I Have A Big Story To Tell

Simple Sundays

2012-01-29T20:26:00.000-06:00

The quote is by one of my favorite's....Oscar Wilde.

I LOVE Craig(s List)

2012-01-26T23:49:00.000-06:00

You might remember that we went the entire summer and part of the fall with absolutely no stove, oven or burners in our new (old) house. When we bought the house the kitchen was completely empty, save for a row of very (EXTREMELY) ugly cabinets. ...Oh yea, and an even worse sink.

All pics were taken as we were grilling and cooking tonight. (Sorry for the mess!)

Since we were starting with nothing
I could basically pick out any color of appliance I wanted.
I was pretty sure I wanted stainless, as it went with
so many other things we owned.

Have I ever told you before

how much I love Craig?

As in Craigslist?

Oh yeah!

Many a wonderful thing has been bought there!

Including this stove.

I knew I wanted a gas stove,

because that is just how I roll.

I kept looking....

and looking...

throughout the summer.

Finally this fall, I found the stove I wanted.

It was a six burner gas. Stainless.

The middle part has a grill that can be put in

place of two burners.

We use that grill all.the.time!

(As seen in the photos from tonight!!)

Not only that, but it is also a convection oven

as well as a regular oven.

One little switch

changes things over.

We had the convection on tonight

making baked potatoes.

So cool.

Plus it has a cute little drawer on the bottom

to store the grill and/or burners in

when not in use.

Oh, and did I mention

that it also has not one, but TWO

instant boil burners!

Waaahoooo!!!!

Hold the ponies! There is more.

It also came with this microwave.

The micro is the

over-the-stove-type

with the blowers, lights, etc....

But obviously,

in my beautiful kitchen

it is not up yet.

We just use it from its

~~cute~~ little table.

Patience. Patience.

I know you are wondering....

well they both came wrapped in plastic.

Someone bought them for their kitchen

then changed their mind

during the remodel.

So they sat in that garage. Unused.

Until I bought the set...yes, the set...

for $750.00.

For. Real.

New and just waiting to be loved!

Ok....you want to know more reasons I love Craig(s List)?

Say hello to a hardworking dishwasher.

Also bought from Craig(s List).

Also wrapped in plastic....in the box.

Another waaaahoooooo!

You might not be able to tell

by this picture,

but the dishwasher is a 30 inch model.

It can hold over 10 place settings

at a time.

Stainless inside as well as out.

Since we did not have a conventional kitchen

there was only a hole that the dishwasher should go in.

Weirdly enough, that hole was for a 30 inch

dishwasher.

(Most dishwashers are 24 inches wide.)

Weird that we had that hole big enough....

This dishwasher...let me just say...we got at a 90% discount.

New. Unused.

Well, since we had the crappiest

cabinets ever,

I am always looking on

Craigslist for new cabinets.

I have seen several that I liked, but

not scored a complete set yet.

I did get this little

all-wood-heavier-than-heck-set.

I got this for

$100.

It took my three big sons

and my husband

to huff-and-puff it into the house.

I used it as an island for the whole summer.

My long-term goal was to paint it an accent color,

cover the sides with beadboard too,

and put some little bun feet on it

as it fulfilled its island duties...

(hopefully with a granite or butcher block top).

Then the day before Thanksgiving

I bought this $150 guy from Craig(s List).

Oh. My. Gosh.

Love it (said in a singing voice).

Talk about heavy!

It has a massive butcher block top...

With great big

galvanized legs.

And in my world...

galvanized and stainless

are kissing cousins

and look great in the

same room!

It has a great galvanized bottom shelf too.

The top is all scratched......and loved!

One day one of my sons got out the

cutting board

to cut

on this island!

I shrieked!

"Are you kidding me??? Get that

knife of yours cutting right on

top of that island!"

It is SO hard to untrain children!!

This 'ole island

got a workout

during the holidays!

There is a place on one

edge where there is a

groove...

kind of the shape of a

bowl. Or plate...

I tried to take a picture of it,

but it is kindahard.

Just trust me. It is so cool.

This table was used in a BBQ restaurant

and they said that is where they chopped

the briskets

each and every day.

Love it. (same singing voice).

Sometimes if we scrub the

butcher block really hard

we can get a smokehouse smell.

Sometimes.

I keep trying!

One of my favorite pieces I have

found with the help of my love, Craig(s List)

is this big heavy tin sign.

It is massive.

My grandmother was a Stogsdill

and her mama was a

Gooch.

As in Gooch's Best.

Aren't those cool names?

Stogsdill. Gooch.

Say those three times together!

I paid $100 for the sign.

I felt like that was a little much...

except I knew I could

build my kitchen around it...

and I

really, really, really, really wanted it.

I had to send my oldest son to get it for me.

It was not a local yokel.

But it all worked out...

and I see the sign and think of

relatives from long ago...

with really cool names.

By the way,

since this guy got relieved

of his island duties

we just ~~pushed~~ hauled him

along one wall

and use him

for all his drawers and cabinet

as a wall unit.

Our idea right now is to

eventually use him as a base cabinet

once we remodel since he is so

heavy and good.

Once again...Patience. Patience!

I told Hubby that by the time we

~~start and~~ finish the kitchen

then we can just say,

"Hey let's go in the Craig and make supper."

Get it?

You know, instead of the kitchen we could just say the Craig

since everything in it has come from Craig(s List).

Ok. It was a dumb joke, (but I liked it!)

Linking up with Farmhouse Friday, and Funky Junk Interiors.

Tell All Tuesday--The State of MY Union

2012-01-24T22:54:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when I think about what I am going to say on "Tell All Tuesdays", I am just bursting with ideas. Then when it actually comes down to writing it, I think "Hmmm... maybe not!" I'm still trying to decide!

Since tonight was the annual "State of the Union" address, I thought I would use that as a little play on words as my own "state of MY union"!

My Hubby and I got married at a very young age.

(None of our children have fallen in our footsteps. Of the five, only Fielding is married and he was 28 when he married.)

I guarantee you that

over half of the people that attended

our very large wedding,

thought we would never ever last.

A lot of that probably had to do with our age.

We were in college when we got married,

and seriously,

it could not have been more fun.

We had met when we were both very young...

(Like 1st and 2nd grade young!!)

But we would not meet again until high school.

Our parents knew each other, but Hubby lived in the big city and I was the small-town-gal.

He was a fantastic athlete, and I am sure I was drawn to that.

The fact that he is funny, clever

and EXTREMELY kind

made it perfect!

I know I have written many, many times

how sports-minded our lives have been

as we raised the children.

It all started because Hubby and myself

both played---and loved---sports.

The Hubs played baseball in college and

I was his #1 fan.

Now that the children are

through with their sporting days,

the Hubs spends hours and hours

playing golf.

That leaves me with hours and hours

to fix up my house

or scour for

the fun old items I like to decorate with.

I tell him to golf barefoot, but he just won't listen!

There are many ways that we could not be

more opposite.

But when it came down to the principles

of our marriage,

religion,

politics (ha!),

and University loyalty (haha!),

we are dead on!

I say "ha", but

I guarantee you

that has kept us

from many a fight!

(Notice I did not say 'ha' about religion. That I take seriously.)

Probably one of the

biggest differences

between us

is TV.

I could really care less about TV.

My husband could not live without it.

Even for a day.

I read incessantly...anything I can get my hands on.

He could care less about reading.

BUT....I feed his (bad) habit by

buying bigger TV's, and telling the cable people to

put boxes all over the place in the new (old) house.

He returns the favor

by buying me books....or a Nook...or

building me new computers.

We love to go to

any kind of ballgame

together.

Even now that we have

no personal involvement,

you can still find us at ballgames

on any given night.

When our oldest first began

extra-curricular activities,

I said then that we should put $1 (apiece)

in an account

any time we

went to any type of children's events.

Then when the youngest graduated,

we would take that money and go

on a grand vacation...

just the two of us.

Well life got busy, and busier,

and we never did do that!

Dang.

That would have been one heck of a

vacation!

(Five children X a kajillion events!!)

What a great idea that would-have-been!

(If you are young and reading this, try that!)

Our daughters were in Ireland when we had these pics taken and the girls are STILL MAD that we took the pics without them!

We have made

a concerted effort

to take a picture

each year

on (or close to)

our wedding anniversary

of our family.

How fun those pictures are to look

back on

the family growing...

......each year! (a big HA!)

Both of us are

laid back people.

The Hubs even more so than me.

That makes it easy for both of us.

I will have to say that

most of the time

I get my way.

But again, in return I have

made sure that everything

runs smoothly at home.

It has made for a great team.

I heard...(or probably read)

two quotes that we used and referenced

many times

through the years.

The first is by Billy Graham's wife, Ruth.

(Paraphrased) "If two people in a marriage

are just alike,

then there is only need

for one of them."

What wonderful and wise words those are!

And the other is so logical and so true as well.

"Marriage is not about each partner giving 50/50,

it's about each partner giving 100/100."

The state of MY union

is very happy...

and working together

...for the greater good of the whole.

(Too bad the politicians don't do the same!)

We are looking happily forward

to yet another chapter

in our good life.

Scientifically Speaking.........

2012-01-23T22:43:00.000-06:00

Scientifically speaking.......

male brains and female brains are verrrrryyyyy different!

Scientifically speaking.....

male brains can sometimes

pleasantly surprise

female brains.

Such was the case when my Hubby

brought home to me

a bunch of various

science lab glassware

that was headed for the trash!

Several kinds of test tubes,

a beaker

a big measuring glass

a mortar and pestle

a cute little ridged glass jar with a black lid...

Several little chemical glass containers

with the cutest little lids.

DON'T WORRY!! He scrubbed everything out

(wearing gloves)

long before he gave them to me!

Scientifically speaking...

my heart did a quick pitter-patter

when I saw the gifts he had brought to me.

Scientifically speaking....

my gifts were as well received

as if he had given me a

flower bouquet....

The big measuring container, where it usually is on the hutch.

I put the

little treasures

throughout the house,

using them for flowers,

glass ornaments at Christmas,

in the bathroom as decoration,

or just grouped together.

Scientifically speaking

I was as happy as I could be....

until Hubby just happened to mention....

That there were two or three

Periodic Table of Elements

in the trash too...

but they were old...

and worn out looking...

and he didn't know if I'd like them!

Scientifically speaking....

sometimes they just don't get it!!!

Linking this to Metamorphosis Monday.

Simple Sundays

2012-01-22T23:22:00.000-06:00

Let's Make A Deal!

2012-01-21T21:18:00.001-06:00

Let me just say that there can't be

too many things

more exciting

than welcoming

Baby Princess Lucas

into the world in the middle of March.

And have we ever been preparing!

The after-Christmas sales were

wonderful......for first time grandparents,

first time aunts and first time uncles.

Between all of us, before we knew it,

we had accumulated quite a

stash for the sweet baby.

Even though because of the sales,

I had not spent a tremendous amount,

I was beginning to feel a little bit guilty

at all the cute new outfits and other items

that would be waiting for Sweet Baby.

I kept that "guilty feeling" to myself.

I didn't want anyone misinterpreting it.

But THANK GOODNESS for children....

no matter HOW old they are.

One of my children came to me with the stack on the right

in the above picture.

Oh, this same child had added plenty to

Sweet Baby's pile,

but the pile on the right was special too.

She decided to also buy

for a women's shelter

she knew about through her work.

I told her I had begun to feel guilty

myself

at the fact

Sweet Baby Lucas is coming into a world

where love has no limits.

Her every move will be cooed over.

Her every milestone documented by many.

What a wonderful world for her!

Then reality hits home and we realize

it is not even close to that for so many children.

So my giving child bought a whole

sack full of goodies

for a child

that will not

know the same love.

I know I have shared on here before

about how

compassionate

my children are.

(And they truly are!)

They would bring home

every stray animal,

every down and out person,

every sad child,

if there were any way possible.

They show their kindnesses

over and over

to people.

Sometimes it is done

with the recipient knowing,

other times it is done anonymously.

All times

it is done out of love.

So we made a little deal

in our family.

Each time we buy something for

Sweet Baby Lucas,

we must also come home with something

for some other

sweet baby

that will never know us.

have made it our mission.

have made it a ministry.

have already begun.

Anyone else want to get on board?

Friday Night Date With the Diva

2012-01-20T23:32:00.000-06:00

I love Friday nights. I love them to the tips of my toes. I love them as much as I love sunshine.

I love ballgame Friday nights...

and non-ballgame Friday nights.

I love Friday nights when I can just be lazy.

And lazy is just what I am on this Friday night.

I have absolutely nothing to write about.

So I will just show you pictures....

and continue my lazy ways!

Remember this little Dumpster Diva?

Well here she is in her winter-wear.

I used my turquoise plates again.

They were just sitting there...

and I like winter-white and turquoise together.

Love the galvanized snowflakes that are

left-over from my cold Kansas winters decor.

Don't let Diva's winter-wear fool you.

We are still sporting 50's, 60's and low 70's here.

Even this warm-weather-lover knows

we need some kind of

moisture.

I would prefer the non-snow kind,

but at this point we will take

whatever we can get.

And in the meantime

Miss Diva

will continue thinking

she looks

pretty cute!

Yes, those are some of my birthday presents in the background. Oh well!

I'll go to bed

and refresh my energy levels

and be ready to go

again tomorrow morning!

Have a very good weekend yourself....

Seeing Double

2012-01-19T20:38:00.000-06:00

There are MANY great reasons to have five children. Among those reasons would be when Mama has a birthday.

(That Mama would be me!)

Not only that, it seems like they made sure to get

me double---or more--

of each present.

A set of giant plaid pillows

bought (proudly) on clearance at Target.

We have a plaid bedroom upstairs

where they can stay out all year.

Right now they look cute on

my sofa in the computer room.

Then not one, but two

complete seasons of

Modern Family.

I do not watch much TV other

than Food Network and college football,

but I never, ever, ever,

miss an episode of

Modern Family.

I have already watched on complete DVD

and plan on watching them over and over.

Another pillow twosome.

This one the oh-so-popular

script pillows.

Love them!

They have already been in

a couple of different rooms!

I was also

sweetly given

two new CD's.

Adele and Toby Keith.

What a twosome!

Both are great CD's.

I put them on and listened

as I cleaned the house last weekend.

And finally,

another set of Christmas plates.

(Giant eye roll from the Hubby)

But, as was pointed out to me....

I did NOT have any

square

Christmas plates.

Ah ha!!

Not only that(!!) but,

I got EIGHT of them.

Dinner size.

And (again proudly) they were only $3

a piece....

down from the regular

price of

$16.oo a piece!

They are Food Network plates too.

What a super great deal.

Those are just a few of the reasons

I had such a

great birthday

with my family!

Smothered Steak

2012-01-18T23:25:00.001-06:00

It might be hard to tell from this picture,

but this is one of the most

delicious meals

you can make.

Not only that,

it is ULTRA easy to make.

You begin with

what we call (in Oklahoma)

"round steak".

It is like an upgrade to a

cube steak (which would also work),

or a tenderized sirloin.

Maybe even a tenderized flank

would work.

Simply cut it into individual portions.

Dredge it in flour.

Melt enough Crisco to cover the bottom

of your skillet.

When the Crisco is melted,

put your steak in to lightly brown.

You can see from the picture above

that I pile it in the skillet.

I take it out of the skillet when it is

only lightly browned on each side.

As you can see in the picture above....and yes

I realize it is not a very appetizing picture,

but just hang with me!

I usually have at least two or three

skillets full to brown.

I just pile the semi-browned steak

on a plate

until I have it all browned.

Then.....

I pile all the steak I am cooking

into the skillet

I just used to brown the meat.

(By this time there should be no Crisco left).

I will have at two layers

(or a little more)

of meat.

Before I put on the second layer of meat,

I spice the meat up.

Personally I use pepper, garlic salt and onion salt.

I also put one can of Cream of Mushroom

on top of the first layer.

I then put on the second layer of meat

and do the exact same thing.

Then the last step is to add

a soup can full (or even a little more)

of milk.

OR you can use water and get the same results.

Really.

Put it on a burner at medium heat.

Cover it (as in the picture above this),

and let it slowly cook.

Make sure it does not do a slow burn.

Watch the bottom layer.

You might have to move it around.

I have even turned it over on occasion.

You know your own stove.

Just watch it to make sure it does not burn.

It should begin to look like the picture above

as it makes its own gravy.

Depending on your stove

and the amount of meat you are cooking,

it should take from 35-45 minutes.

If you have cooked it slowly,

you honestly do not even need a knife.

I realize that it does not look

very appetizing in the pictures,

but I promise it is delicious.

My family loves it with mashed potatoes,

as it makes such a good rich gravy.

Not only that, but you can prepare

the steak exactly as described,

and put it in the oven to bake

with the same results.

Watch your steak in the oven as well

and make sure you do not run out of liquid

and burn it!

And, just to cover every single base....

yes, you can prepare it just as described

but put it in a crock pot.

No matter which way you cook it

the results are the same.

Delicious.

I am linking this to Designs by Gollum.

Tell All Tuesday

2012-01-17T23:14:00.001-06:00

Well it is my 3rd Tell All Tuesday of 2012 and for the first time I don't have a birthday to share. Well, actually my birthday was on Friday (in case you didn't read my Saturday post), but since it was not on "Tell All Tuesday", we'll just dismiss it! BUT, I do kind of have a birth-day to talk about. Sorta.

My son sent me these pictures today.

He and his wife had a 4D sonogram done today.

Isn't it amazing what can be done now?

Of course, I think she is just beautiful!

Here I think she looks like her

Gigi (me)....

because she has her foot in her mouth!

Mine is not physical like her though!

She is due to arrive on March 23rd.

When I see pictures like this it seems

like these last two months will

be a LONGGGGG time coming!

She doesn't have an official name yet.

Yes, I have suggested my fair share. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I have suggested

Landry, Campbell, Harper, Lulu and Elizabeth.

Most of the time I just call her

Elizabeth.

(I have no doubt none of the suggestions will be used, but it is fun to just call her this

until she gets here.)

No matter what her name will be,

I cannot wait to call her "beautiful", "perfect", "adorable"....

Someone wrote and asked me if I had really

read all the books I shared.

Well, honestly, I can't say I read

those specific copies,

but I have probably read 90% of the books and stories

in other editions.

For as long as I can remember,

my mother read to me all the time

until I was able to read.

Once I began reading I have never stopped.

Whenever I find those lists,

"100 Books That Should Be Read By Everyone"

(or some such title)

I always peruse the list.

Most of the time I have read at least 90% of the list.

You have to remember that not only do I love to read myself,

but I also teach literature.

I always make sure I teach at least two "classic" novels,

as well as two "contemporary" novels per school year.

Then we also read many, many short stories.

And, as I said, I reread books all the time.

I am just weird that way.

Anytime you have a good book that you think

I need to read, by all means let me know.

And in the same regard, if you want to know about a book

I can probably help you with that too!

Someone else wrote and scolded me

for not responding to my messages.

I totally agree.

I need to begin doing that.

That got added to my resolution of

"being a better blogger".

I will begin doing that.

The main problem has been that I read so

much of the blogs I follow

as well as my own messages,

on my phone.

I will be the first to tell you

I AM THE WORST TEXTER EVER!!!!

I will write a whole post about it sometime.

I blame it on fat fingers.

So, I need to make a special effort to respond

when I get home at night.

Be expecting to hear back from me

if you leave me a message.......

And if you use your real name and not Anonymous!
(Because it does not let me email back to Anonymous's)

Also, the same person told me that I misused the word

"resolute".

Just so you know,

I actually meant to use that word.

In that way.

Yes.

I know what it means.

It was just my little way of having a "play on words".

Guess it wasn't as clever as I thought.

I really do know my words.

I promise.

That's it for

Tell All Tuesday today.

You can ask me anything!

(P.S. It was THE longest day today, because when I woke up

I thought for some reason it was Saturday. Then when I realized

it was only Tuesday, that made for a long day! Ha and UGH!)

Decorating by the Book(s)!

2012-01-15T21:37:00.002-06:00

Apparently I come from a loooooong list of voracious readers. On all sides of my family!

It seems as though whenever

anyone in my family has died,

there have always been lots of books

left behind.

To which everyone always says,

"Lori will take them."

"Box 'em up for Lori."

Such has been the case

since I was in high school.

Long before I taught literature.

And I couldn't be happier

to get them.

It is a win/win.

I not only get wonderful, beautiful, priceless,

old books;

but I have tangible pieces of my legacy, my past.

I like to imagine my relatives

using the books,

day after day,

time after time.

Personally,

I can read a good book

many times.

Apparently

I come from others

that also liked to

read

and

reread

the same book.

I have Classics.

I have children's books

by the dozens.

All bearing witness to

countless hours

of love.

I have books that when

my great-great-grandparents

were making their way

from Ireland to America,

and could only bring the

necessities....

still found a way to bring

a favorite book,

to remember their homeland.

Don't think that doesn't

put a lump in my throat

every single time

I view it!

I love the

muted colors

of the

book collection.

It is as though they

are calling to us.

Come sit.

Come read.

Then one will

pop out

with its

red boldness

or splash of

cover color,

"Read me. Read me first!"

Pictures and books

and

picture books.

All with years of love.

And across the room

more books.

More love.

More history.

You know what I also love about

these books?

I teach many of the same stories

to my students

each year.

Just imagine how many

thousands

and thousand

have read the

very words

in these books.

And that is how I decorate...

by the book(s)!!

I am linking this to Metamorphosis Monday. Also Wow Us Wednesday's and Open House Thursday. And Farmhouse Friday. Come take a look!

Simple Sundays

2012-01-15T14:08:00.002-06:00

Age Is Just A Number and Mine Is..................

2012-01-14T21:45:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. While Friday the 13th birthdays would weird some people out, I have always embraced the number 13 and the Friday's as well when they have come around. My sister's birthday is on Friday the 13th as well this year...in July. What are the chances of that? (Cue the freaky music!)

I decided to reprint the post I wrote on my 50th birthday and add two more thoughts. I consider it an "oldie" but a goodie.

1. 50 is the new 30. At least in my rule book.

2. The older I get, the more I try to understand other people’s point(s) of view.

3. I cannot remember when I have not read at least one book per month. I hope that continues for the next 51 years as well.

4. If I never saw snow again I would truly be fine with that. Snow and cold are both four-letter words in my world.

5. I think the word “NORMAL” should be removed from all dictionaries, vocabularies and erased from people’s minds and standards.

6. I love politics but have a strong-dislike for (most) politicians.

7. I think people on chronic welfare should have to pass drug-tests before getting their benefits.

8. I believe in ghosts.

9. I believe in guardian angels. I am “living” proof! Tim thinks I’ve worn out several!!

10. I think we all meddle too much in things that are not any of our business.

11. I still get goose bumps every time I hear the Star Spangled Banner or see a flag waving in the wind.

12. I always sing “home of the BRAVE” when I sing the Anthem. And I think of the BRAVE as I sing it. I really don’t even understand the debate over the issue…..(Sooner fans).

13. The number 13 is one of my three favorite numbers. I’m weird like that.

14. I think pedicures are a necessity. I used to work extra-duty to treat myself to pedicures. Now I treat myself to pedicures BECAUSE I have to work extra (non-paying) duty!

15. All children should be read to before Day 1 and every day thereafter.

16. This bugs me: One has to have 10 hours of Foreign Language to get a Bachelor’s degree at college but only SIX hours of English to get the same degree!

17. When a person works with young people each day they tend to stay “younger”.

18. I don’t require very much sleep. I tend to stay up very, very late. I keep thinking I will outgrow it. Not yet!!

19. If the weather was good, I would swim every single day.

20. At Parent/Teacher conferences I always start the conference with something good about the student involved. (No matter what!!!) I always have and always will. Sometimes it is near impossible too!

21. I took me way too long to accept I was going to be taller than everyone else. What a waste that I hated it for so long!

22. No matter how many times (a day) I hear, “But I don’t like to read”, it still shocks me. It’s probably the same shock they would feel if I said, “I don’t really like TV”!!!!!!!

23. I don’t really like TV much. When I do watch it, it has to be a good suspenseful mystery, college football or the cooking channel.

24. Weird and Personal Alert: I always make sure my bra and panties match and they always coordinate with what I am wearing that day!

25. I wish I had known at 25 what I have learned at 50. Youth truly is wasted on the young.

26. I love animals. I LOVE my animals. They bring a whole other dimension to our lives.

27. My great-great-grandmother got my middle name from a street in New Orleans. Then the name just kept getting passed down to each generation. (Lucky me!!)

28. I could honestly eat some kind of chocolate every single day. If that chocolate came only in the form of brownies that would be fine too.

29. I always wanted six kids. Tim wanted two. We compromised. Ha! (I like to think the various kids that have stayed at our house through the years are my number six.)

30. Cooking is a stress reliever.

31. I remember dates (birthdays, historical events) very, very well. I’ve got a little Raingirl in me I think!

32. I first met Tim when I was four years old. He was staying with Zeke, and Rusty and I had to walk down to Zeke’s house to play with him.

33. I have a grammar and/or literature textbook from my great-grandparents an all four sides. (Ferguson, Flanagan, Stogsdill and O’Connor)

34. I would like to own a book store with lots of comfy chairs and natural light. I would make home-made goodies to take into the book store each day to sell.

35. I once had a student tell Annie that he had planned to commit suicide. Then I had the class read Edgar Allan Poe stories. After that he realized other people suffered some of the same thoughts he had and it made him feel better. Now I always make sure I teach at least two Edgar Allan Poe pieces every year.

36. I miss all my grandparents more and more the older I get.

37. I want to live to be 101.

38. I love the underdog.

39. I think Veterans should be treated by the public –and the government---like Kings (and Queens).
40. Everyone should spend time in a nursing home or a retirement home volunteering and just listening.

41. Never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. God is gracious and good.

42. I really need glasses. And a new knee. (And a facelift.)

43. I wish I had fresh flowers around me all the time.

44. Being the word aficionado that I am, I plan to put the “fun” into “funeral”. Mine will be a time of story-telling, good food and of course Boomer Sooner to send me off.

45. I have more family than the Average Chick. I am LUCKY that way. On both sides my family members are quick to help and use their talents for each other. There are so many of us that we can do just about anything.

46. My parents were practical and wise as well as loving. They not only taught, they have shown us the true meaning of benevolence.

47. God’s hand was clearly in the matchup of Tim and Lori. He is the practical to my emotional, the TV to my books, the steady to my waves, the laid-back to my rants, the nurturer to my soul. I am craaazzzzzy in love with that man.

48. I love my children more than life itself.

49. I always remember my Grammie saying “Kids are goats. Children are people. Call them children not goats.” Once in a while I slip up, but I always hear her voice when I do!!

50. Going to the children’s ballgames---even in freezing snow storms, plays, band concerts (even when they could barely play), vocal concerts, church pageants, teas, science fairs, camps, conferences and sleep-overs have been the best days of my life.

51. I truly believe that God gives us signs when we ask for them...(or sometimes even when we don't). In the same regard, on days that are special to me, or if I have something 'big' going on in my life, I almost always spot a redbird. Or a redbird pair. Yesterday I saw a pair. Sitting on my fence. I took that to mean, "Happy Birthday Lori...We are still watching you. Love Grammie and Pop"

52. I wonder at times if we are going to 'out-smart' ourselves? As a society, we embrace each new leap of technology (myself included!!), but at what cost? Did we ever think that we wouldn't need film for cameras? A voice on the other end of the (customer-related) phone? Books and magazines and newspapers to hold in our hands? Teachers in the classroom? Cookbooks? Dictionaries? Maps?.......How long is the list? And the people that (use to) do those services?

Well that's the list until next January 13th. Can you relate to any of them?

The Shirt off Their Backs...........................................................

2012-01-13T23:55:00.000-06:00

For Christmas, my sister got all the boys in the family a custom-made dress shirt.

Now that's a lot of fancy shirts....

because we have a lot of boys in this family!

Not only that, but she had a pizza party

(boys only)...And that would be a LOT of pizza. Look at this crew!!

After they ate, the tailor came over to

my sister's house and

measured each of the boys.

The boys each got to

pick out the style of shirt they wanted,

pockets, no pockets,

shirt tail, straight hem,

fancy-schmancy, more causual,

how fitted they wanted it at the waist,

and the fabric.

The boys absolutely loved every minute of it.

They enjoyed the pampering,

the decisions,

the whole shebang!

The boys knew they were getting

the shirts,

but my sister also included

a tie to match that she picked out

for each of them.

They were thrilled to say the least.

It was a special gift like none they had ever received.

I should have taken a picture of the

exquisite boxes and ribbon

they came wrapped in.

Because it would have been

a heck of a lot easier

to take pictures of pretty boxes

than of these guys

with their new shirts and ties!

Boy oh boy!!

More Lipstick on that Little Piggy!

2012-01-12T23:33:00.000-06:00

Remember that lipstick I keep putting on my little pig?

Well, she's got her 'cool' colors on now.

More like Winter White!

Since it does not look like we will be doing any

complete remodels of the kitchen

anytime soon,

I am thinking about painting the inside of these

cabinets a lighter color.

When I do that, we'll call that 'eyeshadow'!

My sister-in-law and brother gave us this hot chocolate set

many, many years ago

when the children were little.

Believe me when I say LOTS of

hot chocolate

has been drank out of these mugs

when the kids would come in from playing

in the Kansas snow.

It is too cute, and has too many memories to not put out!

These cute little snowmen

came from the Dollar Store

a couple of years ago.

They are perfect for big

cups of soup.

What is really funny about my

new lipstick

for this piggy,

is that here in Oklahoma

we have not even had a hint of winter

until today.

It is (kinda) cold here today,

but nothing to get too worked up about.

A few (good snow)men,

a few (snow)flakes,

and

her lipstick is set for a month.

Or two.

Let's just say,

if these snowmen (and flakes!)

were outside

they'd have melted by now!

One more picture...........

I never did share her

Christmas Red

shade!!

I was taking everything down

and realized

the lipstick had not been shared.

So I put things back in...

sortakindalikeitwas...

Let's just say

her lipstick was smudged in these pics!

The Queen's 75th

2012-01-11T22:59:00.001-06:00

My Mother turned 75 the weekend after Thanksgiving. With all the hullabaloo of Thanksgiving and the rush to get out everything Christmas, she thought that we (her family) would just celebrate it quietly.

HA!

She could not have been more wrong!

We surprised her with a little shindig on

the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving.

About 100 of her closest friends showed up!

We were ready for the masses.

We had a dessert buffet, along with fruit

and a variety of cheeses, brie and crackers.

My Mother is very, very Irish,

very, very Southern,

and very, very old-school manners.

My niece, Libby, made the shamrock cookies.

Each of the four granddaughters,

my sister-in-law, my sister and I made all the food....

And enjoyed every minute of it.

The grandsons kept her entertained and

preoccupied until we were ready to spring

the surprise on her.

My cousin Scott made 75 pieces of fudge, decorated and cut precisely!

The table was centered with a centerpiece of 75 white and minty green (in honor of her Irish heritage) roses, put together by my sister-in-law the talented florist.

Besides all the good food, one of the best parts of the birthday bash were the presents.

Obviously, my Mother does not need a single thing, nor

would we ever expect our guests to bring presents.

We had a better idea.

Along with the invitation, we sent out a little white card.

We asked that instead of big presents, we would like each guest to bring a Christmas ornament that made the guest

think of my Mother.

They were to attach the included card, with an

explanation of why they chose that ornament.

And would you believe that with all those people, we did not have a single duplicate ornament?

It was clear that people put a lot of thought into

picking out their ornament.

She had SO much fun reading the birthday cards

and especially reading the cards attached to each

ornament.

We also bought a tree for her to hang the ornaments,

and had it handy so that as she opened the ornaments

we hung them.

The day was truly a special 75th.

We had so much fun thinking of ideas that were

a little out of the box.

There is only one problem....

after my Mom took down all her other trees

and Christmas decor

she just can't bear to take down the

"memory tree".

It is still up and she said she reads the little

notes all the time!

I am linking this with Tablescape Thursday.

Tell All Tuesday-Fielding

2012-01-10T23:54:00.001-06:00

I had what I thought was a great idea to have one blog post per week where we could get to know each other a little better. For those of you that already do know me, then perhaps your name would pop up on one of the posts. Being an established English nerd, I thought that "Tell All Tuesday's" alliterated very well.

What I did not realize at the time is that the first two Tuesday's of the year would be two of my children's birthdays!

This Mama is having a hard time with today's birthday though!

You see, my oldest child,

Fielding Jourdan Lucas

turned 30 today.

Wow.

I cannot believe I am the mother to a 30 year old!

And in just two short (or VERY long) months,

I will be the Gigi to his firstborn child.

When I was looking through my computer files

for pictures of Field,

I kept finding Fielding with the whole gang

or Fielding with his brothers.

I think the only time Fielding had pictures taken alone

was that first year of his life.....the only 16 months he

was ever alone!

When Fielding was still two years old,

he already had two little sisters!

He was great at playing with them.

He was not mean.

He never had to have his own way.

He went along with the girls ideas.

He was extremely easy to get along with.

Then when he was about four years old he began to pray

before every meal,

every night before bed,

and every other chance he heard the word "prayer" mentioned.

His prayer was always the same,

"Dear God. Please send me 11 brothers. And soon.

Thank you. This is Fielding."

He had to end up settling for two (not-so-little-) brothers.

But he has enjoyed every minute of them.

They have sought out Fielding's approval

on everything they did.

It is not easy being the oldest of five-very-close-siblings,

because you don't get to be a baby/toddler/child

for long yourself, because there is always someone bumping

you out of the rank.

Then to put more pressure on being #1 on the totem pole,

Fielding was also the first grandchild on both sides...

and the first great-grandchild on all sides!

Fielding with his siblings, Grandfather and cousins.

He has worn his title well.

He is patient and kind and has a

very quiet, relaxed personality.

Hubby and I were living in Houston

when Fielding was born.

We were far away from all our family.

We were young.

We were SO excited to be having our first baby.

My entire pregnancy went very well.

I had a doctor that mandated

"no sugar, no cola's, no processed foods, and as little salt as possible." I followed his every word. I was young enough to still believe that doctors are infallible!

Right around Christmas time I began to have some problems.

In fact I spent Christmas 1981 in the hospital.

For the next two weeks I continued to have problems

but the doctor told me to rest, take it easy and

things should be fine.

(The next part is kinda gross!)

On January 8th, I had just gone to bed.

I thought my water broke just as I got into bed.

When I got up I found out it was something

much, much worse.

I was literally gushing blood.

Huge clots of blood.

It was in fact so bad that when the Hubs

would go back home later (without me)

he would have to throw our mattress away!

In the meantime,

Hubby called the doctor and said we were on our way

to the hospital.

We lived in Houston and there is nothing fast about getting

anywhere in Houston.

But because it was night things did move a little quicker.

It seemed like a long ride into the hospital. I have no idea why we did not call an ambulance. I can't remember if we even considered it.

I do remember that we both prayed aloud the whole way to the hospital.

I knew things could not be good.

To make a long story short,

I was admitted to the hospital and tests

were run on me on the 9th.

I did not get my regular doctor, but the one that was on call in the practice.

He assured me that we could stop or slow down the bleeding

and my doctor would decide what to do.

I know, I know, it is stupid.

Looking back on it, I think we were just young, and stupid, and very scared.

I would do things SO differently now.

It was the weekend also, and no one seemed in a hurry to do anything.

Then on the evening of the 10th, I was still in the hospital.

I stood up to go to the bathroom again and the same exact thing happened all over again.

Hubby had just gone home for the night, so I pulled the emergency lever.

A male African-American nurse came in and looked at me, looked at the huge mess all over the floor, and started shouting.

Then he turned pale. I really mean that.

He gently put me back on my bed and started shouting orders down the hallway.

Before I knew it my bed was being

pushed at a high rate of speed down the hallway as well.

I told them to call my Hubby (this was before cell phones you know.)

I remember that I could hear all kinds of commotion and I asked a nurse what was wrong with someone.

She said, "Honey, this is all for you."

Then I knew enough to get scared as well.

By this time I was in the operating room and they were prepping me for an emergency C-section.

I told them I could not have one without my Hubby there.

They told me they did not have time to wait.

What I did not know is that as my Hubs unlocked the door at our house, the phone was ringing from the hospital.

They told him to get back immediately and that it did not look good for the baby or me.

Can you imagine how he felt driving back through Houston?

They also called a priest into the operating room, even though I am not Catholic.

I was aware enough to know things did not look good.

Just as they told me to count backward from 3, they told me that my Hubby had arrived. That is the last thing I remember.

The gang welcoming # 5.

The next thing I remember is that I could hear someone moaning, very loudly, very close to me.

Whoever it was would not shut up.

I kept hearing them over and over.

Then I remember my Hubby rubbing my cheek and saying my name. When I tried to answer the moaning stopped.

I finally was 'with it' enough to realize that annoying moaning

was coming from me.

Field with baby Coulter in a Pioneer Day parade! Yes, I walked beside them and watched carefully!

To finish the "quick" version, it turned out that the problem I was having that last few weeks was both Placenta Previa and Placenta Abrupta. We found out later that people rarely have both happen and when they do, they usually bleed to death. It is also rare for the baby to live when it was as bad as mine was.

They told Hubby when he got there that he could come in the operating room. He got to see the entire C-section.

They also told him, again, that there was very little chance for us. (Hence the priest in the room).

Miracles do happen though and Fielding and I both lived....without any long lasting after-affects.

Tim was able to hold Fielding as soon as Field checked out okay.

Then Hubby proceeded to try and wake me up so that I could see him. The first question I asked was "What did we have?"

We had not known before hand.

Fielding was beautiful.

He had lots and lots and lots of coal black hair.

It has never changed.

Because he was a C-section baby, he looked perfect.

He was the best baby that I have ever seen to this day.

(Believe me, I got a rude awakening to real babies later!!)

Now that I am older and wiser

there is not a day that goes by that I don't give thanks

that both Fielding and I lived through our ordeal.

Fielding has had to endure untold comments about

his name.

He has been Phil Dean.

Feeeeldean.

Lucas Fielding

and Field and Stream (people are so funny.)

When we were naming him it really never occurred to me,

a newbie mother,

that so many people would have

so many opinions,

about a child's name.

And lots of the people we did not even know!!!!!!

My Hubby was a baseball player in college and I thought that

"fielding" would be a great proper noun to Fielding!

His middle name was two-fold.

Since we were so far from home, we looked for a name that would connect Fielding to his Oklahoma roots.

The town where we were from was first called

"Jordan Valley". So we stole the Jordan part.

THEN to counter-act that fact that we were Sooners

having a baby in Texas, we added the extra 'u'...so there would be an OU in the middle of his name!

So we got

Fielding Jourdan Lucas.

Excellent oldest child.

Wonderful son.

Great big brother.

Kind and gentle and soft-spoken.

Fielding continues to help people as he works as a

fireman and paramedic.

He puts his own life on the line each day

for others.

He will always be the kind that looks out for people.

In two months

Baby Princess Lucas will be lucky enough to be the first

to give Fielding another name,

when he becomes "Daddy".

Happy Birthday Fielding.

I love you.

RENEW

2012-01-09T23:45:00.000-06:00

I am not one to jump on anything trendy. I like my own style, my own pace, my own ideas. When it comes to words though, I am throwing my self-imposed rules out the window and joining in the fun. Layla asked everyone what their "word for the year" was going to be. I don't usually think about a "word for the year". It did make me think though, if I were to pick one word what it could possibly be. Finally, I came up with the word............

renew

Being the English nerd that I am, I looked the meaning up in the dictionary. (It is just one more example of why English majors are considered nerds!!)

The (wonderful) dictionary gave me restore, replinish, revive, and reestablish.

Perfect!!

I plan on spending a good deal of my free time in restoring my home. We have so many ideas and plans. I want it to be restored to its former glory. I want it to be warm and comfortable and a place to call a forever home.

Replinish comes in handy when talking about myself!

I have to have both of my knees operated on this spring and summer. I am ready to replinish my poor knees and get them back to being pain-free and able to do what they want!

I also have plans to continue to revive old things to put in my home and make them wonderful again. Whether it be old wooden toolboxes, furniture or pictures, I am ready to revive the old to beauty.

And reestablish....Well I am calling that 'the next generation.'

At the end of March my first grandchild will be born.

She will be evidence that the next generation has been reestablished. Our heritage will be carried on.

I think

renew

is a perfect

word for my year.

Do you pick a word for the year?

Mirrors, Mantel and Winter Magic

2012-01-08T18:20:00.004-06:00

When I took down all my Christmas decor, the house seemed so much bigger. The mantel in the living room seemed huge! I almost took pics of everything and wrote a post called "Naked Is A Good Thing". But then the bare nakedness started getting to me, and I had to arrange and rearrange again.

Among that rearranging I did a

Winter Mantel.

I got the cute little

faux pinecones at Wal-Mart for 75% off this weekend.

They were supposed to be

Christmas tree ornaments,

but I thought they would work well on the fireplace.

I already had the white pinecones that I had

bought last year after Christmas.

Don't you love after-Christmas sales?

I mixed some big mercury balls, some twig balls, the two kinds of (cheapo) pinecones, crystal (the candlesticks) and silver, white and gold candles.

When I first just put down the balls and pinecones, it was fine, but a little flat and one-dimensional. (I should have taken pics.) So then I scoured the house and got the old mirror from the upstairs hallway. The mantel mirror is SO huge, I wasn't sure the small mirror would look right, but the natural wood really helped with the look I was going for.

Then I decided to throw in the various tapers to help with the heigth.

The various mirrors make it look like there are even more

candlesticks up there

than there really are!

The down-side to the

mirror magic

is that

it is DARN hard to take any pictures

without getting myself

in them!

Obviously, you can see me in this one,

but did you see the top of my head in the

one above that?

This mantel should get me through

most of the winter....

or until I get the urge to

rearrange.

Again!

I am linking this with Between Naps On the Porch and Met Monday, as well as Wow Us Wednesday.
Also Potentially Beautiful and Open House Thursday and Farmhouse Friday's.

For other pics of my mantel in the 7 months we have lived here, see below!

The day we moved in.

The summer mantel.

The fall mantel.

Christmas mantel.

Winter mantel.

Mr. S. C.

2012-01-07T23:39:00.000-06:00

I cannot close out my after-Christmas, Christmas-editions without including some of my fat jolly old men.

I emptied the hutch in my den

and loaded it down with some of my

vintage Santa's.

I even have old flashcards taht I put together that say

"Waiting for Santa".

The matting on the picture is wrapping paper.

I also have several buckets with Santa on the front

that I always feel with fresh greenery or poinsettias.

I have enough Santa "things" that I can also fill the huge armoire in my living room.

I read all the anti-Santa chatter

and clearly I am not on board with any of that!

The big Santa in the picture above this was given to me by my Granddad Flanagan. I remember it so well. The Santa is a bank and inside the Santa was a roll of dimes.

I unrolled those dimes and put them in the bank

and thought I was the richest girl on earth.

I want to remember to do those simple little gestures

of love

for my granddaughter (when she gets here!!)

My personal views are that Santa, much like Halloween,

is what we choose to make it.

In my house,

not only do we have Santas everywhere,

we also have the spirit of Santa.

After all, Santa loves everyone,

does not judge (except if you've been naughty!),

and is very giving.

Ever since my kids were little we have taught them about giving.

In our house it was not just "what we could get" from Santa,

but very much

"what we could give, in the spirit of Santa."

No matter where we lived my Hubby and I always made sure

they were involved in giving.

They witnessed and helped us make

many, many, many

simple gifts to thank those that touch our lives.

They also were involved in every year finding a family

and buying gifts just for them.

When my youngest son was a freshman in college and all caught up in the

new college experience,

he still took the time to make one of those

knotted fleece blankets for the little foster girl we were buying for...

and it was HIS idea that he make a blanket to match for her doll.

I firmly believe if we teach the Spirit of Santa we raise very giving children.

All righty, off of my soapbox now!

And of course the last picture....

well Santa always has his suit and toy bag

hanging in our laundry room

just waiting for Christmas Eve!

Santa Claus is anyone who loves another

and seeks to make them happy; who gives

himself by thought or word or deed in every gift

that he bestows; who shares his joys with those

who are sad; whose hand is never closed against

the needy; whose arm is ever outstretched to aid

the week; whose sympathy is quick and genuine

in time of trouble; who recognizes a comrade

and brother in every man he meets upon life's

common road; who lives his life throughout

the entire year in the Christmas spirit.

EDWIN OSGOOD GROVER,

Vicki Howard's The Book of Santa Claus

Hot for Holly and Mad for Plaid

2012-01-06T22:44:00.000-06:00

Don't worry. I won't be showing Christmas much longer. Since tonight is the Twelfth Night, it is time to wrap it up!

Since many also call the sixth of January the "Feat of the Epephany" I thought it would be appropriate to feature the dining room. I actually have three sets of Christmas dishes, two which were given to me. In addition I have a set of red dishes that work with everything.

The green holly set I got at Nell Hill's in Atchison, Kansas. I have paired it with pieces of my red dishes and various plaid accessories for the last several years. It is still one of my favorite set of dishes.

My son, Coulter, made the red toolbox for me when he was in high school. I use it all over the house for all sorts of things (well, everything EXCEPT tools!). At Christmas I like to fill it with various little things and a couple of 98 cent poinsettia's from Black Friday. (They are still going strong, by the way.)

I took some old books and wrapped them in different plaid wrapping paper and stacked them with old green covered books throughout the room. I like to put cardinals out with my Christmas dishes as well. The Merry Christmas plate is also from Nell's, many years ago. I could just kick myself for not buying at least a few more of them!

In keeping with my not-so-formal-dining-room-feeling, I like to mix and match the plaids. Not only in the decorations, but also various layerings of the dishes as well as different plaids and hollies for the napkins.

I really, really would like to have little plaid skirts for my dining room chairs for next Christmas.

Maybe I should add it to my ever-growing "to do" list!

Mary Carol (the owner of Nell's) has some wonderful little plaid skirts for her dining room.

Yes, I am jealous......

OK, just one more day of Christmas and I will quit subjecting you

to my better-late-than-never-at-least-in-my-mind-holiday-decor!

Enjoy your weekend....

Linking with Funky Junk Interiors and Farmhouse Friday.

Country Roads Take Me Home...........

2012-01-05T23:42:00.000-06:00

I spent a couple of days of my Christmas break with my Hubby and Dad out at the family farm.

The weather was in the low 70's on New Year's Eve, the day I took these pictures. Perfect weather and a perfect day.

I say we walked a hundred miles. Hubby says we walked about six miles. (Whatever....I am sure I am right! ha!)

Our family farm butts up to the county where Pioneer Pioneer Woman lives on her family farm. Both Oklahoma counties are named after local Native American tribes. Other striking similarities in Ree's life and mine are: She has an 'r' in her first name, and so do I. She has a 'u' in her last name as do I! She loves to cook, and I love to cook. She has a lot of children and I have a lot (plus one more than her) children. I think that about covers our similarities......just in case anyone was getting us mixed up!

My grandfather bought this farm and others many years ago. He was a steward of the land and believed in land conservation long before it was the vogue thing to do. I remember hearing him say on more than one occasion, "They're not making any more land. We have to take care of it."

When my grandparents died, the family farms were passed down to my Dad and his brother and sister. This particular farm is in an area known as "Masham". My grandfather also liked to tell the story that when Oklahoma was being established, and the "in charge" people were calling from Washington D.C. to see what communities were being named, they called at lunch time and the man on the phone from this area was just getting ready to eat. The Washington D.C. person asked, "What's the name of your little area?" at the same time the man's wife was yelling, "How do you want your potatoes?" To which the man answered his wife first and said, "Mash 'em."....Thus became the area known as "Masham". Don't you just love legends that are passed down for generations?

This farm has rolling hills, where you can climb to the top and see at least five different counties. It is also full of hunting land and grass land.

I have a huge wall behind my big sofa in our den. The (not big enough) picture that was there got moved to the living room. I want a HUGE picture to put on that large wall. I want the picture/poster/or whatever to have something to do with Oklahoma. I might have possibly found what I was looking for (very unintentionally) out at the farm.

You know that picture that started out this post? It is the most a-m-a-z-i-n-g tree. Truly. I thought the tree was absolutely beautiful in its winter nakedness. And I might be happy to just have that, but my plan is to take pictures of the tree from the same spot each season and group the foursome together over the couch. I will call the collection, "The Family Tree". Get it? A play on words...a tree out at the family farm, also a part of my families roots.....Don't you love how that worked out? I know, I know. That will take a long time to complete all four seasons worth of pictures. But there are some things I CAN be patient about. I also know that it might not end up being what I am looking for. BUT, nothing beats days spent out at the farm....

"Yoohooooo, Ree, can you hear me? I am just over the hill!!"

The Family Tree-Part 1

Laying My Cards on the Table...........

2012-01-04T22:44:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am still showing you some left-over Christmas pics. Well, technically they are not left-over since I never shared during December.

Two opposite images in this little display,

but both with special meaning.

Years ago I was helping my grandparents move into

a house closer to my mother.

My grandfather, notorious for throwing away "treasures",

already had the trash cans full.

Of course, I did dumpster (trash can) diving.

In it, I found this little hand-made book.

The little book is a

Christmas story

hand-written by my grandfather

when he was 11 years old.

There are nine hand-scribed-single-spaced pages!

It is an 11 year old boys version of the

real meaning of Christmas!

It is a priceless treasure, saved from the trash.

Not only did my grandfather write the story,

he had cut and decorated the cover.

Remember, this was long before little machines cut out images!

My granddad laughed at me for getting this out of the trash

and saving it.

He saw absolutely no value in it.

I find it more valuable than the presents

the wise men delivered!

The other special item on the table is

the cute little Santa card.

My daughter Annie spent last Christmas

in the Christmas Village, Bernkastel, Germany.

See how the buildings in the

background of the Santa picture

mimick the real village?

The picture is really a

notecard, blank on the inside.

But I knew as soon as she gave it to me,

that I wanted to frame it.

I think it is just adorable.

It makes me think that the

Santa's are all conferring...

perhaps about the

naughty and nice list!

Isn't it wonderful how something as simple as

pieces of paper

can tug our heartstrings?

Linking this with Wow Us Wednesday's and Open House Thursday.

Tell All Tuesdays-Taylor

2012-01-03T22:14:00.000-06:00

(If you live in the KC area you must use Landon Vonderschmidt Photography! He's the bomb!!)

Today is my daughter Taylor's 27th birthday.

She is smack dab in the middle of the five children.

A hard place to be.

Especially when your "older" sister is only 17 months older,

your "older brother" is not quite three years older, and you have two little brothers born wham/bam!

(Taylor, my niece Caroline, and my other daughter Annie.)
When Taylor was born she was three weeks over due.
Really.
Ugh!
My oldest child had been an emergency C-section
and the doctor had advised I should
probably not have any more children.
Really.
Ha!
So I found a different OB doctor.
The new doctor was forward-thinking and even agreed
to a regular birth (or at least try), after a C-section.
Remember this was almost 30 years ago and that was unheard of!
My Hubby and I both had to sign papers that we would
not hold the doctor(s) responsible should anything go wrong
(i.e. my uterus burst).
The doctor's on the other hand said that under no circumstances would I be allowed to have a pronlonged labor or go over due.
Well Annie (born a year after the C-section) was a 20 hour labor. (So I have always wondered what they considered "long"???)
And Taylor (born the year after that) was one day short of being three weeks over due. (Again, what do they consider over due?)
We had several ultra sounds confirming her due date, growth, etc., but the doctor let me go over due.
I am sure it had something to due with it was Christmas time.
When they finally decided to induce me, the doctor had me check into the hospital. My Hubby had just broken his ankle two days before and they put him in a wheelchair because it was a long walk for a (not-so-graceful-crutches-guy).
So there I was waddling (and I mean that truly)....as they were pushing my Hubby. Hmmmmm.
Really.
Picture that.
No don't!
Not only that, the hall we had to waddle and wheelchair down had a door that we went through that said
"For Fertility Lab Patients Only."
I would have turned around and run if I could!!
Taylor Clancy Lucas
finally made her appearance.
And her demeanor has not changed in that 27 years.
Her personality is exactly like it was in utero.
Slow and easy-going.
She gets things done on her own time.

Although she and Annie are just a year and a half apart
in age, they are polar opposites
in look,
actions,
thoughts,
and personalities.
And they have always gotten along wonderfully.
I have heard about the cat-fights that sisters can have,
but we never had to listen or referee any of those.
Really.
All we could ever figure is that it must be they are so opposite that they get along very well.
Taylor is brilliant. She is one of the smartest people I have ever taught....or known.
Taylor is compasionate. To a fault.
She is always for the under-dog and cannot stand to see
anyone mistreated.
Taylor loves every animal she has ever laid eyes on.
For years she was going to
"grow up and be the vet for Santa's reindeer".
Taylor is and always has been a very deep thinker.
During the GULF WAR
(so she would have been about 4ish)
we had a friend that was a POW, taken the first night of the war.
Obviously our town was amiss at that. The young man that was the POW was a favorite son of our town and we had yellow ribbons everywhere, town-wide prayers, signs, etc.
We had big-time media in our little town all the time.
I have no doubt Taylor heard me, the Hubs, and
others talk about the rotten (being nice now) Saddam Hussein
and what should be done to him.
One night when we were saying our prayers for bed,
Taylor looked at me and said in her little voice,
"Mom, does God love the other team too or just our team?"
(The team reference was Saddam and the Iraqi people. I am sure she used team because of our love of sports.)
Really.
Huge gulp.
How do you look a little 4 year old in the eyes and explain
that God loves everyone and you are SO SORRY you ever let her hear otherwise?
I have remembered those words forever.
And they made me think.

On a lighter note, during that same war, she called
General Schwartzkoff
"The General Shortstop".
Believe me, she has always absorbed everything around her.

On another light note, at about that same time, we were in
Oklahoma City for the swearing in of the
state legislators. (My Dad is a career politician.!!????!!!)
We were sitting in the family gallery watching my Dad
and others being sworn in.
There was much pomp and circumstance (and hot air!!ha!!)
and regalness to the ceremony and everyone (should have been) duly impressed.
When we hear (that same four-year old) voice say,
very loudly,
"Well where's Joj (George) Bush?"
Everyone in attendance got a big kick out of that!
(I mean what four year old even knows about Generals and Presidents???)
At this same age she could (and did all the time proudly)
spell the word "leprechaun".
My Irish grandfather loved to have her spell it each time she saw him!

Taylor is left-handed and left-brained.
She loves numbers.
She loves logic.
She loves rules.
Everything in Taylor's life is black or white.
There are no gray areas.
She is an award-winning writer
and the World's Greatest Procrastinator!
She remembers facts and details
about everything and likes to use them
when the occasion arises
....or even if there is no occasion for the facts!

When Taylor was a baby, sometimes her name sounded like
"Tator"
when pronounced by her "older" sister and brother.
Thus her name became
"Tator Tot"
then that became
"Totsy".
She still answers to all of them....! On occasion!
Taylor Clancy Lucas
is beautiful
inside
and out.
I am blessed to be her mother.

I decided this year to have a "Tell All Tuesday" and tell something about my life, something dorky I did, or some story each Tuesday. Feel free to share your thoughts with me as well!

And the treats in the pictures......Well one is never too old to have their mother make them treats
to share with friends and co-workers!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

His Name Speaks Peace......

2012-01-02T21:24:00.000-06:00

I remember years ago the Christmas Cantata at our church had a song that repeated the words, "Peace. Peace. His name speaks peace. His name speaks peace to me."

Each year as I set about getting my Christmas decorations out and I lift out the nativity sets this song plays over and over in my mind. After all, that is what Christmas is truly about. The Prince of Peace. His name speaks peace to me.

I have Nativity sets everywhere and I thought I would share a few (since I was remiss to do it before Christmas ....and since I am committed to a steady blog pattern!)

I have them in all shapes and sizes, expensive and dirt cheap, and from around the world. But all are priceless!

Each of them tell the story of the Savior's birth in their very own way.

I love these two. I am sure you have all seen the kneeling Santa. I LOVE the thought behind that. The other one is the Nativity from my childhood. My mom had it on the top of the TV cabinet each and every Christmas. She bought it at Ben Franklin store. It is 50 years old and holds so many memories.

Then there is this Nativity. My mom brought it back to me from Bethlehem. It is so simple and beautiful....and from Bethlehem. I keep it out on a shelf in my living room all year round. It is too beautiful in its own way to put away! At Christmas I put it in the dining room, surrounded by an angel, a star, and the family Bible opened to Luke 2.

Whether it is Christmas time, or the second day of a new year, His name speaks peace to me.......

The more you know......................

2012-01-01T21:11:00.000-06:00

Did you eat your black-eyed peas today?

We ate ours for sure! You are supposed to eat at least one pea for each day of the year. So of course this year we had to eat an extra pea (for Leap Day)! As you can see, I have big 'ole chunks of ham I cook with my peas. It could be a meal of its own. I remember when we first moved to Kansas and I went to the store to buy black-eyed peas for New Year's Day. I was use to the stores having big displays of them, whether it was in the canned section, dry section or frozen section. I did find some, but I could tell it must not be a big tradition there. I asked someone about it and they gave me this funny look and said, "Well we feed black-eyed peas to our cattle, but it's not people food!"

Ha! I still laugh about that!

I love the month of January.

It is my birthday month.

It is a month where we have the wonderful opportunity of

new beginnings.

We are like a blank piece of paper, just waiting to be filled.

I make a habit of not making resolutions.

I think it is just a way of setting myself up

for failure.

So I don't resolute.

But this year I did.

I have three resolutions.....which I will share.

(As you wait with baited breath at the sheer anticipation!)

Number 1: I will wrap the Christmas packages this year.
I can hear you all scoffing right now. What a stupid resolution you think, right? Well, really it is not. Every year I am up all night, or most of it, on Christmas Eve trying to get my presents wrapped. The last several years I have built up quite an inventory of gift bags, that I hurriedly stuff everything into. I am tired of that. I want to have presents under the tree throughout the Christmas season. I want to see boxes and bows and cute little tags. I own ALL the things to make this happen. In fact the stuff is probably about to rot while it waits. And this year I am going to do it. Really. You will see...........in 11 months. But notice, me who does not resolute has made it my Numero Uno. (I have no idea if that is written correctly).

Number 2: I will make decisions. In the moment. Instantly. And live with them.
Once again, you probably are scoffing. But I made myself mad over the Christmas break and I said right then, "I am making a resolution this year to "do it if I want to" and to quite mulling it over." Wow. That could be taken SO many ways. Well here's the deal. I was out Christmas shopping on the 23rd and I found this fabulous rug that I just loved. I loved the color, the pile, the design, and (kinda) the size. But as I told my Hubby, since it was not quite big enough for our den, I could put our big jute rug in the den, put the den rug in the living room (still following?) and layer this oh-so-perfect-rug on top of the jute rug. That was fine with him and he told me to get it. But I humhawed around and kept telling myself that I really should not be buying a rug smack dab in the middle of buying Christmas presents. Hubby kept telling me to buy. I kept convincing myself I could wait. Hubby said it could be my birthday present. I was tempted, but walked away. So, on the 27th (a meer four days after I had seen the rug and one of those days was Christmas and one was a barely-opened Christmas Eve), we go back to get the rug that I had talked myself into. And it was gone. I scoured the store. I made Hubby scour the store. I made my daughter go to another like-store and scour it. All to no avail. Dang. I was mad. AND this is the second time I let this happen. I found the perfect rug for my living room this summer and did the same thing. What does it take for me to learn???? So, right then and there in the middle of the store I announced to Hubby, "This year is going to be different. If I want it, I will get it. No more thinking about it." I know that sounds a little selfish, but nine times out of ten, the "something" I want will apply to the house (therefore the family). (Do you like how I justify?) That's my resolution and I'm sticking to it!!
And finally,
Number 3: I will be a better blogger.
I have resolved to either do it right or quit doing it. It is ridiculous that I do not post on a regular basis. I have no excuses. I do make excuses though! So this year I am going to be a better blogger or quit blogging. I was making a list earlier of things I could blog about. It hit me that my life is boring. And ordinary. So, if you choose to read you will read about a boring, ordinary life! And I would love to hear about your own boring, ordinary life! .....Or your not-so-boring life....if you are lucky enough!

One more thing before I finish up on this first day of the new year. Hubby and I were taking down the outside Christmas stuff today. He went upstairs to get the (electric) candles we had in the windows (something everyone in this town does...(oh so cool).
He never came back down with the candles. I (wrongly) assumed he had turned the TV on in our bedroom and was watching the football games. So I kept putting stuff up. After a little while, I went out the front door to get one of our storage tubs from the garage. And I heard a "Lori".
I looked up..........

He was stuck out on the balcony. Do you remember when I did that? Read here if you don't remember. It was in the summer. I was out there for hours. In the heat. And the Hubster had no sympathy. I am pretty sure he thought it was one of my dumb blonde moves. Well look who is laughing now. (That would be ME!!) I looked up and let out a big 'ole whoop! Then I went back in to get my camera. And he hid. (That is why his back is to us in the picture.) But you really can't hide when you can't get off a balcony. I mean you can turn around, like he did, but you can't hide. OR

....you can throw greenery down on your wife, trying to sabotage the picture, but she'll just snap the pic as the greenery flies by! Anyway, it was a great start to my new year just to have him at my mercy. And yes, I finally did go upstairs and let him back in!

I saw this great quote yesterday and said it would be my motto for 2012.
"The more you know, the more you know you don't know."

Well isn't that the truth?

Happy New Year friends. See you tomorrow. Really!!

That's The Way the Cookie Crumbles...!

2011-12-20T14:55:00.000-06:00

My daughter Annie takes after my mother and has an over-abundance of the "socializing" gene. She loves to plan and host any type of get-together. On Sunday it was a Family Cookie Swap....(as in the females made the cookies and the males ate them!)

A plate ready for one of the Judges.

Since the party was on Sunday afternoon, both my daughters and I got together.............at about 10 p.m. on Saturday night. ...Uhmmm...that is when we were starting! We had to make 5 dozen cookies each. Annie said that at a "real" cookie swap, we should have an even dozen per person to trade. (Thank goodness this was not a "real" one!!) The funny thing is, all of the cookie bakers except for my mother and my daughter-in-law were all making their cookies at midnight. Does that tell you anything about our family? Yes, we are a bunch of procrastinators as well as night owls!! Hoot. Hoot.

Even with "only" less than a dozen OF EACH KIND per person, there was still a LOT to go around!

I made the Red Velvet Whoopie pies and the Devils Food pies (as seen in the blurry pic). My little just-turned eight year old niece made the Santas out of Nutter Butter cookies. She had no pattern and was very proud of her efforts!!! She also gave each dessert a name and wrote it down as soon as the person walked in the door carrying their foods!! She was quite a little hostess!

Since the men that came seemed to be hanging around the cookies, we put them to work as judges! All names were taken off of the judges plates before they tested.

I think they might have known from what kitchen a few of the batches originated! I hope they weren't talking about my cookies in the picture above! ha!

They took their jobs very seriously, as I took these pics through the french doors as they were discussing their likes and dislikes. They mulled over their decisions for over 30 minutes!

In the meantime the Cookie Bakers waited...............

and waited....and waited!!!!

FINALLY!!!

The winners were announced!!

Taylor got first for her Peanut Butter Balls.

Annie got second for her Cherry Shortbread cookies

Libby (my other niece) got third for her Monster Cookies.

And Caroline got Most Creative for her Santa Cookies!!!

And we "old" women...

Well we are already planning on what we can do to

bump those younguns' out of the Winner's Circle next year!!