Like Mother, Like Daughter

Conversation in the car on the way home from school one day last week with J.:

"Mom, why do you shut your cell phone with your chin?"
"Uhmm, didn't know I did that."
"Yep! Why do you do that?"
"I guess because my other hand is busy driving."

Conversation in the church lobby on Sunday as I hang up my cell phone:

"Mom, you are still shutting your cell phone with your chin. Why?"
"Uhmm...I have no clue!!"

This is from the girl who held her pacifier under her chin when she wanted to tuck it away somewhere safe while she ate, or played, or whatever. We always wondered where she got that little trick and now we know.

C. and I have a lot of similarities also. I have to admit, as a child I was a tad dramatic. I dressed up. I role played. I emoted. C. has been known to do this every day of her life thus far. If there isn't any drama readily available, she will manufacture it!

So how much like my mom am I? Devoted to the Lord, check. Service gifts, check. Intensely loyal to family and friends, check. Prayer warrior, oops--need to work on that more diligently. Highly disciplined, ouch--not so strong in that trait.

Well, the nice thing is that I have a great role model in my mother who inspires me to press towards Christ-likeness. My prayer is that I will in turn be that for my own daughters as they grow up into beautiful women of God.

Overhurd At Thu Dintist

I was "relaxing" in the chair getting an enamel-challenged tooth updated (sounds more progressive then getting an old cavity re-filled, don't you think?) when the dentist started talking to her assistant about another patient. She had fitted him with dentures but when she caught sight of him out-on-the-town the other night, he wasn't wearing them. Her voice registered incredulity.

That conversation over the "purring" drill got me thinking.
If I run into my eye doctor and I am not wearing my glasses, will I be the subject of conversation in her office the next day?
If I return my new shoes, will the salesperson at the store be offended if she finds out?
If I don't take people's advice will I be considered foolish?

Probably, but oh well!!

Comic Relief

My nephew provided a little comic relief after my mom-in-law's funeral several weeks ago. It was even funny at the time. Note the sign over the slot. The church secretary said that in the history of the church, they had never had that happen before! Fortunately, a physical therapist was on hand and manipulated the arm into a position where it could be removed...10 minutes later! The picture actually was taken just after the arm was removed as we felt it was an important memory to preserve for posterity and probably for his rehearsal dinner someday. One thing we know for sure--Marta would have laughed and laughed!

Denial or Therapy?

Have you ever had one of those days where there's emotional stuff swirling around you from all sorts of directions, but you just aren't going to deal with it? You choose to ignore "it" and allow "it" to just go away for a little while? That is my day today this far! Some might call it denial...

I started my morning off with a professional massage, which was given to me for my birthday last month. Hopped over to the last half of Bible study and had a sweet time of prayer with some ladies from church. Came home and changed back into my PJ's. Next came a leisurely lunch followed by a Hersheys bar (full size) while finishing up a mindlessly pleasant piece of fiction. Fire in the fireplace, raindrops on the window, total silence, bliss!! Book finished, I took a Dr. Phil personality test, which was surprisingly accurate and therefore somewhat amusing. (go to psychcentral.com/personquiz.htm) And now here I an blogging about my state of lazy denial to the great big world of internet. Should I be embarrassed?

Strangely, the emotional swirly stuff isn't so overwhelming to me as it was earlier. I actually feel rested up and ready to face some of the things that need to be faced, and which ones those are seem clearer then before. Some might call a day like today denial but it has felt more like therapy!

My Try at a Limerick

There once was a girl who couldn't see,
But glasses or contacts? Not she!
Yet when the day finally came,
And her kids didn't look the same,
She exclaimed, "Four-eyes isn't so bad to be!"

Ok, so in case you couldn't tell, I am enjoying the gift of sight!! My kids were never really so blurry that I couldn't tell them apart, but I do see them in better focus now. How sad is that?! The leaves on the trees are beautiful and don't blend all together in globs of color, and I am even noticing the little individual blades of grass. It is like High Definition vision! Sight is good! Very, very good!

10-20-30 meme

Thanks for tagging me, Spaghettipie. This was a fun one!

Ten years ago my husband and I lived in Texas and he was in seminary. It was a huge time of spiritual growth for our entire family. I tried to read as many of the books my husband was reading and kept a journal of what I was learning. I was still a stay at home mom and my kids were 6, 4, and 2 years old with my youngest not born yet. God kept showing up in amazing ways both spirtitually and also very practically. A favorite story of His provision happened right around this time period. We needed a certain amount of money to pay for tuition and books, and it was a couple of thousand if I remember correctly. We didn't have it. I was biting my nails over it and remembering to pray occasionally for it, when a letter comes in the mail from a former client of my husband's now-ended law practice up in Oklahoma. He sent us a huge check with an apology for it being over a year late! Totally a God moment, as anyone who has ever run their own law practice can attest. Clients just don't track you down after that long and especially after you have closed the practice and moved on.

Twenty years ago was my senior year of highschool. I lived in Oklahoma and attended a private Christian school. I spent my time playing basketball, tennis, and socializing. Sadly, my main focus at that point in time involved my appearance--shopping, makeup, hair, nails, etc. I did have a hard year with the mysterious end of a close girl friendship, though with such maturity I just can't imagine why! God used that "trauma" to grow me up, it really was bitterly hard at the time, and for that I am thankful.

Thirty years ago I was in 2nd grade and my teacher's name was Mrs. Wellborn. And that is all I can remember about that year. It is strange to have an entire year without memories, or at least memories I can identify as linked specifically with that year. I know that we lived in Oklahoma in the same house I lived in from 4 years to 19 years of age. I loved playing with my stuffed animals. No dolls for me. They weren't soft and cuddly like the animals. But I dressed them and fed them and spanked them and hugged them. My favorite was a large round pink bear that I could have sworn hugged me back!

Four-Eyes

When I tried them on, my friend from church who works in the shop told me to look in the mirror. I did and experienced a horrifying moment of heart-stopping shock. I have wrinkles in between my eyebrows, which, by the way, need to be plucked. My pores are rather obvious as are the numerous freckles. And not only is my foundation not doing its job on the spots, but it was a bit caked in areas I had not noticed in my previous state of ignorant bliss.

When I could breathe again, I said to my friend I didn't realize I had wrinkles. She laughed and said, if it was any consolation, it was just news to me. Everyone else has been seeing them for awhile.

Uhm, thanks...I feel so much better now.

But on the up side of things, I can actually see. And my husband tells me they are sexy!! Really, what more could I ask for?! (Other then lasik of course.)

Update on A Cow's Eyeball

Success! You will be so relieved to hear that I survived the dissection yesterday and didn't have to leave the room once. Well, I did leave once, but it was to run an errand for the teacher that, providentially, couldn't wait a minute longer. She desperately needed a trash bag and, frankly, it was up to me to make that trash bag happen for her.

My son was a pro at dissection, as I watched him from the far back right corner of the room next to the open window. He is the one who not so long ago suddenly came down with the "flu" when on a hunting trip with his dad. The "flu" hit right about the time the deer was being dressed. But no "flu" symptoms showed up today as he carved and observed and prodded the huge knobby smelly thing.

What have I learned from my brief foray into the world of 8th grade science?

1. I was very wise to not have pursued anything scientific for my vocation.
2. While it may be "interesting" and "educational" to observe the dissection of a cow's eyeball once in my life, I am quite sure it needn't be a recurring thing. Thank goodness!!

A Cow's Eyeball

There comes a day in a person's life when she must dissect a cow's eyeball. Apparently, today is that day for me. My son's 8th grade science class desperately needs my assistance (I am told) and I will be there for them!! I will let you know if anything "interesting" happens.

Five Things...

...that cause me to question my vocation of stay at home mom:

1. My shirt never manages to stay completely dry when I wash the dishes.
2. I do not own an apron and haven't since I was 7 years old.
3. Not only can I not sew, I don't even want to.
4. I am a mediocre cook, and only slightly better at baking.
5. While I appreciate a clean house, I do not appreciate cleaning the house.

...that affirm my choice to be a stay at home mom:

1. Big D!
2. Little D.
3. M.
4. C.
5. J.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to have this wonderful job of taking care of my family!

Date Night

Once thing I love about my life is our date night. It usually happens on Sunday night for us. It is a cherished tradition in my marriage and one I hope never, ever goes away.

It started several years ago. We knew our marriage would suffer without special alone time together but when our kids were younger the budget just didn't allow for babysitting on a regular basis. And so we decided to try some dates at home. All four kids were put in bed at 8:00 PM regardless of their regular bedtime and required to stay in their rooms to read or play quietly until their regular bedtime. They did a really good job leaving us alone and so began our weekly date night routine.

Today, we have the luxury of kids old enough to stay home alone or to babysit for the younger ones. (: But we still spend the majority of our date nights right here in our own home with all the kids going to their rooms for the night at 8:00 PM with a grin and a kiss goodnight.

Because it is such a highlight of my week, I am adding to my blog a page element called Cheap Yet Fun Dates. Most can be done in house, but some will require babysitting if you have younger ones. Glance over there every once in a while if you need an idea for your own date night. I will start with several of our favorites from the past. And if you have a Cheap Yet Fun Date idea of your own, please pass it along to me. I am always looking for new ways to date my husband.

Been Tagged

Saturday MeMe...I was tagged

Jobs I’ve Had:

1. babysitting was good to me in my highschool years...kept me dressed preppy

2. receptionist at my dad's Dr. office...I can type pretty fast, actually, but I am not a big phone person

3. nanny...while Kellie's nanny job made her feel smug and superior mine made me wonder if I ever wanted to be a mother with children of my own! Fortunately, I like my own children.

4. welcome wagon...the high point memory of this job is tied between the new local t.v. newscaster answering the door in his boxers and high centering my car on someones driveway and the tow truck had to be called. Both make me giggle.


Places I’ve Lived:
1. Honolulu, Hawaii
2. Irving, Texas
3. Edmond, Oklahoma
4. Topeka, Kansas
5. Garland, Texas
6. Frisco, Texas
7. Ft. Worth, Texas
8. Michigan

Food I Love:
1. TexMex
2. chocolate
3. tea, with milk and sugar, if you please
4. steak

Websites I Visit:
1. http://christianbook.com

2. http://yahoo (: pathetic source of information, but oh well

3. mostly I just cruise around my friend's blogs to be honest


Places I’d Rather Be:
Too scary to even chase this question out. I am here!


Movies I Love:
1.Pride and Prejudice (BBC edition)
2.You've Got Mail (so predictable, but still a favorite)
3.The Music Man (put out a couple years ago on T.V...a friend taped it for me)
4. Big Fat Greek Wedding


TV Shows I Watch:
Here I go...Pro football and college basketball, Mixed Martial Arts (only with Big D, though), Funniest Home Videos(with the kids), Singing Bee (I apoligise for being so weird but there it is for all the blogging world to see) We try not to watch t.v. during the school week so that limits the shows we watch.

My Mom-in-Law

This picture was taken just a month before she went to be with the Lord. Sadly, there are only a few pictures of us together which encourages my committment to not avoid the camera anymore. One picture I found of us was at my wedding shower in 1990 and both of us look like walking flower gardens (think Laura Ashley in mauves and blues).

Today as I post this, I am thinking grateful thoughts of the woman who mothered my sweet husband, played tea party with my girls, listened intently to my boys' sports stories, and loved me as a part of her family.

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Yesterday on La Vida Dulce, Kellie referenced my sugar cookie recipe and they really are yummy and so easy! I inherited this recipe from my sister and won't use any other now.

1 c. butter (2 sticks)
1c. sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add baking powder and flour, one cup at a time mixing after each.

Do not chill dough. Dough may be tinted with food coloring. Pat or roll out (not too thin) and cut. Bake 6 min. or until golden brown at edges. Frost when cool.

Note: drop cookies take 9-10 minutes

Not Enough Hours In My Day

Yesterday went by so fast and I felt like I didn't really accomplish much of anything. Drifting off to sleep last night, I tried to figure out where I went wrong. As I mentally checked things accomplished off my list I came to the conclusion that nothing went wrong...I just had too many things on my to-do list. (:

So today, with yesterday's stuff rolled into my list today, I WILL NOT panic. I WILL calmly take care of the priority items, and I WILL NOT care if my list is completely checked off by tonight at bedtime!!

Gotta' run! (blog...check, laundry...)

A Bit Ticked Off

I try to keep things positive and upbeat on my blog while remaining real and authentic.

Be forewarned, today is a little more of the real then of the positive. My insurance company is strangely refusing to pay for my allergy medicine. Quite honestly, I don't know if I have the emotional energy right now to navigate through their phone system.

It will go something like this:

Welcome to our automated phone system!
Press 1 if you are a doctor or pharmacist, and we will joyfully and immediately connect you to a kind and helpful person.
Press 2 if you have "VIP" at the beginnning of your account number and you will be helped sooner rather then later.
Press 3 if you have a long string of numbers in your account number and pull up a chair you will be here awhile.

When I press #3 I will hear the cheerful voice say:

Press 4 if you have given birth to 6 or more children and have a question about a prescription.
Press 5 if you are postmenopausal with thinning hair and have a question about a prescription.
Press 6 if you have psychological issues and have a question about a presciption.
Press 7 for more options.

This is where things get risky. If I press #7, will it circle around to phase one and start all over again or if I am patient will I eventually get the option of talking to a real person?

Or should I just push #6 and get it over with!!

Moving Forward

Marta didn't want us to wallow in our sadness when her time came and so our family is choosing to move forward. Today the guys are out playing golf and enjoying each other and the fresh air. Yesterday, we girls did own thing...lunch at PF Changs, pedicure, shopping, candy!

To get a little picture of how the pedicure went, please go to YouTube and look up the clip by Angelah Johnson titled (I think) Nail Salon. You will enjoy!!

This World Is Not My Home

"This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."


This is the first stanza of an old song from the 1960's by Albert Brumley. Reading through the words my tears are a mix of sadness and joy, pain and hope. This world is not my mom-in-law's home, her treasures are laid up in heaven, the last months have been a series of steps closer to her home-going, and she was ready. She died Tuesday morning at 10:20 and entered into the Presence of the Lord.

"I have told you these things so that IN ME you will have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

6 Signs of Stress

1. The waves lapping at your ankles are due to the handfuls of hair clogging your shower drain.

2. The object you keep catching out of the corner of your eye is really just the "blemish" on your nose.

3. Silver strands of hair can be more accurately described as streaks of gray.

4. A shoulder massage is your favorite way to receive affection.

5. Your pantry is suddenly very empty of carbohydrates.

6. Scissors find their way into your hands and start cutting hair even though you had a professional trim last week.
(Thanks, Kellie, for the promise of intervention if this sign surfaces again!)

If you have a moment, let me know what your favorite ways to reduce stress are. And keep those anwers G rated, thank you very much!

Biding my time!!

Book Reviews...

are apparently quite subjective. I just finished a book that was touted as "poignant", "funny", and "hard to put down". I will not acknowledge the title of the book here in my blog because it doesn't deserve that much recognition. I skipped whole pages at a time just trying to see if the poignant and funny part was just waiting around the corner. And get this! The publisher has the nerve to provide a readers guide with discussion questions as if literary individuals everywhere will want to meet around a coffee table and discuss.

I think what really irritates me the most is that I actually bought the stupid thing! I feel duped by the reviews! So to feel a little better I think I will give my own private review of the pathetic novel that shall remain un-named.

"The perfect read for those who crave a healthy portion of weak plot and awkward narrative interspersed with tired characters. A must-not buy!"

Ok...I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent!