their family members and friends, may they all be granted peace and healing. Pray that America finds peace and that soon everyone is home and this war is only on the pages of history books. Pray that the powers of satan retreat realizing that as Americans IN GOD WE DO TRUST. Pray that we have a new President that respects the Lord as our creator and honors the people he serves. Pray that all the leaders of this country strive to work out the issues and problems of these times with honesty and integrity. Most importantly........pray that God blesses America once again.

Thought for the day!

Don't you just love FIRST GRADE? You can finally read, you love the playground, you have a list of your friends divided up by GOOD SIDE/BAD SIDE ( meaning nice or not ) and it's perfectly acceptable to do that in the first grade, you don't have to worry about making the house payment, you don't have teeth and it's ok, you think that HIGH SCHOOL musical is real life, you can wear braids and pull it off, you are a fashion expert for the school, there really isn't that much homework yet, popsicles are waiting at home, and NEENA picks you up!

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

NICKNAMES If Laura, Kate, and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate, and Sarah. If Mike, Dave, and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, and Four-eyes.
EATING OUT When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave, and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
MONEY A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need, but it's on sale.
BATHROOMS A man has 6 items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel . The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.
ARGUMENTS A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
FUTURE A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
SUCCESS A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
MARRIAGE A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
DRESSING UP A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the bin, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
NATURAL Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
OFFSPRING Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears, and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

GOT TAGGED BY KELLEY

1) What's your favorite salad dressing? honey dijon 2) Have you ever smoked heroin? Are you kidding me? NO! 3) Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving and Christmas 4) Favorite drinks at Sonic? Diet cherry coke or orange flurry 5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Just anxious not really nervous, I am an old pro at it now 6) What do you think of hot dogs? I can only eat them at a football game or the gross ones at the movie that go around on that wheel! 7) Favorite Christmas song? Ava Maria and O' Holy Night ) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee 9) Can you do push ups? How many are we talking? 10) Can you do a chin up? no 11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I'm a jewelry freak and love it all but I would have to say jingling bracelets 12) Favorite hobbies? photography and decorating 13) Ever been in a car wreck? yes 14) Do you have ADD? Actually, I really think I do. Some type of ferocious adult onset! 15) What's one thing that you love about yourself? Having great kids a fantastic husband, family and being able to be empathetic to others 16) Middle name? Lynn 18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Gas $$$$ actually that is all 19) Current worry? health tests, world situations, some particular finances 20) Current hate right now? SATAN and his underhanded powers......so many illnesses around me and unhappiness 21) Favorite Restaurant? Nancy's Steakhouse 22) How did you bring in the New Year? quietly at home just like I like it....calling all the kids at 12 23) Where would you like to go? Italy 24) What's your favorite food? Seafood 25) What's something exciting in your life? My children and keeping up with their lives 26) What shirt are you wearing now? Actually, my swimsuit top 27) Do you like to sleep on satin sheets? NO 28) Can you whistle? NO 29) Favorite color? don't have one really I love them all at different moods/seasons 30) Would you be a pirate? No, they are not usually up to any good deeds 31) What songs do you sing in the shower? I actually like to talk in the shower 32) Favorite girl's name? Stella it was my grandmother's name and I have always wished I would have used it. Maybe I should have tried for one more girl because I love my girls names too. 33) Favorite boy's name? Mitchell and Reid! 34) What's in your pocket? right now, probably lint 35) Last thing that scared you? about 30 minutes ago when BA honked at me as I walked in front of his truck, but I actually was expecting it and it is my FAVORITE prank to play myself! I told him he would have felt funny if I would have collapsed in front of the truck! LOL LOL 36) Favorite TV show? Trauma show/medical shows, Biggest Loser, Grey's, American Idol 37 ) Do you love where you live? LOVE IT 39) How many TVs do you have in your house/apartment? 4 40) Who is your loudest friend? Becky and I love it! And I am probably her loudest friend! 41) How many pets do you have? none 42) Do you have any tattoos or piercings? my ears are pierced 43) Whats your husband's/wife's name? Gordon 44) What is something you can't live without? God's love and my family 45) What is your favorite candy? Hershey's kisses 46) What's your favorite sport to watch? FOOTBALL! 47) What were you doing at midnight last night? finished reading Eclipse 48) What's your favorite store? Steinmart and Target 49) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Yea I'm alive! 50) What time is it? 9:35 PM Monday night