GO RED TEXAS!

GET SMART ABOUT HEART DISEASE!

Some facts you may not know!

*** Heart disease and stroke are the Number 1 and Number 3 killer of ALL women over the age of 25.

***Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, claims nearly twice as many women's lives as all forms of cancer.

***One in 2.6 women die of heart disease compared with one in 30 from breast cancers.

***64% of all women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had NO previous symptoms.

***Within 5 years of a recognized heart attack, 25% percent of women will have another heart attack ( THIS HAPPENED TO ME ) or a fatal cardio event.

***One in three adult women in the USA currently suffers from some form of heart disease.

Feel free to check all these facts out on the website for the American Heart Association~ there are lots more facts too. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of heart disease and how you can prevent or slow the disease. Schedule an appointment just to check up your heart~ DO IT NOW. GET SMART about going red.

OOOOOOHHHHHH. These next few months are going to be crazy ones. I am, this week, taking donations and t shirt orders for GO RED for WOMEN. S'ville has declared Friday, February 6th GO RED day. Everyone will be decked out in RED hopefully that day. 100% of all proceeds will go to the AHA.
My oldest daughter, Heather, took up running several years ago. She started running and she can't stop! She loves running. Heather has been training and trying her best to beat her "bad genetics". She completed her 3rd half marathon a few weeks ago. Troy joined her. We won't say who beat who. Just notice the nice completion ribbon/medals.















Precious Tiny Princess had a little boo boo on the back of her head that had to be taken care of at the dr's office. Some antibiotics are making it all better but is that the most pitiful face you have ever seen. MY POOR BABY!



As soon as my GO RED heart fundraiser is over my family is switching gears to the March of Dimes. Last year, daughter Ashley coordinated a large group of our family and we walked in Houston in the annual Walk for Babies. TEAM BROCK AND BRODY are training again. Well, maybe I say training rather "loosely". But, we are going to walk!





This is from last year's walk. Cousin Macy sits atop Uncle Mitch's shoulders for a small portion of the walk. The rest of the time she rode her scooter! All 5 miles!

I am feeling some better tonight. I got out and did the BOOKWORM program at the library this morning and plan to go to church tonight. Mom is better too. We made a post hospital visit to the dr. this afternoon and she seems to be progressing towards recovery. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow if things go as planned, I am headed to the city to watch Reid perform in the 6th grade band concert.

For those few of you who might be wondering where I have been....My mom has been sick and hospitalized with pnuemonia and some other complications but is doing much better and has been discharged and is home now. Thanks for all of you who have been asking.

The second night she was in the hospital I noticed that I was not feeling my usual "perky" self. I had chills. I would have come on home but it was 3 AM and I wasn't sure I could drive home, that is how bad I felt! I just hope I don't make her "sicker". At least she has 3 gallons of antibiotics in her, thank goodness. I actually climbed into the hospital bed with her night before last and stayed there all night. I am not sure who the lab drew blood from when they came through at 5 AM. Hopefully, they read her armband. We both slept through her breakfast. I came home before they discharged her and found I was running a 103 temp. I haven't had a fever in YEARS. I felt horrible. Don't remember much about last night! It's now about 5PM and I am feeling some better. Fever is gone~that is good. I am sitting at the computer ~ good sign. But, not for long. I am off again to my bed. So, if I don't "see" you around here, just know I am recuperating from something that you don't want.

Actually my rant yesterday felt pretty good! What thought I intentionally started out with in my poor little brain really got lost.

What I meant to talk about was...... Now, these guys would work for a days pay. Anyone know where I can find some good ranch hands?

I bought some new light fixtures and when I got them home hubby mentioned that he would really like to get an electrician to hang them even though he can do it. He wired the whole house with a friend when we built it and we haven't burned down yet after almost 25 + years! I really don't want to pay more to hang them than I paid for the fixtures! So, it set me to thinking (oops...) Where is the good old practice of bartering gone these days? I need alot of little things done around here! I could furnish a good warm meal for a days work. Just like in the cowboy days. Hey, while we're at it, I could use a garden. Then I would like someone to paint my front door. I have the paint. Oh yeah, I really need someone to hang some blinds for me. Don't forget that while you are at it to go on and put up that iron curtain rod I bought. I've been wanting some new bathroom faucets. If I run get some could you maybe work in putting those on for me? OOOO.. remember when hubby fell off the ladder and my painting "the house" got sidetracked? I still have the master bedroom to go. Think you could work that in too? If you could would you also stack some more firewood at the back ? It would save me some steps in the COLD. While you are out there at the woodpile check out and see if you can get me a new flower bed going up against the house by the AC unit. I am just wanting to plant natural things in there so it will be easy to maintain. Don't worry! There are a few other little things I wanted to have you check out too......we can work this out. This may cost me about 50 meals. Maybe a months room and board. But, I get to control the remote in the evenings, if you have your chores done and get to watch tv. Come to think about it, it's like having children. Kids....come home.....I have work to do. That was what I meant to say yesterday.

I am the first to admit that I get very annoyed by the number of "homeless" people with signs standing on every street corner and major light in the city. Probably, because I can't fathom how someone can let themselves get to that point when I see businesses plastered with NOW HIRING signs everywhere. The main reason might be because I am selfish and ignorant and live in "another world" full of too much goodness for myself. I have seen TV documentaries, movies and read articles so I know that a person just like myself could end up that way. Yet, I still feel like it could never happen to me. I know this world is full of dishonesty and crookedness. I've seen it firsthand. I have wanted to trust people so bad. I have tried so hard to find good in people that are down on their luck. Admittedly, I find it harder and harder to trust and believe in people. I want to believe that people are really willing to change and not just using other people for their own gain. I must remember that this world, as full of evil as it is, is also filled with goodness and God's love. I have been too quick to judge ( help me ) and over analyze!

Because when I see this sign

I quickly imagine that it says this or that they want the money for drugs. Then I rationalize that I would be helping enable them for crime!

I know that God's hand is on me and I hope that I will be more aware and grateful of this blessed life I have. I guess it could happen to me. I hope I am aware everyday of my blessings!

This started out in mind as turning into a humorous and hilarious post but all of a sudden it's not funny anymore. I remember where I was going with the topic but it got all turned around in my head. The lesson of judging others hits very close to "home" and my heart today because of some particular circumstances around me. I don't want to be selfish! So, remember me when you pray.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

And these words...Matthew 25:33:

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"

I had to laugh at the tag thing I posted yesterday. Don't I sound so exciting? Funny thing is, that is about as motivated as I get these days. I thought it would be amusing if I told you the things I thought about doing. I really did think about them. But, thought about them only briefly. Briefly is all I think anymore. I blame it on medication. Crazy doctors.

Things I Thought About Doing Yesterday

1. Cleaning the house
2. Spending an hour in deep physical exercise and meditation
3. Running 3 miles
4. Reading the Old Testament
5. Cleaning out all the kitchen cabinets ( I actually bought some organizational stackers for this. Wonder how long they'll sit on the cabinet?)
6. Washing and folding every piece of dirty laundry and placing them in the newly cleaned out drawers I was going to do
7. Deep shampooing the carpet
8. Setting up a new year's household budget
9. Cleaning out the closets and packing bags for Goodwill
10. Painting the master bedroom
11. Refinishing some old pieces of furniture
12. Spending some time in solitude ( What is that? )
13. Baking
14. Landscaping the yard
15. Cleaning out and labeling things in the garage storage area

I am tired just thinking about it. Thank goodness it's free to think.

My baby sister said TAG I'M IT and SO did my FRIEND Mindy so...I GUESS I'M IT

Here goes:

4 Things I did yesterday

Worked on a friend's shower invitations
Fixed lunch for Mom and Dad
Went to the library for BOOKWORMS
Went to church

4 Things on my wishlist for the year

To be able to carpet my house ( not looking too good )
For Gordon and I to be able to go on a cruise for our 38th anniversary
To be able to love the fur off all my grandkids more...especially my new one
that should be here in July
To take more control of my health and well-being

4 Favorite Restaurants

Nancy's Steak house ( local )
LaCabana ( local )
Red Lobster
Olive Garden

4 Favorite TV shows

HGTV all day during the day is on...I may not be watching but I'm listening
Grey's Anatomy
BIGGEST Loser
All the CSI's

4 Friends to tag

The first four to read this. Awwwww c'mon.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed..

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost...

Count your many blessings .... name them one by one...

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

It never surprises me. He has done way more than I could imagine.

OK. If you don't laugh at this story something is wrong with you. I'm laughing to keep from crying. The truth hurts.

I ran to Beall's yesterday to pick up some make up from the Estee Lauder girl. You know the one. Perfect skin. Not a pore in sight. No make up unless mascara. Flawless. Young. Dewy. Plus, very sweet and helpful. I'm trying not to stare but raw beauty stuns me since I am, unashamedly vain.

Before I stopped by to stare at her, I ran over to check out these brown pants that I had seen before Christmas. I thought they might be on sale. I figured if my size was there then they were meant to be mine. There they were. So, I grabbed them and dashed over to Miss Estee Lauder covergirl.

I couldn't tell the sale price because someone had yanked the tag off but when covergirl rang them up these $38.00 pants rang up $ 6.99. "YIKES", I said. She just lightly tossed her perfect little ponytail and said,"well I can't believe these are on for such a great price." She even admitted there must be a mistake and went to check. There wasn't another pair to compare it to so....I got them for $ 6.99. She looked at me and said did I see any other sizes in them in maybe another color? I thought to myself, "Oh bless her...she wants a pair too."

Then she ruined it and said........."my mom could use some new pants."

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalms 139:1 3-14



The new year has brought to mind all the exciting things I have in store for me. The top of the list is our new grandbaby who will be born in July. I am beside myself with excitement. Tonight I googled what a 14 week old baby would look like if the skin were a clear bubble! Even though he/she is so very tiny still it is very clearly a baby. I AM IN LOVE again. It seems like July is so far away. Please pray for JD and the baby. She has been sick with pregnancy related "stuff" and dealing with an almost 2 year old too. Plus, trying to take care of my son, who I am sorry to admit is spoiled rotten. By me. Sorry, JD.
No, actually I must admit and praise my son. He is a super husband and a wonderful daddy. He shares all the duties of fatherhood and then some. His life is very busy and demanding but his little family comes first! The miracle of life has always been just that to me. SUCH A MIRACLE.


Back in the 70's when I was beginning my journey as a mom, technology was just coming into the age where we could understand a little more of the miracle. But now? Oh my goodness. It just blows me away that now there are ultrasounds where you can actually see your baby just like a photo was sent through an email! So, now not only do we know before hand the sex of the baby but we know what they look like too.


Being a mother was what I was born to be, I suppose. If I could relive earthly moments just for one short time I'd choose the first time I looked down at my own babies in my arms.

Almost (?) all my friends are expecting additions to their families this year too. Don't be startled....I mean in the way of grandchildren. Although, stranger things have happened! I think it was a contagious year. It's a year of showers, pinks & blues, nurseries, waiting, waiting and waiting. Both of my surrogate daughters, the sister crew of Tara and Tracy are expecting girls! I am so excited for BOTH of them to be able to raise their little princesses together and such fun for Tawana. I can't wait to see their lives change as mommies. I remember being there when they were each born. I'll be Neena to those girls too! And, I hope to be sitting in the waiting room to hear those babies first cries. The fun never stops.

And, for those of you who have never experienced this grandmother season let me tell me you that it is amazing. I LOVE being NEENA. I have loved holding each of them in my arms for the first time and watching them grow. It's the most wonderful time of my life.

“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:16-19

I don't particularly care for New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes it's just another way for me to feel like I couldn't follow through on something or the big FAIL word. But, this year in particular I am going to try my best to commit myself to finding words from God that speak to my heart. I don't know if I am capable alone ( HE is mightier than me ) but with His help I'd like to even try to memorize more verses. I am going to put it high on my list of can do's. I will say this though in lieu of resolutions.... I do promise these things for 2009.

* To continously pray for my family, me and all of you..... for God to touch and convict every one of our hearts.

* For the leaders of our country to look to our Father for the answers to heal a broken world.

* To be a better and more Godly person, wife, daughter, sister, mother, Neena, aunt and friend.

* To pray without ceasing.

* To realize that life is not a dress rehearsal. This is real folks. No second chances when the trumpet sounds.

* To fully understand that I am not supposed to know what tomorrow holds. And that the Holiest of Holies has me in his keeping no matter what.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

When 42 people are making plans something has got to go wrong. It has nothing to do with communication. It has everything to do with what you hear. For instance. Let's say that I am a little loopy anyway and I'll take total blame for the ALMOST fiasco. We decided to stray a little off the traditional path and have spaghetti for Christmas dinner. We had just done the turkey blow out meal 3 weeks ago. So, we thought that spaghetti, garlic breads, salads of all kinds and lots of desserts would fill the tummies of all our family. Sometime during the day of Christmas Eve I heard my sweet sisters say that they would do all the shopping for dinner. And then I said, "I want to make my special sauce." To which I got a resounding yippeeeee. I didn't stop to think that they would not know what to buy for "MY" sauce. So about 9pm on the eve of this lunch I started to leave for home and we were planning times for lunch etc.....I mentioned getting my groceries they had shopped for and going home to make sauce. Blank stares met my always blank stare. They assumed rightly that since I was making special sauce I'd have to shop because how would they know? OOOOOPPPPPPPPPS. Now, we had spaghetti noodles and NO hope for sauce. The ONLY store opened in our town on this eve night would be 7-11. Runs were made there but no ingredients that I would need. Friends we could call to "borrow" sauce ingredients? At almost 10PM on this eve night? I think not. So, daughter # 1 and I started home wondering how we were going to pull off this late night cooking miracle with what I had in my pantry. As we neared home, I noticed that the convenience store was still opened by our house although they were turning off lights as we pulled in. I knew that they did not stock what I needed but I was desperate. They let us in and locked the door. I mentioned that I wondered if the attached restaurant ( that I eat in at least twice a week ) would loan me some spices and sell me some hamburger meat. They totally were ok with all that and asked what I was up to this late. I told the story of the noodles with no sauce and the guy and girl looked at each other and smiled. They had spent the previous day making stock pots full of homemade spaghetti sauce to freeze for themselves for months. Did I want it? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME? We did pay them for their time and supplies and walked out with a huge pot of delicious sauce. Had we been 5 minutes later? I shudder to think how we could have pulled off a dinner of slimy spaghetti noodles with salads on the side. Even Pepperidge Farm garlic bread couldn't have cured that.

Not in relationship to the meal but everyone in my house has had runny noses and coughs. We just seemed to all be wiping little and big noses all week. We have kept KLE*ENEX in business. We also learned the wonders and the miracle of nasal saline washes. Sounds gross but trust me......it's a wonderful thing!

My sweet daddy was hand delivering a Christmas card to dear family friends and was bit several times by a dog enroute to their door. No one is to blame. The dog was doing his job as family watchdog! However, several hours in the ER treating leg wounds took up a precious part of our day. Daddy doesn't have much "meat" on his legs so some of the bites looked pretty bad. But, it NEVER slowed him down. He always is on a mission of some kind to help out anyone and everyone who needs him.

This dry winter has brought lots of field mice out of their hiding holes. They are searching for water and they think they found it around my house. We have set traps outside for months now and let me just say. I DO NOT CHECK THE TRAPS. It is not in my job description. Puking children were in my job description years ago. Suffice it to say that they have now found their way into the garage. Amidst......garage stuff. Yeah, let's just call it garage stuff. Anyway........"Santa" left a sack out there to be brought in at bedtime after all the children were sound asleep. A few hours later we went to retrieve it and a hole the size of the Grand Canyon was in the side. The foot long beef jerky stick was nibbled up and down. The pack of Big League chewing gum was ransacked.


Here's the happy little fellow wondering where the rest of the beef jerky is, looking for his nerf ball and wanting another chew of BIG LEAGUE bubble gum.

OH WELL......lots of lost receipts, mixed up presents, gifts that were duplicated, mislabeled gifts, and lots of memories. And lots of love, let me tell you. Lots of love. No, our last name is not Griswold. But, close.

Just a short little blurb to let all of you know that need to know and those of you who don't need to know know and those of you who might just wonder a little. I survived CHRISTmas '08. It was quite a celebration full of love, hugs, presents, families, babies, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, food, confusion, shopping, eating, snapping photos, and looking for lost things. Some were found. Some were not. We shared sniffles, coughs, and lots of Kleenex. We ran out of hot water more than once. Cold shower anyone? We filled up 2 houses and 1 - 4 bedroom Bed and Breakfast. But we all had a GREAT BIG wonderful time. Speaking of time. There wasn't enough of it. All of a sudden cars started loading packages and luggage and leaving. Before I was through celebrating.

We had a few Christmas surprises too. More on that when I realize what day it is. What day is it by the way?

Please say a special prayer today for a wonderful young father/husband who is struggling as he battles the last stages of a horrible cancer that attacked him 1 year ago. He is walking down that valley right now with family and friends watching him and praying for him. Please join them in granting him peace from fear, release to breathe without panic, rest from sleepless nights. For his precious wife and children....his parents and other family. It's not a good day at their house. His name is Brad.

A funny thing happened on my way down the ladder with my Christmas boxes. Then back up the ladder. Then back down again. A box was missing. A very important box. Box number 30 0f 32. The box that had all my special ornaments, 2 or 20 Christmas t-shirts, my sheer Christmas green and red beaded table runners, and a bundle of garland in it along with the wreath for my front door. I'm happy that this little Santa made it down. He is one of my favorites. All of a sudden I wasn't in a very jolly mood to decorate. What exactly all was I missing? It wasn't a box you could easily lose. How do you lose a box? But, 10 days later it has never been located. I think it was carried off by a pack of holiday crazed squirrels. So, not to sound like an un-jolly hostess, let me welcome you to the House of Neena minus the box. Where Christmas swirls around months prior to the actual day of Santa. As you step inside the den you are greeted first by an almost lifesize Santa.......

He may startle you at first. Believe me. He has startled me a time or two. Or three as I come around the corner.

He has this little scrunched up Santa face that really looks fleshy and his eyes are looking into your soul.

Moving right into the den to the large tree. The one with the presents under it that are wrapped. There are more that aren't wrapped. And I even confess, that there are more that aren't bought. SIGH. This is a new tree for our family this year. 9' tall with over three million lights. Or at least it seems like it. Actually only 900. We almost needed sunglasses when we flipped the lights on.

First thing I ever bought

on EBAY.

"BELIEVE". "Nuff said.

Our family has alot of sentimental ornaments. Most of them are the missing box. But, moving right along. Reid and Macy made these jingle bells the first year we watched Polar Express and drank hot chocolate. I will always treasure them!

Heather and I made these little snowman heads one year thinking we could make a million dollars on them at the craft sale. We didn't. But, they sure were fun and we did sell them all except for a few we kept for ourselves.

This little gaggle of snowmen look pretty content on their branches for goodness sakes. But, I mostly love the hangar ornaments with Santa's britches and coat hanging.

This silly little tree is for all the little ones in Neena's nest. It's full of Santas hanging on every branch.

Just because I think

he is pretty.

This little guy is getting ready for my annual Cookie Swap on Tuesday night. We'll miss you Connie! If you surprise us, could you bring those cute little mouse cookies? Please come home Connie. PLUHHHHHHHHEEEZE.

My gingerbread babies. All nestled in the corner of my kitchen. There are a few that are my favorites. One in particular has Heather and Ashley's teeth marks on them. Not from last year but from years ago! Trust me. I didn't fuss at them either.

There are more gingerbread sweeties gathered around my

kitchen and on another tree by the dining room window.



Just a cool crystal vase of red berries because I didn't know what else to do with them.

My lonely little stocking. Waiting.


To be filled with goodness. Because, I am good. I really am.

















"Just hear those sleigh bells ringing a ring ring ringing a ring. It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you"

This little smiling guy has brought lots of giggles to our house already this year. He sings very loudly as he throws his head back and rocks around the table in his sled in perfect time. He's a keeper for sure!

This card was sent to my grandmother by her Sister and Brother - law and I am guessing it is early 1900's. It's very old.










This old wooden box is full of Santa books. WHY you say? Because my babies like Neena to read to them. And Neena lovesto read to her babies.










My table is ready to be set. My reindeer mugs are ready to be filled with hot cocoa. Cookies are iced. The turkey is thawing (well not really yet). And from our house to yours......a very Merry Christmas, Blessed New Year, and Prayers Galore.















and Peace on earth and Goodwill to Men. That is my Christmas wish to you.


GOD BLESS EVERYONE!











P.S. I don't know why blogger won't cooperate when loading pictures with
words. I won't even tell you how long I worked on this to get half way right. I am still not happy with the way it skips spaces between pictures and scatters stuff. Sorry. Maybe next year I'll be "smart" enough to figure out something besides blogspot.

CONNIE????? CONNIE?????? Can you hear me? I don't want to do cooky swap without you.

Please come home.

Don't forget the OPEN HOUSE tours coming up this week. I have my tree up as you can see. But, that's all I'm showing until the 15th. Don't forget to pour yourself a huge cup of hot chocolate and come back and tour all the homes.

COUSINHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING BOOTS

Two little cousins set out on a mission one day. Neenas had given them some special boots so they decided to put them to good use. Their first stop would be to visit Tucker, the puppy, at the dog pen.








DO YOU THINK HE'LL BITE?
Jaxon reassures Avery that she'll be fine. Jaxon has 2 big big big doggie brothers named Petey and Tex. And despite her petititeness, she is not intimidated by dogs at all!







C'mon Avery, laughs Jaxon......you can do it!

"OKAY, Jaxon. If you are sure! I trust you like that. After all girl, you are my peeps and we are tight. Anyway, here comes your daddy and I think our adventure is over."

CHIPS

OFF

THE

OLD

BLOCK.
Have you ever seen anything so cute?
They had found these that I had bought them for Christmas while everyone was here for turkey day. They had so much fun with them. I think they logged quite a few miles on them already.

*****Pictures and idea stolen from my precious daughter in love******

Speaking of my precious daughter in love. OH yes, and my sweet son.

I AM GOING TO BE A NEENA AGAIN! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE. Keep us in your prayers because come July 3rd Neena's Nest is getting ready for an expansion.