Blog Patrol Counter

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Blogcation for a few days

Too much is going on in my world right now to concentrate long enough to blog, so I'll be taking a few days off just to watch the world and see what happens.  I've noticed other bloggers are either in the same place or are simply posting beeeee-u-ti---ful photos.  Love that idea.  I could look at beautiful anythings all day long.

So with that said, see you in a few days!  I'm off to my home above, in France. 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Ummmmm....

Since we're all talking about it anyway, I might as well jump on board.  Although last night's Oscars was full of shake ups, I just felt it never really caught fire in the laughs department.  I'm not blaming Seth-- there just didn't seem to be anything fun or clever that happened.  Remember last year and Angelina's leg pose, where she tried w-a-y too hard to be sultry, and then one of the guy winners came on stage to accept his award, and did the same pose?  That's the kind of clever funny I'm talking about.  Anything that has you remembering it a year later was funny in my book.

Anne's dress and Nipplegate?  A total non-event.  If Jlo had worn the same dress, you would not have heard so much as a peep.  And happily, I missed Meryl's wedgie excavation but I will say this:  Girlfriend, I feel your pain...we've all had one at a difficult time so perhaps punt the old lady granny panties for such a grand occasion and just stick with panty hose or Spanx.  There....I said it.  Case closed. 

Now on to today.  I'm thinking ahead to dinner so I can get other things done today.  I'm going to make my favorite chicken and wild rice casserole with artichokes and water chestnuts for dinner and throw a second one in the freezer for another night.  I'm not usually a casserole girl but this one is a winner. 

Congrats to all of last night winners.  Yawn.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Devereaux and the catfish

This is one of my most favorite pictures because of the story behind it.  That's an enormous catfish that was caught on a trot line my grandfather and a guide rigged down at the hunting and fishing club where he was a member.  I was little bitty but I still remember hearing all about it.

The African American man is Devereaux, my grandparents houseman, for lack of a better term.  Devereaux and Virginia were "The Help" my grandparents employed and they lived on their property out at White Rock Lake in an apartment over the garage.  Word on the street was Devereaux had a wife (?) but you know how all that went back then, and even today.  (I know this because little pitchers have big EARS and I somehow managed to hear just about everything.)  I also knew Virgina deeply loved Devereaux but I know he was 100% hound dog and probably loved himself more than any woman.  It was plain to me and I heard my grandmother talk about it once.  More on that in installment 2.

OK...on with the story.  Devereaux and Virginia always went down to the lake with my grandparents to tend them, and while there on one trip my grandfather's fishing guide told him they had caught a monster catfish on the trot line they'd set out, and he needed help getting the fish in the boat.  Enter Devereaux.  His help was enlisted to go pull that thing off the line and into the boat, though he was terrified of water and did not know how to swim.  Knowing  my grandfather, he probably sent Devereaux and the guide to go do all the heavy lifting, while he mixed a cocktail, and waited on the dock.

As the story goes, the guide lifted up the trot line and instructed Devereaux to grab that catfish by the jaws and pull it up and into the boat.  One look at that fish, in the water, and Devereaux turned white as a sheet and went nuts screaming "Lawd....Lawd...Lawd...that fish goan eat me!!!".....  I think the guide had to take Devereaux back to dry land and find someone else to help land that fish, and unless I'm way off base time wise, I do believe that was Devereaux's last trip to the lake.  Ever.

Now, to answer all your questions, no the man with the pipe is not my grandfather.  I don't know who that is.  My grandfather is the one who took this picture.  The guy holding the fish was Fred Pugh, one of their most favorite fishing guides, and the woman is my crack fisher-woman grandmother, Mimi, mom's mother.  She could out fish and out hunt any man, and still be a lady as she did it. 

More on Virgina and Devereaux in installment 2.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

What brings you joy?

Today I was thinking about joy and wondering what most people's capacity for it is?  Do you consider yourself a joyful person or are you just sluggin' on through life, weekend to weekend or vacay to vacay? 

I've about decided most people may not have a huge capacity for joy.   I think some people feel that joy is simply the absence of emotional pain.  I think joy is like a muscle.  If you don't exercise it often enough, it gets flabby--and we all know what flab looks like.  Think of it as emotional cellulite.....fatty dimples all over your soul.

What do you do to find your joy?  Do you have to spend a lot of money to have it?  Do you look to other people for your joy?  Is your joy confined to a certain zip code, designer, or make of car?  Does your joy begin and end with a dollar sign? The way I see it, that's not joy, that's acquisition.  Acquisition of stuff.  Don't get me wrong.  I like me some pretties just like everyone else, but those are things and things do not bring me joy.  Fun maybe, but definitely not joy.

 My joy comes from love.  Love given freely, nothing expected in return.  Service.  Giving help to someone in need v. shopping mindlessly for something I don't need in the first place.  And giving doesn't require money.  It requires giving effort and time to someone who needs it. Joy for me is also the tee tiny stuff.  Claire in her leggings with two pigtails on top of her head talking the whole way, walking down the block to her school.  The first daffodil that peaks through the ground at our house that I planted 15-20 years ago.  The tiny miniature Lady Banksia yellow climbing roses that bloom every year in the back yard.  I don't think anyone else around here even sees or cares about them, and that's OK, but I freak over them every year.  The hawks I see regularly flying overhead.  Red bud trees when they burst into bloom.  Seeing the smiles on Hudson, Hadley's, and Avery's faces when they play.  Seeing my sons and daughter-in-law and hearing their voices.  Hearing Fred and my two sons bray like donkeys, doing the wheezy laugh, when they are laughing so hard they cannot control themselves, tears streaming down their faces.  For me, that's Joy.

What brings you joy?  

Friday, February 22, 2013

Lorazepam or Pear Caramel?

I got a phone call today from mom's Hospice nurse.  Not an emergency but I still gulped for a second and then laughed at myself. The nurse had noted mom's growing agitation and wondered about putting her on Lorazepam, as needed, for some relief.  I was all over that idea, as I'd noted her behavior myself.  It's hard not to play nurse when it's your own kin but I try not to.  I know what it's like to have family members try to tell you what your patient really needs--sometimes they are 100% correct and sometimes *they're the ones that need the meds.  Further, since Geriatrics is not my specialty, I'd much rather follow, than lead.   Especially since I'm likely to "lead" us somewhere none of us want to go anyway.....like out the back door to the trash dump.  I also know I'm not objective where mom is concerned so it's nice to just sit back and let them do their job.  If it's something I really need to pipe up about, I can.  Hopefully for the evening staff, mom will get some tonight so she can relax and not be so edgy.  Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind some myself*.  :)))))

That said, I think I'll go feed the Sister Wench and go fix a steamy cup of chamomile tea.  It's my latest experiment....to see if I can actually make myself like the stuff.  So far, I'm still at just OK but it's growing on me.  I may have to move on to jasmine or the pear-caramel Andrea had at her tea.  Best. tea.ever.  Sounds horrid but it was nectar of the God's. Here's some pear caramel above and below.  Anything that pretty is bound to taste good.         
Ahhhhh....can you smell it???  Maybe I'll just have it.
                                           

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

She's baaaack!

It's not even 10 AM and I've already had my feel good moment for the day.  I flipped on Good Morning America just in time to see the beautiful multi colored, tiered, red velvet cake to welcome Robin Roberts back to the show.  Wow...what a cake and what a gal!  She looked gorgeous and said that now that she had sister Sally's bone marrow, she'd developed a sweet tooth.  It was great to see her back and looking so vibrant.  Boy, if that won't make you feel grateful, nothing will, so pass me some cake, puuuuhlease.

Since it's wet and cold, I'm thinking tonight needs to be a white chicken chili kind of night with maybe a fire in the fireplace.  Who cares if it's almost March--cold is cold and snuggly is the order of the day.

 I've started a new book, Wild, and so far it has been sort of a whaaaaat for someone who grew up in The Bubble.  Living in various places, some without electricity and running water, made this spoiled wimpy gal shudder.  I'm sure we all could do it if we had to......I just don't want to and I'm betting you don't either.  The thought of living off in the woods sounds fun to me until we hit the cold hard reality of no coffee maker, no showers, no cable, and washer/dryer.  No electricity for more than a few hours = no fun.  Still and all, there's something about being away out in a cabin somewhere that does have a certain allure, that's for sure. Here's mine: 

Hey....go big or go home.












But I'd love this, too.
 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

She's a sly one

While the Cornish hens roast in the oven, I'm taking five.  Today's been lovely and busy and included a trip to check in on mom.  After a much needed diaper change, we got down to the business of visiting.  Once again, Roberto was the topic.  I asked if he'd been to visit and she said "Yes", to which her caregiver almost levitated right out of her shoes.  Georgia's eyes were as big as saucers and I had to laugh.  She knew what I was going to ask next and I did.  I asked mom "Is Roberto coming to get you?", she said he was, and then I asked when, and mom said "Tonight".  A lot of times when people are getting ready to die, they will mention that a loved one who is already dead is coming for them, and poof, they're gone.

However, I'm not so sure in mom's case, as she's begun eating again.  Sly old fox.  She's decided to hang around a bit longer and has gained 2 pounds.  Georgia says mom opens her mouth like a baby bird, to eat, where before she used to turn her head away.  Georgia only see's her eat breakfast and lunch since she works days but even at that, she said mom's been eating like a field hand.  As I walked back down the hall on my way out, I laughed the entire way.  That is sooooooo like my mother to pull a fast one.

It's simply gawgeous outside so get outside while you can. (Mom and an unknown dog outside at her home at White Rock Lake.)


Monday, February 18, 2013

Adios, Matthew

I am still reeling from last night's season-ender of  Downton Abbey.  I knew Matthew was going to die--just not how.  I had heard the photography was to be sensational.  It wasn't.  And the fake castle made me cringe, as did some of the fake scenery inside--specifically the yellow entry hall.  It looked like the paint was barely dry and if the camera had gone too high up, the fake walls would stop and you'd see it was all a set. Boo hiss on that.  Matthew and Lady Edith's married editor's fly fishing scenes were spectacular, though, and that giant salmon their guide lifted up off the bank made my mouth water.   

With Matthew gone, I hope Isobel, his mama, and the DA doctor get together in season 4.  It's already been hinted at but Isobel said no thanks. The doctor's a handsome and sweet man so Isobel may indeed need a shoulder to cry on next season. Isobel was very clear that she liked her life exactly the way it is but she may indeed change her tune.  Izzie....you don't have to marry him--just have some fun for heaven's sake.

I'm loving Ms. Pattmore and Mrs. Hughes more and more each show.  They are hilarious together and so sweet, and their growing friendship is heartwarming.  Real gal pals in a very British way.  Do you smell a growing relationship between Mrs. Hughes's and Mr.Carson??  Dare we hope for such a happy plot twist?  As fun as it would be, I'm not sure Mr. Carson could withstand such a shock. 

And now to Branson.  OMG....what a hunk.  When Mrs. Hughes asked if she could talk to him the way she used to when he was "in service", I about d-i-e-d.  She told him  how he'd made such a difficult transition flawlessly, and how proud Sybil would be, he lost it and I did, too.  He is heartbroken with out Sybil and lonely as all get out--read vulnerable-- and with Rose coming to DA next season all I can say is here we go again with the chauffeur, only now he's the Land Manager. 

Did you notice all of Lady Mary's gorgeous nightgowns??  And the clothes of the upper crust ladies?? They continue to be beautiful (with the exception of  Rose's mother) and the jewelry is tres' grand.  The Dowager's pearls were multi-strand gawgeousness, and the clasp was the size of your fist. 

I'm afraid we are in for more cat fights next season between Lady Edith and Lady Mary.  Lady Mary's future demeanor has already been alluded to, and Lady Edith is becoming very much her own woman--get ready for the fur to fly.  I can hardly wait!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Weekend Wrap Up

This sums up our visit yesterday to Clyde Warren Park.  Weirdness prevailed.  It had something to do with FB or youtube and a new dance some guy posted that went viral.  Everyone came with their dogs for a Dallas launch.  OK...that's how I understood it and I may be wrong here but all in all, it was fun and funny so who really cares about the details.

This was by far my favorite of the people assembled :  Squirr Guy    Take a look at those nuts.  Nooo...not those.....the ones in his hand.   OK....never mind.  That sounds even worse.

The Pantry Pare Down is complete and Peter Walsh, Oprah's clean out guru, would be proud.  Lord knows I sure am.  It so clean and organized I'm feeling a tad but cocky like I might just be able to move on to the hall closet.  Stay tuned.

Last night I finished reading Morningside Heights and while it was OK, don't jump in your car and go buy it.  In my book it was just a little too soap opera.  The end was completely predictable and if I could figure it out so can everyone else.  Holler if you want to borrow mine.  I doubt you will.

I am on pins and needles for tonight season 3 ending of DA and it's two hour conclusion.  From today's paper I understand tonight's photography is stellar, with a tough ending.  Oooo, la la.  I'll be ready and watching at 7pm for last weeks show, and roll right on into tonight's.  Making us wait another year for season 4 is just teddibly rude, IMO

Last on the list is what my husband said to me as we contemplated our visit to the Perot.  We discussed when to go and how to avoid the crowds--like that's really possible.  I suggested he knock off early some afternoon and meet me there, to which he responded "I don't think that will work" and I asked "Why?"  He said "You KNOW how I am around science and museums....I'll want to stay MUCH longer than you will and I'll drive you CRAZY", to which I burst out laughing.  True that.  I wonder if they have a spend the night program or Science Camp for adults......maybe he could take his sleeping bag and I could pick him up the next morning?

Saturday, February 16, 2013

I know her...she's ME



This picture makes me laugh out loud for lots of reasons.  That's me in the front and my sister behind me.  You can see she's missing her front teeth--the ones she knocked out jumping on the bed.  Dang...she looks like she's asleep.  What freaks me out is how much my brother's face looks like Hudson's.  And look at my nightgown....I still remember that one and am wondering what I thought was so funny....maybe I was laughing at my bangs 'cause they look like maybe I cut 'um.  Doesn't every kid cut their own hair at some point?  I swear they do.

See the wooden magazine holder in the background?  That thing was painted and spiffed up and mom had it up until a few years ago, before we moved her out of our old house.  It's weird the stuff you notice and remember in old pictures.  I wish I could have seen more of the room so I could tell if this was our Edmonson house or Belclaire.   And look how my brother is sitting....and look at his big toe.  What's up with that?  Is he trying to hitch a ride somewhere??  He looks like a little old man in those Brooks Brothers looking pj's.

I can't swear to it but I think that chair and ottoman were recovered at least twice, and in my parents bedroom until a few years ago.  Good Lord....

Friday, February 15, 2013

Calling all Gardners

Attention all gardeners or anyone wanting to grow their own veggies:  the church up the block from us has plots available.  First dibs is for church members but I doubt they'll be many so if you want a plot, let me know and I can give you Jerry's (the man in charge) contact info.  He is presently attempting to work out a better watering system.  I'm considering growing flowers for cutting as I was not a tremendous whiz with tomatoes.  The soil has some type of inborn blight so you might do best to buy a truck load of good stuff and replace your soil, if you are a really serious grower.   Even if you aren't and just want a tranquil place to come visit, the garden is fun to see, if enough growers are growing.

Fred says there's bound to be a way to kill off the blight in the soil that's already there but I don't know.  Jerry, grower extraordinaire, says he just deals with it but then he started with great stuff in the beginning when he replaced all his crummy original soil.  A lot of the plots are overgrown and need weeding but that's nothing that a few hours and a lot of Advil won't fix.  Just sayin'.

The Pantry Pare Down has turned into a full scale Pantry overhaul.  I've had to pare it down into smaller bites so I wouldn't get totally overwhelmed.  Now I'm actually enjoying it because I take 1-2 shelves a day and am ruthless.  I remove everything, sort, pitch, check dates, and then scrub the shelves and replace what ever made the cut to live on a bit longer.  Once those shelves are done, I go play and do something fun.

Since our ginormous Aloe Vera plant accidentally got the deep freeze treatment after being left out, I gave it a haircut the other day.  I had put it off thinking the leaves would eventually dry out and drop off but when that was taking longer than I wanted and it was grossing me out, I did surgery on it.  I amputated all the old squishy, nasty, rot smelling leaves and I'm glad I did.  The problem?  They are right where I left them.  They are so gross I don't wanna pick them up... they're all drippy, smelly, and gross.  Maybe I can talk Fred into doing it???  Nah.  Probably not.  Guess I better go get busy.  Barf.

Happy weekend to All!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Is it love? Or something else.

I just got back from taking mom some candy and a begonia from Tom Thumb.  Clearly nothing big deal.  Just a little something and it got me thinking about love--what it is and what it's not.  For me, love is something that is freely given, not demanded.  It comes from a place inside me that overflows with joy and makes me want to share it with others.  Love is fun.  It makes me laugh, wiggle, cry, and makes memories in my brain of small things that felt BIG.  A child's smile, a friend calling for help or for me to just listen, the joy of accompanying someone on their final journey out of this world and doing what I can to make those last days comfortable.  Love is peaceful, gentle, beautiful.

Love is NOT painful or hurtful, and if it that's what you are feeling around someone, it's NOT love.  A lot of people have this confused.  They think it's OK to hurt you and then say they didn't mean it, laugh at your angry response, belittle you for feeling the way you do, or tell you to suck it up.  Note to self: Anger is the dignity emotion so if they keep doing something to you that makes you feel angry and hurts you, wake up, honey.  That's NOT love. Anyone that repeatedly hurts you does NOT love you, so don't be fooled by that.  Once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern so ask yourself: Am I seeing a pattern of behavior that hurts me and if so, do something about it.  You do not deserve to be hurt--no one does.

If someone abuses you verbally, physically, mentally, or any other way, they may not be capable of real love so show them the door.  Yes, we have to be around unsafe people sometimes BUT as adults, we get to pick and choose when, or even if, we want to be around them at all.  So many of us have thought we were just "stuck".  You are not.  You have options--loads of them--and a big one is to walk away and stay away.  Set boundaries.  You do not have to accept unacceptable behavior from anybody and guess what?  You get to decide what behavior is or isn't acceptable to you.  Nobody gets to tell you what's OK for you.  Only you get to do that.

Love is open, flexible, and doesn't demand anything of other people.  If it does, that's not love, that's control.

And that's just how I see it.

From my heart to yours




Go ahead.  You deserve it!!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I LOVE me some cast iron

We need to talk about cast iron skillets because they are almost better than chocolate and that's saying quite a lot.  If you don't have one, just go getcha one because every girl or guy simply needs to have one.  Tonight, because I was cold and in my pink __________________________________
and cooking_________,  I was unwilling to go outside
and light the grill for burgers.  OK...I realize it's an interesting look but it's comfy and I like it, so just get on over it.  I had jury duty today so be nice.

 Anyway, you just can't beat a smokin' hot cast iron skillet to brown your burger to crusty perfection, and put a smile on your face especially when that burger is not one of those skinny wimpy mini barely any meat burgers.  No, baby....not enough meat = no fun.  If you think that meat is good, try grilling your onions in that same hot skillet.  Get that skillet all hot and sizzly and throw in those onions and let 'um go.  Stir them every now and then, but not much more than that.  They'll turn into the best caramelized grilled onions ever.
Pile them on your burger and remember to thank God for your burger AND your cast iron skillet.  You won't regret either. 

Jury Duty today--tune in tomorrow

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Dog Shrove Tuesday

This is what happens if you are a dog, on Shrove Tuesday.  This











becomes this.

                                                           

Monday, February 11, 2013

Wow....more change

Wow.  I am stunned by this mornings news about the Pope stepping down.  I understand that his health is the issue.  I just never knew you could step down as Pope.  I thought it was a job for life--no matter what.  What are you called after you step down, besides a few unmentionable things some people might hurl your direction?  Are you Previous Pope?  Former Pope?  Or just your given name, here after?

Where does a former Pope go to live?  Do you go back home to your home country, are you still a Cardinal, what, what, what??  And, besides God, who can you discuss this momentous decision with, prior to your announcement?  If your former aide betrayed you, who can you trust?  Sounds like a terribly lonely job to me.

How would you like your lineage to be connected to the first Pope in 600 years to abdicate?  With all due respect, I do not think the job would be even the slightest bit fun, but bailing on your spiritual duty, once you've been consecrated (or what ever the term is) makes me wonder what kind of extraordinary strength his decision must take.  Again, what a shockeroo.  I wish him all the best.

 On another note, on a visit to mom last week, I went by to talk with the lady who does mom's hair to ask her to cut mom's hair a little shorter.  We chatted and as I left, she followed me outside her little 2nd floor mini salon.  There were some other ladies present and she wanted to tell me something privately.  She told me that each time she see's mom, she thinks it's "the last time" she'll see her, and asked me if I was seeing the same changes.  I told her basically yes and no....and we both just shook our heads.  Sometimes we see only what we can handle.

Sorry for the bummer.  It's just where I am. 


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Weekend Wrap Up

We had breakfast this morning at Bubba's with two of our most favorite people in the world--DIL Andrea's mom and dad, Marianne and Francisco.  Between pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon, biscuits, and coffee, we just about covered everything that's happened since our last visit.  They had just returned last week from a ski trip to Snowmass after having not skied for a few years.  In fact, they were at Snowmass while Benji and Scarletta were in Denver.  We asked if they'd seen Benji's ski video set to music, made on little kid short skis sans poles, and they had not but were not surprised their SIL would do something like that.  We told them he could not stand being that close to the slopes, and not go skiing.  I'm sure they'll be going on his FB page to see his video.  There's just never a dull moment around here with our kids.

This afternoon marks the beginning of the ginormous clean out--or at least that's my hope.  One of us is a bit of a hoarder, the other is the exact opposite and I'll let you figure out who is who.  Let's just say I'll be supplying the trash bags and encouragement-- but I have some tossing that could be done as well.  There's just nothing like clearing out old stuff......there must really be something to that Spring cleaning idea.  I hate doing it but I love, love, love how it feels afterwards. 

In the latest issue of O magazine, there are several articles where Peter Walsh, the De-Clutterer, has assisted people in de-cluttering for a cause.  Brilliant idea.  If I'm not using it, why not gift it to somebody else??  There's even a contest where you can submit your proposal and if you win, Peter will come help.  I'm considering attempting The Pantry Pare-Down since heaven knows what might be in mine.  The article says it takes 30 minutes.  Clearly they have not seen mine. 


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Adios, Witch

Sad news this morning.  Senora Maria called at 8:00 AM to tell me Juan's mother had finally died around midnight last night.  She had had a stroke a week or so ago and was heading downhill rapidly, so this was not a surprise.  The saddest part is, Juan's mother was a witch...a real first class broom riding meaner than mean selfish awful excuse for a human being.  I can't remember exactly how many brothers and sisters shared this mother but I'm thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 and not a one of them wanted to deal with her, and never had.

Every week when Maria would arrive, I'd get the lowdown on The Witch, and her latest antic's.  She once accused Maria of trying to poison her and made Maria taste the food first, before she'd eat anything, and that's IF she'd eat at all.  She usually didn't want what everyone else was having and wanted them to go buy her something.  Yeah...she was a real piece of work.
 
She had a favorite son, and treated the others like horse poop.  One of her own daughters would simply not take care of her, deal with her, nada.  No matter whose house she was at for the week, she didn't want to be there--she wanted to be with the favorite son--and he didn't want her, either.

Maria's husband is not in good health.  Physically, he can't handle the drive anymore.  He has bad diabetes and hypertension, so instead of driving they will be taking  the bus to Mexico for the funeral.   Hopefully, they can both try to sleep on the trip down.  When she called, I asked her to please give Juan my sympathy and a big hug.  Because we are such good friends, before we hung up I sang in the background what I'd always told her I would, when this day finally came:  Ding Dong, the witch is dead...the witch, old witch, the wicked Witch.  We both screamed out laughing. 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Candy Picking

Today I've been strolling down memory lane and this picture made me laugh.  That's yours truly with the Buster Brown haircut and if you are too young to know who that is then just google it.  Anywho, the picture was made at my grandparents house at White Rock, upstairs at their big old house in their den.  On that secretary is the peppermint candy jar they always kept filled with candy in addition to the Whitman Sampler Chocolates that my grandfather kept up high in his closet.  Why up so high?  Who knows. Notice how I am dressed sort of like a boy....and what about those short bangs and that forehead of mine?  It's as big as a billboard.  My mom once told me my dad had wanted me to be a boy so maybe that explains my attire.

When we were little, my grandfather would only get down the box of chocolates if you asked him, but then there were "Rules".  You could have whatever piece you wanted but you had to eat whatever you chose.  That candy picking was dangerous business.  Since we kids all hated coconut, nuts, and other assorted weirdnesses, picking was like candy Russian roulette.  You either won big or lost big.  I learned if the piece was heinous, to act like I was going to the bathroom, wrap it in TP just to be sure it didn't reappear and come back to haunt you, and give it a big old flush.  My grandfather would have KILLED us if he thought we were not eating his precious pieces of candy.  He was tough and you did not mess with him or his rules.  Flushing was dangerous but necessary.

My system was fine for piece #1, but then you had to wait a decent length of time before you asked for another piece, and then the cycle started all over again.  You never got more than two pieces so you had better be on your game.

Sometimes, peppermints were just less stressful.  You could see them and you knew what you were getting even though they weren't chocolate.  Ahhh...the good old days.  I don't miss them at ALL.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Smalls @ the Partay

This arrived in a text Saturday night and I loved it.  The Smalls were all at their Uncle's 50th birthday party outside Austin with their mom and dad.  Enjoy and I hope you laugh as hard as I have.  These still make me smile.


Rough bunch.  Especially that one on the end.  They must feed her nails for breakfast.

That's some saloon girl.  Wow.  Now you see why I love them all so much.  They are just hilarious. :)))


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Boundaries...got any??

(This is an old post, but one of my favorites.  Enjoy, and if the shoe fits, wear it. :)


Since this is my blog, I get to talk about whatever I want so if this one isn't your cup of tea, OK, fine. But here goes: have you ever had someone keep on ragging you about something that 1) you'd already discussed 2) they didn't get you to do what they wanted you to do, so they circled the wagons and tried again 3) simply could not step back and recognize that saying it one more time was not going to impact you one bit and 4) that you are not them ?  I've come to understand that people who don't respect your boundaries are sending you a very clear message: your boundaries are inconvenient and slow them down getting what they want.  Yours don't matter. 
Which brings me to my favorite lecture: Boundaries. Boundaries are like hula hoops. Slip one on over your head and hold it waist high. It's a cozy fit and yet has a fair amount of room. Now, here's the good part: everything on the inside of the hula hoop back towards you, is YOURS and YOUR BUSINESS. Everything outside your hula hoop is NOT.                      
 It's fascinating to me how many people just cannot or choose not, to get this.  Especially family.  Oh, Lordy....they are the worst offenders.  They think that somehow because they have an opinion, that it's their job to tell you how to do your life, what's best for you, what you should do, because they want you to do what they want you to do. Seldom does it occur to them that this might be disrespectful to you and your intelligence, arrogant on their part, manipulative, not what YOU want to do, and "not inside their hula hoop".  Nope. They just want what they want. And they try to make YOU wrong for not doing what they think you should do.

 People who are continually disrespectful of my boundaries won't see a whole lot of me. They are entitled to their opinions, thoughts, and feelings---and if they continue to disregard my boundaries, they'll still be having their opinions, thoughts and feelings--just without ME. When people show you or tell you who they are, believe them

Monday, February 4, 2013

Let It Go

Let It Go
   
    By The Rev. T. D. Jakes
   
    There are people who can walk away from you.
   
    And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let ‘em walk.
   
    I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.
   
    I mean hang up the phone.
   
    When people can walk away from you let them walk.
   
    Your destiny is never tied to anybody who left.
   
    The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
   
    People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
   
    Let them go.
   
    And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.
   
    Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me.
   
    And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.
   
    Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!
   
    If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ..... LET IT GO!!!
   
    If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....LET IT GO!!!
   
    If someone has angered you.....LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.....LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you have a bad attitude.......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him........LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......LET IT GO!!!
   
    If you're feeling depressed and stressed .........LET IT GO!!!
   
    If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to......LET IT GO!!!
   
    Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2007!!! LET IT GO!!!
   
    Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then .....LET IT GO!!!
   
    "The Battle is the Lord's!" 

 Amen.  And that's just how I see it.

Yay, it's Monday???

No matter what you thought of the Super Bowl, I think we can all agree Beyonce killed it.  My thighs are screaming this morning after watching all her squats and my lower back hurts from all that shakin' but there's no denying it sure looked good on B.  Oh, my....I loved all of it even though I only saw half of it. 

I had already switched over to Downton Abbey when the lights blew and Bruce came in laughing, to tell me.  Man...New Orleans and that Superdome have got some seriously bad karma going on.  Neither one of us could believe it and I'm so glad it happened after the half time show, and even if that's what blew all the circuits, it was still worth it.  Football was just a backdrop for the commercials and halftime show anyway.

As best I can tell, it appears we only have two more episodes of DA to enjoy before we wait for season 4.  I could be wrong here but they only have teasers for eight episodes listed, so that's sooo not good.  Not good at all.  I love getting to know all of the characters in depth--that doesn't always happen--and seeing how they react in difficult /painful situations.  You never really know people until they are put to the test.  That's when they reveal themselves for exactly who and what they truly are.  Not always pretty but very instructive. 

Now, pass the beignets and quit hoggin' all the Nawlin's coffee.  Happy Day to all and make it a GREAT one!      
                        


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Not again?

I am not a killer at heart.  I'm really not.  But it's time.  It's squirrel huntin' time in Dallas when they chew up my pillows and yank the stuffing out for their nests.  Never mind it's an intelligent idea--the consequences around here are a pellet shot to the head and a trip to the trash can in the back.  I give you Exhibit A:  what you cannot see is all the rips underneath the second pillow, and all the bird poop.

 I personally went and got the pellet gun and handed it off, as Sis hopped backwards, tail dancing, thrilled down to her toenails for what was about to take place.  The current score is squirrels 0, us 1, but they are taking a break now to do other chores.  It's not over, squirrels.  Don't think for a second it is.  It's NOT.

On the way home from breakfast, we saw a gorgeous hawk sailing on the thermals above NW Highway.  I could have pulled over and watched for hours.  Flight is something that just awes me.  I don't like birds much but I do enjoy watching them.

Before I close, I would be remiss if I did not tell you to go on youtube to the Ellen show and watch her hold  the Anaconda.  Do NOT watch with a full bladder.  Just sayin'. 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Roberto

Oh, man...the fun just keeps coming.  I went by to see mom yesterday afternoon but first stopped off to say hi to the Nurse Manager and another employee.  According to the NM, mom had had sort of a tough day and I asked in what way.  She said she had seen mom on her way to get her hair done and mom was "cold" so she told mom she'd be warm in a minute when she got to the elevator--mom was in the lobby with the big front door.  She said mom was just not perky at all.

Then mom started tearing up talking about "Roberto"....and the NM asked me who that was.  I told her that was my dad, Bob, or Robert.  Her face just sank, as did my heart.  She said when she asked mom who it was, all mom said was "love...love...".

 I went on my way down the hall and into mom's room.  Still in bed from her nap, I crawled up on her bed and chatted.  When I ran out of things to talk about I asked her about "Roberto".  I asked her "were you talking about my dad, Bob?" and she said "no".  She said this man was "beautiful....handsome..." and she teared up and said "he's in my head...I see him..."  When I asked her if she loved him she yelled "YES" and I told her I knew him, and loved him, too.  (Mom speaks Spanish to everyone over there so I was not surprised she referred to dad as Roberto.) 

Since that was going to make us both cry, I switched gears and we played "Do you remember?"  I asked her all the people I knew she would remember, and we ended up laughing our heads off.  Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to live in your head all the time, in the past, the way Alzheimer patients do?  If you had a really fun and happy childhood and past, it might be kind of fun.  If not, maybe you just create a good one??  I don't know.

Now, I don't want to close on a sad or poignant note so here's what else I found out yesterday.  When the staff person came to get mom up to her wheel chair, she told me that when she first opened the door, she thought I was a resident, since I had my back to her.  Shuuuuud up and quit laughing....  Anyway, she said some times when she comes in, another resident will have crawled up in bed with mom, and sometimes will lie down beside her.  I knew exactly who she was referring to--it's mom's next door neighbor.  So sweet.... it made me walk out smiling.