Merry Christmas!

 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

  And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
 
  That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,  but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
 
 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
 
 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,  but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2, NLT)

Thankful... Day Eleven

Today, I am thankful for all the veterans who have served in our nation's armed forces.  You are owed a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. 

 

To my own family members... "Thank you!" Dad and Grandad!

 

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

 

 

Thankful... Days 7 and 8

Yesterday and today I am thankful for RAIN.  While it hasn't been enough to even begin to remedy the severe drought we're experiencing here in Central Texas, just the cloudy, dark days and the occasional rain drops splashing against my windows was enough to refresh these parched Texans and renew our hope for more.

More... please, Lord!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Six

I am so thankful for worship music.  I almost always have a song "stuck" in my head.  It's not unusual for me to fall asleep with a song running through my mind and wake up the next morning with that same song still playing. God speaks to me through these songs of worship and praise.

Our ladies' Bible study group is currently doing Beth Moore's study "Here and Now, There and Then" on the book of Revelation.  Throughout this study I have often had Chris Tomlin's song "I Will Rise" pulsing through me as I've read the apostle John's words as he recorded the images and visions from God.  It's been the perfect sound track to this study!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful - Days Four and Five

Well.

Three days into a 30-day commitment and I've already failed. So, to make up for it, I'll tell two things I'm thankful for.

First, I'm thankful for quiet days at home.  Yesterday was one of those days. Now, by quiet I don't mean that I sat around and listened to the hum of the appliances. It was still a busy day.  But, it was a busy day in the quiet solitude of my home. After a hectic few days away from the house, I'm always reminded that this social gal still craves the solitude of my own home to relax and recharge. 

Second, I am thankful for our community's school district.  Each year, Bud and I prayerfully reconsider schooling options for our children.  So far, we believe that we are in God's will in sending Kat to our local public school.  Is it perfect? Not by any means - no school is.  But it's a great district filled with administrators, faculty and parents who care about education and work hard to provide the best possible for our students.  Beyond the classroom, we are blessed to be in a district that is able to provide exceptional opportunities for the students to participate in sports and the arts.  I was especially reminded of my thankfulness as I watched Kat dance in our district-wide dance recital today.

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for?  Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Three

Today, I am thankful for my friends.  God has blessed my life with Christ-like women of faith who encourage and build me up in my walk.

I am thankful for forever friends. The ones who have history with me. They knew me then. They know me now. And still they love me.

I am thankful for praying friends. The ones who will diligently pray until I say stop. Ones who will pray even when I don't know to ask them to do so.

I am thankful for faithful friends. The ones who show up during the hard times and ask to help.  And the ones who do without even asking.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6, NLT)

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.  (Proverbs 27:9, NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  (Proverbs 27:17, NLT)



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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

Thankful... Day Two

I went to Sam's Club this morning.  It was one of those "big" trips as it seemed like we were out of everything from necessities to the extras.  Since I had no other commitments this morning, it was an enjoyable trip and I took my time wandering up and down every single aisle as I filled my cart with all the items on my list. (And then some.)

The cart was so full that it was difficult to steer as I approached the check out lanes.  Even more so as I pushed it uphill toward my vehicle at the back of the parking lot. (Can someone please tell me why parking lots are always uphill when you're pushing a heavy cart?)  Loading the items into my vehicle and then into the kitchen at home took an extra long time due to the "haul" and the fact that I had forgotten to take my bags with me. Finally, all was in the house and I closed up the garage and headed back into the kitchen. 

It was at that moment that it hit me.

The almost overwhelming amount of food and... well, stuff.

I don't say that to brag.  It was a humbling moment that turned into gratitude and thankfulness. 

Thankfulness that I live in a country where the bounty is plentiful. Thankfulness that in a tough economy Bud has a job and salary that allows me to purchase all our needs. (And then some.) Thankfulness that I am able to bring them home to a lovely home. Thankfulness that I am able to prepare tasty, healthy meals for Bud, Burrito and Kat.

Indeed, I am blessed... and thankful!

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I am linking up with Dawn (another Dawn!) at the Goodlife for 30 Thankful Days.  What are you thankful for? Feel free to link up and join us or leave your answer here in a comment!

11-1-11... Thankful... Day One

11-1-11.

Seems like the date would dictate a profound blog post, doesn't it? Too bad I'm fresh out of profound right now!  Maybe by the time 11-11-11 rolls around I'll think of something.

There is something about the date, however, that immediately makes me think forward to Thanksgiving. And the planning. And the list making. (And, oh! my! goodness! Christmas is not far behind.)

It's easy to lose sight of what the day is about. Not to mention that we are called to be thankful every day... not just the one day set aside on our calendar.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.  (Colossians 3:15, NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

So, I am committing to posting daily for the month of November. Just one thing a day for which I am thankful.

Here goes...

Day one...

I am thankful for Kat.

I am thankful that she loves Jesus and others. I am thankful that she can make me laugh like no other especially with her spot on imitations of others. I am thankful that she rarely gives in to peer pressure despite the loneliness of being different. I am thankful that she sings in the shower - and has ever since she was old enough to shower without assistance.  I am thankful for the little glimpses I get of the woman she is becoming. I am thankful that she will still let me comfort her.

I am very thankful that she passed her driving test with a 100% score and can drive herself to school now. Or to the store when I need something.



The new driver.

Sweet Sixteen

Happy 16th Birthday, Kat!

From a beautiful baby to a gorgeous sixteen-year-old... it happened so fast.

I love your heart... your love for Jesus, your family and friends... and that you can always find something to laugh about - even if it's at the wrong time and place or at your own expense. (Sorry... yes, you do get that from me!)

I love you and I am so thankful to be your Mommy.

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God." (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT)

Want one of these?

I love, love, love my Kitchen Aid mixer.

So much so that during a recent game with our church's youth group (a game resembling the old TV version of The Newlywed Game but played with mothers and one of their children) my daughter was asked, "If your mother were to describe herself as one of the appliances in your home, which one would it be?"

Well. That was a no brainer for Kat or me to answer.  My Empire Red Kitchen Aid mixer, of course!

And, I've often said that if the house were to catch on fire, I'd do my best to grab my mixer on the way out of the burning inferno.  Right after my kids and cat, of course.

So...

Want to win one?

Go visit my blogger friend, Sandy, at Reluctant Entertainer, for your chance to win.  Hurry... the contest ends this Friday at midnight, September 23, 2011!  While you're there, take a look around the rest of Sandy's website... you'll love her outlook on entertaining and life!

Food For Friday - Company's Coming!

I've been lazy in the area of cooking this summer. Very lazy. (Just ask my family... I'm certain they'll agree with that self-assessment!)  However, there's nothing like the impending arrival of house guests to prompt some good, old fashioned meal planning for this list-maker! 


That's me on the far left!

My friend Valerie and I go way back. So far back, in fact, that I really don't remember when we first met. I'm guessing we were probably in early grade school.  We attended the same church, participated in the same youth group and summer camps, and even attended high school together for three years.  I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in her wedding.  We've managed to stay in touch over the years despite living in different states (and countries!).

Val and her family are missionaries in Brazil.  (You can view pictures and read about their ministry on their website.)  She is here in the states for a short visit and she's coming to Texas next week to see me!  It's her first ever visit to the Lonestar state.

I want to prepare nice meals while she's here but I also don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen when there's so much catching up and sightseeing to do in the small amount of time she has in Texas.  So, I've been pouring over my recipes trying to find just the right dishes to make for her.

I came across this recipe for Blueberry Cobbler that I received from my best friend, Stephanie, who received it from her mom.  It is one of the most simple recipes ever and the results are so delicious.

So, I thought I'd share the recipe with my faithful readers (all one thousand two of you).  This is the second recipe from me in one week.  (You're welcome!)

Blueberry Cobbler

• 5 C fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 1/2 T lemon juice
• 2 C flour
• 3 C sugar, divided
• 1 C milk
• 1/3 C butter, in pieces
• 1/4 t cinnamon (my addition to the recipe)
• 2 t baking powder
• 1 t salt, divided
• 2 T cornstarch
• 1 1/2 C boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spread berries in a well-greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with lemon juice and set aside.

Mix flour, 1 1/2 C sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and 1/2 t salt.  Cut in butter.  Add milk and mix well.  Batter will be thick. Spoon over berries and spread to the edges of the pan.  Set aside.

Mix remaining sugar, salt and cornstarch.  Sprinkle over batter.  Pour boiling water over top. Bake one hour.

Best served warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

(Note: I've used this same recipe with other berries and peaches and the results were equally delicious.)

Share a favorite recipe with me... or tell me about one of your oldest friendships... or both!

Thankful Thursday

 Today, I am thankful for... (in no particular order!)

• The possibility of cooler weather next week. (Hey, when it's been over 100 degrees for 76 days, a forecast in the 90's sounds good!)
• Air conditioning. ('Nough said.)
• Bible verses that jump right out and say, "Hey, Dawn... this was written just for you!"
• A silent house.
• The anticipation of a not silent house.
• Purring cats.
• Women who love to study God's Word with me.
• A husband who loves me and calls me from work just to see what I'm doing.
• High school football. (Of course, that's because I get to see Kat cheering.  You can admit it... I know some of you go to football games for the band and cheerleaders, too!)
• My kids. (They are incredible people! And I am not biased. I'm not.)
• Pineapple-Lime-Coconut Drinks. With lots of ice.

Tell me... what are you thankful for today?

"And let the peace that comes from Christ

rule in your hearts.

For as members of one body you are called

to live in peace.

And always be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

Pineapple Ranch Dip

With the Texas heat (76 days over 100 degrees, y'all!!!), it's hard to get motivated to cook - any recipe that involves heat automatically sounds repulsive. So, I've been trying to be creative about using recipes that involve little to no cooking. (Take out, anyone??)  Salsas and dips become the logical choice for sides.

I don't remember where I found this dip recipe, but it's a favorite.  It seems "summerish" since it has pineapple, but I make it year 'round!

Pineapple Ranch Dip

Ingredients: 

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 2 green onions chopped up (may be eliminated if you don't like onions)
• 14 ounces of crushed pineapple undrained (100% juice, not in heavy syrup!)
• 1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dip
• 2 cups of chopped pecans, reserve 1/4 cup for topping

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and top with remaining 1/4 cup pecans.  Refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight. Serve with hearty crackers or pita chips.

For more dip ideas, join BooMama for her DipTacular '11 post today!

I hate school.

(Update:  After taking a beating from some of my teacher friends, please allow me state for the record that I do NOT really hate school.  I actually always loved school and did quite well.  Please... read to the end of the post... you'll get it, I hope!)

Actually… I hate the start of a new school year.

Oh, sure… there’s some exciting elements about it. 

I love buying new school supplies and always find a few that I need want, too.  (New Sharpies, Bic Crystal pens, a planner, and Post-It Notes… anyone else with me here?)  Buying a few new outfits is always fun… and then the repeated fashion shows in attempt to determine which will be the winning outfit to be worn on the first day.

And then there’s the anticipation of new opportunities. New classes with new teachers. New friends and memories just waiting to be made.

A return to routine is kind of nice.  (Any other calendar-keeping, list-making, control freaks agree on this one?)

And yet… I hate the start of a new school year.

I’ve never been one of those mamas who start counting down days ‘til the first day of school on the first day of summer.

(What is wrong with them???) 

I don’t want my children to go back to school.

Of course, I realize that I truly don’t hate the start of a new school year.  I just don’t like giving up the one-on-one time with my children. The unhurried minutes of hanging out at home, the pool, the beach or between the many summer activities.  Activities spent with them.

What do I really hate?

That the first day of the new school year marks the passing of time.  The day symbolizes the marching of time that I can’t stop despite all the control I like to think I wield.  It reminds me of our ever evolving relationship and emphasizes how fast my kids are growing into adults… and the fact that there’s nothing I can do to stop time. Nor would I really, truly want to.

Kat started her sophomore year of high school yesterday.

 And this one?

Today is Burrito’s first day of classes at THE BIG UNIVERSITY.  (Hook ’em!!!)

Signed,

A Slightly Melancholy Mama

(P.S. – A big “thank you” to the group of mamas who met yesterday morning after the school drop-offs for The 7^th Annual Moms’ Back-to-School Breakfast. There’s nothing like copious amounts of coffee, deep discussions, side-splitting laughter and a little retail therapy with “the girls” to lighten a mama’s heart. Each one of you is a very special woman!)

Twenty-one Years Ago Today...

I put frozen spoons on my eyes to counter the effects of very little sleep.  I had been way too excited to sleep.

I wondered what Bud was doing.  It was before the era of cell phones and texting, after all.

I left my bachelorette apartment for the last time as a single woman.

I helped as my family rallied for a last minute decorating party at our reception site.  (A scheduling snafu with the hall had prevented it being done on Friday as we had planned.)

I scrunched and scrunched... and sprayed and sprayed... my hair 'til it couldn't possibly get any bigger.  I was a product of the 80's!

I wondered what Bud was doing.

I dressed in my mother's wedding gown and topped it off with a new veil.

I watched everyone around me - I felt their excitement and drew strength from my parents' calmness.

I was thankful we decided to do pictures before the ceremony - that brief time with Bud calmed the butterflies in my stomach.

I peeked through closed doors to watch our family and friends gather in the beautiful, old chapel.

I wondered what Bud was doing.

I took my Dad's arm and gave a confident "Yes!" to his question, "Are you ready?"

The doors to the chapel swung open wide and we began the short walk.

I saw no one but Bud as I walked down the aisle.

I remember my father's voice as he answered, "Her mother and I" as he placed my hand in Bud's.

I looked deep into Bud's eyes and knew I was following God's plan for my life as I pledged to love Bud "so long as we both shall live."

I love you, Bud!

Happy 21st Anniversary!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Out of the Mouths of Babes (Or Second Graders)!

(Author Unknown)

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He Just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back of her head.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom... I love you!  And to all the other "moms" in my life - may today be filled with all the people and things that you love!

Going Coconut!!!

Have you heard about this? Have you tried this???

(Photo Credit: Starbucks.com)

Starbucks' newest creation... Mocha Coconut Frappuccino! (Also available as a latte which is what I ordered.)  Their own description:

Rich mocha sauce and coconut-flavored syrup blended with coffee, fresh milk, and ice. Topped with sweetened whipped cream, mocha drizzle and toasted coconut flakes.

Sounds great, right?!

I'd consider asking to be hooked up to an IV drip of this stuff except that would eliminate actually tasting the deliciousness.

(Disclaimer: I have not been compensated for this post and the opinions are completely mine. The people at Starbucks do not know who I am. However, should Starbucks wish to compensate me for my good taste... I'll be glad to accept free lifetime lattes and frappuccinos. Ha ha!)

Confessions: And we laughed!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and my family as we said goodbye to Grandma and went through the process of her funeral. Your prayers were answered and felt.

It was a great funeral!

I know, I know... that's kind of a strange thing to say, isn't it? But, the truth is... it was.

And we laughed!

As you'll recall from my earlier post, the pastor conducting the services had never met Grandma and asked all of us to provide him with information about her.  My parents took care of all the "statistics" about where and when she was born, about her parents and siblings, her marriage to my grandfather, and information about her career as a nurse. 

My sister along with our three cousins and I filled him in on the "Grandma tales." If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time I'm sure you've realized that our family has a rather unique sense of humor.  (If you don't know, then read here, here, here or here and you'll understand.)  In other words, we laugh with (and at!) each other. Often.  And Grandma's funeral was no exception. 

The pastor did a wonderful job taking the information from my parents and weaving a story with the memories of the grandchildren. Even the funny ones. Stories like the one provided by my cousin Shannon about the time Grandma got so tickled by the television show she was watching that she flipped over her rocking recliner chair and pinned herself between it and the wall while she continued to laugh and yell for help.  Of course, all of us stood around laughing at her.  (I think my grandfather was the one to finally help her.)

And we laughed!

The laughter continued after the funeral and graveside service.  The church hosted a wonderful meal for our family.  I had grown up in this church but had not been there since I was in high school so it was fun to explore the church building and even discover that some of the ladies preparing the meal remembered me, and I them. During this meal our family members got to talking about how much we enjoyed the funeral service and that we thought Grandma would have been pleased, too.

And we laughed!

That conversation led us to discussing how we would like our own funerals to be conducted.  For instance, my Dad insists that he does not want his casket to be open so that no one is able to talk about how bad he looks.  My uncle piped in at that point and informed us that he does want his casket open and hopes that everyone will discuss how bad he looks: "I'll be dead - I'm not supposed to look good!"

And we laughed!

My Aunt Hilma is an artist and crafter.  She wants all of her works put on display at her funeral.  We all decided that we could help my uncle out by turning the display into a sale. (Funerals are expensive, you know!)

And we laughed!

My sister, Victoria (known by all of us as "the dramatic one") insists that we hire professional mourners for her funeral.  All of us are to dress in black - veils required - and hold a New Orleans-style funeral with the procession and all.  Cue the sad, sad music.

And we laughed!

I told them that there was to be no SAD at my funeral. Tell the funny stories. Laugh at my expense.  And the family dinner afterward?  Make it a fiesta, complete with an authentic Mexican meal (someone, please call my friend Brenda - she makes the best rice, beans and tamales!) and hire a good mariachi band. Lots and lots of happy music.

And we laughed!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 1:3-9 (NLT)

Goodbye, Gram!

Kat, Burrito and Gram, 2003

 My last, living grandmother passed away early this morning after years of suffering the effects of Alzheimer's disease.  Gram knew Christ as her personal savior so we rejoice in knowing where she is today!

Gram has not been able to attend her church for about ten years now.  Since then, the church has had a few new pastors - none of which know Gram or her life. Because of that, my Dad asked all of us grandkids to tell a few things that will give the pastor a good feel of who she was to us. 

So, here are a few of the memories that immediately came to my mind...

She always made me believe I was pretty - backed by the fact that she liked to have my portrait made. And, she called me Princess - from as early as I can remember right up through as long as she knew me.

She was a nurse. I always thought it was cool that my grandma worked in our family doctor's office and was there when I went for appointments. Didn't everyone's grandma do that and give them pretzel sticks before they left???

She was always agreeable to a sleepover for all five of us grandkids – all of us at once! She was usually the one to ask us, but I also don't ever remember her saying "no" if we asked.

She never cared what we did in the basement - from roller skating, to laying on our tummies to slide into our "secret clubhouse" under the basement stairs, to playing dress up with the clothes (including nurses uniforms) stored down there. She didn't fuss at us when we would swing around the poles - even though it made a horrible noise for anyone upstairs to hear.  (Okay, so maybe she would fuss after hours of that noise.)

She always had money ready for us to walk to the icecream stand for icecream cones.

She loved dogs - I can't ever remember a time that she didn't have one. Cocker Spaniels, in particular.

She loved to tell stories about growing up in Alabama and her family. Even though we suspect some of the stories might possibly have been ever so slightly exaggerated. But just slightly, of course.

She loved gospel music and singing. She sang in church in her growing up years.  I think she regretted the surgery that messed up her singing voice.

We always spent Christmas Eve at her house and even though she wasn't a baker, she always had a huge tray of Christmas cookies that she'd purchased from a local bakery - I always thought that was so "fancy."

During a sleepover with all five of us grandkids, she'd ask if we wanted to go out to eat. Of course, we'd say "yes!" - and then she'd have Grandad take us to McDonald's or Wendy's with instructions to bring something back for her. In hindsight - that was one smart cookie to get us all out of her house like that! Ha!

I don't ever remember Grandma telling us "no" when we asked for anything, including money. Probably to her detriment.

Grandma loved greeting cards - the bigger, fancier and sappier the better. To this day, I can't see a card that says, "What is a Grandmother" or "What is a Granddaughter" or "What is a [fill in the blank]" without thinking of her with a chuckle.

She liked to get her nails done and always wore bright polish. I never recall her wearing pastel colors - always a red or coral - dark mauves were about as neutral as it got. As a little girl, those colors always seemed to be slightly "scandalous" for a grandmother to wear. Maybe it's through her that I came by my love of a good, regular manicure!

I was quite an older child before I realized that Gram's red hair was not her natural color. Before I understood "color from a bottle," it worried me that my hair would turn that color, too, because she once told me, "I wasn't born with this hair color" which translated to me that it had just spontaneously changed one day!

Fond memories!

Me and Gram, Summer 2005

Me, Dad and Gram, Christmas 2005

"And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life." (I John 5:11-12)

Urgent Prayer Request...

Joanne is an incredible woman... and needs and incredible miracle.  Please join me in praying for a complete healing and for comfort for her family during this time.



Click on the picture of Joanne to visit her blog for updates on her condition.