Just another day...AKA Day 47 of 365

I had a ton of wonderful birthday wishes and for those I am thankful. Overall though, today was just another day. Had Lizzy here with us and the morning started out with turmoil. After things got settled, we had lunch and did some shopping, then came home. I have many feelings about the way today played out but until I sort them out entirely, I will not write publicly about it. Here's hoping that the New Year brings days filled with good memories and great happiness.

Still no car...AKA Day 46 of 365

They didn't manage to finish fixing our car and don't anticipate it being done until Monday. Good thing they gave us a rental!

Angelo...AKA Day 45 of 365

Going to sleep in Angelo. Night:)

Driving, driving and more driving...AKA Day 44 of 365

Today was the day I had to drive Emmy to Valera so she can spend the rest of the Christmas break with her dad and brothers. The drive there wasn't so bad as she and I sang together and talked. The drive back home was a little lonely as I was missing her already. Tomorrow morning I have to drive to Waco to take the car in for service, then when Jim gets off work tomorrow afternoon we will drive to San Angelo to stay the night, then pick up Lizzy first thing, hopefully, in the morning to bring her back here for the weekend. I am sure we will get out and do something on Saturday and then drive her back home on Sunday. That means a minimum of 24 hours in the car between 8 this morning and late Sunday night. I have managed to do something to my back again so at least the seats are heated so hopefully that will help, not hurt, my back. While I love all the kids, I sure wish someone would develop one of those "beam me up" devices so we wouldn't have to spend so much time in the car.

__________...AKA Day 43 of 365

So very blank

Girls Just Want To Have Fun...AKA Day 42 of 365

Great girls day out with my Emmy!

On the improve...AKA Day 41 of 365

Feeling a little better today. Going to try getting out of the house tomorrow.

Merry Christmas...AKA Day 40 of 365

Still sickly so... Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Still sick...AKA Day 39 of 365

Have taken several maps today trying to kick this cold. Hoping to be better soon.

Cold, sick, yuck...AKA Day 38 of 365

Emily gave me her cold. I feel like death warmed over. Tomorrow is our Christmas so hoping to feel better soon.

Busy bees...AKA Day 37 of 365

Had another awesome day with my Kyle! We got lots of last minute Christmas shopping done. Had Five Guys Burger and Fries for lunch and oh my heck...YUM! So good it should be sinful. Have lots to do tomorrow so will be hitting the hay soon.

Tamale Time...AKA Day 36 of 365

Had a flippin' awesome day making tamales with Kyle :)

Kyle...AKA Day 35 of 365

Am so excited to have my oldest kiddo here for several days. I just wish Zach could be here as well. Tomorrow Kyle and I will tackle making tamales for the first time. Worst case scenario we end up having to eat out LOL Best thing about it all is I get to spend some good time with him :)

Trying times...AKA Day 34 of 365

We have all said it at some point: "When it rains it pours". Well for a member of my family it has been pouring for a couple of years now. They have gone through a job loss, severe illnesses, losing their home, bankruptcy...the list goes on and on. It breaks my heart because they really go out of their way to help their family and anyone else that needs it. This week has brought on more bad stuff, this time the week before Christmas. If I could have anything for Christmas, I would want God to heal them physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. I know there is a reason for everything, but God, please let whatever needs to happen, happen and allow them to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. (And by this I mean some positivity, not THE LIGHT, as well all need them here.

Christmas Spirit...AKA Day 33 of 365

I have been having a really tough time getting in the Christmas spirit this year. I know what the main reason is and that is to raw a spot to talk about here. Emmy and I were talking Friday morning and were talking about Christmas songs that we like to listen to and suddenly realized we hadn't heard Santa Baby yet. I pulled up my music player and played a few different versions of it for her. While I know what the true reason for the season is, I have to admit that hearing that song, puts a little bounce in my fun Christmas spirit. I have felt it a little more since then and am hoping it just continues so I can enjoy each of my kiddos, whenever I get to see them during Christmas break. I love you all very much and although it would be wonderful to have you all here at the same time, and we will again eventually, God has other plans for us for now.

We drove, or did we? I can't remember ;) ...AKA Day 32 of 365

Just arrived home from our Friday night drive. I slept part way home but I am just wiped out. I am overdue for my B12 shot. I was supposed to get it 4 days ago and I am really feeling it, for sure. Jim is about to give it to me so hopefully tomorrow I will be a little better. Have a lot to do tomorrow and going to be busy all day Sunday as well. Will pick up our angel girl on Sunday, then Monday will start another busy week. Here's hoping my p has a quick recovery with her back. The two of us have the strangest ways of hurting ourselves LOL. Love you so much, p!

Yawn...AKA Day 31 of 365

So.tired.

Husband...AKA Day 30 of 365

My "husband" and I on our first cruise, his birthday present!

Kandy and her wonderful husband, Chris at Jim's party!



Another word was passed on to me last night on Facebook. It fittingly came from my "sister wife" Kandy. The word to inspire tonight's post is "husband". You see, Kandy and I share Jim. Not in the naughty sense, so y'all get your minds out of the gutter. Kandy has a wonderful husband, Chris. You see, Jim is Kandy's office husband, making her his office wife. He enjoys working with her and they have a great rapport. We emailed back and forth for a very long time before we ever met. When I need him to know something at work, I can email her and ask her to tell him, just in case he doesn't have time to check his email. We met for the first time in February, at Jim's 60th Birthday Party. She and I shared the secret of my gift to him, a 5 day western Caribbean cruise! I told her to make sure I could arrange for him to have the days off, prior to booking it. I really enjoy the emails back and forth with her and am thankful for her in a huge way.

An interesting little tidbit...As Emily and I were sitting in the car this afternoon waiting on Jim to come out of the prison, we were talking about Kandy. After sorting it out, she finally announced that since Kandy is Jim's office wife, and my "sister wife" then she must also be her "office mom". I found this so cute!

Another interesting tidbit, one that we have been trying to resolve for over 3 years now. Jim is not my husband, yet. We have referred to each other as husband and wife for a long time, but it isn't official yet. There is but one roadblock standing in the way. Ironically, that roadblock also involves him being a husband. It all happens when it is supposed to, I suppose.

Deb chose Goodness...AKA Day 29 of 365

As I sat at my computer tonight to do my post, I had complete and total blockage of my creative mind. I could think of not one word to write about. Not a single word. Finally I posted on Facebook, asking for one of my friends to give me just one word. Almost instantly, my beloved friend, Deb, posted this:

‎"Goodness," courtesy Mickey Mouse Clubhouse :)

I adore Deb :) Her amazing way with words were but the first thing that drew us together as friends somewhere in the neighborhood of 9 years ago. We had a common thread in our mothers that showed that there can be good things that come from a diagnosis of Paranoid-Schizophrenia. Deb has since lost her mother, I still have mine, but rarely get to see her as she is over an 8 hour drive away.

I find it fitting that Deb chose "goodness". She oozes the definition out of every pore. She is kind, loving, funny, spirited and caring just to choose a very few adjectives. I laugh at least once a day over something she has posted, and seeing as how laughter has been touted as the best medicine, I would say her fingertips also ooze goodness.

I admire her courage. I see her as fearless, although in reality, everyone has fear. When I picture Deb, I see her wearing a super hero cape. I know that sounds silly, but Deb knows that in order to make all your dreams come true, you simply must soak up all the goodness that comes your way and realize that your dreams will always come true when you are flexible with them.

Someday I will experience her goodness in person. That day will be filled with big squeezy hugs and some sort of fruity libation that we shall use to toast to a friendship that has become very dear to me.

Cheers to you and your goodness, Deb!

A Day of Recovering...AKA Day 28 of 365

Wandered around the house doing assorted straightening after the hurricane of a weekend we had. Jim had done a good deal of it on Sunday before we left so it wasn't nearly as bad as it would have been. It was a very relaxing day, done at my own pace. I was even able to slip in a couple of games of spades with my dad :)

Emmy's 12th birthday sleepover...AKA Day 27 of 365

Well we finally made it back home from San Angelo. Had to take Miss Lizzy home after she came for Emily's birthday sleepover this weekend. We sure enjoyed having her here and Emily had a lot of fun having all the girls here. The 8+ hour drive after barely getting any sleep for two days is rough. Jim drove the whole time though so I know he is really really tired. We may be eating Chinese leftovers for awhile because I ordered way too much food. Good thing it will freeze well. Only one of the girls had any of the plain white rice that comes with it so we have 7 pints of rice. We froze them still in their packages inside a big Ziploc bag and I will take them out one at a time to make rice pudding :) I also still have half a blizzard There are still a ton of balloons hanging from the ceiling and I think I may leave them up as they look a little festive. Maybe it will help me get/stay in the spirit. Here are some pics from the occasion:

Counting blessings...AKA Day 26 of 365

Before I lay my head down tonight:

Dear God,
Thank you for giving the ability to rear children that know how to be polite to one another as well as to adults, family or otherwise. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure or raising children that, although they may not like everything, will at least try all types of foods with an open mind and palate. Thank you for gracing them with social skills and the ability to know how to behave in public. Every time I am exposed to children who do not possess the above skills, please remind me to be patient with them and to guide them in a way that will prove to be both kind and encouraging. Remind me when needed that it was with your guidance that I was able to lead our children in developing the skills they need to be extraordinary young people who will flourish in the "real world".

In His name and with His love and guidance.

Have had a very productive day.

So much to do tomorrow, going to bed.

Plain day...AKA Day 23 of 365

Today is a not much to say kind of day. Cooked a little, cleaned a little, knitted a little...not much excitement.

Say it ain't sew!....AKA Day 22 of 365

So yesterday I decided to try my hand at loom knitting. Since beginning about 24 hours ago, I have made one baby hat and 2 adult hats. So so (not sew sew) easy! It doesn't take long to finish one so that is a plus for me. I bought the loom to make scarves as well. Think I will give that a whirl tomorrow :) Pics to follow soon.

Pretty Day ...AKA Day 21 of 365

Haven't felt much in the spirit of the season but figured we needed to get the tree up. Jim dug out the tree this morning. I put it together and Emmy and her sweet friend Isabella were kind enough to decorate it :) They did a lovely job and I am starting to sing Christmas songs. Guess it worked.

After supper, I decided to try out my new hobby. By the time I was done, I had a cute baby hat to show for it. It wasn't perfect but then, neither am I :)

Where I Come From, Rain is a Good Thing...AKA Day 20 of 365

After probably a year of praying, our part of Texas has recently been getting a good amount of rain. It's wintertime and the plants are actually growing because of all the good rain. Love getting it, hate driving in it. My honey was nice enough to drive the entire way to pick up Emmy this time because he knows that driving in storms makes me nervous. Love him for it! We arrived home safe and sound and here shortly will be crawling into bed. Thank You, God, for the rain and thank You for my amazing man.

Nom Nom Nom Nom Veggies...AKA Day 19 of 365

Drove the 30 miles to Temple this morning to pick up our first order with http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/. It was raining for about half the drive, light at first then not so light. I was scared I would be picking up in the drenching rain. God was watching out for me as by the time I got there it had eased up. I arrived early to help with the basket filling. It was a good time with some nice people. I ordered two baskets thinking they would be small since this was only the second time for this site and they only had 18 basket orders. This was our haul:

2 bountiful baskets: 10 bananas, 3 honeydew melons, 2 cabbage, 12 Fuji apples, 6 bell pepper, 6 zucs, 8 avocados, 13 kiwi, 10 Fairchild tangerines and 16 roma tomatoes. $30 at bountiful baskets...had we bought at HEB $55!

I would highly encourage anyone that lives in an area that bountiful baskets serves to consider contributing. You are getting fresh produce that hasn't been sitting around in your supermarket being squeezed by everyone who walks by at very reasonable prices.

Reaching out, quietly...AKA Day 18 of 365

When the people we care about are going through pitfalls it is hard sometimes to find the words to say to let them know how much we care and how much we love them. There are times when that someone doesn't really want to talk about it, or to even have to acknowledge that they are having a problem. For that person, you know who you are, I am here if you ever want to talk about it. I think you are a wonderful person and I am proud to call you my friend.

An alien invaded my spinal column...AKA Day 17 of 365

The best I can say for right now is that an alien must have embedded itself in the lower portion of my spinal column and has been randomly probing it with electrodes that cause intense spasms. This has been going on ALL DAY LONG!

The area being affected is the one in green...seems fitting since the little green aliens are residing there for the time being!

Aliens, you are on official notice....CEASE AND DESIST IMMEDIATELY!